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MY
LIFE STRUGGLE WITH MY WEIGHT
- When I was
an adolescent, I WAS AROUND 25 POUNDS OVERWEIGHT & was
taken to an endocrinologist, Dr. Miller (now decreased) who diagnosed
me with a hyperthyroid.
- While in
junior high & high
school, I went to Weight Watchers many times, took appetite
suppressants or followed whatever diet my mother had posted
on the refrigerator.
- I WENT
AWAY TO COLLEGE AND MY WEIGHT ROCKETED TO THE POINT WHERE I
ABOUT 50 POUNDS OVERWEIGHT.
- When I was
a senior at the University of Michigan, I sustained a severe
closed head injury on Nov.
11,1971.
- While
in my 2 - 2½-month
coma, I managed to lose weight. After my time in the U of
Michigan Neurosurgery
Intensive Care Unit and my brief inpatient stay at the Detroit
Rehabilitation Institute, I
saw my body in a long mirror in my bedroom. I was thin. I
asked my mother what had happened? I
had scars on my body, a cast on my arm; I couldn’t
walk or go to the bathroom independently, I didn’t
understand why I was at home or why there was snow on the
ground. It is now Feb. 1972.
- After
3 months of outpatient therapy, occupational, physical & speech,
at the Rehabilitation Institute, I was told that my traditional
Blue Cross would not pay for more outpatient therapy.
- My mother
took me home in a wheel chair home and immediately got rid
of it. She said if I didn’t have to walk, I never
would. I used the walls or her arm for support. She took me swimming
where I slowly built my muscles and gradually I learned to walk
independently. In the locker room at the Jewish Center, she insisted
that I try to fix my hair so I would learn to use my hands again
and order my own lunch so I would learn to make choices.
- I remembered
being able to drive and in May of 1972, I resumed that activity
with my father’s assistance.
There were no restrictions on my license because I was not
the driver in the accident that caused by head-injury.
- In August
of 1972, I returned to the University of Michigan because I
thought that I should be in school and the doctors approved
of my decision to try to finish undergraduate school. I resumed
my special education student teaching because it was a protected
environment & it was where I was when the injury
occurred. In January of 1973, I was supposed to do regular education
student teaching to get my degree, but I did not because I was
knew I could not handle the large number of children in a classroom.
I chose not to do it. I did not need a lot more credits to graduate
so I simply took a philosophy course and continued to live in
Ann Arbor, where I lived to take care of myself. MY WEIGHT IS
NOW ESCALATING AGAIN! In 1973, I got my BS in Education. I LIVED
IN MY PARENT’S BASEMENT FOR THE NEXT YEAR AND NOT ONLY
GAINED WEIGHT BUT APPLIED TO GRADUATE SCHOOLS.
- I moved
to Madison, Wisconsin where I began to attend the School of
Social Work. I gained more weight the first semester when I
had a companion that used to take me out to dinners often.
After the first Christmas break, he disappeared and I continued
to use food as a companion until I get my Masters degree.
I’M
AROUND 50+ POUNDS OVERWEIGHT AT THIS TIME.
- Upon returning
to Michigan I lived at my parent’s once
again until I got a social work position that allowed
me to move to my own apartment. I got fired after 2 ½ months,
isolation and depression is increasing and I find another social
work position. I soon get fired and I don’t work again until
I leave the state for FAT CAMP IN THE LATE FALL OF 1978.
- While in
Massachusetts at fat camp, I walked for long distances – about
10 miles/day, lost less than 20 pounds and I decided not to return
to Michigan and move to the New York metro Area. I relocate in
New Jersey for one year, where I attempted to start a new life.
I was not content with the life I created and I returned home
in 1980. I REGAINED ALL THE WEIGHT I LOST AT FAT CAMP & I’M
STILL WALKING BUT FOR SHORTER DISTANCES, FEWER TIMES A WEEK.
- Once again
I return to seeing different neurologists and working
with Michigan Rehabilitation Services
in order to work and get a job. MY WEIGHT IS INCREASING AGAIN & I’M
DEPRESSED.
- I move to
an apartment where I walked 4 miles a days for over three years
and attended Overeater’s Anonymous meeting
several times a week.
- In 1984,
I move to my own condo in a safer area where I continue to
do long distance walking 3-4 times a week, return to Weight
Watcher’s
at various times and go to The Diet Center. MY WEIGHT CONTINUES
TO RISE.
- In 1987,
I meet the man who would become my husband. I attend Weight
Watcher’s & FOLLOW THE PROGRAM TO THE BEST OF
MY ABILITY for over four months and lose ¼ pound.
- My wedding
is in June of 1989. My husband’s belief was
I ate like I was in a WW II-concentration camp
survivor. In the 15 years of our marriage, I have eaten previously
forbidden foods & HAVE GAINED
ABOUT 20-25 MORE POUNDS. I’M NOW NEARLY 75 POUNDS
OVERWEIGHT & I’m
always on a diet. I continue to walk 2-4 miles / 3 days a week.
- Since we
were married on 6/25/89, I saw an internist, Dr. Jeffery Haller,
and another endocrinologist, Dr. Solomon Rosenblatt. Both men
tried to help me lose weight. Both men failed!
- In 1994,
a physical medicine/pain management doctor, Dr. Wook Kim suggested
that I lose weight to help ease arthritis pain. I continue
to see this doctor to this day to address my arthritis and
head pain & he
continues to suggest that I lose weight.
- After seeing
a female internist for over two more years to lose weight,
a referral to the Beaumont Hospital’s Health
Center’s Bariatric Program was made. I maintained my walking
for exercise regime until the end of 2003. I am frustrated by
my lack of success with weight loss & I’m tired of
never winning at the losing game.
- April 19,
2004, I saw the director of the weight control program for
my intake appointment. On 4/21/04, I had a stress test and
on 4/22, the nutritionist and psychologist evaluated me.
- June 19,
2004, I began to see urologist for my frequent urination problem.
Dr. Diokono tried drug treatment, then ordered a cystoscopy,
which indicated a need to try InterStim Therapy for Uninary Control.
A decision was made to wait for decision on bariatric surgery
before implantation.
- In late
June, Dr. McCullough, the a cardiologist and director of the
weight control program wrote a letter
supporting my request for bariatic surgery.
- I got no
response from the insurance company all summer until I began
to make inquiries.
- On Oct.
27 th, I saw another neurologist, Dr. Lucaj, for my sleep problems
and he suggested that I lose weight.
- On Oct.
29 th , I saw the surgeon who submitted an authorization to
perform Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery on me to Blue Cross.
- On Nov.
19 th, Blue Cross-notified surgeon of denial of preauthoriztion
for surgery because the documentation submitted didn’t
meet the established Blue Cross/Blue Shield criteria, not medically
necessary & on Nov. 24 th the doctor’s Bariatric Coordinator
informed me of their refusal to pay for the procedure and gave
me the phone number of The Obesity Law & Advocacy Center.
- On Nov.
29 th, I informed Beaumont Health Center that I intended to
make contact with that office and I did that.
- It’s
Dec. 1 & I’ve been having continuous migraines
lately. (probably caused by the extreme stress I’ve been
under while fighting to have this procedure) Today, I was given
a prescription from my physical medicine/pain management doctor
for 40mg Replax tablets, that seem to provide me with relief.
I can take one/day, if my pain persists, then I need to call
the doctor before I take another tablet.
- Today is
Dec. 7 th and the herpes virus on my rear-end has begun to
flare up once again. My last internist told me this happens
when I’m
under extreme stress. I will make an appointment to see my
new internist today.
- I received
a letter from the attorney in California yesterday, but I was
too tired to review it then. I will take it to another local
professional for review. Upon his review, I have deciced to
use his firm if my case needs litagation
- I couldn’t
make it to the Lifestyle Change lecture on 12/6 because I was
too exhausted at the end of the day.
- I see my
neurologist on 12/8 for a medication review because I’m
not able to stay alert since Klonopin was started. Medication
changes to assist me to sleep. Dr. Lucaj suggests that I lose
weight and will support my quest to have bariatric surgery.
- I see the
director of the Beaumont Health Center’s weight
control program on 12/9 to review my case and
update my status. I am told to stay in touch with the Health Center
and made another appointment with
the cardiologist, who is the director of the weight control program
on Feb. 28, 2005. I left The
Center feeling depressed, disgusted, defeated and very mad.
- Following
that appointment, I began to develop a migraine. While picking
up a prescription to relieve that pain, I happen to meet a
woman, at another store that I frequent who had recently had
weight-loss surgery. She gave me a referral to Oakland Bariatrics.
After briefly researching the company’s web site, I called
and made an appointment to see Dr. Marek Lutrzykowski on Jan
17, 2005.
- I receive
Oakland Bariatric’s patient information on
Dec. 11, 2004 and I immediately send a request to release
to get some se my medical information to Dr.Lutrzykowski. I sent
that release to the Beaumont Bariatric Program on 12/12.
- On 12/13,
I requested four more release forms from Dr. L’s
office, to be sent to my neurologist - Dr. Lucaj, my internist – Dr.
Lee, my physical medicine/pain management doctor – Dr Kim & my
urologist – Dr. Diokono. I seem to have problems that are
exacerbated by my weight in all these areas.
- Psychologically,
I’m depressed and embarrassed my by
excess weight. Family relations are constantly strained by my
size, but I have a great husband who loves me & he helps
me handle the negativity I’m subjected to because of my
size.
- On 12/14,
Blue Cross is contacted about authorizing payment for additional
migraine medication.
Requests for medical records supporting were sent to various
doctors mentioned above, spoke with internist and learned that
I needed to schedule an Ultrasound on my liver which will occur
on 12/21, with a follow-up with that internist on 1/20, scheduled
appointment to initiate ticket-to-work on Jan 6, intend to see
neurologist for follow-up on Jan 4, plan to attend Oakland Bariatric
Support Group on Jan. 10 and will see new Bariatric surgeon on
1/17.
- On 12/28/04,
I told my allergist about my breathening problems that are
causeme a 2 nd breathing test and my lung capacity has decreased
from 88-77%, probably due to the excess weight I carry. I requested
that he send my allergy & asthma records to the
offices of Dr. Lutzykowshi before Jan 17 when I will see the
surgeon for my intake appointment.
- On 1/10/05,
I attend a support group for Oakland Bariatirics
- On 1/17/05,
I will meet with Dr. Lutrzkowski for my intake appointment.
From reading the material supplied by this doctor, I expect
that he will perform a Gastric Rescection Duodenal Switch (GRDS)(LGRDS-DS)
at Genesys Regional Medical Center in Grand Blanc- near Holly,
MI.
I know that getting sufficient exercise will be required to
maintain my weight lost & because my ability to walk & balance
myself is sometimes impaired, a tricycle would be extremely helpful.
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