Saturday, September 28, 2013

Post Op #1

Quick re-cap.  I quit smoking in February so I could have the Gastric Bypass Surgery.  I'm tired of hearing "But you aren't fat enough for the surgery!!"  First of all, that is personal, and my weight isn't the reason I wanted the surgery.

I am a diabetic.  And I'm not a GOOD diabetic.  As a matter of fact, I suck at it.  However, when they gave me that information 10 years ago, I laughed at them.  That's for old people, and I'm not old.  And I'm fine.  And I didn't take it seriously.  THAT is the number one reason I wanted this surgery when I looked into it 3 years ago.  I was denied because my BMI was only 37 and not 40, so my insurance denied it.  This year they changed the rules, and my BMI of 37, with my 745 medical problems caused by obesity, the surgery is covered!!  But then Chiari & Crap happened.  And I put it on hold, kind of.  I was still going to appointments, but I didn't think I'd be doing it.  My brain is more important than my belly.

But then I found out that one of the three Chiari specialists is telling new patients, who are obese,  that he wont do the brain surgery unless they lose weight, and he's recommending the surgery.  It makes it safer to do the brain surgery.  Dr. Henderson didn't tell me to lose weight, but when I heard this, I decided to reinvigorate my efforts.  My bariatric doctor was very supportive, and she fit me in to get the surgery done so I'd be all healed for my brain surgery!!!

I went in for surgery on Tuesday, Sept. 24th, and my blood sugar was over 300....  after being on a clear liquid diet for 3 days.  I was released from the hospital on Thursday, Sept. 26th. with no diabetes medications and a blood sugar of 146.  I still have to check my blood sugar 3 times a day, and the last time I checked it, it was 123!!!!!  THAT my friend, is the blood sugar of a NON-DIABETIC!!!!!

Does this mean I am no longer a diabetic?  No.  I do not believe I will ever be cured of diabetes.  I really hope, however, that we just put that SOB into severe remission!!!!  I wont claim success in this area until I'm back to eating real food..  but for now, I do love my new numbers!!!

I do feel the need to clarify some stuff.  We are in the process of raising money for my brain surgery... but then I go and have gastric bypass surgery!!  I need to clarify that Dr. Henderson is a specialist in Chiari Malformation, and is NOT an in-network doctor.  For my bariatric surgery, I had a co-payment of $150.  That is the inpatient co-pay and the only surgical expense we had to fund for this surgery.   I just want everyone to know that our fundraising efforts are above board and my integrity is very important to me.