The Doctor Visit

The Dr Visit was in the same building in which I attended the lecture. A small waiting room with a large almost empty display case full of  barriatric  supplements. I gave my name and put my co-pay on my credit card. It took a while I had all the paperwork filled out -I was a half an hour early.
The first thing I noticed about the waiting room were the chairs had arms and were extra wide seats.

I turned around to take a seat and saw John from my gym. It was nice to see a friendly face and one I had been asking questions and talking with. He had his pre surgery shorts with him, he wore six years ago. Initially he was 421lbs. They were pretty large. I wondered if I would have a similar pair six years from now? I would be 67 and thin? Better yet healthy? We talked a bit then , they called John in.

I waited and waited then Jessica, the medical assistant -very very thin and not in scrubs, called me into the inner sanctum of the office. She welcomed me to the Weight Loss Center and asked me to step on the scale. It was a small step onto a large scale with handles. Are we noticing a pattern here? Everything is scaled to a morbidly obese person. More than 100 over weight. I am not.

She asked how tall I was . I said 5'7 or 5'9. You see all thru school I was 5'7 then at 49 I had my stroke and I was measured at 5'9.  Weird.  I was 5'9" . I now realize when I filled out all the initial paperwork to attend the seminar I must have put 5'7". "Then, she asked, what kind of surgery option I wanted? I said I did not know. I had thought Lap band before the lecture. But now I was thinking maybe the permanent stomach surgery -that is what I wanted to discuss with Dr O."

She took my blood pressure and asked me about my medicines and said the Dr. would be in shortly and left the room. I got no emotional feedback from her , very  clinical. It was a really long time and I was about to go back into the outer waiting room - the room was closing in and I was getting more nervous. I said a prayer to God to help me decide which of the four surgery options to choose.

Dr O came into the room. I was sitting in the chair , reading the material they passed out at the seminar. I stood and shook his hand and introduced my self. He had an ok handshake, not as strong or weak just average. The kind of handshake that comes from a person that has not made a commitment yet. I think I sub-consciously knew then. I got on the table and he sat on the round rolling stool. He said he remembered me from last night and I kind enough to laugh at some of his jokes. I said Thank you (for remembering me). he opened my file.

Then he said that my BMI -Body Mass Index -weight /height was not high enough for surgery. My insurance would not authorize it. That they were not doing this surgery in the US below 34, they were in other countries but not here. I am not a candidate. I was stunned. I though maybe I was a poor risk medically for surgery,but not fat enough?  I then asked about his weight loss program? and he said he used two types of pills and with my medical history (ie heart attack) they were not an option. He said this was a good thing and he could recommend his Nutritionist. I said no thanks, I lived an hour away. Then he said: 'sorry sweetie', but he didnt want to waste my time, (or his) when he could not help me.  I once again Thanked him. He left the room ahead of me and he told someone to take me off the schedule. No one met my eyes on the way out. John was at the counter and I said Good-bye to him.

I left the office in shock.

I now realize it was the mistake in my height that allowed me to get this far in the process. I was never fat enough -sick enough YES , fat yes ,but not enough for elective surgery. I also may call back for the Nutritionist name and make an appointment. It is a male and I didnt like the many many female Nutritionist(s) I have already seen . It isnt that far, I guess. It is still sinking in, I need to put this experience in perspective. I just need a couple of days to redirect "my life goes on attitude".

I also realize, God sent me my answer. Now if could just let me in on his plan for me?

Yes ,my sense of humor is still here.

Weight Loss Seminar

Tonight I attended the required weight loss seminar -2 hrs of dire statistics -I also took the web seminar on line prior to this in person lecture -I didn't have to attend the second one -but I know me -and i do not always 'get it' -first time thru. The room was small and about 20 people were there, some were support people. I didn't think anyone was to fat to move. I guess not so much the 100 lbs overweight but rather the 'or morbidity factors',was in play. I think i was the only woman 'apple shape' . All the men were and carried their weight in the belly, like an apple. I asked some questions but i found after 2 hours of sitting and watching a small wall power point with the Doctor lecturing -I was wiped out. I could not remember what my questions were. So I will ask at the initial visit. Driving home in the dark (and I no longer see well in the dark) was not fun.


I DO NOT want this surgery -but i actually felt like i was going to cry when he said we may be off the medicines and the insulin.

Alexander Onopchenko, MD, FACS

Logistics may be a problem -the operation is in Atlantic City main city hospital -I haven't map quested that yet and I can not drive myself. But first things first. Am I a candidate ? My health history is not ideal. So next step is the Dr O appointment -tomorrow. It is in the daytime and the same place as the lecture. At least I know how to get there.

Medical Director and Bariatrician
Center for Surgical Weight Loss & Wellness
AtlantiCare Physician Group
2500 English Creek Ave
Building 800
Egg Harbor Twp, NJ  08234
                                                     (888) 362-7690

Destination Wedding

This weekend I had the most amazing time at a destination wedding (my college roommates youngest son)-well not on foreign soil but I was in three states before I arrived. smile The first Ferry was at 7:30am -I am about 45 minutes away -so I had to leave by 6:30 am. I got up at 6:15am -needless to say I made the SECOND Ferry. To my great delight -I found myself in the middle of a tri-state motor cycle rally heading to Ocean City Md -same as I was . The Ferry crossing was like a parade with out Fire Trucks and HS Marching bands. Everywhere I looked was a feast for the eyes -beautiful bikes and colorful riders with their ladies. The amazing part was the age of the men -middle age, And Tattoos everywhere except hands and face. These are sheet metal workers , teachers and accountants passing as every day people but not so secretly bikers! What a HOOT!

Motorcycles to the right/ left /center about 90 going over the Ferry to Delaware

Our friend Sunny was going to meet me at the Ferry =but since I was an hour late (yes I called) she ran into traffic. Because we later found out in was also a Triathlon on the same roads. LOL now that was a mess. Waiting for her I  was able to speak with two ladies awaiting their biker husbands. They were from Mays Landing and normal lovely ladies that rode on the queen seats of these hugh bikes. Sunny and the bikers arrived together. We all took off south. They were so sweet I do hope their weekend was just as wonderful as mine.

Room 1005

Sunny dropped me off at the Clarion Hotel -one of the high rise buildings in the land over built sea shore that is Ocean City , Md -one of the ugliest citys on the coast. Why any one would want to stay in a city like this when a short trip North you could have Cape May County Beach towns? Oh well.

The 5:00pm wedding was west of the city at a Country Club /Golf course Beautiful weather the ceremony was held outside, while a Harp and Guitar played. No reception line ,guests mingled for appetizers as the gentle music and beautiful scenery  surrounded us.

Emily and Steven

The DJ played Motown for dinner -just a few of us were dancing in our seats -friends of the parents. LOL After the cake was cut the dancing started and the music got louder and faster. We left about 10 pm. My friend and her husband were the last to leave at midnight.

Bonnie, Sunny, and ME

The next day Sunny and her sister Sally and I decided this was the best motor cycle tryke for us -outside of Cracker Barrel on the way to Cape May Ferry in DE. The wedding was wonderful but how Steven and Emily got 10,000 motorcycles to give them a parade? I will never figure out !!!!!!    LOL