I'm finding that I'm not able to keep up with all the places I'm trying to post, so I've consolidated my WLS updates into two places:

ONLINE BLOG:

http://divatauniablog.com

This is my online journal/blog.  Not WLS focused, but a little bit of everything including all my WLS stuff. 

VIDEO BLOG:

http://www.youtube.com/divataunia

My videos about my WLS journey.  You'll find some other random videos there, but this one is pretty surgery-focused.

I will probably still pop in here from time to time and update, but for now, these are the two best places to find my updates and information.

Cheers,
Taunia

On 11/19/07, I met my surgeon for my first consult appointment.  I'd read about Dr. Hess here on oh.com, and had heard about him through folks in my support group.  I already knew that he was handsome (picture here) and that he was a sweetheart from all the other patients.  But oh. my.   I met this man and went completely ga-ga over him.

I'm sure that's typical.  Women walk in to see him and he's this man who's comforting, non-judgemental, sweet, and really excited to help you change your life.  I mean, who wouldn't fall for that?  Coupled with his great sense of humor and his kindness, it seems to me that he probably has women fawning over him every day.    And I'm just another one.  lol  I really do have a little crush on him.

Anyhow, the appointment seems a bit on the haphazard (is that how you spell that?) side.  Dr. Hess didn't seem to know that I had started this process back in August and projected another 6 months before I got the surgery.  I told him I will bribe people with money if necessary.

Tony (the RN) was great.  Very funny, very personable, but also a bit on the disorganized side.  That doesn't put a lot of faith in me that my file will be handled with the utmost of care and attention, but I think it's a matter of him being completely overwhelmed with work, rather than just being a disorganized person.  He did tell me that I need to get everything signed by various doctors, etc with "Taunia is CLEARED for clearance."   So, I've just decided to get copies of everything to stay on top of things.  I really liked him, though, and I liked how approachable he was.

Next up:  full day of testing on Wednesday of this week.  I go in for multiple tests, and then have to see the internist, then the nutritionist and then schedule the pysch test.  After the pysch test is done, they schedule my appt.

It's amazing to me how long of a process this is, and what an emotional toll it can take on you.  But next year.  Next year I will be healthy.  That's what I keep reminding myself.

And, that I have a crush on my surgeon.  :)

Ok, I've been continuing to go to Weight Watchers so I can lose the 15-20 lbs needed before surgery.  

(For those of you who are wondering WHY I need to lose that weight:  it's to shrink the liver and make it easier for the surgeon to get in and out.  Less time under anesthesia=less chance of complications.)

I'n really struggling with the mindset, switch, though.  My WW leader (who is generally pretty sensitive and inclusive) made a comment about people feeling overwhelmed by having to lose "a huge amount of weight.  You know, if you have 50 lbs to lose, that can be really overwhelming."  And I'm looking around the room thinking, there are several people in here - myself included - who have actual HUGE amounts of weight to lose.  100+ lbs.  I mean, what the HELL?  And it just saddened me, because I know like me, statistically, most of them won't do it.  We try and try and it's just not going to happen.

Admittedly, for the past few weeks I've given myself a little pass becasue I know I'm getting surgery - which is a really unhealthy mindset.  So, I decided WW was definitely the best way to get me on track.  The problem is, I just feel so disconnected.  I want to be able to communicate to the people I know in there about my fears and concerns, but I don't dare speak a word of it because I know I'll be shamed out of there.  

C and I were talking about how cliche-y and judgemental that group is.  There's such a wide variance of weight losses and such a wide gap between having a few pounds to lose, and having a struggle with a food addiction and 100+ extra lbs on your body.  Huge gap.  It's hard to connect.

That's why I cannot wait for the WLS support group.  I was supposed to start today, but it ends up I'm starting the first week of November.  I know in there, I'll be able to connect, talk about what I'm feeling, and get lots of very important and pertinent info.  

In the meantime, I'll just stick to my points and struggle to lose the required weight in time.  And I'll ignore the fact that I no longer am connected to the folks in WW.  It's all I can do for now.

I have my 20th high school reunion in 2.5 years.  I keep joking that we need to get this show on the road!

The interesting thing was that I was so terrified about the surgery before, and now I CAN. NOT. WAIT.   And there's just so much WAITING.  And lots of appointments.

So far:

-I've gone to the initial orientation meeting 8/13/08
This was a great introduction into the many options for weight loss and the department in general.  It's a requirement at BMC to be considered.

-Had an appt with Dr. Khaodhiar (endocrinologist) 09/26/07
She was adorable and upbeat and funny.  Very informative, and she was the "official" person to recommend me for gastric bypass.

-Had a lengthy conversation with my doctor  09/29/07
(Eunice McAllister) We spoke on the phone, and I let her know I had taken her advice and I was doing this, and she was very happy to hear that and said she really thinks I've made a great decision.  Let it be known that I absolutely love Eunice, and I'm fairly certain that her suggestion for me to think about doing this could quite possibly be saving my life.  Eunice rocks!  *Had her send her referral to the surgeon.

-Met with the Director of Nutrition, Stephanie Spaide 10/3/07
Stephanie was AMAZING.  It was like sitting and talking with a very knowledgable old friend, and she said she was really impressed that I had done so much research before making the decision and coming in.  I expressed my concern about dying, and she gave me statistics that made me feel much better.  She said the death and complication rate for gastric bypass is about 1.5% compared to the 8% rate of general surgery.  Death is very rare, and she really eased my mind and made me more excited about the surgery.  I really liked her and feel like she's really looking out for me!

-Scheduled an appt with Dr. Hess (the surgeon) for 11/19/07
This is my initial surgical consult.  My referral was never received, so I had to call my doctor's office again and ask them to refax it.  Waiting for a call back from them as I type this.  Felicia,  the gal who runs the joint, was really nice and helpful.  The bad thing is, it's SO LONG FROM NOW!!!  I'm really hoping to have the surgery in January, and I'm just afraid that it will be much longer than that since it's taking me so long to get the initial consult appointment.  *sigh*

UPCOMING:

-I have to attend two support group meetings on 10/18/07 and 11/01/07.
-I have an appt with Eunice and Dr. Khioadhiar on Halloween!
-I have to have bloodwork, urine samples, an upper GI, an ultrasound, and have a therapy review to make sure I'm mentally stable enough for the procedure.

I'm hoping I can get all the other tests done in the meantime so I can catch up and get the date quicker.  

It's such a long process, but I know I was right to wait and really research it before coming to a decision.   The bigger struggle is actually losing the 15-20 lbs first!

I had my first appointment with Dr. Khaodiar.  She was a great gal - very upbeat and smiley and chatty.  They weighed me (302!  up a little -yikes) and took my height (5'7") and talked about my current diet with me.  She did a once over looking in my mouth, listening to my breathing, etc.

She told me she'd like me to lose 10 more lbs, and agreed with me that gastric bypass is the best option for me.  She said she will recommend me for the surgery and think I'm an excellent candidate based on my age, weight, and current health.  

She asked who I wanted as my surgeon, and I said Dr. Donald Hess.  She said the next step is to schedule my initial consult with him, and then all the tests will begin.

I have an appt with the nurtrionist on 10/3 (this Wednesday), and now the ball is rolling!

Hopefully, we'll get all the pre-op things out of the way quickly and get the surgery schedule for sometime in January.  :)