Well, it's been almost five months since I had surgery.  The time has flown by so quickly.  My health has improved drastically and I feel wonderful.  A little tired in the last few weeks...getting my labs done at the end of the month.  My last set of labs came back pretty good - a little low on Vitamin A, everything else looked great.

I've lost 89 lbs since surgery.  I'm still amazed how quickly it falls off.  Just the other day, I lost 3 lbs in one day.  Yes, I'm one of those people that is addicted to the scale - i weigh myself everyday.  It helps keep me on track and honest with myself.

I'm wearing a size 14/16 (large in shirts).  What a change from having to shop in the plus size department.  I could easiy become a shopping addict 
:-)

OK, so I figured I should probably update this page - it's been a while and a lot has happened.  My surgery is scheduled for December 17th at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, CT.

Today i went for my preop appt with my surgeon and a patient education session.  I learned a lot:
1.  I will not have a private room at the hospital.
2.  I will have a pain pump when I wake up in recovery. 
3.  My doc prescribes Lovenox injections for ten days postop...so I will have to give myself (or have my husband give them to me), in the fat on the side of your waist.
4.  I will stop taking my oral diabetes medication the night before surgery.
5.  Post-Op, I will be on a sliding scale of insulin as needed (low dose).
6. I have to stop taking my birth control pills immediately.
7.  From now until surgery, no other pain medicine but Tylenol.
8.  I have to stop taking Lisinopril immediately and switch to something else (forgot the name of it - RX is at the pharmacy now).  Not completely clear on why this is...but something to do with Lisinopril and the liver during surgery.  (FYI - Lisinopril is used to lower Blood Pressure).
9.  I can stop taking my Tricore now (Tricor is used to lower Triglycerides).
10.  I will be taking Prilosec 20mg post-op.
11.  I will come home from the hospital with a drain tube in my abdomen.  It will come out at my week #1 appt.  I am told that this is painless.
12.  I will have 7 incisions from laproscopic surgery.
13.  My doc uses actual sutures on the incisions.  They will be removed at my week #1 appt.
14.  From the time I go in the OR, to the time my husband can see me, it will be five hours - YIKES.....I feel bad, so I told him he could leave and come back.  
15.  I still am waiting for insurance approval - paperwork was just submitted today - yikes!

I start my liquid diet tomorrow...not thrilled about that...I can't imagine anyone really is.  I'm starting to get really exicted and NERVOUS!!! 

Well, I am almost there now.  I've done almost all of my required pre-op testing.  The only thing left to do is the sleep study, which I will do on Tuesday night.  I've received clearance from everyone else, so I should be hearing something very soon once insurance approval is submitted.  I'm getting very ecxited but more nervous than I ever imagined.  I can only assume this is perfectly normal.  I've started getting prepared for the road ahead.  I order my protein, my vitamins, and have gotten almost everything on my "needed" list from the nutrition class.  My two week liquid diet is going to be a killer, I am sure.  I need to start thinking creatively with food.  I wish there was an area on OH that had recipe swaps - maybe there is and I just haven't found it yet.

Below is everything that I've done pre-op:
9/25 - Attended WLS Seminar at St. Francis Hospital
10/5 - Consult w/ Dr. Raftopoulos & First Appt with Nutritionist
10/9 - Upper GI (normal)
10/22 - Chest XRay, Gallblader Ultrasound & Pelvic Ultrasound (normal)
10/25 - Cardiac Consult with Dr. Freund (he's the BEST) - fast heartrate, slightly abnormal EKG (referred for Nuclear Ultrasound)
10/30 - 2 Hour Nutrition Class with Support Person
10/31 - Pulmonary Consult - Dr. Preskenis - breathing test (normal) an was referred for Sleep Study
11/5 - Part 1 of Nuclear Stress Test at Hoffman Heart Institute
11/7 - Part 2 of Nuclear Stress Test at Hoffman Heart Institute (normal)
11/8 - Psych Consult (clearance received)
11/9 - First Round of Bloodword
11/13 - Sleep Study  - Currently My Only remaining test

Well, a few weeks ago, I attended a WLS Seminar at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, CT with Dr. Raftopoulos.  I really liked how he presented the seminar so I booked my first surgery consult - which I went to today.  It went great.  I met with the Nut, Judy, and she is WONDERFUL.  Then I had my appt with Dr. R.  I am so happy I made the choice to see Dr. R.  I had researched other CT surgeons but wasn't really impressed...then I happened to stumble across Dr. R's name on the OH board - thank goodness.  He is so nice and very kind.  When I asked questions, he answered them without making me feel like I was putting him out.  I left there feeling really excited.  I have great health insurance that doesn't require any type of MD followed diet, so it looks like I will have my surgery in November as long as I can meet all of my pre-op heckpoints.  YAY!