Today I had my echocardiogram, which went well....doc said everything looks good.  He even mentioned the two big WLS studies that were just released showing that this is the best thing I can do for myself!    Of course quitting smoking was still a lecture I got.  I know, I know.   After that my husband and I rushed to get downtown to do my endoscopy test.   I was so nervous about that!!  It turned out to be not so bad, the worst part was the awful, nasty stuff I had to gargle with and drink right before.   The doc gave me pictures of my stomach and said she took a small biopsy.  She said there was a little bit of inflammation and irritation and wants me to take a prilosec every morning.  Another damn pill!!  UGH.  Hopefully I can get off of three of my pills once I start losing weight!!  Now I only have my sleep study and manometry test left,.  YEAH!!   Let's hope all goes well.   Debbie from OH who is with Dr Frezza too had her first fill yesterday,.....they gave her 5 cc's in her 10 cc band!!!  Dang!!  I was glad to hear that, she doesn't know if she has restriction yet. 

I went to my GI appointment today.  I was disappointed becaus it turned out to be only a consultation.  *sigh* okay, my PCP's office told me some of the appointments might only be a consultation.  BUT, I saw a nurse practioner and I didn't like her attitude AT ALL!!  She at first acted like I shouldn't be wasting her time on scheduling these tests, "These tests are for people that are feeling sick and need them!"  ARGH!!  I told her I would be very happy not to take them, but she would have to take that up with my surgeon.  LOL  Anyway, then as she started thinking about it and asking me questions she obviously started seeing dollar signs,  You see, my surgeon is five hours away, in Texas.  There are currently no doctors in the entire state of New Mexico that do WLS.  The nurse started saying that SHE should get qualified to do the fills, and she wanted my surgeons contact information to talk to him about it.  Glad I could help her get richer.  LOL  It would be GREAT not to have to drive 5 hours for a fill (especially if there's problems), but I dont trust her,  She immediately started ordering tests for me that weren't necessary.  She wanted to schedule a colonoscopy!  I told her that I don't need that and showed her what I needed once again.....explained with the band surgery he won't be touching my colon!!  She also tried to schedule another unnecessary test!  She just really put me in a bad mood, and made a horrible impression on me.  Hopefully everything will be smooth from here on out.

As I sit here tonight I guess a little reality is setting in.  I hopefully have only one more week of tests to complete and if all is well Dr. Frezza can schedule my surgery.  I know that getting the lap-band is the right thing to do, I know that it would be nearly impossible for me to lose the 110 pounds I want to lose on my own.  I guess some of the posts on the board lately have gotten me slightly worried.  For about 2 or 3 days in a row someone posted that they lost their band due to complications.  I am hoping that if I obey the bandster rules religiously my stomach and band will stay healthy...I guess the worry is, what if it doesn't?   I would be devastated if I did something bad and caused it, but very upset if it was from nothing I did on my own,   

Maybe my inhibitions are coming from a place of being very tired and not thinking straight?  I have been so busy for the past few weeks I haven't gotten enough sleep.   Next week will be busy also.  It all ends with the sleep study, and for some reason that test is the one that is really bothering me.  I'm not sure why, maybe it's because you are so vulnerable in front of a bunch of strangers?? I am not usually a baby about things, but this one is bothering me.  And if it turns out that I do have sleep apnea, I will have to go back for another test before they will schedule my surgery.  UGH!   *Crossing my fingers that I dont have it!!*

On a lighter note, my son won a Guitar Hero contest last night, so he got tickets to see Korn and Evinescense and possibly win a guitar and play on stage.  I am very happy for him, he absolutely LOVES playing the guitar, whether it's real or a video game.  He is a good kid and desrves something like this, what a thrill!!  He's fifteen and just started driver's ed....man I feel old!!   LOL

I have a lot to look forward to, and I am happy....just very tired.   I have my band to look forward to, my Cowboys are fixing to start another season, and fall is coming....I love fall.   I guess you would have to be crazy not to have the smallest of doubts when you undergo an elective surgery and one that will change your life forever. 

I had my consultation with the sleep study center today.  My sleep study is scheduled for 08/31, so if all of my tests go smoothly I will be done with all pre-op by September 1st!!  YEAH!!  Having surgery in October is looking more like a real possibility. 

I had my three doctor's appointments on Wednesday.  I had basically only one glitch....the echocardiogram order didn't get sent to the cardiologist, so I had to schedule that for a couple of weeks out.  Other than that, things went well.  I got my lung x-ray on Thursday morning and will be going to my sleep study consult on Monday afternoon.   The week after that is my GI doc appt, the gall bladder ultrasound and echocardiogram.  

I seem to be in good health considering that I have diabetes and I smoke, which is promising news.  After I lose weight and start up an exercise program I should be able to be in excellent health, and hopefully off all meds,  :  )