Karly Green

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I've had a busy week this week! 

Tuesday I had my appointment with the Dietician which went ok. She told me I need to reduce the amount of carbs I am eating (which I agree... Carbs are super bad for dieters)
But she also sprang on me that I have butt loads more Nurse Practitioner appointments to go to. Here I was thinking I was just about done. JEEEEZ!

Wednesday I had my 2nd sleep study. This time with the CPAP machine. I took and posted a picture of how Alienesque I look. I slept through the night, and this time around was a LOT better than the first. The first was absolutely dreadful. ... so I expect to be contacted by a medical equipment place sometime soon to discuss me getting a machine? I don'e really know how all that works. 

Then Thursday (tonight) I had my 2nd WLS support group. It was good tonight. They talked a lot about getting denied through the insurance which is one of my fears.

So, needless to say I'm EXHAUSTED! 
It's been waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too hot out lately to go walking on my lunch (it was almost 100 degrees out on Wednesday). But I did 10 minutes on the treadmill yesterday on high incline. (practically died). 
And tomorrow should be in the 70s so I'll get my walking shoes on. 

Can barely keep my eyes open to finish typing this.
Goodnight!


 

Turns out I have sleep apena. I'm pretty bummed because I have to do another sleep study (which was sorta sucky). But at least I know what to expect this time around. But the thought of having to do that all over again really depresses me.  ... And I'll have to wear one of those sexy sleep masks for like 4-6 weeks I think.

But, I guess it's good in the aspect that it will probably help me with the approval for the surgery. I mean, it's a health risk. So... there is a silver lining.

I bought a scale over the weekend to help try and keep me on track. I know I shouldn't weight myself often... and I try to do it only a few times a week. But, now I can visibly see the numbers go up or down anytime I'm thinking about slacking off and just running to Burger King for dinner.

My scale at home said 260.8 this morning when I was on it in just my undies. Got on the "hospital-like" scale we have at work today right when I got into work to compare and it said 262. So.... I guess I'll just have to stick to one of them, I'm thinking I'll stick with the one at work since that's what I was using from the start.

Wish me luck! I've been slacking more than I'd like, and still haven't gotten an excercise routine in place (Bad Karly!).

I had my sleep apnea test last night. It was relatively painless.
I arrived at the center at like 7:30. Signed some paperwork. It was just me and one other patient, and one nurse. She showed us each to our rooms and gave us a little tour.
I went in my PJs, so I just put my purse away, kicked off my shoes, grabbed a blanket and went to the lobby where they had nice very comfortable leather sofas. And watched some TV, ate an apple, and foolishly drank half a bottle of water. At about 9:00 the nurse took me to a little room where I watched a video of Sleep Apnea as she put electrodes and lead wires all over my head, face, and body. They use this conductive goop that stays in your hair and on your skin till you wash it off with soap and HOT water. It's pretty nasty. That took about 20 minutes. The process wasn't bad, sorta felt like I was at a spa because she had to lightly scrub (or exfoliate) the areas first.

Anyways... 10:00 rolls around and I get ready for bed. She hooks me up to all the fancy monitors, and puts a nose breathing thing on me to monitor my breathing.
The bed was hard so it was difficult for me to fall asleep, and once I did I woke up twice to go pee (silly girl drinking all that water). Going to the bathroom was difficult cause I had to wait for the nurse to come and unhook me.
Finally at around 4:30 am when I woke to go to the bathroom the 2nd time I asked if she had enough data. She said she did and that I could go home if I wanted. And believe me, I DID!
It took about 5 minutes for her to take all my wires off, I signed some stuff and left.

They had showers there for me to wash off the goop outta my hair, but I just used a towel and wiped it off, pulled my hair back, and washed it in the shower at home a little later.

Needless to say I'm a little tired today. But no worse for the wear!
One more thing to add to the "done list".

As I've said before I'm changing the way I eat. Which turns out THAT isn't so bad. ... It's the sticking with it part that's hard. And the exercising.

I've been doing really good lately. Eating lots of lean chicken (the George forman grill has become my new best friend), reduced fat cheese, greek yogurt, fruit, salad, etc.
But over the weekend we had friends come over and we ordered pizza and wings. OMG! I bit into a slice of pizza like I hadn't eaten in weeks! It was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!! I tried to keep myself composed.... But 1 slice, 2 slices, 3 SLICES of heaven were devoured. Not to mention the chicken wings.
 I'm embarrassed to say how much I ate. But.... Hey, I'm still trying to adjust to this whole "new lifestyle" way of eating. And I've been doing pretty good. ... Considering what I used to eat like on a daily basis.
I am determined to NOT let this throw me off track. I will NOT give up just because I lost my self control one meal. 

Yesterday for lunch I grilled up some already seasoned individually packaged boneless skinless chicken breast, cut up onions, tomato, & reduced fat cheddar, and tossed that in a whole wheat wrap for lunch. That was equally as amazing as the pizza. So I guess it's all mental, right? 
I just have to keep my eye on the prize. And pizza certainly isn't going to help me get there. 

Today for lunch: Left over Chinese food. Chicken and brocolli. YES!

 

I just got a voicemail from the Physicians Assistant I saw yesterday.
I KNEW IT! I knew things were going too smoothly!

I expressed my concerns to her yesterday about my insurance requiring 3 years of documented physician-supervised weight loss attempts at least 2-3 with a duration of 6 months each. And... of course, I don't have those! All my weight loss attempts where never documented by a phsician (stupid Karly!). She said she would talk to the case worker (or something). And she'd call me with hopefully some good news.

So, I get a voicemail today saying that they can't guarentee I'll get approved because I don't have all the criteria that is needed. (I'm crushed at this point and just want to die). But... if I want to continue with the program they'll submit for approval after 6 months and see what happens.

Needless to say I'm going to continue with everything and hopefully get approved in 6 months. And if I dont, then I'll appeal it. But till then, I guess I'll just keep eating better and keeping my eye on the prize.

Sad & discouraged,
K.

In order to get approved for any kind of weight loss surgery through my Bariatrics program I have to lose 10% of my weight. When I got weighed in for that about 8 weeks ago I was at 272. I weighed myself today and I'm at 264. So believe me when I say EVERY little bit helps! 
I've NEVER been one to excercise regularly. I absolutely hate it. So needless to say when I went on the treadmill the other day I wasn't even able to do 10 minutes on a decent fast pace.   That was a bit dissappointing even kind of embarrassing. But I think of it like this,... It gives me a goal. "Go on the treadmill longer than 10 minutes at a fast pace".
(Mental note **get better walking shoes)

Things I've changed in my diet:

- Snacks = gone! 
And if I do feel like I HAVE to snack on something I do reduced fat chex mix, or a banana, grapes (although fruit doesn't have protein, I know). but... My nutritionist told me to think of snacks as poison. So I try and avoid them since they're just extra calories that I don't need. I definitley don't sit with a box of cheezits in my lap anymore.

- Portion control
It's sooooo easy for me to pile my plate sky high, and FINISH everything on it (I love my cooking). But, I've had to start listening to my body and when I start taking those "I'm getting full" breaths... I stop eating. If I go out and order a salad I only allow myself to eat 3/4 of it even though I could easily woof down the whole thing. 
Also, **side note** ... Chilis from Wendys is AMAZING! I ordered it for the first time last week (only ate 3/4 of a small), and I was blown away by how good it actually is.

- Protein!
Let's face it, things with protein aren't always the yummiest. But protein is what keeps us fuller for longer. So it's a must. I've discovered Greek Yogurt, and although it's texture takes some getting used to it's choked full of protein! And things like Koshi bars,.... Great in the morning with a banana and a cup of coffee.

- Cut back on Sugar
I've started substituting breads and tortillas and buns, everything that I was eating "white" is now whole wheat. 
Fat free refried beans in a whole wheat tortilla with reduced fat cheese is a delicious dinner.
Stopped putting sugar in my coffee. Granted, I still use flavored (coconut) creamer. So it's still sweet... But now I just hold off on that extra packet of sugar. And I think it goes without saying that I cut out cookies, & cakes, etc. But if I do get a killer sweet tooth I have some fat free Sorbet in the freezer that is perfect to satisfy that.

I use Pam instead of oil now. Have you ever looked at the difference?? It's HUGE! Pam is the way to go! SO much better for you.
And I eat lean meats like Chicken and Turkey, and occassionally pork.

I have to just remember to listen to my body and STOP eating when I'm full. Protein, protein, protein. And overall, just make healthier choices. Afterall, this is a lifestyle change. Not just a "diet". I've been very proud of myself so far. It's not exactly easy all the time... Finding healthy and delicious, but still easy recipes is sometimes challanging... But, I'm learning as I go and it's fun, and good for me.



 

First blog.... The pressure!

So, I've started the Bariatric process. Been to 3 educational sessions at 2 different hospitals. Saw a nutritionist, my Primary care doctor, did the Phsych evaluation (passed with flying colors, thank you).
I have my Pulmonary Dr appointment next week, with the Dietician in 3 weeks, and the Surgeon in 6. Seems like things are moving along very steady. ...
But, I can't stop this horrible feeling that I'm not going to get approved from my insurance.
Sure, I meet the BMI requirements (5'6" & 272 = 42 bmi), and I dont really have any health issues like High Blood pressure or diabetes yet (thank God). I've tried tons of diets, sticking to non of them and documenting none of them.
I'm very nervous that I wont get approved because I don't have 3 years of dr. documented weight loss attempts. And I guess I feel like everything else is going along too smoothly and last minute the Insurance company will drop the bomb that I dont meet ALL the requirements.

I guess there's nothing left to do but wait. And diet. My nutritionist gave me a lot of inspiration and motivation and ideas of how to drop some weight. I need to lose 27 lbs and I've currently lost 7. I've started changing my eating habbits. Lessening my portions, subsituting things for healthier choices, actually looking at calories and protein amounts now, cut out sugar from my morning coffee, and water, water, water. I feel ... Well honestly, I feel the same so far. I mean heck, it's only 7 lbs. But it keeps me going. My heart races a mile a minute every time I step on the scale, but so far it's been kind to me.

I've got a lot bottled up inside so I'm going to attempt to keep blogging on here. It's a good outlet.