Karly Green

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Today was a LONG day!
Arrived at the hospital at 7:45 for an ultrasound of my legs - look for blood clots.
Then went to get my gallbladder ultrasound at 9:00 but because I was an idiot and didn't realize I had to be fasting for that, I couldn't do it and had to postpone it for 5 hours while the String Cheese I ate for breakfast digested. Lemme tell you.... I was So ANNOYED! I thought I was going to have to go all the way back to the hospital tomorrow morning to get the ultrasound, and i was livid! But.... I went and did some other things, then came back at 1:00 and they got me straight in. 

Then I met with the assistant to the anesthesiologist . We met together for about 30 minutes and she asked me tons of questions, went over everything, listened to my heart beat, etc. Then I went and got like 100 vials of blood drawn. 

Had 2 hours to kill before the rest of my appointments so I ran to the mall and looked around GNC and Vitamin Shoppe. Ended up getting a large Blender Bottle which I had been eyeballing online but since it was the same price at GNC I picked it up. 

Back to the hospital I went. - Got the gallbladder ultrasound. Which he didn't say I had gallstones, but he did say I showed "fatty liver". Which I kinda expected. I mean, don't we all? That ultrasound was a little uncomfortable only because while he was doing it he was pushing on my rib cage to try and get a good look. owwie! Then I was FINALLY able to eat something (1:45 pm) 

Met with the Dietician to go over my 24 hour clear liquid diet, and what to eat after surgery. Continue the clear liquid diet through day 7, then move on to protein shakes, etc.

Met with my (handsome) surgeon. Talked about mostly the same stuff as before. He said I should hear from the hospital within 2 days with a time to be at the hospital on Monday (omg it's on monday!!!!! EEEEEEEEP!!!)

Things I still need:
A pill carrier 7 days a weeks 4x a day. 
protein
Liquid diet stuff
food scale
Pill crusher?

Ooooh, and! I lost 3 lbs from the last time I saw my surgeon which puts me exactly at 10% lost since I started my preop diet! Wooohoooo! 

My sister- in- law is coming up from NYC on Sunday to be with my husband while I'm in Surgery on Monday. That is so sweet of her! It's a long trek for such a short stay. I'm very grateful and blessed.

K, kiddos. I'm off to go have one of my last few "regular" meals. Husband wants Pad Thai (ICK!)... I'll probably get some chicken dish. 

An hour ago I got the call that will forever change my life.
I am approved for RNY! I can't even believe it! Through this whole process I was not letting myself get excited, or worked up. All in case I got denied. I wanted to be prepared for it. I think I had actually convinced myself I was going to be denied so "if" it happened I wouldn't be too crushed.

But!!!!!!!!!!! Today I got approved! I am soooooooooo beyond happy to start my new life using my tool.
My surgery is scheduled for a week from today, on 8/2/10. that's 7 days!!!!!!!!! Holy Shit!

I am so happy and excited and ... I don't even know! Woohooo!

My paperwork was submitted on 7/13. Today is 7/23. It's been 10 days (7 business days) and I haven't heard anything. So... I called the insurance customer service number yesterday to see if they had an update and the gal says they haven't received it yet!  
So, mildly freaking out, I called my surgeons office and left a message for the girl who sends in for approval. She called me back and said she sent it in last week, and also called afew days later to check on it. She was informed it's "in review".

So that calmed me down a little. Now I guess I'll just try and take a chill-pill and wait.

Also, I got my endoscopy done a few days ago. It wasn't bad. They semi knocked me out. I remember hearing the music they had playing in the background of my mind, and hearing them talking but I can't remember anything they said. Then I gagged and almost threw up as they were taking the scope out of my throat, but they said that's normal and they were ready for it with a wash cloth to wipe me up (eww).

But Dr. McDreamy aka my surgeon was there so it was nice to see him.  I'm sorta way crushing on him! 
I go for my leg and gall bladder ultrasounds next week. That's an ALL DAY event. Joy.

Anyways... I'll keep waiting, and not allowing myself to get excited till I hear from the insurance company. 
 
Tata!

This passed weekend was a close friends surprise birthday party.  
So, I was kinda "off the diet" this weekend, and the scale is totally feeling it.
2 pounds gained when I should be losing weight for the surgery still! Oooyyyyy......
But, it's ok. Today I'm back on track. That means back to regular visits to the fitness center, and walks at lunch time.
I had a great weekend full of food, & drink 2 weeks before surgery. Red Robin, Pizza, PF Changs, Champagne, wine, mojitos, cheesecake, ice cream.... I did it all!
So, as much of a birthday celebration for my friend. It was also secretly a farewell to my old eating habits for me. And I did it GOOD.

So goodbye old Karly. And soon comes my tool, and my new life!

The paper work was submitted yesterday to my insurance for approval. NOW WE WAIT!
I'm a little nervous because of the 6 month diet requirement. As of today, I did my 5th month visit. So... I'm hoping they don't deny me since it's not complete. If they want me to push the surgery back a little to finish up the diet I'm ok with that.
But, I've been steadily losing weight, and following a diet and exercise plan and I believe that's probably all they want to see.
So... I have my fingers crossed that I'll hear back from them soon!

August 2nd is coming fast!

August 2nd, 2010 !!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you believe it!??!?!?!?!?!
Although it's not approved yet so I'm not getting too excited. But OMG OMG OMG! That's only 3 weeks awaaaaay!!!!!!

Time to start stocking up on stuff.

Please forgive the amount of whine in this post:


So here it is.... Almost July and I'm a few pounds shy of losing my 10%. Up until recently I've been doing really really good. Eating good almost always, & exercising regularly. But lately, I don't know what's gotten into me, but I feel soooooooo lazy. I don't want to exercise, I don't want to cook, I don't want to do ANYTHING! And that results in ordering in and ordering bad, which is NEVER a good idea. I've been making poor eating choices (a-friggin-gain).... and all-in-all just sorta sucking. I'm really mad at myself. Yesterday when I went to the Dr. I weighed in at 250. Which is a total of 22 lbs lost since March. And I know that's pretty good.... But I just feel ... ... lazy & disappointed. Why can't I stay all "gusto" about it? Mentally I still am! I'm still on the net reading about it and looking things up just about everyday. I just don't know where my zest went. I've been super crabby at my husband lately too (I'm usually NEVER like that). I think it's probably just my inner disappointment at myself being targeted at him because he's the only one around, and I know he'll brush it off and not hate me. (I always apologize when I snap at him.)

I'm going walking today (2.5 miles in 45 minutes) on my lunch break. I'm determined to go tomorrow too. This weekend is the 4th of July and I'm determined NOT to pig out till I feel so guilty and mad at myself that I just want to eat more. I WILL control myself. I WILL exercise. I WILL I WILL I WILL!

In other news, I saw the Pulmonologist yesterday. He said he was going to (FINALLY) contact the company about getting me a CPAP machine. Even though my sleep apnea is mild and I was only on a pressure of 5 when I did the sleep study wearing the mask. He said he still wants me to use it. And bring it with me to the hospital when I have my surgery. He said once I lose 20-30 lbs it will most likely go away. So, that's good. Getting used to sleeping with that on my face might take a while, but I'm kinda looking forward to seeing an improvement in my energy and what not.

I'm really hoping to have the surgery in August or Sept of this year. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. I meet with my surgeon on July 13th to start the approval process!! I'm ready to start my new life! Ready ready ready! A life that is not ruled by food, but one that coexists with it.

I feel it! It's almost in my grasp!

I saw my Nutritionist again today. I was hoping she'd put a huge "CLEARED" stamp on my file and I'd be on my way. But... she didn't.
She said I was doing great. In fact, she called me a "poster child for the surgery" ... But said I still have to lose some more weight before she gives me the "official" clearance. BUT... She'll mark on my file that everything is ok, and to go forward with any approval process. She gives her ok.

So, I guess that's a good thing. Right? She's approved me, but it's not offical yet. I have to lose my 10% weight, so that's like ... 5 more pounds. I can do it! As of now I'm 21 out of 27 pounds down!

I see my surgeon again in 3 weeks. This time around he said he will give me the huge packet to fill out and take home to read. Then he'll send in to my insurance for approval. And they'll schedule my Endoscopy, and my gallbladder, and leg ultrasounds.

I see my Pulmonologist next week too. I'm a little confused because I still don't have a CPAP machine even though I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea a month ago. Is he going to give it to me next week? Does he want me to use it for a couple months till I get my surgery? What if I don't WANT to use it?

Anyways.... Things are moving along nicely and I'm starting to allow myself a little excitement. I've been trying to not get too psyched in case it falls through and I end up not being able to get it. Or in case I don't get approved or something.
But now I'm allowing just a smidge of pure excitement! (OMG OMG OMG!!! I am so close to becoming the thin, healthy, happy person I want to beeeeeeeeeeeee!) .... Ok, that's enough.

 Lately I've been feeling like I'm not giving it my all anymore. WTH is wrong with me?? I'm so mad at myself.
Don't get me wrong, I'm still working my butt off and doing really good. But, I feel like I could be doing better. I'm still trying to lose 10% of my weight and I feel like I've stalled. I feel hungry all the time all of a sudden. Sometimes, I get home and I want to eat everything in the fridge ... For no good reason besides I'M A SLACKER I guess. I mean, I don't eat everything in the fridge ... But God do I want to! 

I've started going to the fitness center at my complex, and I slack off there too! Go on the Eliptical machine for 12 minutes ... What's that gonna do?!!! I just need to kick my own ass and double that! 25-30 minutes Karly! NO EXCUSES!  

I see my nutritionist in 10 days for a follow up with her and I'm determined to have her look at me square in the eyes and tell me she's clearing me for surgery on her part. 

You can do it Kar. You can do it. I just keep reminding myself that I HAVE to change my lifestyle and it's like breaking in a new pair of shoes. It'll hurt, and suck at first. But then you'll grow to love those shoes and wear them everyday. 

I met with Dr. Dunnican today for the first time. He was young, kind, informative, and CUTE! Eyelashes to die for! ... But that's besides the point.

He spent about an hour with me telling me the differences between Lap band, VGS, and RNY. The different amount of weight loss expected from each, and the different complications that could occur. How long surgery will take, what to expect afterwards. I WILL have a cathiter for the first night, and a drain that will be removed before I leave the hospital.
I am still 99.9% sure I want the RNY. ... For a second there I thought about getting the VGS. But I don't think I'll lose as much as desired if I go that route.

He said I was doing great with my weight loss this far. I need to lose 10% of my weight and  I've lost 19 out of 27 pounds.

I see the Nutritionist in 2 weeks, and if I keep on losing weight at this rate he's sure she'll clear me for surgery on her part. Then I see him again and he'll set up the appointments for me to get the Endoscopy, and blood work. And then send away for approval!

I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed that everything goes smoothly & quickly from here.