L. Speegle

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My journey is beginning to take on a surreal feeling. I went to my first office visit on September 11th and weighed in at 337. This morning when I weighed at home I weighed 319.2. This is from taking the advice of my nutritionist who I adore. Dr. King explained the risks again today and showed me where the incisions would be. He listened to my heart and lungs.  He told me to cease all diabetes meds until further notice. I am slowly adapting to this liquid diet and he admitted how he understood how some will slip and eat a chocolate bar. That made me laugh. Dr. King stressed the importance of the liquid diet and made sure I had no other questions. Tomorrow I pre-admit and December 29th I get my sleeve.  Thank the Lord. 

Today I went for my 3rd visit to the bariatric surgeon.  I weighed in at 323---a mere 14 pounds less than my first visit on September 11th. I was told they would request approval that afternoon. After a long 3+ months, I got a call on December 14th to say approval was granted. Yes!  

I started the the liquid diet on 12/14/14 and am definitely not a fan. Knowing I can not have the food if I want to have the surgery helps keep me focused. But it is hard. Meet my surgeon again this week. 

The psych evaluation is done and my psychologist has recommended the surgery to my bariatric center.  This consisted fo a 2+ hour office visit which included talking to the psychologist and taking a personality test which was a bit on the strange side. No biggie tho.

My blood work for my endoscopy is scheduled for 11/5/14 with the procedure on 11/11/14. Assuming there are no issues with the scope, surgery will be scheduled for December. 

I have been been trying what my nutritionist suggested and have lost about 11 pounds prior to the pre-op diet.  I am learning to like coconut water and the protein shakes are something I can live with. I am hoping the next month is smooth because it was certainly rocky for the first two months.  Could this be a reality for me?

I must say I left my second office visit in turmoil. Apparently insurance guidelines changed after my first visit but no one told me. I was not impressed with the bedside manner of my surgeon or his curt demeanor so I humbled myself and left in tears with an appointment for an endoscope in November. I was hoping for a surgery date over Thanksgiving break but I have to WAIT 90 complete days from the first day I went in.  As of now I have had two office visits, two nutrition/exercise visits, two behavior modification visits, an appointment for an endoscopy, an appointment for a psych evaluation, and a final appointment with the surgeon.  I basically had little assistance from the doctor's office but have found the nutritionist to be very helpful.  There definitely needs to be a better way to organize all of this and I have not found my center to be helpful in that way. 

L  encouraged me to try coconut water which is super healthy in addition to the protein drinks I will be drinking.  I am keenly aware of everything I eat and am making some changes that will benefit me greatly post-op. She has been a great resource for my jouney.  

Now I will have the psych evaluation next week and am a bit nervous about that as I have never had one before. I am also praying that the endoscopy will be normal. On that day, if all goes well, I will have a surgery date. BTW I weighed 5.5 pounds less this time.  Until later. 

My insurance company requires 3 months of visits to my surgeon prior to approval.  October 9th will be my second one and I do not really know what to expect. I know he requires and endoscope so am wondering about that. I have talked with my counselor and tried some things the nutritionist suggested. I worry something will interfere with this. Really I am kind of hoping to do it before Thanksgiving but do not know if it will be possible. Any idea about weight loss to expect during the liquid diet?  

VSG surgery is something I have been considering for some time. After much thought, research, and questioning those who have had the sleeve, I have decided to take the plunge. My internist feels confident I will no longer need to be treated for Type 2 Diabetes or hypertension and that I can enjoy a far more active lifestyle. I do not like to look at myself in the mirror because my outside is ugly. I am tired of this and want to spend the rest of my life living a more healthy and active life. I am educated with 2 grad degrees and have allowed this to happen to me. It is sad. 

On September 9th I went for my first appointment and weighed in at 337 lbs.  I am 5'10" tall and have a large frame. My goal is to be in Onederland. I am determined to do this and look forward to my second appointment on October 9th. I believe my scope will be scheduled then and my surgery. Until then.