MBowman189
Tuesday January 4, 2011
Jan 05, 2011
Kaiser Options Classes Completed:
Well we've completed our final Kaiser Options Class #12 today, and the discussion this week was just an overview of what we’ve learned, what we’ve accomplished, and what comes next. As we’ve already had our physicals, and lab work, the next step is we’re to call and make an appointment with Kaiser Preventive Medicine and let them know we’ve completed our classes, and other prerequisites on obtaining referral to see the surgeon. They said they would review our charts and make sure everything has been done, schedule any remaining labs, tests, or studies they feel we need, and then write the surgeon referral. They said this could take anywhere from a month or two. Well as I was leaving the class at 11 AM, I was already on the phone with them to make the appointment for both my wife and I. They said we have one opening at 2:00 PM today, I was ecstatic, but they couldn’t take us both. I asked if she could check and make sure they couldn’t do us both at the same time, and after a few minutes she came back and apologized and said the doctor would need time to review everything, so the soonest appointment they had was January 28th, and that they could do both of us at the same time then. We’ll that’s only 24 days away, which I’m sure will fly by. She said once we get the referral to see the surgeon, it normally goes fairly fast. I’m going to guess that means another two months, so maybe we’ll have a surgery date sometime in April. I’m hoping to have surgery and be recovered before our deep sea fishing trip to Mexico at the end of June. I don’t want to get a hernia or rip a stitch reeling in a 150 lb Striped Marlin, or a 60 lb Yellowtail Tuna or Wahoo. One thing that is really going to be nice is to fit comfortably into the seat of the airplane. The key thing now is to keep working as hard as I have since September, use the “Skill Power” I’ve learned, exercise daily, drink (sip, sip, sip) 64+ oz water a day, have a protein snack between meals, don’t let stress get me down, don’t fall back in old habits, cut small bites, chew slowly, set fork down between bites, always eat at the table, continue to lose, and get the referral at the end of the month. My new goal is to lose another 20 lbs (52 lbs total) before surgery. The last three months have been very educational, and I’ve learned a lot, and really appreciate everyone on OH for sharing their experiences. I still need to get a list of some questions together for the surgeon, but the list has really shrunk.
Shopping List: (any suggestions welcome)
I also plan on doing some shopping for some items such as a mini blender (any suggestions?), electronic food scale, make sure to stock up on protein drinks, soups, diet pop sickles, an inexpensive food log book (any suggestions?), order a month supply of Bariatric Advantage Multi Formula (RNY/VSG) Chewable vitamins, and a month supply of Unjury Opurity Bypass Optimized Chewable vitamins. I’m leaning towards the Unjury Opurity as it contains Iron and Bariatric Advantage doesn’t, but I also hear your taste can change after surgery, so something that tastes ok now, might not later. I figure if I get both, I’ll be safe and will like at least one of them. Of course get the hospital bag ready, health care proxy, list of current medications, ear plugs and eye covering for sleeping, chap stick, deodorant, robe, pajamas (that’ll be a first), slippers (not the pink fluffy ones either), pillow, disposable camera, couple recent Super Chevy magazines, loose sweat pants and tee shirt for ride home, cell phone charger, and maybe a walk man radio.
Other NSV’s (Non Surgical Victories)
When I received my referral from my doctor on September 30th I weighed in at 335 lbs, at the initial class orientation on October 5th I weighed 328.4 lbs, and today I finished at 302.6 lbs, 2.4 lbs this week, a total of 25.8 lbs since orientation, and 32.4 lbs since referral. My BMI has gone from 45.4 at referral, 45.1 orientation, to 40.9 currently. I was very happy with the results. I wish I had taken my measurements back in September, but didn’t take them until November 7th (see photos). Since then in the last two months my neck has gone from 21” to 19.5”, Chest 59” to 54”, Waist 59” to 56”, Hips 48.5” to 48”, Thigh 23.5” to 22”, Calf 19.5” to 18”, Bicep 15” to 14”, Forearm 13” to 12.5”, all measurements taken relaxed. With the weight I’ve lost my hip pain is nearly gone, my energy level is rising, and I feel like walking again. In addition, my blood sugars are in the normal range 90% of the time, and I’ve gone from 4 insulin injections a day to only 2, and the amount of those is less than half of what it used to be. I’m really looking forward to my RNY putting my diabetes in remission.
I probably won’t update my blog until after the appointment on January 28th, but will keep sending support messages and comments to my OH friends, some which are having some stressful events in their lives presently. I really enjoy seeing the successes everyone is having on their journey to a healthier life, so keep uploading those photos, you all look so great!
I’m so looking forward to joining all my new OH friends on the loser bench, and get down to my goal of 185 lbs before the end of the 2011.
Martin
