1st Step Complete

Jun 14, 2010

I got my first phone calls two weeks ago from MUSC asking that I make appts to meet my surgeon and to take a nutrition class.   The very first call I received was from Nina, the dietitian at MUSC.   We had a phone interview, asking me about my daily eaitng and exercise habits.  I was very honest and upfront with her.   I told her that I normally excercise 1-2 times a week, sometimes 3 but haven't at all in a couple months due to some changes in my life (gee I wonder where that extra 20lbs came from??).  We set up a goal to get me back on my elliptical machine that I really enjoy and to get back into water aerobics which I also LOVE (love not having meat heads in the pool and having the comfort of just older ladies!!) 2-3 times a week.   I started today and did two 10 min sets and embarassingly enough, I could barely do it.  I'm totally digusted with myself.  Just a year ago it was easy to do 30 mins JUST.LIKE.THAT.  Not anymore!   Anyway, we talked about my eating habits and she was very impressed with my knowledge of nutrition and what I ate.   I told her that what I ate has never been the problem so much.  It's HOW much.   I also told her that I am really bad about skipping breakfast and or eating breakfast but then not eating anything until late at night so when I do get hungry I tend to really over eat.   She agreed that isn't good and we discussed other things that I eat.  I feel really lucky that I am not a junk food eater or someone who grew up not knowing that fried foods and ranch dressing on a leafy green salad are bad for you.  Don't get me wrong--I'm morbidly obese so I definitely have had PLENTY of moments where I ate like crap, but I KNOWLINGY did it.   I don't need to be trained on how to eat, but rather lessons on planning out my meals and snacks and how to eat 5-6 small healthy meals a day. 

Today was my first appoitment with Dr. Baker,  my surgeon.  I was initially reluctant to working with her since I had only known Dr. Byrne.  However she has been with his practice at MUSC for 11 years and learned all that she knows about weight loss surgery through him.  That really made me feel a lot better.   She is very big on customer service as well and ensures that her team is there for the patient whenever need be.   I thought I was going to be a lot more emotional than I was, but I only cried once....and that was when I said I couldn't believe I was 394lbs!  I haven't weight this much EVER in my life...the closest was 392 when my mom died--so this was the worst.  She was so nice and said we don't judge around here and made sure to tell me not to beat myself up.   She looked at my case thoroughly and asked me why I wanted to do this and what surgery option was I looking at.   I said the RYN procedure.   I have been morbidly obese pretty much my entire adult life and this option will not only help me lose the weight the fastest and the most weight, but success in long-term weight loss is what I am looking at.  She totally agreed and explained that I would lose approx 142lbs with this procedure.   My current BMI is 52 and I more than meet the standard to have surgery without co-morbidities.  Unfortunately for me I do have them: PCOS (can't have kids with this, insulin resistance, few monthly periods, abnormal hair growth), 2 herniated discs in my lower back, high blood pressure and planter fasciitis (heel spur).   She said that because of my age, the fact that I already excercise and eat healthy that I am an excellent candidate for this--both during surgery and post surgery.   However, she said she'd like to have me lose roughly 15lbs before surgery so shrink my liver and make less risk when she goes in there.   I have an appt on Thurs with Metabolic Medical Center where I have gone before and lost 19 lbs in a week and 2 days.   I think I can handle it again for this!  Besides, I am seeing my family in a month for a wedding, so that is great motivation in itself.   The weight loss plan with Metabolic is really good for someone in this prediciment.  They prescribe phentermine and I live on a liquid diet, much post-op, only the phentermine is the substitute for the small stomach. 

We also went over her history and risks and concerns.   I will be at the hospital for two nights and be out of work for a total of 2 weeks.  Not too bad!!  I am very very excited.   Tomorrow is my appointment for the nutrition class and I'm really excited for that as well.   Tomorrow evening is the WLS support group and I can't wait to meet others--both in my shoes and those who have lost weight already.   I can't wait!! 

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