becca973

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Ok, so it's hurting a little more now than while in the hospital. I think it's because I was stuck in a vehicle, traveling, for about 5 hours. Today has been a little easier than yesterday. Still feeling full, though. I bet I have lost a good 10 pounds already! Oh well, going to update the board and lay down for a few. Hope everyone is doing ok!

July 9th!  Finally, I am so happy!

Finally. I can't believe my preop appointment is Thursday. I will finally have a DATE!!! We're going to leave early on Wednesday and stay over night in Charlottesville, since I can't eat or drink after midnight. I couldn't fathom driving four hours without my morning coffee, lol.

Hopefully in a few short weeks, I'll finally be on the losing side. If everything goes as it should. Update again soon!

Ok, so here are my shameful entries for this week.  I can't believe Pizza Hut is THAT bad for you.  The only two days I did really bad, I ate from Pizza Hut.  I don't know when I am gonna learn to throw out leftovers.  

Another lesson learned this week.  LOOK UP FOODS I HAVEN'T JOURNALED SHORTLY AFTER EATING.  Had I looked up those slices of "Meat Lovers" the night consumed them, I wouldn't have had leftovers.

Day 1-  860 calories, 28 grams fat, 29 grams protein, and 136.5 ounces of fluids.  I wasn't so much hungry this day, but I drank all day long!

Day 2-  1,070 calories, 49 grams fat, 46.5 grams protein, and 93.8 ounces of fluids.

Day 3-  1,351 calories, 56.5 grams fat, 75.6 grams protein, and 70.7 ounces of fluids.

Day 4-  2,160, 110 grams fat, 94.5 grams protein, and 87.6 ounces of fluids.

Day 5- 1,995 calories, 109 grams fat, 92 grams protein, and 113.4 ounces of fluids.

Day 6-  1,206 calories, 29.8 grams fat, 66.6 grams protein, and 119.6 ounces of fluids.

Day 7- 1,422 calories, 60.7 grams of fat, 65.6 grams protein, and 98.7 ounces of fluids.

So, now there are only seven days left to journal for Dr. Bender.  I am going to continue doing it though.  It makes me feel accountable, especially when I have to stare at all those numbers.  A person really starts to consider the big picture when seeing the smallest details.  Also it helps one recognize, and overcome, problem eating habits.  Would I rather have that whole apple and two tablespoons of peanut butter, or 20 potato chips?  LOL

Ok, so this week I wasn't as good as last week.  It was Mom's birthday, so I had some birthday cake, two days (I hate leftovers we should have thrown it out).  

I picked up some nasty sinus infection or cold, and couldn't eat too much a couple days.  I did manage to get minimum protein in every day, but one...and lots of fluid!  Oh, and I broke down and weighed myself.  Lost three of the 6 pounds I gained since my initial consult.  

So here are the stats:

WEEK 2

Day 1-  1,537 calories, 64.3 grams fat, and 93.2 grams of protein.  Drank 121 ounces of fluids.  I couldn't resist the siren call of tortellini today.  At least I gave up the garlic bread.  :-)

Day 2-  1,935 calories, 52.5 grams fat, and 104 grams protein.  Drank 145.8 ounces fluids.  Leftover tortellini and birthday cake today.  :-(  My worst day yet.

Day 3-  1,100 calories, 36.5 grams fat, 86.5 grams protein.  Drank 104.5 ounces fluids.  Back on track.

Day 4- 1,455 calories, 46.6 grams fat, and 79.5 grams protein.  92.5 ounces fluids.

Day 5- 1,517 calories, 50 grams fat, and 100.5 grams protein.  Drank 109.4 ounces fluids.  My cold started getting bad this day, and I wanted to drink so much water.

Day 6-  896 calories, 33.6 grams fat, and 31.5 grams protein.  Drank 129.4 ounces fluids.  This was the only day I didn't get in all my protein.  I felt just terrible, all day.

Day 7-  1,322 calories, 35.5 grams fat, and 83.4 grams protein.  Drank 104.5 ounces fluid.

Btw, if you guys are looking for a good calorie counting website, www.calorieking.com is the site to use!  It's been so helpful the past two weeks.  I can look up anything I'm not sure about (apples, bananas, etc.).  Handy little tool, for those who haven't discovered it.

So that is the update for this week.  I can't believe it's half finished already.  Time is flying by, now that I know an end is in sight.  Two to go!!!

Amazing how eye opening accountability makes you.  Before, when I was food journaling, I didn't list calories, fat, and protein.  Just a general entry.  Now that I am having to measure foods, to get an accurate count, I can see where my problems lay.

This week has been a real test so far.  It's also that time of the month, lol...so I have been fighting those false feelings of hunger.  If I can make it through this week, I can do anything.

I have finally finished my exercise plan.  One of my friends gave me a suggestion, about having a "dance party" night with the girls.  So from there, I decided to go thematic.  Makes the plan sound fun and something I would stick with. 

So, finally it's over!  I am so happy!  Dr. Bender was a great guy.  He was very nice and sympathetic.  He asked me some tough questions.  I came to a realization, after our chat...I haven't ever wanted this weight loss before.  Always, I was desperate to lose weight and had the motivation...until I hit the first plateau.  Then I just gave up and slipped back into my normal eating habits.  This time, I have the motivation, a plan, and am in the process of getting a TOOL to help me succeed.  I will finally do it.  Sure it will be hard, but I am in the game for real, no quitting this time.

After our chat, Dr. Bender said that I am a perfect candidate for the surgery and that he would be faxing over his recommendation to Dr. Shirmer's office and they would start working on insurance approval.  

However, I still have a couple more things to do for the UVA team, to prove I am ready for this journey.  I have a four week, detailed food journal, which I plan on mirroring on here weekly.  This is to see how much protein and fat I am consuming on a daily basis.  We can also use this diary to help me make better food choices, after the surgery.

And the last thing, I have to write a weekly workout plan (which is almost finished).  I have to have at least 30 minutes per day, five days a week.  He wanted me to research different exercises and come up with a plan that I would like to do.  Switch things up a little throughout the week, to avoid burn out and work on different parts of the body.  Also, he wants me to write down the benefits of those exercises, for example walking an incline will give me a nice cardio workout.  I have four days completed...and am researching strength training for the final day.

Ok, so that is the update, sorry so long.  Still no insurance approval and no pre-surgery date, BUT all tests are over and out of the way!  It should only be a matter of weeks before I get my "re-birth" day!  I am so excited!

I will finally be having my psych eval, in C-ville.  My local office called me on Monday, to cancel the one on the 10th.  I was so upset.  Looking  back, I am probably better off that I get to keep the C-ville appointment.

This should be the last hurdle before insurance approval.  I wonder how long that process will take.

I had my regular monthly blood pressure check up on Monday and his NP worked on getting all my letters of referral and things ready to go.  She is writing up the letter of approval, to fax out to UVA with the results of the sleep study.  She said my weight and the sleep study alone should be enough to get approval, since the examiner noted weight loss should reverse the apnea, not to mention all my joint problems and arthritis.  

I had my sed rates and thyroid levels checked again (still no call back on those tests).  She said that UVA, nor their office ran a T4 level, whatever that means, and she thinks I may need to go back on Synthroid if that number is out of whack.  So, I have everything completed or scheduled, yay.  Only a couple more weeks till the psych eval, then it's a waiting game.

So yesterday morning, I woke up with a twinge of pain in my throat.  My girls have both been battling strep this month, but I didn't think I would get it, cause I am a germaphobe, and was OBSESSIVE about keeping everyone clean.  Today, it was even worse, so I had to call in.  I definitely have strep throat!  Hadn't had it in years, and omg, it sucks!!!  I don't remember it hurting this bad!  I have a couple doses of antibiotics under my belt since morning, so I should be feeling better in a couple days.  

So anyway, that is my update for now.  I am feeling hopeful that I will have surgery at some point in May.  I can't wait to get that behind me, and get started on the weight loss.

Well, I am one more step closer, but still so far away.  Got the female exam out of the way, and now only need the psych evaluation.  UVA can't get me in till April 17th, so unless the Lynchburg office (thanks Christy) can't get me before April 10, I will be seeing the local office.

I was so hoping to have this surgery done before summer, so I would be feeling good enough to go walking outside, without something to lean on.  I need to get about 40 pounds off me so I can walk comfortably again.  Right now, I go walking at stores, so I can lean on shopping carts.  :-(

I feel so trapped sometimes.