GigiT

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

I haven't posted in awhile.  Going to start off by saying, I FEEL GREAT!!  I'm down to 158 lbs....I haven't seen those numbers in YEARS!  I feel so good and I can't believe my new favorite hobby is going to the gym.   I can't believe it that I'm in this place today and all I can say is THANK YOU LORD for blessing me with good health and helping lose this weight.

I now want to become a Zumba instructor, LOL...I always want to be something but really what I need to do is follow through with something!!!!  Let's see. 

Just going to take a moment and brag some about Dr Gregory Barnes. I had my surgery Monday, Jan 27 and I feel terrific!!  I have very little pain. I love his style and professionalism. I highly recommend him   Check him out

I am packing my bag for surgery tomorrow.  Ya hooey. Down to 197 on the preop diet.  

I can't believe how close my surgery date is!  Thank you Lord I give you ALL THE PRAISE!!!!!!!

I stepped on the scale this morning and I'm down to 201....that is 11lbs since the start of my pre-op on 11/6.  i have so much energy right now!!  My surgery is set for 11/25!!!

This is really happening!  OMG, I am too thrilled.  The nutritionist sent over my Pre-Op and Post-OP diet and I meet with her Wednesday for a face to face.  I have to say it again, this is really happening!

The doctor did tell me because I have the lap band that he is not sure what he will see meaning if there is a lot scar tissue around the lap band.  So depending on what he sees I may have the sleeve or I may have the gastric...I'm praying its the sleeve as that is my choice but I told him what he thinks best...but in the Name of Jesus I'm believing for the Sleeve.  Gastric bypass scares me.

This is really happening!!

So next week, 11/6 I start my pre-op diet with the nutritionist before surgery on 11/25.  I purchased some Unjury Chocolate Splendor, which is pretty tasty.  I also purchase Total Lean protein shakes from GNC and they are pretty tasty as well. 

I went ahead and started today drinking the protein drinks to get a jump start; who is excited for surgery, LOL, that would be me!!!

Gosh I didn't realize how many people at work have had weight loss surgery (pretty big company)....it is great as I have ton of cheerleaders that I can go to in time of need.  Its so much fun to be the next in line for surgery.

I'm feeling really good, no nerves about any of it...I pray that the Lord's hands guide the surgeon's hands the day of surgery so I will have little complications or none at all, however, I am mentally prepared that I may have some but I will have no other choice but to get through it.

I still chuckle when I think back telling the first Dr. I visited that I didn't want to be skinny, LOL, his face was priceless.  I went on further to explain.  I don't want to be a stick looking person, I like padding on me...the womanly shape is beautiful.  I want to be healthy for sure to get off meds and I want to get to the weight for my height, so I figure 130-135 will be perfect for me.

I'm Puerto Rican and want that hour glass shape that I know is under this fat and want to make sure I still have some padding on the backside...so I've started doing squats.  Not trying to be Kim Kardashian by any means...more Jennifer Lopez, LOL.   OOOH my hubby is going to be in for a treat, LOL!!! 

So this is all for now.  Will post more as I get closer to surgery!!

I really haven't written about my life experience with weight as I was totally focused on getting approved for surgery.  Well, now that I am approved let me tell you a bit about me.

I am going to be 55 in December and have struggled with weight really since my early 40's.  I am guessing with raising three kids I never really focused on my weight because it wasn't out of hand...but then went it did get out of hand boy did I notice!  I was and have been so miserable.  I have tried every diet under the sun, including a lap band and nothing has ever worked for long.  Sure I dropped some weight for awhile with each diet only to regain it back again.  When I had my lap band I was a whopping 250 lbs for this 5'1 frame of mine...I am not a large boned person just alot of fat covering them bones.  I lost 30 lbs with it and have kept if off and then some with other diets after all these years but I'm still heavy for my size at 211. 

I am sick of having to constantly make sure my blood pressure is under control with meds, my PCP is always worried I may get diabetes as it runs in my family with Siblings having to take insulin.  Always lots of worry what I can get.  I got a dog (whom I love with all my heart) to go on walks, only to find that I can do 2 blocks before my hip starts to hurt and feet go numb.  UGH!!!

I eat to eat.  Love them carbs the most!  Well I have had enough!!!  I may be going to 55 in December but I like to look cute.  LOVE clothes and can't wait to shop on the other side where the clothes are so cute.  I've managed to find nice things in my size (14/16) but I just don't look like I wanna look.

However, I am thinking of starting a blog/website to help women over 40 with limited income to choose nice inexpensive clothing to make them look fashionable.  I see the women at work who are stuck in Capris and Tshirts, nothing wrong with that, but if they knew they can find nice articles of clothing to make them feel more dressed up I believe their confidence will shoot up.  Its easy to do but some just don't know how to shop for themselves.  I wanna help!  

11/25/2013 right before Thanksgiving...guess who won't be eating Turkey this year.

I finally got approved by Cigna.  It was a fight to say the least but the key was not to give up.  I was denied twice so I got fired up and started putting my case together to show the insurance company I deserve this surgery.  I had the Lap band surgery years ago that NEVER worked for me....so instead I tried losing weight on my own through Weight Watchers, Sakin Complex (acupressure balls), HCG drops, joining a Gym, hiring a personal trainer...all those methods failed for me.  I went back to see if perhaps going to another doctor to get fills would help, NOPE, didn't work.  I tried and tried but Cigna still said no they would not cover my surgery even though my coverage does allow for WLS surgery at 100%.

The key to a denial is not giving up...FIGHT for what is right for you.  I was one to say, well if I get denied must be because God didn't want me to have this surgery...which totally conflicted with his Word that says he will give us the desires of our heart...my desire was to have this surgery to better my health. 

When I got the email from the Dr. Barnes insurance staff that said I was approved I just about shot through the roof in a happy state!  I thank Dr. Barnes for agreeing to do a peer to peer review with Cigna...I provided him with everything I knew to pull of my journey for the last years to try to lose this weight.  IT WORKED....going in today for my consultation with Dr Barnes to discuss my next steps!!!  YAHOOEEY!!!