KatFord

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I got the call from my Dr's office today!  Now I just have to find out what my surgery date will be.  I should hear from the office administrator, Cheryl by Monday!  
When I got the news, I was so excited I felt like I had pop-rocks in my veins!  Now I DEFINITELY have something to be super thankful for at Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow.  
I am cooking dinner for the family, and as I make our preparations, I can't help but think about how different things will be for me a year from now.
I am also really thankful for this website.  It is such a great support forum, and offers so many great tips and ideas :)

I don't really have any "new" info to post.  My sleep study showed that I don't have apnea.  Glad to hear that, but I wonder if it will affect my approval process?  Hmmmm  Anyway, my dr's office submitted to my insurance early this month.  I hope to have an answer by the end of the month or early December.  So, in the meantime, I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving.  I'm making the feast for my family, but I plan to control myself... I've not done too bad with the whole "halloweeen candy" situation.  I did have some, but I also took a bunch to work to share, so the kids don't eat waaaaaay too much either.  Frankly, I don't think they even noticed the difference, since I take a couple handfuls to work with me every other day... I'm kinda popular at work for the moment :)

I can't wait to get the Christmas decorations out, and put the tree up.  Christmas is my favorite holiday, because of the beautiful decorations, and how so many people are more generous and full of the holiday spirit :)

Soooooo, I had the sleep study, but I'm still waiting for the follow up appointment for the results.  The sleep tech said it looks like I probably have a mild case, that can be resolved with a mouthpiece.  But since no follow-up yet, there's no confirmation.

The wait continues......

In the meantime, I just had a GREAT weekend, and not just 'cause the Indians won last night!  I went to Columbus, OH (go Bucks) with my folks for the Universal Light Expo.  It's a metaphysical gathering of like-minded people seeking spiritual enrichment.  The Tibetian monks were there building a sand mandala, and holding a performance of music and dancing.  There was a Mayan Indian musical/dance performance.  There are 12 lecture rooms with lectures from renowned speakers all day long, and 2 large vendor halls, with all kinds of offerings.  FABULOUS is the only way to describe it!
Then, to add icing to the cake, we went out to an awesome Indian restaurant for dinner, and I think the waiter flirted with me! WTF?!  (he brought me a "complimentary" dessert, and told my 17 YO nephew he was a lucky man, 'cause he thought he was my hubby HAHAHAHA!!!!)  Now don't get me wrong, I love my DH VERY much and would never look at another guy like that, but being MO does a real job on your self-esteem.  And I'm still pre-op.  Sure my DH thinks I'm beautiful & sexy, but it's nice to know maybe he doesn't just need to visit the eye doc, ya know?
OK, I take it back... the icing on the cake was the way my DH showed me how much he missed me this weekend when I got home (wink, wink)  God I love that man!  :)

I thought I was going to get submitted for approval.  Boy did I get the wind knocked out of my sails!  Now I need to go for a sleep test.  My doctor wants to know if I have Sleep Apnea.  I know it will probably help with my approval, but....and I'm no doctor here....but I don't really think I have it.  My hubby never said I stop breathing when I sleep.  He says I snore (in a VERY ladylike way, I'm sure ), but that's about it.
The thing that worries me the most is that I wanted to get approved and have my surgery around early December.  I only get 2 weeks of vacation time per year, and it comes around on my hire date anniversary, not on the calendar year.  So I was thinking if I could use my 1 week left from this year and my 2 weeks for next year, I'd have at least 3 weeks off that are paid.
Now the sleep study will probably hold things up for another month, maybe more.  I don't even have my 1st appt with the SS doctor until next Weds.  They don't automatically schedule a test, you gotta go in and talk with him first, then go from there.  So I have no idea how long this is gonna take.
Crap!  What if I don't even get approved for my WLS?  What if I DO have apnea?  And why do I have to sound like such a damned crybaby?!?!
Ahhhh well.  Apparently my heavenly father is giving me a little lesson in patience here.  All in due time, I'm sure.
Oh well, off to bed with my whinybutt.
till next time.........

Isn't that a Tom Petty Song???  It is soooooo appropriate!  I just had my 6th of 6 pre-op appointments yesterday.  The office will submit to my insurance NEXT WEEK!!!!  OK, so that's only, like, 1 1/2 days, but it's still NEXT WEEK.  Then I have to wait for my insurance to approve me...it could take A MONTH!!! OR LONGER!!!  THEN after I get approval I will get scheduled, usually in about ANOTHER 4 WEEKS after the insurance approves me!!!!
I am so excited and nervous and happy and scared and feeling kinda crazy with it.  I already told some of my co-workers about what I'm doing, so I'm not saying anything right now, 'cause I don't want them to turn and run from the "crazy weight loss surgery chick who won't shut up about it already"...hahaa, they really are a great group of people.  It feels a lot like an extended family at work, so how lucky am I???  But I really don't want to go on and on and on about it at work....I'd rather show them :)
So, In the meantime.......my nutritionist has told me I really need to focus on nutrition and exercise in this "holding pattern" period, so I'm in the best possible health for my surgery.  I guess that Ben & Jerry's Caramel Sutra ice cream is NOT part of that plan, so I need to get some more apples and carrots and celery and other yummy good stuff.  My friend is getting married next month, so in a way it's good that I won't have surgery until after her wedding date.  She was worried that I wouldn't be able to make it, or if I had surgery before the date, that I wouldn't be able to enjoy the meal at the reception (you know how brides want everyone to have only the best memories of the big day).  So I'm finding the positives...the weather is cooling off, and it's coming up on sweater weather....I won't be wearing these summer clothes much longer.....for the rest of my life!  It feels so strange to think that next summer, I'll need a whole new wardrobe, because what I have now will be WAY TOO BIG!..I hope, IF I get approved for surgery...smack smack...down bad thoughts....be gone with you!  Of course I'll get approved, I've done what I was told to do, my hubby's insurance is good, and they've approved other people he works with for it, so I'm just all nervous for nothing.
I think I'll wait until I hear from insurance before I post to my blog again.  Then I'll get some more pre-op pic's taken to commemorate the occasion....maybe put some pic's of my family & pets up too...I'm so proud of my family.  The kids are already asking what they can do to help out around the house after I get home from surgery.  I love them and can't wait for the next chapter of my life, so I be more active with them.

Yesterday I had my 5 month nutritionist visit.  The next one in September is the last.  I am so excited and nervous.  I keep wondering and worrying about getting approved.  My nut says I'm doing a great job (yeaay me!).  The doctor's office tells me they have all the paperwork they need from me, unless my doctor wants more info when he sees me personally for my final pre-requisite visit next month.
I have been reading so many blogs and doing so much online research, I can probably quote information in my sleep.  I predict my friends and family will be thoroughly SICK of me talking this to death WAY before I am.  I have already purchased the chewable and sublingual vitamins I'll need post-op.  I also got some protein drinks to sample and whey protein isolate for post-op, so I'll be prepared.  Then I stop and think....what if you don't get approved for the surgery?  (arghhh)  Yeah, but what about the power of positive thinking?  But...well, I guess you can get the picture.  And I REALLY want to get some more supplies, but it can wait until after I'm approved and get my surgery date.
Oh these crazy little thoughts spinning in my head, and  like a hamster on a wheel, they're not getting me anywhere.  
Thinking about this journey has brought up a lot of memories associated with my weight.  I remember the first time I was ashamed of my body, the words of classmates that sliced painfully with its cruel truth, and the buried pain of never measuring up to my mothers expectations.  Oh, and the ex-husband who said he "wouldn't want a pretty wife anyway, because they're more likely to stray" (JERK)!  Incidentally, I am SO glad I dumped him...but the scars are still there.  
My wonderful husband and fabulous kids love me as I am.  My little boy told me the other day that I look like an angel.  And my sweet little girl told me I look "like a cherry" in my picture (for her that is the highest compliment).  I want to BE the pretty they see.  And I want to know I am doing what I can to be there for them, as a healthy and positive role model.