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I started my OPTI diet on Thursday this week, technically it should have been Wednesday but I had a big hockey party to attend so I did OPTI for breakfast and then had a normal meat with the hockey team banquet.  I am actually so pleasantly surprised with the OPTI taste.  I like it!!  I was more worried about the OPTI diet then the damn surgery! lol  I have vanilla and chocolate and I just keep switching between the 2 flavours.  With the vanilla it is more versatile, so you can add different flavours.  I have a vanilla in the morning with lots of ice, 1 tsp of decaf coffee granules and 1 tsp splenda.  I blend it all up and I now have my very own ICECAP! LOL  The chocolate OPTI is good on its own!  I am having the OPTI trots unfortunately......but I would rather that than be constipated!   

I have been a bit sick unfortunately since the first day on OPTI, but not because of the OPTI.  I was running a fever, sore throat and my seasonal allergies are back with a vengeance....so my pre-op appointment on Wednesday was interesting.  They checked my chest and throat and didn't say anything.  The nurse just told me if I was feeling sick still next week to see my family doctor as they want to make sure I am healthy for surgery.  I am confident I will be fine.  The fever broke Thursday night and I am taking my claritin for allergies and they seem to be under control.  A bit stuffy still, but I will keep an eye on that. 

I am trying to clean up the house, prepare my home and work for the time I will be OFF duty!  My husband is very supportive of anything I ASK but I wish I didn't have to ask for things.....I just wish he knew what to do!  For instance, today is my 2nd day of OPTI and he wanted to BBQ hamburgers for him and my son!  LIKE HELL NO!  That just seems unfair to me, and he didn't even realize it.  Like go out for a burger if thats what you want but don't do that this early to me!  I understand that there will be challenges I will have to face but on the 2nd day of OPTI diet in my own house!!! NO  

Been 2 months since my last post so thought I would take a few minutes and write out some of my thoughts.  I went back mid January for my follow up with the dietitian and social worker and nurse.  All is good, I mean the dietitian still needled me a LOT.... was overall happy with my progress and the changes I had incorporated into my daily life, BUT she still mentioned quite a few more things I need to work on still.   Mainly the PROTEIN! I am not eating enough protein, and she wants me eating my protein....not just drinking it.  She says I must have protein at every meal and every snack!  Thats a lot!  I am no longer snacking in front of the tv at all.  We eat on smaller plates, I drink water and just the odd diet coke now....I even moved to decaf coffee and tea....with milk in my coffee!  SW only wanted to hear that I no longer snack in front of tv.....nurse said everything looked good except for my iron was low????? SAY WHAT!!????  I have a condition called hemachromatosis.....which is HIGH IRON!  There is no way in the world that my iron should be low.  She was going to discuss with Dr. Glazer and I was to mention this to my doctor, which I did and she said the last time she ran my iron, it was fine....not low!  I hope that this doesn't delay me somehow!  It has been a month and I haven't heard back from Dr. Glazer on it.  The nurse at first wanted me to take iron supplements, but then phoned me and asked me not to, until they clear up my iron levels.  I meet with Dr. Glazer Feb 25....so excited for that appt!  

I was given a date of MARCH 30 for surgery, but because of life and work I actually asked them to book me the end of April instead   I mean I have waited all this time, what is another month right???  It makes much more sense to wait so they have booked me in April 29, 2015!!  

I am starting to have some food funerals.  I need to do them....I know not everyone agrees with them, or wants to do them, but for me...... its the best decision I think.  I am watching the scale as I certainly don't want to go into Dr. Glazers office with a gain since mid January!  I had lost 6 lbs from mid December to mid January, and I would like to lose another 6 lbs if I could before I see Dr. Glazer. 

Lots of my OH friends are getting their appointments and having their surgery.  They are all doing well....and I cannot wait to sit with them on that losers bench!!! 

so today was the big 3 appointment day for me....of course this area got hit with 15 cm of snow overnight, so we left Oshawa at 6:30 am for my 9:00 am appointment and didn't get there until closer to 9:30 am!  They completely understood as some patients cancelled and some staff did not come in.  My first appointment was with Nina, the dietician.  She was very friendly and easy to talk to.  We spent over an hour together, and then she informed me that she was going to ask me to come back.  She wants me to focus on mindful eating and emotional eating....which I totally did not think I have ever had, nor do I still.  She says because I mentioned wanting or eating something sweet at night because I am comfortable and sort of bored, that falls under the emotional eating umbrella!  This is why people LIE!  She gave me a list of things she wants me to focus on and then to go back and see all 3 appointments again in one month.....which is booked for January 19/15.  I am very frustrated.....I have researched bariatric surgery for close to 2 years now.  She wants me to work on healthier choices, eating on a smaller plate, using smaller utensils, and not eating at night when bored at all! I need to find and document what I am doing instead.  I also have to have something to eat every 3 hours.  The Social Worker appointment was about 15 minutes, very quick, and she just wants to know that in a month I am still not eating a sweet snack at bedtime.  The nurse I was also with for over an hour and she was amazing, I loved her.  I then went and did 10+ vials of blood work and then she will review that with me when I go in January.

Had my surgeon meeting today at Dr. Starr's office in Toronto!  I LOVE HIM!!!! He makes me feel so at ease, right away.  He answered any questions I had.  I asked him which procedure he prefers, RNY or sleeve, he said for me 'hands down' is the RNY because of my diabetes.  He also told me that my diabetes will be GONE completely as soon as surgery is performed!!!  He feels my not too high BMI and age being under 50 make me a perfect candidate and said the procedure should be casebook!!! He made my and my hubby feel like this is no big deal LOL   We both walked out of there feeling like 'ya this is a no brainer.....of course I am having the surgery!'  LOL  I asked him if his wife or daughter were me, would he want them to have the surgery done.  He looked me right in the eyes and said 100% without a doubt!  I feel awesome, now that I have met him and Tracey, his receptionist......she was awesome and SO HELPFUL!!!! While we were sitting there waiting, I got up and asked her how far out they are booking surgeries.....and she said 'shhh thats a secret!"  LOL  She asked when my appts were scheduled for and told me to try and get them pushed up if I can.  She then picked up the phone and called the bariatric clinic and had me put on the cancellation list  She said that if I had all my appts done today, she would be booking my surgery for December 2014.  Since my appts aren't until Dec 11, she said that it could be anytime up until April 2015.  I actually don't think that is too bad at all.  I was referred May 29......so that would make it less than a year.  She gave me Dr. Glazers phone # and told me to phone him today, which I did, and I can't get in to see him until friggin FEBRUARY 25, 2015!!!  They did tell me though, that if a cancellation comes up they move the bariatric clients up first.  SO today was a great day!!! I feel SO MUCH BETTER and more CONFIDENT meeting Dr. Starr!!!!!  I may have a wee crush on the man now  

OK it has been 5 weeks since my orientation, and I phoned yesterday and left a message.  I got home from work today and was very surprised to find a voicemail from the bariatric centre on my phone!!! She didn't say much, just that she is returning my call LOL but they replied!!!! It was too late to phone back by the time I got home so I am going to try again tomorrow.  I am hoping they can schedule some appointments for me!   I have SO many family doctor, diabetes doctor, sleep testing , etc appointments in the next 6 weeks, but I would LOVE to just have a date to go visit HRRH.....it will make me feel like things are moving along.   I do not expect this whole process to be done in 6 months.....but just a hint that it is progressing would be a relief!  LOL

Just got home from HRRH for the orientation session.  My husband and I went to the 1:00 pm class, there were about 37 patients signed up, and then whoever brought a support person.  I am so glad I brought my hubby, it was very important for him to hear and see the presentation.  I honestly didn't really learn much more than I have already researched on my own, and also all the amazing advice and information from this website!  I found the brochures they handed out to be very informative and I will read them at least a few more times.  They say that we should be called with our first appointment within 4-6 weeks, and if we haven't heard by 6 weeks that we should phone the centre.  Not sure how far out they are booking the appointments, I am reading different things on the website, but my journey has begun!!!!

I have already started making some changes the last few months, since my doctor referred me:  quit smoking, cut down diet coke per day, bought a fit bit pedometer and wear it every single day to count my steps and motivate me, bought my husband a fitbit also so he can understand and also so that he can challenge me!  Bought a treadmill a couple of months ago and am aiming to walk at least 30 minutes on it 5 days a week, eating breakfast every single day, no sugar in my coffee , reading this support website everyday!  I will begin to track my food, and times when I eat.  I want to see if there is a pattern, which I am assuming there is!  I have taken loads of before photos.......  even though they are very hard to look at, I had to do it!  I am going to blog here at least every month and certainly after all appointments and challenges. 

Feeling so impatient!!  It has been about 6 weeks since I was referred and haven't heard a word yet.  I know, I know......be patient right?  I am going to phone my doctor on Monday to make sure they sent in the damn referral! 

Heading out to the trailer for the weekend...... 

Went to a diabetes class at the hospital with a group of 15 people, different ages/weights, but we have all been recently diagnosed with pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes.  I felt quite versed on diabetes going into the class, but I actually really enjoyed it and did learn a few things!!! I feel inspired and look forward to this week and some small changes I can make in my lifestyle.  I have my 2nd group class on Friday.  Have walked 25 minutes each of the last 2 days on my treadmill, and feel sooooo good when I am done.  I am going to make this my newest habit/addiction!!!!

Feeling sort of blah the last few days  I have actually gained a lb after getting my fitbit and treadmill! I know this is an issue for me.....and it scares me.  I think because I move a little bit or exercise a little bit or eat healthy 90% of the day I can pig out on sweets and then I sabotage myself.  I am so frustrated and mad at myself.  I am impatient too......It has been 2 weeks since my referral and I am chomping at the bit waiting for a phone call or letter from the registry booking my orientation!  sigh....ok pity party over!!!  Just packed my lunch, healthy, and am off to work!  Tomorrow will be a better day :) and I need to remember always ...... it could be worse 

Just finished reading some OH posts and looked at some before and after shots .....some are just absolutely remarkable!! I worry a bit about excess skin, especially with my age (47)  so I doubt it will 'bounce back'  LOL  I am just so excited to even get the package in the mail so I can start reading!!!   I have done so much research I am not sure I will learn anything else but I am SO EXCITED!!!  One of my friends just told me that she is also getting a referral and now I am hoping we can do this thing together!!