NanD
Journey to a Healthier Me(under construction)
Apr 24, 2010
Hey there! I really want to start journaling about my "Journey to a Healthier Me" and thought this would be a great place to start!I had been battling my love of food, or so I thought it was a "love of food", since I was about 11 years old......right around the time that I lost my father to alcoholism. I just recently learned in the past 3-4 years how huge an impact this has had on my life! Anyway, that is a whole other story, so I am jumping ahead to the most recent chapter of my life.
I was referred to Dr. Lance Levy, by my family doctor, in August 2008. My daughter and I traveled to Toronto for our monthly visit for a few months. My daughter was diagnosed with several issues and he worked through those with her. In November, 2008 she met with Dr. Hagen, one of the surgeons at the Minimally Invasive Surgery Group in Toronto. This team of surgeons is performing a lot of WLS, and Kate's journey began. In April 2009 she was scheduled for her surgery at Humber River Regional Hospital. She has lost 185 lbs and has most of her medical concerns completely gone, or well controlled. OK, so, this isn't Kate's story, but I wanted to kind of break the ice this way, as it was the beginning of my time also.
My first appointment with Dr. Levy, after chatting with him for 40 minutes or so, he told me that I had chronic depression, which I had been living with for so long I believed it to be normal! Now that the depression is being treated, I realize just how down I was as I am feeling pretty gosh darn great these days! I was diagnosed with ADHD and finally, after some trial and error, we got the right medication for me, so that is now well under control.
I was referred to Dr. Hagen and my first appointment was scheduled on October 13. We discussed my medical conditions, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, asthma, etc, and he told me that I was a prime candidate for RNY gastric bypass. I was provided a sheet with information on the 3 other appointments that I had to schedule and complete, then see Dr. Hagen again.
My first appointment on January 25, was with Dr.Glazer, the internist, and he gave me the thumbs up for surgery. The same day, I sat in on the group class, to go over the procedure as well as life and diet after the surgery. On February 12 I had appointments with the nutritionist and social worker. I had my next appointment with Dr. Hagen scheduled for March 5. On Febrary 22, Bernice from Dr. Hagen`s called me at work and gave me my surgery date...March 9th!! I was in a state of shock, a real mixed bag of emotions. I had to go to his office the next day to see him and get my Optifast!
WOW....the first Optifast shake wasn`t too bad....Kate said "Oh Mom, just wait for a couple days".......by the following Wednesday, I could not get them down, so I was eating lettuce, celery, green peppers, dill pickles, cucumbers, chicken broth.....for the next 6 days!
On the day of surgery, my Mom, one of my sons and his girlfriend took me to Toronto at 3:30am....I had to there at 6:00am! I was prepped and ready to go down to the OR.....off to lala land....I woke in recovery as soon as I got there, at 11:10am, then dozed in and out of induced slumber until I was taken to my room, around 2:30pm. My family came in to see me, and stayed for a bit. I did really well that night and the next day with eating and drinking (sipping). I was up quite a bit walking the halls so I was able to come home on March 12.
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About Me
Belleville,
Location
Surgery
03/09/2010
Surgery Date
Mar 22, 2010
Member Since
