Robin N.
My blog
Oct 27, 2010
Not doing a very good job of transferring my blog posts over to here. Here are the latest installments:bmi47.blogspot.com/
Friday, September 24, 2010
Decisions, decisions...
So I think I have chosen who I want to go with. I have an appt on the 1st with them. I have done a lot of research on them and the other group and like what I have found. I am going with http://www.texasbariatricspecialists.com/ even though they are a few hours away. Just the surgery will be in San Antonio, my followup care will be local. I am hoping everything goes well at my appointment.I have talked to my PCM and he is agreeable to me having the surgery, so I know that when I need the referral it won't be a problem. I also learned that I am Glucose Intolerant. Yet another reason to lose weight. I am going to go on a diabetic diet until my surgery. I have an appointment with the local diabetic nutrition meeting on base to help me. I don't want to have it turn into actual diabetes.
I've been researching protein shakes too. I want to sample some and figure out which ones I like BEFORE I have the surgery so I am not having to deal with that when I am in pain. Here is one that has really good reviews: Syntrax Necter.
I have decided to write myself a note. In this note I am going to write about how unhappy I am heavy. What all I am unable to do and what all I look forward to doing when I lose weight. I am going to remind myself that when things get rough in the first days after the surgery it is for a good reason and that I did not make a mistake. I will use that note to remind myself how I feel now to give me motivation not to give up.
I have told my hubby I DO NOT want to be babied. That I HAVE to get up and walk and move even if it hurts.
I am being open about this plan. When I tell someone I am thinking of having this surgery, I am not embarassed. I am embarassed that I allowed myself to get this fat, but I will not be embarassed that I am getting the surgery. I am finally doing something proactive to correct the years of mistakes I have made.
Weightloss surgery is NOT a cure or an easy way out, but it is a TOOL and when you use that tool correctly, you have good results. I have decided that I WILL be a success story! I am going to stay on the positive side on this! I have been through 2 c-sections, 1 uterine suspension, 5 deployments and multiple field rotations. I have raised two small children in a foreign country with my husband deployed. I am STRONG and I can do anything I put my mind to!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Baby steps...
One step at a time. I keep reminding myself. It seems like everything is moving along so slow. I met one of the surgeons on Friday. It was a one on one meeting instead of a large seminar like other drs. do. I was able to ask questions, etc. After my appointment with him I had my nutritional consult. Now for the things I still need to get done before a date can be set:- I have to have my gallbladder sonogram done. My PCM ordered that before I went to see the surgeon due to my gallbladder acting up. Hopefully I will not need it removed. If I do, it will be in a separate surgery than the bypass. The surgeon said they don't like to do both at the same time.
- I have to have my second night of a sleep study done and get calibrated for a CPAP machine. I did my first night a long time ago and was diagnosed with mild to moderate sleep apnea.
- I have to get a letter of clearance from a Psychiatrist stating I am mentally capable of handling the changes my body will go through and the emotional toll I will go through.
Once I get approved I can set the date!! They are scheduling about 3 weeks out right now. Once I have a date set I will have to get bloodwork with 30 days of the surgery date and then there is a diet I will have to follow for 2 weeks prior to reduce the amount of fat in my liver.
The diet is as follows:
- Breakfast - 1 protein shake, a multi vitamin and a calcium supplement
- Lunch - 1 protein shake, and a calcium supplement
- Dinner- 3 oz (palm size) lean protein serving (i.e. chicken, fish, turkey), non starchy veggie (NOT potatoes and corn), a multi vitamin and a calcium supplement.
They gave me a list of which protein shakes to use and which ones to avoid and what to look for in a shake. The shakes will be a part of my daily routine after the surgery, so doing this before hand will help me figure out what flavors/types I like, can tolerate, etc.
There is a list of medications that I can't take for 2 weeks prior. Tylenol and Mobic are the only two I see I will have to stop. Of course I will go over my list of meds with the dr to make sure there are not also on the list.
Now that I have done the research, and done the soul searching I am ready. I wish I could speed time up to the day of the surgery. I am ready to start that part of the adventure.
I find myself checking out clothes and shoes in the misses/juniors dept and thinking "wow I will be able to wear that soon". I am afraid I am going to really enjoy shopping for clothes again once I reach my goal weight. Of course until then I will be hitting up resale shops and thrift stores since my size will be changing so quickly.
I don't just think about the good that will come from this surgery. I think about the bad too. The scary side effects. The worst case scenarios. I try not to dwell on them, but they do cross my mind. I know that this is not going to be easy, that there are days I will be crying in pain or frustration, but I also know that soon I will be able to actually JUMP for joy!
I read somewhere that some think gastric bypass is the easy way out. I guess those are the same people that consider a c-section easier that natural. Oh well, there are people like that and I won't let them get to me.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Some changes, but still on the path...
I have done a lot of research and a lot of praying and have decided to go with another dr. I am going to go with the local one out of Scott and White. Scott & White link I liked the other dr group, but something about Scott and White appeals to me more. There are several reasons.They are closer, won't have to go 3 hours away for surgery. They're at their close office 5 days a week vs. the twice monthly the other is in town for follow up appts. There is a local support group. Liked what the dr. said at the seminar better. Some other reasons. Just feel deep down that they are a better choice
My PCM has put the necessary referrals in. I have taken my psychology test (waiting for results ~ hopefully they don't find out I am crazy :P ). I still need to get a sonogram done on my gallbladder, get retested for sleep apnea and get my CPAP if needed. I will also need to get a current PAP done and routine bloodwork. Once all that is done and they have the results, they will submit it to Tricare for approval. At that point it could take as little as a week to get the approval. So... if all goes well and my gallbladder tests okay then it should be about a month.
Weird to think that by Thanksgiving I could be reworked inside and not be eating Thanksgiving meal. I don't need to eat to enjoy the holiday and will have lots of things to be thankful for.
