Sharon_SC

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I am back on the path to WLS. Last year I got a surgery date and a job at the same time. I intended to do both, but found that while working as a live-in house parent for 8 to 10 boys from age 5 to 18 - I didn't even have time to get my 5 optifast shakes in.

I have gained some weight back from the 40 I had lost, but only 10 pounds. I was quite grateful it wasn't more. I had been stuffing my face from work stress, but I resigned about a month ago and feel much, much more relaxed, thank you.

I start the 4 week Optifast pre-surgery diet in 4 more days. Have been slowly getting my eating habits back in shape, at least while at home. There are a couple of treats I want to say goodbye to and I plan to indulge in them one last time.

Aboout a month ago I was in the grocery store and a guy said hi. It took me a bit to realize that it was a buddy from last year's surgery prep. I literally did not recognize him - at 150 pounds lighter.  He said to definitely go for it, that he would do it again.

What was going through my mind afterwards was that could have been me - 150 pounds lighter.  Stay tuned...

T-day was no big deal in my solitary household with 2 fur kids. I jokingly told my friends that I would use turkey in my daily salad instead of ham, to celebrate. I did have 2 invitations, but declined both of them as I felt that attending a food obsessive gathering would be cruel and unusual punishment for someone only 5 days into a month on Optifast.

I have found that It is best to count out 5 packets to be sure I take all 5. As they run together in my memory this early in the process, I can't imagine what it will be like after a month.

I am using the Davinci sugerfree, calorie free "syrups" to flavor the shakes. They are quite tasty that way. My favorite is vanilla with vanilla syrup and a dash of cinnamon, warmed lightly.

Tomorrow I start orientation for my new job as a house parent at a residential school. I am excited and eager to learn more about the girls I will have. Also the greenhouse I may have access to! Flower gardening has become my passion.

Taking on WLS and a new job at the same time seems daunting, but I went in to discuss events w/ the WLS shrink. Her suggestion was to be up front with my new employers. I certainly did not tell them *what* surgery I have planned for December at the initial interview! I think it will be important also to be upfront and frank with the girls in my cottage; I want to earn their trust. Keeping secrets is anathama to me anyway.

I am looking forward to weighing in on Tuesday, after a week and a half on Optifast.

Today was exciting just to finally get all the appointments scheduled for an RNY on Dec 22 and to pick up my Optifast.

Then I missed a call telling me that I had been cleared for a job & to let them know if I was still interested. !! having been out of work for 2 years, HELL YES I am still interested. It was too late to call the Human Resources person back, so I will have all weekend to wonder when I might start.

My surgery and this new job seemed to be linked: I make major milestones in each on the same day.

On November 3rd, my insurance approval came through and I got my surgery date of dec 22. That same afternoon I interviewed for this job and it went exceedingly well. They said they were going to start the paperwork to hire me immediately.

I asked how long that might possibly take and they said as little as 2 weeks - much to my surprise. I said then that they needed to know that I had surgery scheduled for late December and that I would either need to have time off for that, or that I could wait to start until after the first of the year. He said they wanted me immediately and would work with me. !!

The job BTW is as a house/teaching parent at a residential school for children, most likely with up to 8 girls in a cottage.

A new job and WLS at the same time seems daunting, so I went to see the shrink at the bariatric center I am using and talked it thru w/ her. She suggested that I tell them what I am having done - since I wasn't about to be that open in the first interview - and take it from there.

Hopefully I can sit down with HR on Monday and see what we can work out.

While I am on a roll, I want to bring my therapy assistance dog with me to work.

I have an RNY scheduled for dec 22. Friday I go in to get all of the prep appointments and Optifast. supply.

The practice I am using, Bariatric Solutions, puts patients on Optifast for the month precceding surgery for several reasons. First off, it shrinks the liver so the surgeon will have more room. Secondly it provides complete nutrition, so the body is best prepared to heal and lastly they are looking to see how compliant we are with sticking to a restricted diet.

I was on Optifast many years ago. In some respects it is an easy diet: the answer to everything about "is it ok to eat?" is simply NO! LOL, that does simplify life somewhat. However it is very hard on the bod: I was prone to monthly migraines after, that I had not previously had problems with. It is a little different this time in that instead of just the supplement, we are allowed one small, reasonable meal. I think that may prolong the torture. I'd rather just  get used to not eating now.

I am having periods of doubt and periods of excitement about the upcoming surgery.

I picked a turtle as my avatar, thinking that slow & pondorous fits and since I hope to be coming out of my shell. Goddess knows I don't care for ANY pf the pix I just uploaded to my Before album.

I am currently waiting for insurance approval; the paperwork was submitted last week by Bariatric Solutions. I hope to have RNY about half past December, with Dr Scott.

I  have been overweight my entire life but it is only in the past couple of years since retirement that I have begun to detest the fat. I very carefully only look at my front view in mirrors and then most likely at my hair or clothes - anything not to see the fat. I have been in a major state of denial. Not sure what has changed in the past year but every time I went to my MD I would be surprised not to see a 30 - 50 pound weight gain as I felt that much heavier. Actually my weight has been pretty stable for some years.

A dear friend recently took a side view picture that makes any denial impossible. I think it horrifies me enough to be carried with me at all times, if I should need a motivational reminder.
 

This past spring I was in my cardiologist's office. I needed one after failing a routine stress test last fall with my primary care MD: fell-off-the-treadmill level of failure. That was humiliating enough, but I also tore both rotator cuffs during this snafu..

My regular doctor released me to 6 month checkups after, saying everything looked fine. She is no longer my doctor.

My cardiologist did a battery of tests and established a great baseline for me: no heart issues on a repeat stress test, ultrasound and a few others. He also ordered a highly sensitive C reactive protein test that specifically measures cardiac inflammation. The results were 5 times normal. He looked over at me and said "your weight is killing you."