Michele Washam
Psych & Cardio Out of the Way! Pre-Op
May 21, 2008
Friday, May 22, 2008
Yesterday's appointments went really, really well!
I arrived at Dr. Williams office at 9:01 and while filling out some additional paperwork, the psychologist came out and called me back to his office. My Interview with him went very well and he indicated that I was not a risk and then gave me the MMP1 test - or whatever it is called. 567 questions later, I was finished! The test was pretty easy, tedious, but easy. I would advise anyone taking this test to just answer with your first gut reaction answers.
I had two hours to kill between appointments sooooo, I drove over to Target and picked up a few items for Ashley's graduation party on Saturday. Can you believe my baby is graduating tomorrow?
I went to Chick Fil A' and ordered a grilled chicken sandwhich and a baked potato, the sandwhich wasn't all that great so I ate about half the potato. I then headed over to Dr Marvyn's office at East Tennessee Cardialogist. My cardio test came back excellent!! Dr Marvyn said he would write Dr. Williams a letter of approval immediately!
THEN, this morning, I got on the scale and I lost another pound! Woooo Hoooo - I am getting there - slowly but surely. I had to make chicken wings (my favorite) for my daughters end of year party and I ate only THREE!!! THEN I had to make a NY Cheesecake for my son's party and I ate NONE! As the days go by, turning away from the cravings is getting easier. Nighttime is the hardest.
I have set myself to quit smoking Tuesday. I am just going to do it. I want this surgery more than I want my ciggs.
Pray for me... I only need to lose the rest of the 25 lbs and then we can submit the stuff to insurance. I am SO ready!
I'll write again after the graduation festivities.
Love you all!
Shell
Yesterday's appointments went really, really well!
I arrived at Dr. Williams office at 9:01 and while filling out some additional paperwork, the psychologist came out and called me back to his office. My Interview with him went very well and he indicated that I was not a risk and then gave me the MMP1 test - or whatever it is called. 567 questions later, I was finished! The test was pretty easy, tedious, but easy. I would advise anyone taking this test to just answer with your first gut reaction answers.
I had two hours to kill between appointments sooooo, I drove over to Target and picked up a few items for Ashley's graduation party on Saturday. Can you believe my baby is graduating tomorrow?
I went to Chick Fil A' and ordered a grilled chicken sandwhich and a baked potato, the sandwhich wasn't all that great so I ate about half the potato. I then headed over to Dr Marvyn's office at East Tennessee Cardialogist. My cardio test came back excellent!! Dr Marvyn said he would write Dr. Williams a letter of approval immediately!
THEN, this morning, I got on the scale and I lost another pound! Woooo Hoooo - I am getting there - slowly but surely. I had to make chicken wings (my favorite) for my daughters end of year party and I ate only THREE!!! THEN I had to make a NY Cheesecake for my son's party and I ate NONE! As the days go by, turning away from the cravings is getting easier. Nighttime is the hardest.
I have set myself to quit smoking Tuesday. I am just going to do it. I want this surgery more than I want my ciggs.
Pray for me... I only need to lose the rest of the 25 lbs and then we can submit the stuff to insurance. I am SO ready!
I'll write again after the graduation festivities.
Love you all!
Shell
7 Lbs. Down! Still working on the 25 - Pre -OP
May 18, 2008
I am SUCH a loser HEHEHE! I was SHOCked when i stood on the scale this morning, expecially since we ate out twice over the past week and it's SO HARD to stick to a diet when eating out. I did it! I only have 17 to go to meet the insurance requirements. I don't go back to the nutriotionist until June 6th! I still got time. The other good news is, my psych exam and cardio appointment are this coming Weds, may 21st, I'm two tests closer to reaching the ultimate goal. MY WLS SURGERY!
I do need prayer for the one Insurance requirement of 5 years documented medical history. I didn't have insurance for about a year and a half of that. So please pray they will not give me any trouble.
My oldest daughter, Ashley, graduates this Friday so I have a TON of work to do to get ready for out of town company, etc. I am really proud of her. She has done well and it seems like just yesterday, my baby was in Apple Tree Academy Pre School.
I'll update later this week and let you know how the appointments went.
Love ya!
2nd Appointment Down GREAT NEWS!!!!!! Pre-Op
May 06, 2008
May 6, 2008
Well, I just got back from my 2nd official nutrionist appointment and while I was there, I literally bumped into the insurance lady, Bonnie, who by the way is an ANGEL! I also lost 2lbs!! (Better than gainin' them!)
While she was showing me how to weigh myself, I asked her if there was anything else I needed to be doing to prepare for insurance approval and she asked who my carrier was, I showed her my card and she said....
SAY WHAT???
So I asked her the same question twelve different ways: ALL I HAVE TO DO IS LOSE 22 MORE LBS AND I AM GOOD?
She said "yep!" HA!! Twenty-two pounds is a breeze! If I lose it by next month, she can submit my stuff to insurance and I am on my way! How AWESOME is that?
Soooooo, I stopped at Target, bought some Hoodia, and I am going downstairs to put that treadmill to work!! Oh yea!!!!!!! I'll keep everyone posted!!
Well, I just got back from my 2nd official nutrionist appointment and while I was there, I literally bumped into the insurance lady, Bonnie, who by the way is an ANGEL! I also lost 2lbs!! (Better than gainin' them!)
While she was showing me how to weigh myself, I asked her if there was anything else I needed to be doing to prepare for insurance approval and she asked who my carrier was, I showed her my card and she said....
SAY WHAT???
So I asked her the same question twelve different ways: ALL I HAVE TO DO IS LOSE 22 MORE LBS AND I AM GOOD?
She said "yep!" HA!! Twenty-two pounds is a breeze! If I lose it by next month, she can submit my stuff to insurance and I am on my way! How AWESOME is that?
Soooooo, I stopped at Target, bought some Hoodia, and I am going downstairs to put that treadmill to work!! Oh yea!!!!!!! I'll keep everyone posted!!
Tomorrow is my 2nd NUT appointmen & Cardio too! Pre-Op
May 05, 2008
Hey everyone who might be reading this. Tomorrow is the next step towards my big day! Geeesh, some days I feel so far away from the end result I can't stand it but then I come to OH and read the profiles and I feel calm and peaceful knowing that I am headed in the right direction.
Tomorrow I will have my second nutritionist appointment for the Insurance required pre-op diet and also an appointment with the cardiologist. Yay!!! Actually I am a little worried about that one; but I know that WLS will only make things better.
I wanted to share a YouTube video with you but I don't know how to embed video into my profile so let me just give you the link: it's called Evolution of Dance and it's hyterical. I hope you enjoy it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMH0bHeiRNg
Well, I am off to surf some more profiles and lurk on the boards a bit; but I'll post tomorrow after I get back to let everyone know how it went!
See ya!
Six Days Til My 2nd Nut Appt
Apr 30, 2008
April 30th 2008
Well, I held off posting for a couple of days, I didn't want to bore anyone with my endless rambling LOL!!
I am 6-days away from my second nutrionist appointment for my pre-op diet. I am still praying that the weight loss program I was on in the latter part of 2006 will count. OH PLEASE OH PLEASE COUNT!! I also go fora cardioligist appointment as I have had rapid heartbeat and I think skipping heartbeats. It feels like my heart stops and then starts again, I get dizzy and hot and then everything goes back to normal. Hmmmm, not sure what that is all about. I hope it isn't anything serious.
Anyway, We are only 3-days away from prom and I have to drive into Knoxville (45 min away) to get accessories for Ashley's gown and a bra. her boyfriend is coming in from Florida so we are preparing for out of town company too.
I still come on OH every single day, sometimes several times a day just to read the forums and look at the pictures and also read profiles. I am learning so much just by lurking. I have to say that those that have gone ahead of me have no idea what an incredible help they are. The blogs they wrote in their pre-op days, during their wait and through their "other side" journey are more help to those of us coming behind them than they will ever know. If you are a pre-op WLS PLEASE, start a blog and document everything. I know it will help others.
I am a writer (published author of 2 books working on 3rd) so I LOVE to write. I love to journal and just share what's on my heart. I hope my blog isn't too boring and will help someone else along the way the way others have helped me.
I am still feeling pretty excited about my WLS and can't wait till I am on the other side. I have moments of "what if" and even a few brief moments of mourning when i think about having to give up my favorite foods. When the heck did I become addicted to food? Will I ever get to eat pasta again after WLS? I'm Italian, I have convinced myself that i have to have pasta at least twice a week to carry on my heritage or something. What an unhealthy way of thinking.
I am taking my pre-op diet more and more serious and have signed up to the free www.fitday.com website to keep track of my calories. It is a GREAT tool on this leg of the journey. If you are on a pre-op or even post op diet... I highly reccomend it, it is another wonderful tip I found on the OH forums.
Well, I have two deadlines to meet this week and an article to write for the Dose of Devotion. If anyone is interested in my web ministry Just4Ladies.com you can join free and receive my devotion bi-weekly. I will write more about the ministry in my next post but will tell you it is for those dealing with the devestation of heartbreak.
Talk to you later! Love you all! {{{hugs}}}
Well, I held off posting for a couple of days, I didn't want to bore anyone with my endless rambling LOL!!
I am 6-days away from my second nutrionist appointment for my pre-op diet. I am still praying that the weight loss program I was on in the latter part of 2006 will count. OH PLEASE OH PLEASE COUNT!! I also go fora cardioligist appointment as I have had rapid heartbeat and I think skipping heartbeats. It feels like my heart stops and then starts again, I get dizzy and hot and then everything goes back to normal. Hmmmm, not sure what that is all about. I hope it isn't anything serious.
Anyway, We are only 3-days away from prom and I have to drive into Knoxville (45 min away) to get accessories for Ashley's gown and a bra. her boyfriend is coming in from Florida so we are preparing for out of town company too.
I still come on OH every single day, sometimes several times a day just to read the forums and look at the pictures and also read profiles. I am learning so much just by lurking. I have to say that those that have gone ahead of me have no idea what an incredible help they are. The blogs they wrote in their pre-op days, during their wait and through their "other side" journey are more help to those of us coming behind them than they will ever know. If you are a pre-op WLS PLEASE, start a blog and document everything. I know it will help others.
I am a writer (published author of 2 books working on 3rd) so I LOVE to write. I love to journal and just share what's on my heart. I hope my blog isn't too boring and will help someone else along the way the way others have helped me.
I am still feeling pretty excited about my WLS and can't wait till I am on the other side. I have moments of "what if" and even a few brief moments of mourning when i think about having to give up my favorite foods. When the heck did I become addicted to food? Will I ever get to eat pasta again after WLS? I'm Italian, I have convinced myself that i have to have pasta at least twice a week to carry on my heritage or something. What an unhealthy way of thinking.
I am taking my pre-op diet more and more serious and have signed up to the free www.fitday.com website to keep track of my calories. It is a GREAT tool on this leg of the journey. If you are on a pre-op or even post op diet... I highly reccomend it, it is another wonderful tip I found on the OH forums.
Well, I have two deadlines to meet this week and an article to write for the Dose of Devotion. If anyone is interested in my web ministry Just4Ladies.com you can join free and receive my devotion bi-weekly. I will write more about the ministry in my next post but will tell you it is for those dealing with the devestation of heartbreak.
Talk to you later! Love you all! {{{hugs}}}
Another Week Down! - Pre-Op
Apr 27, 2008
April 27, 2008
Well, today is Sunday and I am one week and one day away from my 2nd NUT appointment and my cardio appoitnment and exactly 3 weeks and 1-day from my psych exam.
Yesterday my parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary! Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad! They are a rare breed for sure as we don't hear about couples lasting 40 years much these days.
This week ought to go buy pretty fast, I have a ton of stuff to do for my 18 year-old. This coming Saturday is her Senior Prom and then, on May 23rd she graduates from high school... geeeze, where did the time go? She was just in pre-school not too long ago. I can't believe my baby is graduating and starting college in the fall. I don't feel old enough to have a child going into college. LOL.
Anyway, with the deadlines for work and prom preperations, out of town company coming on Firday, this week is going to fly by!
OH! And before I forget... my dad is going to help my husband and son build my studio the week after next!! I am putting a small studio on our property so I can record video and audio for the Just4Ladies.com ministry!! I can't wait to get that project started...once they get the building up and all of the drywall hung and finished, I get to go in and decorate it! I can't wait!!
I spent over an hour last night on OH looking at pictures and reading profiles, you post-op folks just have NO IDEA what a lifeline this website and your contribution to it are to those of us getting ready. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your story. I've made some great new local friends who are having the surgery too!
Anyway, I am going to go and get some housework done. I'll post again soon. {{{Hugs to all}}}
Shell
Well, today is Sunday and I am one week and one day away from my 2nd NUT appointment and my cardio appoitnment and exactly 3 weeks and 1-day from my psych exam.
Yesterday my parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary! Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad! They are a rare breed for sure as we don't hear about couples lasting 40 years much these days.
This week ought to go buy pretty fast, I have a ton of stuff to do for my 18 year-old. This coming Saturday is her Senior Prom and then, on May 23rd she graduates from high school... geeeze, where did the time go? She was just in pre-school not too long ago. I can't believe my baby is graduating and starting college in the fall. I don't feel old enough to have a child going into college. LOL.
Anyway, with the deadlines for work and prom preperations, out of town company coming on Firday, this week is going to fly by!
OH! And before I forget... my dad is going to help my husband and son build my studio the week after next!! I am putting a small studio on our property so I can record video and audio for the Just4Ladies.com ministry!! I can't wait to get that project started...once they get the building up and all of the drywall hung and finished, I get to go in and decorate it! I can't wait!!
I spent over an hour last night on OH looking at pictures and reading profiles, you post-op folks just have NO IDEA what a lifeline this website and your contribution to it are to those of us getting ready. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your story. I've made some great new local friends who are having the surgery too!
Anyway, I am going to go and get some housework done. I'll post again soon. {{{Hugs to all}}}
Shell
One Day Closer - Pre-Op
Apr 23, 2008
April 23, 2008
Well...I'm back...again. LOL!! I just can't seem to stay away from OH. I feel much comfort when I am here looking at the pictures, reading the forums and writing on my blog. I just want to say to all of those out there that have posted Before & After pictures...you are such an inspiration. Every day I sign on and the first thing I do is look at the pictures. They fill my heart with excitement to know someday, I'll be there.
Yesterday I joined the Yahoo eGroup for Knoxville area support. What a wonderful and warm welcome. Also, I couldn't help myself but I called Stephanie just to make sure she got my medical records from my PCP. She said everything looked good. I so hate bothering them, I know how busy they must be. The records that were sent were the details of my medically supervised diets. OH how I pray that insurance will accept the previous diets. I am just so eager to have WLS and start my new life.
I can be in NORMAL clothes by Christmas!! HA! Who woulda thunk it? My husband will actually be able to buy me something from Victoria Secret this year LOL!!
One really nice thing that happened was that Mike (my hubby) promised that once I was through the WLS and had reached my goal, he would take me to Key West, FL. Waaaaaaaaay back when we first met, we had planned on going there for a weekend, we lived right in Palm Beach County but never had the time to go, it was supposed to be a romantic weekend getaway but we never got to do it, so, as a reward, he is taking me there! I can't wait! I may even venture out into the unknown and wear a bathing suit! LOL!!
I am one day closer to my big day, one day closer to being a loser. My Cardiologist appointment and next appt. with Dietician in now only 13-days away! THEN two weeks after that I go for my psych test. Gosh, I hope I pass that one!! LOL!!
I am doing my best to stay on the pre-op diet. I did eat a little more yesterday but got all my water in, switched from regular soda to Crystal Light and I even gagged down a protein bar. Bleceeek!!!! I survived it, but man, it;s like eating cardboard with vanilla slathered on it. THAT is going to take some getting used too!
Anyway, I have a few deadlines this week and am working on some new deals, for those that don't know, I am a web developer by trade and really do LOVE the work! So, off i go to get something done... no doubt I'll be back to share what's on my heart again soon.
Well...I'm back...again. LOL!! I just can't seem to stay away from OH. I feel much comfort when I am here looking at the pictures, reading the forums and writing on my blog. I just want to say to all of those out there that have posted Before & After pictures...you are such an inspiration. Every day I sign on and the first thing I do is look at the pictures. They fill my heart with excitement to know someday, I'll be there.
Yesterday I joined the Yahoo eGroup for Knoxville area support. What a wonderful and warm welcome. Also, I couldn't help myself but I called Stephanie just to make sure she got my medical records from my PCP. She said everything looked good. I so hate bothering them, I know how busy they must be. The records that were sent were the details of my medically supervised diets. OH how I pray that insurance will accept the previous diets. I am just so eager to have WLS and start my new life.
I can be in NORMAL clothes by Christmas!! HA! Who woulda thunk it? My husband will actually be able to buy me something from Victoria Secret this year LOL!!
One really nice thing that happened was that Mike (my hubby) promised that once I was through the WLS and had reached my goal, he would take me to Key West, FL. Waaaaaaaaay back when we first met, we had planned on going there for a weekend, we lived right in Palm Beach County but never had the time to go, it was supposed to be a romantic weekend getaway but we never got to do it, so, as a reward, he is taking me there! I can't wait! I may even venture out into the unknown and wear a bathing suit! LOL!!
I am one day closer to my big day, one day closer to being a loser. My Cardiologist appointment and next appt. with Dietician in now only 13-days away! THEN two weeks after that I go for my psych test. Gosh, I hope I pass that one!! LOL!!
I am doing my best to stay on the pre-op diet. I did eat a little more yesterday but got all my water in, switched from regular soda to Crystal Light and I even gagged down a protein bar. Bleceeek!!!! I survived it, but man, it;s like eating cardboard with vanilla slathered on it. THAT is going to take some getting used too!
Anyway, I have a few deadlines this week and am working on some new deals, for those that don't know, I am a web developer by trade and really do LOVE the work! So, off i go to get something done... no doubt I'll be back to share what's on my heart again soon.
Bloggin from the start! - Pre-Op
Apr 21, 2008
April 21, 2008
I just couldn't stay away from OH today. I am so excited about my WLS and coming here really gives me comfort and inspiration. Although it has been 6 days since my appointment with Dr. Williams and since he put me on my pre-op diet, today was really the first day I took it totally serious. I counted every calorie, didn't drink soda, ate healthy and stayed within or pretty darn close.
This is tough, no doubt.
On the upside, I made some wonderful new friends here at OH today and I am really looking forward to getting to know everyone. Thanks to all of you who made my OH debut a super nice one! I just love reading the profiles and looking at the before and after pictures AND before I forget, I weighed myself and I am a pound lighter! HEHEHE!!! 252lbs today! Go figure!
I'm pretty much driving my husband crazy. I've shown him a gazillion and one B&A pictures. We spend time in bed each night on our laptops - don't laugh! Im a writer and often write in bed when I am on deadline and he's a police officer and likes to look at all kinds of police junk on eBay. It's kinda nice to lay in bed next to him and still be able to be online, I must admit. I thank God every day for this man, he is so good to me and such an inspiration. He supports my WLS 110%.
Well, I am running out of things to say at this point but I am sure I will be back tomorrow!
I just couldn't stay away from OH today. I am so excited about my WLS and coming here really gives me comfort and inspiration. Although it has been 6 days since my appointment with Dr. Williams and since he put me on my pre-op diet, today was really the first day I took it totally serious. I counted every calorie, didn't drink soda, ate healthy and stayed within or pretty darn close.
This is tough, no doubt.
On the upside, I made some wonderful new friends here at OH today and I am really looking forward to getting to know everyone. Thanks to all of you who made my OH debut a super nice one! I just love reading the profiles and looking at the before and after pictures AND before I forget, I weighed myself and I am a pound lighter! HEHEHE!!! 252lbs today! Go figure!
I'm pretty much driving my husband crazy. I've shown him a gazillion and one B&A pictures. We spend time in bed each night on our laptops - don't laugh! Im a writer and often write in bed when I am on deadline and he's a police officer and likes to look at all kinds of police junk on eBay. It's kinda nice to lay in bed next to him and still be able to be online, I must admit. I thank God every day for this man, he is so good to me and such an inspiration. He supports my WLS 110%.
Well, I am running out of things to say at this point but I am sure I will be back tomorrow!
About Me
Newport, TN
Location
43.2
BMI
Apr 15, 2008
Member Since
