Friday, March 27, 2009

Milestone #1

OK! I finally reached Milestone Number 1 this morning @ approximately 6:00 am. I'm down 20 lbs 3 weeks Post OP! YEA! I just had to share it with the world. Now just 4 more of these little milestones and I will be where I want to be. YEA!!! I'm off to a TDY trip for work for two weeks so we're gonna see how I manage at a hotel.

Current Weight: 244 lbs
Weight Lost: -20 lbs

Weeks Post Op: 3 weeks

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Nervous...

Okay, so it's been four days since I started on the soft, mushy diet. I have been stressing out about going from liquids to solids again and gaining weight. I've been counting calories and getting my protein in natural ways. SO today I bought a scale... I've lost 2 lbs since Wed. I can't believe it. Maybe this is going to work.

Current Weight: 247 lbs
Weight Lost: -16 lbs

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Check-Up Number 1

Okay, so today I went in for my post-op surgery to see how my incisions looked and to get the go ahead to move from Liquid Diet (BLAH!) to Soft Foods (YEAH!!). To my surprise I've lost 14 lbs in the two weeks that I started all of this dieting for the surgery. On another note, I've moved from the Morbid Obesity (I don't like the way they measure this) to the Severe Obesity. That's a big thing considering the Severe Obesity Category isn't very large and then you move to the Overweight Category. I'm having an issue taking in even the softest of foods because my stomach is still very sore and it's uncomfortable when the food finally makes it's way through the band and into the stomach to digest. Sugar-Free Jello Pudding seems to be the only thing that will go down smoothly and feel fine. I made Sam some Chicken Flourentine for Dinner and had a small spoonful of the noodles and spinach and two bites later, I was spent. We'll see if that settles.

I found out that the name of my band is the Lap-Band AP Standard. The silicone ring holds about 12cc of saline, which is not full yet. I go in 5 weeks to get a fill for more restriction because eventually the swelling from my stomach will work itself back to normal. I'm just super excited.

So: 3 weeks of soft foods
Then: 2 weeks of normal foods
Then: First fill at 6 weeks Post-Op

Current Weight: 249 lbs
Weight Lost So Far: 14 lbs

Here I go....

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

The Start of the Journey!

So after having a fainting spell, I decided that some huge changes needed to be made to my health. I started by having blood drawn up at my Dr. Office to test for anything abnormal, such as diabetes, thyroid issues, or something drastically horrible. All the tests came back completely normal. I was relieved but that wasnt' enough.

After having my second Son, I knew that I wanted to change the way I ate and start living a healthy life. (By the way, I don't care what anyone says, IT'S NOT THAT EASY! Old habits Die Hard) I always thought about weight loss surgery but would never consider the Gastric Bypass because it scared the crap outta me. Then I heard about the Lap Band.

January 8, 2009 was the day I called insurance to see if the Band was even an option. To my surprise it was and insurance paid a great deal.

January 9, 2009 I called the Surgeons office to start the financial process to see what steps I needed to take to make my insurance happy. Some have to do a 6 month diet before surgery others just need to schedule the surgery.

January 12, 2009, I recieved the call from Kim, my financial Lady, telling me that I would have to pay no more than $500 between all the costs of hospital, surgeons, anesthesia, and random appts. She also told me I only have to have 5 years prior of reports showing I was overweight, go see the psych, and the dietician and we can scedule the sugery. So, I scheduled my Consult for the 23 of January to start the process.

January 23, 2009, Biggest Ice Storm of the season, Consult Postponed until the next week. :(

January 28, 2009, Initial Consultation with Dr. Finnell in Wichita Falls, TX. Went Great! I started getting excited. I weighed 264 lbs @5'6. AHHH! Goal Weight is 155lbs for the Dr. but I just want to see 179lbs.

February 2, 2009, Psych Eval-By the way I'm officially Not Crazy!~

February 3, 2009, Dietician- Learned some great things about diet before and after surgery! Lost 1 lb because no soda for a week.

Waited on Paperwork to get all together! AHHH! (about 3 weeks)


February 23, 2009, Got a call around 9 am to see if I could come in at 2 pm for my scheduling. My grandma went with me to this one and we had so many questions lined up for both me and her but of course forgot them all. Luckily Dr. Finnell, answered most without us having to ask. Scheduled for March 5, 2009. The ReBirthday!

February 26, 2009, Dr. Appt to pick up OPTIFast diet stuff. TO my Surprise it was only the OPTINASTY for 5 days! AHHHH! Then the day before surgery a clear liquid diet. Started at 263 lbs. Not being weighed until after surgery.

March 5, 2009-Sam and I woke up at 3 am to be at the hospital at 5:30. I was terrified at being put under. By 8:30 they had me wheeling and dealing into the room. The nurse said I'm just gonna start some oxygen flowing and all I remember is the mask coming down on my face. She Tricked Me! I appreciated it though. Woke up sore but got to walk the gas off. Came home and started the healing process. Thanks to the Hydrocodone, the healing process is a big ole blur.

March 11, 2009- Back to work :(! First Post-OP appt at 2 pm.