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.