Before Pics

I'll post the before Pics tonite. (Yes, of course I took them in my bathing suit. That's when I look the worst!)

Now I get it

I used to wonder why it was so hard for people to keep current on their blog. Now I know. Life gets in the way!

Last Tuesday, Crystal from Dr. G's office called and said I'd been approved. I went for my nutrition class to go over the pre-op diet on Wednesday and on Thursday did my pre-op surgical visit with Dr. G. Also had several days of "last suppers". Wednesday was German at Ingrid's (I ate cookies too!), Thursday Mexican at San Marcos and Friday nite was Belle Isle and I had the ribs.

Started my 10 day "liquid" diet on Saturday morning. I weighed 263. It really wasn't that bad over the weekend. I went to the store and stocked up on yogurt, cottage cheese, crystal light and it's clones, and tomato soup. I bought a couple of canisters of protein whey stuff at the hospital pharmacy where it's much cheaper than ordering online. I'm using Unjury. It's not bad.

Monday, yesterday, I went to the hospital and pre-registered and did the pre-op lab stuff. This involved taking more of my blood, a nasal swab to make sure i'm not a MRSA strep carrier. Since they did a pregnancy test before I had my gallbladder out, I'm guessing that's why none was done this time. Which is really ok since I'm still NOT pregnant!

That brings us to today. I quit taking my glimeperide (one of my diabetic medicines) yesterday since I've cut back, way back, on my carb intake. My blood sugar this morning was 111, down from the 140s where I've been the past several weeks. My weight is down to 257.5 after 4 days.

So to put the weight part in perspective... when I started this I weighed 273 on 2/2/10. I'm already down to 257.5. I'd like to be around 200 by Christmas but we'll see how it goes. If not, it's ok.

I'll update again next Monday. My surgery is next Tuesday, 4/20, at 815 am.

Making progress

On March 19 I went to see the dr. He said my liver ultrasound showed gall stones and the gall bladder needed to be removed. I told him, "Let's do it!". My gall bladder came out on Thursday, March 25. For me, the most tramautic part was them putting in the IV. I apparently have small veins that are hard to see and "valvy". It took 3 tries. However, the surgery went well and it was a relatively pain-free, med-free recovery. I am going back to work today. I go back to Dr. Gornichec on Fri, April 2. Hopefully this is the day we set the surgery date.

On another note, I got a letter from my insurance co saying the surgery will not be covered. After a lengthy phone call, it was determined that was because of the wording in insurance plan and the predetermination plan the dr. sent in. My plan covers it if it's INpatient. The determination sent in was for OUTpatient. Ok, we'll spend more money and do this INpatient!!

I'll post more when I know more.

Not Yet

Today I saw the nutritionist and Dr. Gornichec. The nutritionist and I went over my current eating habits and what needs to change. Those things are: drink more water, eat out less and make sure I have enough protein in my diet. The visit with Dr. G included discussing which procedure and going over my test results. Good news-- my cholestrol and blood pressure are good. Bad news--I have metabolic syndrome, my heart has a funky rhythm, my iron is too low (iron supplements for me), my liver enzymes are a bit wonky and my blood sugar is still too high. So how do we fix these things....... lose weight!!! I have to have an ultrasound on my liver and gall bladder. Then we discuss surgery dates.

Sleep Study

I think the term "sleep study" is a misnomer. Your in a strange room, in a strange bed with strangers monitoring you on camera, microphone and with wires. You have wires glued, yes glued to various spots on your head, face, chest and legs. Not to mention the one also glued to your throat. There's an air monitor wire at the base of your nose and hooked around your ears. Amidst all this, you are to sleep so you can be studied! It was hard for me to sleep well. I did finally fall asleep but awakened several times a nite. I had to sleep on my back and I don't sleep on my back at home. I awoke to people talking at one point. Lights out was at 11 and lights on at 5 am. I was already awake at 5 am. Not sure if I passed or not! I came home more exhausted than when I went in. After church I came home and took a 3 hr nap.

And Yet Another

Today was "Test" day. I went first for a chest Xray. Next up was the fasting lab work. After that, I got to eat. I then headed back over to Dr. Gornichec's office to have my echo cardiogram done. That was actually pretty cool. I got to watch my heart function. The valves were opening and closing (hopefully) just like they were supposed to. It dawned on my how much we take for granted the biological functions that go on and we never even think about it. The was the lung function, ekg appt. That one wasn't too fun. Also those little electrodes stuck on y0ur chest. Thank goodness I was wearing my best bra cause Ross, the tech was actually kinda cute!!! I asked him how often he gets to say, "Raise your shirt above your bra"!! After that appt, when my heart rate returned to normal, I saw the psychologist. We talked about why I wanted to be thinner and how did i think that was going to affect my life.

Another Hoop......

I went today to be evaluated to see if I need to participate in a sleep study to see if I have sleep apnea. I didn't answer yes to any of the questions but apparently I have a fat neck, fat under my chin, a small opening in my mouth (no comments, please) and am fat! So the next step is to schedule that.

I've been checking my blood sugar every day, twice a day. It's running about 153 in the morning and should be under 120. I will get there. I've been watching what I eat, cutting back on carbs and getting the walking in. I've lost 4 lbs in the last week.

Today was "see the dr" day. First was to new PCP. My hemoglobin A1C was up to 7.3 which is not good. I have to start checking my blood sugar 2x day and up one of my medicines. My other alternative was to start taking insulin. Not gonna happen. I was weighed and measured. Wgt 274 (with shoes on), hgt 5'8"1/4. I left a little down. I hate coming out of denial. Denial is a warm fuzzy place. I love it there.

The other dr visit was to the surgeon's office who is going to do my lap band surgery. My wgt there was 273 (after eating lunch, shoes off) and my hgt was 5'9". I grew!! I am scheduled for all my pre surgery tests for 2/11 and visit to see dr. gornichec on 2/19. I'm excited that things are moving forward.

Starting tomorrow, I will be walking 30 min a day and watching what i eat. I need to get my A1C under 7. This is possible. I admit I'm not as good as I should be about taking my medicine. I will also start checking my blood sugar 2x day.

The first step

I've decided to get lapband surgery. I attended the required seminar with my friend Sonjuana. We listened to our options. I think she was leaning more toward the bypass or sleeve. I gotta say at this point I don't want anything cut away or re-routed to another place! That was on Tuesday 1/12/10. Today I contacted the bariatric coordinator and tried to schedule my appt with her. First I have to watch some EMMI videos that she was supposed to email to me. They haven't made it yet though.