cestmoica
So after sleeping on it....
Jun 21, 2008
Weight today: 245 lbs
After sleeping on my discussion with Dr. Starr yesterday I am more than ever convinced I am making the right decision. I am even thinking of doing the self pay for the dietician and the social worker - but with money being tight as we are all going to my sister's wedding in England later this year - I can't say for sure until I see how much it will be and if my insurance company will cover any part of it (most likely not though!).
Dr. Starr did say that he expects his patients to lose "some" weight before their second visit, I am not sure what "some" means, I should have asked...I do much better with concrete guidelines!
For my friend Lisa's wedding, I lost 15lbs in two weeks by drinking Carnation SF instant breakfast drink for breakfast almost every day. I could do this for breakfast and lunch...I think this would also be good practice for the liquid diet part pre-surgery, it will get me used to having liquids only as I love the texture and taste of food and I think that will be so hard for me so this will wean me in...can't say I will be perfect every day on this part of the journey, but I can say that I will do my best today.
I haven't had difficulty in the past losing 25-30lbs - its getting beyond that point and then keeping it off. What happens is, I get stuck around 30lbs get totally discouraged and then give up and the weight comes back on faster than it came off, plus an additional 5-10 lbs.
So far I have only really told two good friends and my husband about this. They have all been supportive. My friend Shelley this morning said she would support me 100% and I know she will, she has supported me through some other health issues and I know I can count on her, she said she would come and see me in the hospital and feed me pureed food when the time came....LOL. I love her to death.
I am a little worried about telling my sister and my best friend Lisa. Lisa has struggled with her weight longer than I have and she truly works hard to lose weight, works out, watches what she eats and she had amazing success with WW a few years ago where she reached her goal and maintained it for a few years. My sister is not overweight but also works very hard to maintain her weight - she is beautiful inside and out - and as much as she loves me, as does Lisa, I am not sure either one will understand or approve my reasons for doing this.
I have decided I won't tell anyone else about this until I have an actual surgery date.
My next step is to find out how much the self pay for dietician and social worker will cost, on Monday and then go from there.
Will check in then.
Weight today: 245lbs.
Oh, I'm going to see if Shelley will take a before pic of me next week! And I'll do my measurements as well.
First Consultation - Starting the journey
Jun 20, 2008
My endocrinologist suggested weight loss surgery to me about a year ago and my initial reaction was "No way, that's too drastic!". Then about 6 months ago my family doctor suggested it and I thought it was worth at least finding out about it. SInce then I've read anything I can find about the Roux-En-Y procedure as that is the only one covered in Ontario by OHIP, I would not be able to afford to pay for lapband on my own.
I won't go into my history with weight loss and health issues as I'm sure it echoes many other members.
I'm 5 feet tall and weigh 245lbs, a BMI of 48 and have type II diabetes, it's time to do something that will help me help myself to get healthier.
Today, I met with the surgeon for the first consultation, Dr. David Starr (part of the MIS group in Toronto at Humber River Hospital). I liked him straight away. He was running about 40 min late for my appt but that wasn't an issue for me. He was pleasant, has a wicked sense of humour and put me at ease. He explained lapband and gastric bypass and told me why he thought gastric bypass was right for me, costs aside. He said that the gastric bypass would completely reverse type II diabetes. This is a "bonus" side effect of the surgery. Also, recent studies show that the surgery decreases the risk of certain types of cancers. He also told me the risks, infection, suture leaks, death, blood clots and he was matter of fact about it. He told me I could back out any time up until they are putting me to sleep on the operating table. I liked this outlook that this is journey I'm starting. He said it was like waiting for a bus at the bus station, if I want to get on it and go all the way fine, if not, I could get off any time before it reaches the end.
He said this wasn't an easy way out, it was alot of work and the surgery was the easiest part. The behaviour modification would be life changing as well as my outlook on life afterward and dealing with family and friends, either supportive or not.
I'm still researching but I'm moving forward. I've called to book my appts with the social worker and dietician and internist and am waiting to hear back.
I'm reading all I can on this site and others, and I'll do what I can to educate myself and log here on a semi regular basis as I take this journey. So far I've only told my husband and 2 friends that I'm thinking about this and they have been supportive....concerned, worried, curious...but definitely positive and supportive. I don't want to tell anyone else in my life until I have a surgery date set.
I won't go into my history with weight loss and health issues as I'm sure it echoes many other members.
I'm 5 feet tall and weigh 245lbs, a BMI of 48 and have type II diabetes, it's time to do something that will help me help myself to get healthier.
Today, I met with the surgeon for the first consultation, Dr. David Starr (part of the MIS group in Toronto at Humber River Hospital). I liked him straight away. He was running about 40 min late for my appt but that wasn't an issue for me. He was pleasant, has a wicked sense of humour and put me at ease. He explained lapband and gastric bypass and told me why he thought gastric bypass was right for me, costs aside. He said that the gastric bypass would completely reverse type II diabetes. This is a "bonus" side effect of the surgery. Also, recent studies show that the surgery decreases the risk of certain types of cancers. He also told me the risks, infection, suture leaks, death, blood clots and he was matter of fact about it. He told me I could back out any time up until they are putting me to sleep on the operating table. I liked this outlook that this is journey I'm starting. He said it was like waiting for a bus at the bus station, if I want to get on it and go all the way fine, if not, I could get off any time before it reaches the end.
He said this wasn't an easy way out, it was alot of work and the surgery was the easiest part. The behaviour modification would be life changing as well as my outlook on life afterward and dealing with family and friends, either supportive or not.
I'm still researching but I'm moving forward. I've called to book my appts with the social worker and dietician and internist and am waiting to hear back.
I'm reading all I can on this site and others, and I'll do what I can to educate myself and log here on a semi regular basis as I take this journey. So far I've only told my husband and 2 friends that I'm thinking about this and they have been supportive....concerned, worried, curious...but definitely positive and supportive. I don't want to tell anyone else in my life until I have a surgery date set.
