FineIn09

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We went to the see the psychologist today.  He approved both of us without batting an eyelash.  I just hope Cigna does the same.  I called both our PCPs to see if they could have the Medical Neccessity letter done by this week.  The office manager at the pediatrician's office said the doctor would have Jackie's done by Thursday and my PCP's office said it would be done today and she'd call me just as soon as she was done.  However, she never called me.  Soooo, I guess tomorrow I'll be on her tail about it.  I figure if the letters are faxed in this week, by June 15th we should know whether we're approved or not.  We are both so ready to get over to that loser's bench!!!  

We went and bought some new protein today at the BE store.  It was very tasty.  I hear our tastes will change after surgery.  Things will taste much sweeter than before.  Guess we'll be diluting a lot of stuff.  I'm having Isopure Grape Frost for breakfast tomorrow.  It was 40 grams of protein in 20 oz.  Great deal, but the bottles are $4.50 each.  A little pricey but it's better than stopping at McD's for breakfast and spending about the same for a greasy, salty, bad for me meal!

Forgot to mention we also went to the nutritionist last Thursday  and had our uppper GI series done the same day.  It was cool to see Jackie's stomach.  It was pretty long! The barium was reallllly gross!! Everything looked good, thank God.  The nutritionist, Alix Landman, was very helpful and gave a lot of good information. 

We are on our way! Now the wait starts....

Well, me and my daughter had our first consultation yesterday with Dr. Nestor.  I was so impressed with him.  He was very patient and answered the ton of questions we had for him! I came away very satisfied and comfortable with going forward.  Found out both of us can have our surgeries the same day.  Although I abhor Hialeah Hospital for the shabby way they treated my Dad last year while he was there for 3 weeks (we almost lost him), he advised me that 95% of bariatric patients who have their surgery there come away very pleased.  Apparently, since it's a specialized team they offer extra care.  So, that coupled with the fact that we can share the same hospital room made me change my mind.  My first choice, UofM Hospital was out as soon as I heard we would be in separate rooms.  I am so happy we will be surgery buddies! 

So today I was totally stressed out making all the appts and making sure our doctors understood what we needed from them.  I hope everything goes well.  I'm not sure my PCP noted my records each and every time of my diet results, so that may be an issue.  I know for sure that my daughter will pass as her pediatrician put her on a 1500 calorie diet back in December and has been noting her progress.  I am trying to be at peace right now about this whole process, but today was just a very stressful day.  We have appts next Thursday 05-14 with the nutritionist and also to get our upper GI series tests.  The following Monday, 05-18, we have an appt with the psychologist and then I have to see the cardiologist for a stress test.  I certainly wouldn't pass that one today!!! lol I also have to get a pap smear and mammogram before surgery.  Thrills!!! 

I was a little surprised when Dr. Nestor advised us that we can exercise at the gym the very next day after surgery.  I didn't think you could lift weights or do anything strenous for a while.  But he said it's perfectly fine as long as we feel well doing it, seeing that this is laparoscopic surgery.  All the same, I think I will wait a good month before i get into any weight lifting.  I'd rather be safe than sorry. 

I worry about my daughter taking her vitamins for life.  Being 16, she's like your typical teen who will not have that on her mind.  I know I will have to keep a watchful eye until she gets the hang of it. 

My a1c level was 11 last time I had my blood sugar checked (last week).  Dr. Nestor was not at all happy about that and suggested I get on insulin.  I have been avoiding that like the plague and so I asked him if I promised to do a low carb diet continously if I could nix the insulin.  He said yes, as long as I absolutely stuck to it.  Well...I have been ultra good.  Today there was a service anniversary celebration at work which means tons of food...well looking at it, EVERYTHING had tons of sugar.  BBQ ribs, chicken, baked beans, cole slaw, corn on the cob--all poison! I had packed my lunch earlier in the day, so I brought that into the luncheon, served it on one of the party plates, and enjoyed with the rest of the people.  I had low sodium tuna w/low fat mayo.  It filled me up and satisfied me, even though key lime pie was being passed around.  You know, this really is about how your mind perceives things.  My mind is saying I MUST eat low carb to get myself in shape for surgery, so NOTHING is going to stop me from doing that.  Isn't it amazing how one can go cold turkey??

My first consulation weight was 235.  My daughter's was 327.  We have to lose at least 5% of our weight before surgery and after a 2 week Optifast liquid diet.  That will be about 12 lbs for me and 17 lbs for my daughter, Jackie.  Piece of cake! lol

It's been a good long while, hasn't it?  Well....I chickened out in January.  I think you probably figured that out.  I was thisclose to making an appt, then....I totally bailed out.  I thought I was gonna give this one more try on my own.  Should have known I'd fail.  Yet again.

It may be Mexican independence day, but I think I'll celebrate my own independence.  I am free of the demons that stopped me from taking that next step toward health.  I am at peace in knowing that I will go foward with RNY and I will be successful.  No more insanity! My body has been through enough.  My A1c is now 11.  Last time the doc ran blood tests, it was 9.  NOT GOOD. 

I made my first appt for this Thursday (2 days from now) and I am very excited about it.  I hope the process goes smoothly.  I am hoping to have surgery by next month if at all possible.  My daughter is also having the surgery.  I plan on her having it first, then me a few weeks later.  I will ask the surgeon if that span of time will be ok.  Of course, my husband will take care of us and thank God he is so supportive.  I know there are people who have issues with support from family and friends, but luckily that is not my case.  I have quite a few friends that have had the surgery (even with the same surgeon) and they are very happy with their results.  I have researched this soooo much.  I am totally ready, so much that I would walk into the hospital right now if the offer became available.  Of course, I know I'll have to do a liquid diet for two weeks prior to surgery, so that would not even remotely be a possibility even with insurance approval. 

I'll update with more info after Thursday's appt.  This morning I weighed 234 lbs.

12-13-08

Nothing new happening, really.  I'm trying to concentrate on getting ready for surgery.  I've been scouring the internet, looking for low-fat low-carb recipes, although I know it'll be a while after surgery before I can eat real food again.  I just want my new life to begin!!! My hubby got his new insurance card today, but I still haven't!! I'm so bummed, cuz if I had already gotten it, I could call Dr Nestor's office and make my first appt.  I am so impatient!!

My PCP ran some blood tests yesterday.  My a1c levels are 9.8.  Although that's not good (normal is less than 7), at least it's better than the last one--I had 10.9 on that one.  My cholesterol is good, 154.  Funny thing, heavy as I am I've never had any problem with cholesterol. 

Going Christmas shopping tomorrow, finally.  We started out wanting to today, but we had lunch first at Red Lobster and I decided to get the clam chowder.  Boy, did it upset my stomach! I had gas pains like you wouldn't believe.  Had to go home and after I took some tums and a nap, I felt better. 

I'm sipping some Crystal Light white grape right now, it is sooooo good! I could live on it! I also bought some cherry pomegranate flavor, I'll mix up a pitcher of that tomorrow.  I'm trying different things I'll be drinking post surgery and getting a feel for everything so I'll be prepared.  I've heard things that you could tolerate before will be too sweet post surgery.  I guess if this tastes too sweet I could just add more water.

Life is pretty boring and moving way too slow right now!

12-10-08

I just hung up with Dottie from Dr. De La Cruz's office.  She is so helpful.  She explained everything that happens on my first appt and all that will occur afterwards.  I believe I have all my ducks in a row, since I've had to see my PCP just about every month for the last year due to my health issues.  I just need to wait for January 2nd to get the ball rolling, this is when CIGNA takes effect.  I cannot wait!!

My sugar is in the 200's today, so at least it's going down.  I'm starting to feel a little better today.  I have this nasty rash on the lower part of my body that my dermatologist told me is due to the diabetes.  It's been hanging around now for a few months and is extremely itchy.  Medications haven't really helped, I just need to get my sugar under control.  He also said the new drug I've been taking, Janumet, is a probable culprit.  I'm so sick of having to deal with this crap!!

BTW, I don't feel comfortable posting my pictures yet, but I will definitely share them once I have the surgery and get some of this hog fat off!!!

12-09-08

My sugars are running in the 300's today.  I feel totally wiped out and just want to stay in bed all day.  Can't wait for the surgery.