I have been ticking things off my "to-do before surgery is approved" list and that is a good feeling. When I started this process and I was working on filling out the giant packets of paperwork I looked at the algorhythm of the whole process (yes my surgeon's office actually has an algorhythm sheet of what to do when and what to do next etc) and it looked so overwhelming, but slowly but surely I am checking things off the list.
I saw the exercise specialist right before Christmas and with the walking I am doing I also need to start building muscle by doing some strength training. It doesn't help matters that we had a huge snowstorm and now it's a little tricky to go outside walking. I haven't walked in a while, not gonna lie about it. I am going to look at getting an exercise bike and keep it in the living room and some small weights to start with. After surgery I really want to get a personal trainer and go to a gym and actually have help to progress to where I want to be. BUT for now I will keep doing what I am doing, which isn't much, but I am going to work on that. I don't want to wait until after surgery to start working out so I need to get my butt moving...literally!
I did my fasting labwork yesterday and that wasn't bad, but holy cow they took like 8 vials of blood!! Geesh!! Waiting on results of those but I'm sure that will take a while.
Yesterday afternoon I saw the nutritionist. It was basically a get to know each other appointment, she asked me some questions about my dieting history and eating patterns and I got weighed. 262.something...ridiculous and embarrassing!! I have only ever been this heavy in my life when I was 9 months pregnant! Unacceptable!! I have no doubt in my mind that I am making the right choice in having gastric bypass. Basically the nutritionist gave me some introductory information and told me to start eating between 1200-1400 calories per day so I can take off some weight before surgery in April. I also have to do a 2 week liquid protein diet before surgery to lose weight and shrink my liver, that is going to be tough. I go back and see her to discuss all the fine details of eating closer to the surgery date, plus she will see me post-op in the hospital. Basically it is going to be a high protein diet. I hope to lose 20-25 pounds before surgery, I am shooting for around 240# when I head to surgery.
I have to have a gallbladder ultrasound, see the pulmonologist, get weighed in at the surgeon's office (the medically supervised diet requirement), and see the psychiatrist to get cleared. These appointments will all happen in January.
So, if I'm being honest, I have to say I haven't told many people about this surgery. I guess this reason is two-fold. The first reason is I am kind of superstitious, and I don't want to jinx it by telling everyone and then finding out it's a no go. Dumb I know. The second reason is pretty valid, I think. The people I have told have been less than supportive, I don't mean my husband, he is all for it and will probably have weight loss surgery himself once I am fully recovered. The friends I have told gave me the typical, don't you want to just diet and take the weight off, change habits...blah blah blah!! Of course everyone has the .00001% bad outcome horror story they have to share too. Whatever...I am not going into this blindly and it isn't a spur of the moment decision. I have been overweight my whole life, yo-yo dieting my whole life and have given this surgery serious consideration for years. So yeah, just skip the opinions and well-meaning advice, I need your support and not your opinion. Anyway, I'm sure I will tell more people over the next few weeks but for now I am happy not having to hear everyone's opinion. Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one and they are usually full of shit...
I will update again as I go to more of these appointments. I will take pictures, stats, and post my progress once I get my tail in gear and start dieting and exercising.
Also...almost forgot to mention. I have been OBSESSED with watching You Tube videos about people documenting their gastric bypass weight loss journeys. There is a wealth of information out there and if you have the time check it out, it is awesome!!! I had considered doing video blog on you tube but I don't think I am chatty enough to talk into a camera for that long. So I will just stick to typing in this blog! :)
Until next time!! I probably won't post until after the new year so...HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Here's to a healthy 2013!!
