CarisaB

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I keep reading all these profiles and it seems everyone is post op - I want to be post-op.  I am not a jealous person normally but I really want to join that club.  I know I have to follow the process and it takes time and I have been patiently waiting but why can't I have it now.  I know I'm whining.  

My clinic called and they just need the psych eval, I called the psych and had to leave a message for her to send in my report.  She already said I would be a great candidate - so send in the damn report!!!

I feel like I am just waiting for my life to start. I have already made progress but I still feel held back for some reason, inhibited.  I am embarassed by how I look and my lack of physical abilty.  I don't know why, I can walk, I bike a couple times a week, I quit smoking so I don't wheeze, I really feel physically great compared to how I felt before I started this journey.  There are only a dozen or so people that I feel really comfortable around - feel like I can be myself.  What is wrong with me!!!!  Is this normal or I am becoming a hermit?  Ok random rambling is done.

Well, I had my last nut appt yesterday, I lost a total of 18 lbs!!!!!!!!  Now I am done with all my prequalifiers.  Just waiting for Psych to send in her report.  Beginning of the year they should have everything to submit to insurance for approval!  YAY!!

Met with Dietician again, I lost 8lbs!!!   She was very pleased.  But I also have to change my diet now to less calories to make sure I don't plateau.  They basically took 2 starches, 1 fat, 1 fruit and 1oz protein!!  This is a hard adjustment but I am doing my best.  wish me luck!

I passed!!  The doc said she would write me an excellent recommendation.  Yay!!  tomorrow is blood test and another nutritionist app. 

 In mid Sept I went to an informational meeting at the Unity Bariatric Center in Fridley MN.  I scheduled an appt to meet with a bariatric nurse that same night.  My appt was mid Oct.  

At that appt I was told what I need to do, given a lot of information and told to set up appt with the nutritionist, exercise person, psychological exam, and get some paperwork transferred re: an echo I had on my heart.  They told me to schedule the nutritionist and exercise person at the front desk and gave me a list of psychologists sorted my locatoin and insurance they take. I was also told to start cutting back on caffeine and quit smoking.  I quit on Nov 1 and have not had a cig since.

I had my first nutritionist appt on Nov 1st.  They gave me a program to follow where I start the no drinking with meals, chewing 20-30 times, no snacking and a new guide to eating.   Following this plan should help me lose the 17lbs I need to lose before surgery. when I strarted this process I weighed 289 so I have to get down to 272 before surgery.  I am 5'6".

I met with the exercise girl on Nov 9 and I have started out exercising 3x per week 15 min.  I have to increase this to 4-5 times per week for 30-45 min.  

On Nov 10, 16 and 27 I met/meet with the psychiatrist.   My first and second appt we talked about my history and habits.  She gave me a lot of information on how to cope with stress and what I can do instead of eating.  I also took the MMPI at my last appt, I get the results tomorrow.  

I have another appt scheduled with the nutritionist on nov 29 and I go in to get blood tests that were required.  I will meet with the nutritionist at the end of Dec also.  Aetna allows 3 appts with the dietician and 1 exercise counsel and 3 with the psychiatrist.  

As of Jan 1 I change insurance to BC/BS and I should have all my requirements met so we can send in paperwork for approval then.             

This is the plan I am following to lose the weight prior to surgery.  I was given this plan by the nutritionist.  This plan will not only help me lose weight but it is also to get me ready for surgery, get used to eating healthy and measuring.  It also helps the bariatric center to know I can and will follow this plan prior to surgery  so maybe I am more likely to follow it after surgery.  

I have not weighed myself since starting on Nov 2 but I have a little more room in my clothes and I feel 100x better.  I have more energy, feel lighter, I actually enjoy eating fruits and veggies and I am not constantly thinking about ice cream, chocolate, french fries etc.  I do not snack or drink 30 min before or after a meal.  I measure and weigh everying I eat. It took about a week before I was not feeling starved and deprived.  The first week I started this I felt very depressed, I quit smoking, quit drinking (didn't drink much to begin with though), have to start cutting back caffeine and now in my mind I quit eating.  I tried to talk my self into a more positive frame of mind.  I constantly reminded myself of the goal and tried to find other things to do instead of mope.  Eventually it worked but I was really sad at first.  

The nutritionist did not make it seem like it was an option not to lose weight.  I am trying to do everything right because I want this so bad.

Breakfast
1 oz protein (14 cup low fat cottage cheese, string cheese or  1tbs peanut butter)
1 fat (1 tsp butter, 1 tbs lowfat cream chesse, 4 tsp coffee creamer)
2 starches (1 bagel, 2 slices of toast or 1 english muffin, whole wheat always preferred) 
1 fruit (med size piece of fruit or 1/4 cup dried fruit)
1 dairy (fat free skim milk 8oz or lowfat sugarfree yogurt)

Lunch
2 oz protein (2 thin slices lunch meat)
2 starch (tortilla, 2 slices bread, 2/3 cup rice)
2 fat (d tbs light dressing or mayo, 2 tsp butter or 2 tbs oil)
1 fruit
1 veg (1 cup raw vegetables or 1/2 cup cooked veg)
1 dairy

Dinner
3 oz protein (1/2 baked chicken breast, lean hambuger or fish)
2 starch
1 fat
1 fruit
2 veg