Jane M.

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I am now one week smoke free! It's getting easier everyday. I will tell you that I have been munching alot. That oral fixation thing is hard to ignore. I also miss the ritual of going outside, sitting on my deck with a book and ciggarette. But it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make to have this surgery. Still doing good on the soda thing. I've had two small glasses of diet soda in about three weeks. Been sticking to Iced tea and Crystal lite. Gonna have a yard sale on the 31st of the month to help raise money for my surgery. My husband is in training right now is not getting that fabulous overtime we have been used to and it's hard trying to keep up with unexpected bills (Cars and air conditioners breaking down!. I know I could borrow the money if needed, but I'd rather not.

I am now 3 days completely smoke free and feeling better everyday. It is not easy but does get easier. I enjoyed talking to people at the support meeting last night and talking to the OR tech. I pretty much talked to just the people at my table (My shyness holds me back sometimes.) But I came away with a good feeling and more confidence in Dr. Clark, who everyone loves. A lady at my table is having Dr. Terracino, Dr. Clark's new partner, do her RNY LAP in August. Dr. Terracino left Panama City, FLA to come to VA because BC/BS of Florida will no longer cover WLS there and will not be financial viable for him to practice in Florida. VA now has a law that makes insurance companies pay for WLS if it is medically necessary. I understand that he is a stellar laproscopic surgeon and Dr. T and Dr. C have a very similar view on after care. The only difference between them is Dr. Terricino does RNY Lap and Dr. Clark does open VBG-Gastric Bypass. I contemplated switching because I really wanted Lap but I'm sticking with Dr. Clark because I think his surgery combines the best of both restriction and malabsorption. Plus the OR tech said that Dr. Clark's Incision are only about 5 to 6 inches. I can live with that. Looking forward to meeting more people at next month's meeting!

Today I weighed myself and have lost 6 lbs since I stopped drinking carbonated drinks. Even though I have always had Diet Cola or Diet Mt. Dew, it really seemed to make a difference. Maybe it's the aspartame.

Going today to pick up Nicoderm CQ. I'm really struggling with this not smoking. I'm still smoking about 3 to 5 a day (Down from a pack a day!). I've been chewing on sugar free gum and estes sugar-free candy. Just not doing it for me. I need something to help me quit completely and forever! I do feel better since I cut back to just a few, but I want to be off nicotine forever. Thanks Marlboro for making your ciggarettes more addictive! (Yes, Marlboro adds something to their brand which makes them worse to get off of, some kinda chemical that can kill some animals.) I let you know if the patch works.

BTW, the BMI calculator is crazy out of wack. I went up 5 points over night!

I have cut out soda completely out of my diet and have been more careful about my food choices. I figure it will be easier to comply to my new diet by starting to cut foods out now. Maybe I won't mourn for food so badly afterward. The psychologist thought that I may not be able to comply because I am stressed out. I'm thinking that "Geeze, who isn't stressed?". She can think what she wants, but I'll prove her wrong anyway.

Today I made a list of things I want to be able to do after my surgery, so I thought I would share it on this website.

1. Walk up a flight of stairs without being out of breath.
2. Wear a bathing suit without being embarrassed.
3. Run faster than my 5 year old.
4. Ride rollercoasters. 
5. Not have to pull the seat belt all the way to buckle it.
6. Have the energy to clean my house in one day and not a week!
7. Be able to cut the entire lawn without stopping.
8. Learn Karate.
9. Buy a matching bra and panty set. (No granny panties!)
10. Shop in the regular ladies section at the store.
11. Not have to buy double wide shoes!
12. Walk without my knees hurting.
13. Go to my Next high school reunion smaller than when I graduated in 1990 (Size 18).
14. Play on the floor with my son.
15. Ride a motorcycle.
16. Go to the movies and put the arm rest down.
17. Stop snoring.
18. Sleep on my stomach.
19. Not be afraid to shop for clothes (I avoid it if possible now)
20. Become a healthy, more happy person!

I found out that a mutual friend is also having the surgery before me. He weighs about 400 lbs. I hope the best for him. Getting around is not an easy thing for him. I've known him since High school where he was an athelete. It it really shocked me that he had gotten so big. God bless him, I hope he gets through surgery allright.
I've lost 4 lbs since cutting out carbonated drinks. I'm a diet soda drinker anyway, but I felt that if I can't have it after the surgery I might as well get used to not having it now. I did make a list of things I'll miss (Of course all food related). One thing I can't give up is caffeine. If I have to give up eating and smoking, I'm not giving up my morning coffee or tea. I know I'm really gonna miss mexican food. Which is my absolute favorite. There's this great authentic mexican place near my house which will probally be my last meal.

I talked to Dr. Clark's office today and I have a Surgery Date ! September 8th. finally after 4 years of pursuing this surgery it is going to happen. To get my self prepared I have sworn of diet soda and am only drinking diet tea and water. I've also cut back on fatty foods and sweets. Lately anything greasy has made me feel sick. It's a good thing that they take your gallbladder cause I think mine is going bad

I got a letter in the mail today that my surgery has been approved for August 24th. Unfortunately I'm going to have the change the date. I'm shooting for the second or third week of Sept. My husband's federal engineering exam is around the 24th. I just can't do that to him.

I have my interview with the psychologist on May 3rd (The day after my 32nd bday). I already took the behavioral assessment test. Once the consult on May 3rd is done, I get my surgery date! Yeah. I also found out that my insurance options might be changing. I'm gonna stick with BC/BS until the end of the year, and then switch to Aetna, which will be cheaper. If I switch now, I'll have to start over again. No way Jose! I's taken long enough. I will probally have to pay about $300 out of pocket for the hospital. Not bad considering this surgery will run you $45,000-$60,000. This will be my last birthday as a Fat Woman! May 3rd is also my date for quitting smoking all together. I have nicorette gum and I already have gone from a pack a day to about 10 a day. I've quit before. I can do it again.Wish me luck!

Taking behavioral assessment test(Computerized) on 3/24 and still trying to get appointment with Psychologist for an assessment. I'm on my way.