jlinnell82

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

 Ok, so I've been on my liquid diet (pre-op diet) for 1 week now! I've been starving...mostly at night. Today has been much better for me! But still, the craving are there. As much as I'd love to eat something tasty I've managed to resist the temptation! Not one bite of food! I have 3 more weeks to go, wish me luck. Like I said, I'm very hungry  but it will be SO worth it in the end!

"What Won't Kill Us Will Only Make Us Stronger!!!"

Since the last time I blogged, I saw the nutritionist, I got the results of my written psych evaluation, had my appt. with a new therapist because the 1st one thought I needed several months of therapy before my surgery .The 2nd therapist passed me with flying colors, she thought I was a perfect candidate for the lap-band surgery!  ALL OF MY APPOINTMENTS ARE DONE!!!  After the appointments were all done, they sent all of the paperwork in to be evaluated & be approved...On to the good stuff....

I WAS APPROVED! Last Monday I found out that I was approved for the surgery! They called me on Friday to set a date! Nov. 10th is my surgery date! Yay! I'm so excited! 

I started my liquid diet today!  I can have the following...........

*4 WEEK LIQUID DIET*

(4 weeks because I've had a prior stomach surgery. My surgeon wants to shrink as much scar tissue as possible before he operates!)


***4 Protein Shakes

***As much as I want of...Water, crystal light, sugar-free jell-o, sugar -free Popsicles...

***Limited Amount of...Sherbet, skim milk, tea, Gatorade, broth (low sodium)

***I also started taking vatamins...Flintstones chewables w/ Iron & Calcium w/ vitamin D. As suggested by surgeon.

This is very excited but it's going to be very difficult at the same time! I need as much encouragement as possible from anybody & everybody!!!

Today: So far so good, not too hungry. 

This Last Tuesday I went for my phych evaluation! Really nice guy named Dr. Richard Benson. Talked alot about the surgery and how it is going to be a life changing experience for me. I was under the impression that I only had to go to one appointment with a therapist but I guess this particular therapist , the evaluation will not only take 3 visits, of verbal & written phych tests, but also cost me extra to have the report written up for Dr. Malley's office. It's not really a set back, just thought I'd be done with everything in our first appointment. I got an email today from Dr. Benson's office saying that I can come in anytime for the 2 hr. written test, anytime I'd like. Then I have an appointment set up with him on July 29th, to discuss the results of the test. We'll see how this goes. Next, appointment with the nutritionist.

For the last 6 1/2 months Ive been on a supervised exercise & diet plan, for insurance purposes only! I'm on my way to having that done, along with a phych evaluation & an appt to see a nutritionist (These are also for insurance purposes). I will be seeing the therapist this coming Tuesday & hopefully the nutritionist soon after. YAY! Things are coming aliong for me, finally! Cant wait to get this done! Next...All of this info is presented to the insurance to be approved then I set my surgery date! Cant wait to get started on my journey!!!

I joined OH back in November 2010 but I'm just now learning how to post and get my blogs up and going. So far I've been to a Lap-Band Seminar, Had my first consultation with my surgeon, Dr. Stephan Malley, had an Upper G.I. , I'm on a 7 month supervised diet & exercise plan that's needed for insurance purposes. I thought 7 months seemed like a lifetime to me, I was ready to get the surgery done ASAP,  I really wanted this weight off!!!  It could have been worse, some have to do a supervised diet for a year, so my 7 months isn't so bad. I have 1 month to go, I'll go in to see my family doctor this week, then 1 more month of diet & exercise til they submit it to the insurance for approval. As long as I've been doing the suggested 2000 calorie intake & 3-4 days a week of 30 min exercise, I'll be approved for the Lap-Band surgery, so no worries there. I was told my my family doctor that the approval from insurance goes through pretty quick, so I could be having the surgery with the next 2 months! Yay!

1. The stares I get from rude people or young children.

2. Worrying if I'm going to be too big to fit in a chair or the question of will I break this chair?

3. The worry of not being able to find clothes that I like in my size.

4. Worrying if I'm going to be the biggest person at a gathering, birthday party, store, etc.

5. Rude comments from people about my size.

6. If I can keep up with everyone around me, physically.

7. The question of, When will I ever be able to go to a mall, store, amusement park, etc. And be able to walk around comfortably.

8. Not being able to put most seat belts on in a car, to keep myself safe from accidents.

9. People talking behind my back about my weight issues & how "concerned" they are. In other words, backstabbers.

10. What are peoples reaction going to be when they see me in a swim suit at the pool.

11. Not being able to dance at clubs or bars because I'm too out of shape.

12. Being afraid to meet up with old high school friend because I dont want them to see me at this size.

13. Having To Use Scooters In Stores!!!


..........TO BE CONTINUED

Last November 2010, I started seriously looking into having the Lap-Band surgery done. I immediately set up a time & date to attend a seminar. After attending a seminar, lead by  Dr. Stephan Malley, I felt like the Lap-Band, out of all other bariatrics surgeries, was the best for me. I got started immediately! Right after the seminar, I went straight to the front desk and set up a time to meet with the surgeon (Dr. Stephan Malley) for a first time consultation. It went really good! He asked me basic questions...How long have I been overweight, how much do I want to lose, etc. etc. He was very nice, good bedside manner, kind of a biker guy, which is surprising for how well known & respected he is in the Midwest. But after reading up on him & his experience, I can honostly say, I trusted him from the beginning. When I told him that I had a prior surgery done on my stomach, due to severe acid reflux, he ordered a swallow study be done. After a few weeks of waiting for the results to see if he wanted to go through with the surgery, they called & I was relieved to find out that he pre-approved my Lap-Band surgery!  

TO BE CONTINUED!!!