So in about 20 minutes I am going with my parents to have my last full meal at one of my favorite restaurants..next weekend I will be out of town and my parents never feel like going out to dinner during the week, so we decided to go today! I have another blogpost I am working on explaining this further, but by Monday I will no longer be drinking any type of soda or carbonation, so tonight and Sunday are my last two days drinking soda, probably forever. I really don't mind because I am not one of those people that NEED their Coke fix or whatever, but since I don't drink any alcohol and enjoy the flavor of soda I usually have one about once or twice a week, and usually always when I go out to eat. I'm also now wondering what I can order to drink when I go out besides water, because sometimes the water tastes gross at certain restaurants. Any ideas?!
I already know what I am having for dinner tonight since it's the only thing I get every time..Coke w/ lemon, a piece pf crusty french bread ( I will def. miss this!) Caesar salad split w/ my Mom, and then for dinner this amazing grilled chicken breast sandwich that is just to die for..it comes on a warm ciabatta bun with chicken breast, bacon, melted swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, avocado & then homemade fries & a pickle (yums!) and then some type of dessert that is homemade and changes daily. Last time my Dad and I split turtle cheesecake and it was probably one of the best things I had ever eaten. I know I will enjoy this meal and best of all it won't upset my stomach since there isn't too much grease/fat involved..usually when I go out to eat I eat the food and then almost an hour later on the dot am running to the bathroom because the grease just doesn't agree with me!
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
Pre-Surgery Dietician Consult
Today I met with the dietician to go over my 1 week liquid diet before I have the RNY surgery. She was really nice and answered all of my questions (even ones I knew were probably dumb or unneccessary but I asked anyway!) The thing I appreciate most about everyone I interacted with throughout this whole process was their thoroughness and that none of them made me feel rushed or unimportant..I really like that I am treated as an individual and feel like I am getting my money's worth. Some doctor's I've gone to in the past will spend a minute with you and then leave, so I really enjoy having an hour to speak with someone and get all my questions answered.
Anyways, she first weighed me and I weighed...262. Yikes. Amazing what not watching what you eat and not exercising will do (in only like 3 weeks I gained 5 lbs). I gained 10 lbs since August though. It could be worse I guess but still not good! I am only 4 lbs away from my absolute highest of 266. I hope when I meet with the surgeon on Monday he isn't too angry! After I got weighed she had me show her the protein drink I wanted to use...I was told to find one that had roughly the same amount of protein as it did carbohydrates, however the ones I really liked (the Costco/Sam's Club Premier chocolate shakes) had 30 grams of protein and only 5 grams of carbs..I brought them in anyway because I am not a huge fan of powdered protein drinks, and am really glad I did because she said they will be okay, as long as I make up for the lack of carbs by drinking 100% fruit juice in addition to the protein shakes..this is only because I don't suffer from diabetes, because if I did I would not be allowed to do this. I was very happy to hear this because I absolutely love juice..I try to limit my intake now because of the calories, but would much rather drink that than protein powder. So beginning March 5, for 5 days I have to drink a total of 3 protein drinks a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and 3 1/2 cups of 100% fruit juice (morning, afternoon, and evening snack) as well as at least 6 cups of low-calorie liquid (water, Crystal Lite, Propel 0, Skinny Water, diet V8 Splash, or sugar free popsicles) but preferably more. Then the last two days I can only have clear liquids..6 cups of clear juices with calories (she said any Old Orchard brand concentrated frozen juice beginning with apple will be sufficient or regular popsicles, italian ice, jello) and at least 6 cups of the same low-calorie liquids I listed above. I asked about drinking red liquids because I read that you shouldn't and she told me I could and that it didn't matter, so that's good because cherry Jello is my favorite flavor! I was actually surprised at the amount I am allowed to drink, because it is more than I expected. I am not as worried now because I think if my hunger gets really out of control the first two days I can just fill up on Crystal Lite/popsicles. I think the biggest struggle will be the mind hunger of wanting something crunchy or more substanial, so I think having the popsicles, Jello, and Italian ice will really help that..she told me after the first two days my hunger should't be too bad because of the stored fat breaking down or something like that (Ketosis?), so I feel better about it now :)
The second thing I showed her were two different vitamins I had planned on taking one of, depending on which one she thought was the best. I mentioned these in a previous post but both were from Costco. One type was gummy chews, the other liquid..after looking at them she said both were not good because they lacked Iron (no wonder I am deficient and need a supplement!) and the gummy ones were low on a lot of the nutrients as well as dangerous for those with RNY. Apparently right after surgery the opening my liquids is going to pass through is the size of the HEAD on a Dime..crazy right?! She said the gummy chews if not chewed well enough could plug this opening up and obviously lead to problems, so she recommended I take the Flinstones chewables, twice a day, as well as my iron supplement (however after surgery I have to wait a month before I can take the iron.) I liked that option better because those vitamins taste like candy to me and pretty much melt in your mouth so I won't run the risk of anything getting stuck. She also asked if I was deficient in Vitamin D since many people in WI are, and was surprised when I wasn't. I then asked her about supplements I needed to take, because after reading posts on ObesityHelp.com, nearly everyone takes multiple different vitamins a day and she said I shouldn't worry about that now, only if I become deficient, so that was nice to hear that I don't have to take a bunch of different vitamins just yet.
I then showed her a few more different things I had brought to drink along (Crystal Lite, Skinny Water) and asked a couple more questions, and that was basically the end of our meeting! I am going to meet with her in the hospital and then again two weeks after my surgery, so I am sure I will have more questions by then!
After my appointment I went to lunch at Potbelly (amazing subs!) and got a turkey sub and chocolate shake..I was living it up lol. Then I went to Wal-Mart and got the correct vitamins, and stocked up on juices..I also got the EAS protein powder (3 tubs of it) and a bunch of small containers for food after surgery as well as some juice containers. I am all set and ready to begin, and am so excited!
Anyways, she first weighed me and I weighed...262. Yikes. Amazing what not watching what you eat and not exercising will do (in only like 3 weeks I gained 5 lbs). I gained 10 lbs since August though. It could be worse I guess but still not good! I am only 4 lbs away from my absolute highest of 266. I hope when I meet with the surgeon on Monday he isn't too angry! After I got weighed she had me show her the protein drink I wanted to use...I was told to find one that had roughly the same amount of protein as it did carbohydrates, however the ones I really liked (the Costco/Sam's Club Premier chocolate shakes) had 30 grams of protein and only 5 grams of carbs..I brought them in anyway because I am not a huge fan of powdered protein drinks, and am really glad I did because she said they will be okay, as long as I make up for the lack of carbs by drinking 100% fruit juice in addition to the protein shakes..this is only because I don't suffer from diabetes, because if I did I would not be allowed to do this. I was very happy to hear this because I absolutely love juice..I try to limit my intake now because of the calories, but would much rather drink that than protein powder. So beginning March 5, for 5 days I have to drink a total of 3 protein drinks a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and 3 1/2 cups of 100% fruit juice (morning, afternoon, and evening snack) as well as at least 6 cups of low-calorie liquid (water, Crystal Lite, Propel 0, Skinny Water, diet V8 Splash, or sugar free popsicles) but preferably more. Then the last two days I can only have clear liquids..6 cups of clear juices with calories (she said any Old Orchard brand concentrated frozen juice beginning with apple will be sufficient or regular popsicles, italian ice, jello) and at least 6 cups of the same low-calorie liquids I listed above. I asked about drinking red liquids because I read that you shouldn't and she told me I could and that it didn't matter, so that's good because cherry Jello is my favorite flavor! I was actually surprised at the amount I am allowed to drink, because it is more than I expected. I am not as worried now because I think if my hunger gets really out of control the first two days I can just fill up on Crystal Lite/popsicles. I think the biggest struggle will be the mind hunger of wanting something crunchy or more substanial, so I think having the popsicles, Jello, and Italian ice will really help that..she told me after the first two days my hunger should't be too bad because of the stored fat breaking down or something like that (Ketosis?), so I feel better about it now :)
The second thing I showed her were two different vitamins I had planned on taking one of, depending on which one she thought was the best. I mentioned these in a previous post but both were from Costco. One type was gummy chews, the other liquid..after looking at them she said both were not good because they lacked Iron (no wonder I am deficient and need a supplement!) and the gummy ones were low on a lot of the nutrients as well as dangerous for those with RNY. Apparently right after surgery the opening my liquids is going to pass through is the size of the HEAD on a Dime..crazy right?! She said the gummy chews if not chewed well enough could plug this opening up and obviously lead to problems, so she recommended I take the Flinstones chewables, twice a day, as well as my iron supplement (however after surgery I have to wait a month before I can take the iron.) I liked that option better because those vitamins taste like candy to me and pretty much melt in your mouth so I won't run the risk of anything getting stuck. She also asked if I was deficient in Vitamin D since many people in WI are, and was surprised when I wasn't. I then asked her about supplements I needed to take, because after reading posts on ObesityHelp.com, nearly everyone takes multiple different vitamins a day and she said I shouldn't worry about that now, only if I become deficient, so that was nice to hear that I don't have to take a bunch of different vitamins just yet.
I then showed her a few more different things I had brought to drink along (Crystal Lite, Skinny Water) and asked a couple more questions, and that was basically the end of our meeting! I am going to meet with her in the hospital and then again two weeks after my surgery, so I am sure I will have more questions by then!
After my appointment I went to lunch at Potbelly (amazing subs!) and got a turkey sub and chocolate shake..I was living it up lol. Then I went to Wal-Mart and got the correct vitamins, and stocked up on juices..I also got the EAS protein powder (3 tubs of it) and a bunch of small containers for food after surgery as well as some juice containers. I am all set and ready to begin, and am so excited!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Surgery Scheduled for March 12!
So as I was writing the last blogpost the hospital called to schedule my surgery and it will be happening March 12!! Sooo soon!! I am so excited! I have to meet with my surgeon on Monday to get a pre-surgery physical done, as well as meet with the dietician, get a chest x-ray, and more labs done. I have to bring in my protein drink and vitamins for the dietician's approval as well. I start my liquid protein diet on March 5, so I have until then to eat a few of my favorite foods and drink my last orange soda lol. I just can't believe this is happening and so soon...everyone said it moved quickly but never in my wildest dreams did I think it would happen to me! I thought some setback would happen or something bad, so am just so thankful. The other really cool thing is that since the surgery is March 12, 6 months following almost to the day, will be my 24th birthday, and by 6 months I should have acheived the majority of my weight loss, which will be such an incredible feeling! I just can't wait and see progress :)
APPROVED FOR RNY!!
I AM APPROVED!!!! I AM SOOO HAPPY AND EXCITED!! I just got the phone call from my Bariatric Center and they said my insurance faxed them the approval letter, and someone will be calling me this afternoon to set the surgery up for as soon as possible!! I started crying and was literally so in shock I started stuttering! I am just amazed and so incredibly happy...probably one of the best moments of my life. It's such a huge relief knowing this will all soon be over with and I will be on my way to living a new, healthy, happier life! I also can't believe what a smooth and quick process this was...my Bariatric Center sent my paperwork out last week Friday or Saturday, not exactly sure what day, then I got a claim form from my insurance in the mail Tuesday saying how much I owed for all the lab testing and deductible amount, and then approval today!! AHHH!! I just want to dance and sing and scream!! The funny part about it is my Dad and I were just in the car talking about when I would get the letter and what it would say and no more than 5 minutes later they called me! Ahh I am just so happy!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Paperwork Submitted to the Insurance!
I have a super long blog post I am working on about what's been going on lately, but just had to share some exciting news...I finished ALL my pre-surgery requirements, and my Bariatric Center submitted the paperwork to my insurance company today! Hopefully within 2-3 weeks I will get even better news that I am approved for RNY. I hope everything happens as quickly as it seems like it's going, and I am approved my first try..I am super nervous and have been having horrible anxiety lately...not for the surgery itself but for the possibility I won't be approved. My family keeps telling me I have completed everything I was told to complete and my weight and BMI qualifies for the surgery so there should be no reason I'm denied, but you know insurance companies..they seem to always find something! I just hope all my i's are dotted and t's are crossed. There is so much at stake with this surgery and having it as soon as possible. I have been basically putting my life on hold in order to have the time to have this done..haven't been looking for a full-time job to use the degrees I graduated with, which means I haven't been saving any money to move out of my parent's house, so I don't really feel like an adult and I kind of feel stuck. Plus my weight and size make me feel super insecure and self-conscious and I don't want to go out and meet people and do things. I am seriously considering seeing someone to go back on anti-anxiety meds for a little while until this passes because my anxiety is getting so bad to the point where I can't really function normally anymore..I have all the symptoms of a social anxiety disorder, and I think I just need something to help make me through this hump. It's gotten to the point where I can't even go to the grocery store without feeling like I am going to puke..yesterday it was so awkward..I was there and just started gagging like uncontrollably and was so embarrassed I just wanted to leave ASAP! I just don't feel like myself..I can't make eye contact with anyone and I just feel like hiding and not going out, and just staying home. It sucks! SO yeah..that's where I'm at! Hope everyone has a good weekend!
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