Not the BIG day, but the first day starting my journey!
Chuck and I are going in at 7 am for my bloodwork, then the welcome group and then I have to fill out the 350 question psych thingy. It's gonna be a loooooong day.
I haven't smoked for a week, and have dropped down a level on the patch already. It hasn't been too bad, but I've had a few moments here and there. Nothing like going cold turkey though.
I'm so very ready to get this process going. Ugh I can be so impatient sometimes!
Monday, January 30, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
So far...so good.
I quit smoking monday. And compared to last year, it hasn't been so bad. Last year was cold turkey, and it sucked. I was a mess. This time, I thought I'd try the patch, and I have to say it works rather well! I've even been able to go outside with Miss Kim and talk to her while she smoked (she'll be quitting the next few days anyway).
It hasn't been that bad, but I'm definitely edgy and easily provoked. Doesn't take much to get my panties in a twist, as they say. Every time the urge hits me I just remind myself why I'm making this change. My first appointment is in less than a week and I'm really excited. I'm trying to keep my patience in check, and I certainly have many other things on my plate to keep me occupied.
It hasn't been that bad, but I'm definitely edgy and easily provoked. Doesn't take much to get my panties in a twist, as they say. Every time the urge hits me I just remind myself why I'm making this change. My first appointment is in less than a week and I'm really excited. I'm trying to keep my patience in check, and I certainly have many other things on my plate to keep me occupied.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Actually...
That went pretty fast...didn't have to wait long at all! The doctor's office called me today, and set up my first few appointments. My first appointment is going to take half a day, and includes my initial seminar, blood work and the psych questionnaire. The 4 following appointments (that run about twice a week until Feb 20) will consist of meetings with the nutritionist, psychologist, physical therapist and nurse practitioner. I was told to expect probably one more appointment with each before I meet with the surgeon or take the next step toward surgery.
My first appointment is January 31. Less than 2 weeks away! I can't wait!
My first appointment is January 31. Less than 2 weeks away! I can't wait!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
The Waiting Game
I hate waiting. I have the patience of a gnat. I know its a part of the process, but I tend to jump in feet first when I decide to do something. This is no different.
It has been almost a week since I first called the surgeon's office, and I called them again today, to see if there was an update. Of course there wasn't. They're still 'working on insurance', so I just gotta wait for them to call back.
In related news, I'm down 4 more lbs, making a total loss of 16 lbs (from my highest a year ago). Not having soda hasn't been too bad, even my husband quit too! He is really liking the crystal light tea with lemon. I have so far tried both strawberry and pink lemonade, which I think are ok, but tend to just drink plain water instead. I'm not a big fan of the fake sweetener after-taste.
We've almost completely cut out sweets, but I do cave once in a while. I am definitely noticing a direct correlation between extreme emotions and wanting certain foods. Chips/salsa, a pepsi, and some form of chocolate were always my go-to foods. I actually caved tonight and had some ice cream. I refuse to beat myself up for it, and choose to give myself a break once in a while, knowing that the road I'm on is going to get even tougher. I'm not going to have many opportunities to allow myself the option of caving in. So I'm trying to be kind to myself now.
As far as smoking, well I am quitting next week. One of my hair clients (oh yeah, I'm an 'ex' hairdresser who still does a little on the side) gave me some patches that she hadn't opened yet. It's the first step, so I'm worried they might be a little strong. That might actually be ok though, since the first week is the roughest. I just hope that the patch makes it easier to quit than cold turkey....that was rough.
So maybe my next post will be about my first appointment date! Fingers crossed!
It has been almost a week since I first called the surgeon's office, and I called them again today, to see if there was an update. Of course there wasn't. They're still 'working on insurance', so I just gotta wait for them to call back.
In related news, I'm down 4 more lbs, making a total loss of 16 lbs (from my highest a year ago). Not having soda hasn't been too bad, even my husband quit too! He is really liking the crystal light tea with lemon. I have so far tried both strawberry and pink lemonade, which I think are ok, but tend to just drink plain water instead. I'm not a big fan of the fake sweetener after-taste.
We've almost completely cut out sweets, but I do cave once in a while. I am definitely noticing a direct correlation between extreme emotions and wanting certain foods. Chips/salsa, a pepsi, and some form of chocolate were always my go-to foods. I actually caved tonight and had some ice cream. I refuse to beat myself up for it, and choose to give myself a break once in a while, knowing that the road I'm on is going to get even tougher. I'm not going to have many opportunities to allow myself the option of caving in. So I'm trying to be kind to myself now.
As far as smoking, well I am quitting next week. One of my hair clients (oh yeah, I'm an 'ex' hairdresser who still does a little on the side) gave me some patches that she hadn't opened yet. It's the first step, so I'm worried they might be a little strong. That might actually be ok though, since the first week is the roughest. I just hope that the patch makes it easier to quit than cold turkey....that was rough.
So maybe my next post will be about my first appointment date! Fingers crossed!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Well that was easier than I thought...
So I went on Monday to my doctor for a referral to the surgeon. I'm going to be having surgery at the Good Sam hospital in Portland, with Dr. Valerie Halpin at the Weight Management Center for Excellence.
I was rather (pleasantly) surprised to find out that my Insurance does NOT require a referral, NOR pre-authorization! I called today, because Kristin (friend/co-worker) told me that referrals aren't required when you have a PPO. Fancy schmancy, I had no idea! So right away I call the office to set an appointment.
Apparently, though, you don't JUST set an appointment. They take a bunch of info over the phone, send documents to verify insurance, THEN call you back to set an appointment up. I tried to explain that my insurance doesn't require any pre-authorization, but they said it was standard protocol. They said that the first appointment takes about half a day, as I'll have to go through psych and medical testing, go to a support meeting, etc. THEN I'll be able to set an appt to see the surgeon, and will have to go through further testing and anything else the surgeon says I'll need. I was told that some people breeze through the process, others take longer because of other co-morbid conditions (like diabetes, etc).
My only hurdle is to quit smoking again. I have to be smoke free for at least 3 months before the surgery. Luckily, Kim (another co-worker/friend) is going to quit with me. I think I'll try the patch this time, maybe I won't be such a basket case the first couple of weeks. I feel rather lucky that I don't have a lot of health problems, and hope that it will help me heal rather quickly from the surgery. From what I've read (www.thinnertimesforum.com), a lot of people can be in the hospital a few days before going home. I want to take as little time off work as possible.
Ok, so maybe smoking isn't my only hurdle. The obvious is food. I went to the store tonight and for the first time I felt bombarded with all the crap. How easy it would be to throw some ice cream, or even chips into my cart! Instead I got my yogurt, grape nuts and cottage cheese for Chuck. We're also experimenting with Crystal Light. I got strawberry, Chuck got Iced Tea. He really likes his, I need to get used to the after-taste.
So thats about it. Just doing the plate method my nutritionist taught me. Completely cut out soda (harder than I thought!). Cut Chuck off too, though I have a feeling that he sneaks some in at work.
Now to sit and wait for the surgeon's office to call. And prep for not smoking. We're quitting after the big party for Tanya and Kristin next weekend. It's gonna be epic. For sure. Or as Kristin would say "fo shizzle". Wu-Tang for life!
I was rather (pleasantly) surprised to find out that my Insurance does NOT require a referral, NOR pre-authorization! I called today, because Kristin (friend/co-worker) told me that referrals aren't required when you have a PPO. Fancy schmancy, I had no idea! So right away I call the office to set an appointment.
Apparently, though, you don't JUST set an appointment. They take a bunch of info over the phone, send documents to verify insurance, THEN call you back to set an appointment up. I tried to explain that my insurance doesn't require any pre-authorization, but they said it was standard protocol. They said that the first appointment takes about half a day, as I'll have to go through psych and medical testing, go to a support meeting, etc. THEN I'll be able to set an appt to see the surgeon, and will have to go through further testing and anything else the surgeon says I'll need. I was told that some people breeze through the process, others take longer because of other co-morbid conditions (like diabetes, etc).
My only hurdle is to quit smoking again. I have to be smoke free for at least 3 months before the surgery. Luckily, Kim (another co-worker/friend) is going to quit with me. I think I'll try the patch this time, maybe I won't be such a basket case the first couple of weeks. I feel rather lucky that I don't have a lot of health problems, and hope that it will help me heal rather quickly from the surgery. From what I've read (www.thinnertimesforum.com), a lot of people can be in the hospital a few days before going home. I want to take as little time off work as possible.
Ok, so maybe smoking isn't my only hurdle. The obvious is food. I went to the store tonight and for the first time I felt bombarded with all the crap. How easy it would be to throw some ice cream, or even chips into my cart! Instead I got my yogurt, grape nuts and cottage cheese for Chuck. We're also experimenting with Crystal Light. I got strawberry, Chuck got Iced Tea. He really likes his, I need to get used to the after-taste.
So thats about it. Just doing the plate method my nutritionist taught me. Completely cut out soda (harder than I thought!). Cut Chuck off too, though I have a feeling that he sneaks some in at work.
Now to sit and wait for the surgeon's office to call. And prep for not smoking. We're quitting after the big party for Tanya and Kristin next weekend. It's gonna be epic. For sure. Or as Kristin would say "fo shizzle". Wu-Tang for life!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
A new beginning
As cliche as that may sound.
I just got this blog set up, and it's bedtime. But I promise to begin documenting my process to have the gastric bypass surgery soon. With pictures.
This is for my friends and supporters to keep in touch with my journey. If you don't agree with my choice, then call me and we can discuss it. Otherwise, please keep your own 'opinions' to yourself.
And I always post this...this is MY blog, with MY thoughts, MY feelings, MY experiences. If you get offended, or dislike what I say, there's a little red ex in the upper right corner you can click.
:)
I just got this blog set up, and it's bedtime. But I promise to begin documenting my process to have the gastric bypass surgery soon. With pictures.
This is for my friends and supporters to keep in touch with my journey. If you don't agree with my choice, then call me and we can discuss it. Otherwise, please keep your own 'opinions' to yourself.
And I always post this...this is MY blog, with MY thoughts, MY feelings, MY experiences. If you get offended, or dislike what I say, there's a little red ex in the upper right corner you can click.
:)
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