It's a Date

I received my call today from Dr. Ellner's office with my tentative surgery date, Wednesday, July 20 (the day after Iliana's 4th Birthday).  This was also the day that I had my first Mammogram.  A very interesting day indeed.

I'm still recovering from an eye infection I had last week during my work trip to Connecticut.  My infection was so bad that I was on oral and drop anti-biotics.  What I needed was a lock on my lips to stop me from cheating during the conference.  I stayed very close to my protein/veggie meals with a few instances of dessert, wine and cheese.

I have a great friend, Chay, who I have met up with the last two years at this conference so we catch up and hang out when we can during the sessions.  It reminds me of that great movie, "Same Time Next Year" but without the sex and the funny banter.  It's just a great time to catch up with my friend.

I'm also preparing my email to my family (including my close friends) to let them know of my surgery.  I needed to come clean - I'm out and about too much for them not to figure out that something is going on.The Psychiatrist said my food triggers are my socialization - drinking and eating because I'm out with my friends.  Maybe I need to pick up knitting or something to take the place of meeting for dinner.

So 4th week on the Liver-Shrinking Diet and I'm down nine pounds. After the 4th of July celebration (and a bit of cheating) I will be using 3 liquid supplements a day - no carbs. No fun but I'll be healthier!

Diet or Die

Day 3 of The Liver Shrinking Diet and I feel like I'm losing my mind.  I do understand the importance of it but I'm traveling next week and I'm already thinking up lame excuses to tell folks why I can't drink.  As Stefan noted, drinking is a big part of socialization but I guess there are some who don't drink - I'll just have to fake it with club soda and a lime and just deal with it.  Also the temptation of conference munchies and snacks.  Ugh.  I was told no cheating but I actually cheated Monday and Tuesday night with 10 sunflower seeds each night.  Oh the shame.  I just have to stay focused and remember that they can't do surgery on a fat, slimy liver.  How's that for a visual.  Keep On!

I also had 10 vials of blood drawn today for pre-op testing.  Yay.  Nutritionist Eval and Psych Eval this week.  Woo Hoo. I'm getting closer!

Protein Drink Taste Test

I am finally in a place to start taste testing protein drinks and did so yesterday while at home with the girls.  Ugh - really, over two to three months with just protein  - all liquid?!  I think the hardest part is this part - the Liver-Shrinking Diet that officially goes full force this weekend.  I understand also why Dr. Ellner's version of this diet (that I researched online) was so strict.  Of course those who are having food issues are going to cheat, or slip up  - - this is why we're resorting to Bariatric Surgery so in order to make sure we're ready for surgery Dr. Ellner has to be strict.  It's not the taste so much as even just modifying the diet yesterday and today...I'm starving!!!!!  And do this for a month prior to surgery?  After the surgery my stomach will be smaller but I can't imagine how stretched my stomach is now because it certainly is craving food!  God give me strength!

Sleep Study

Yikes, I look like I just got beat up.  As you can tell by the "pleasant" expression on my FAT face, I was not "very" comfortable with the Sleep Apnea test machine/hook-ups but I turned in my machine this morning and they said they have enough data and will give the results to Dr. Huynh (my Primary Care doctor) and Dr. Ellner. Stefan said that he couldn't sleep because he just had to see how I could manage with all the gear strapped to my body.

THE FINAL WEIGH-IN: YAY, I'M FAT ENOUGH

The tales of my adventure pick up after I've had my initial consult with Dr. Julie Ellner, Bariatric Surgeon.  After my Stefan and I attended her seminar at Alvarado Hospital in mid-April 2011, I knew all those years of tears, pleading with doctors for a new weight management program, years of exercise tapes, my marathon, all those 5Ks and all those medicines for the many conditions...all of the years of prayers were now being answered with the help of Dr. Ellner.

Here I was my last ditch effort, in front of Dr. Ellner's office this morning inhaling a Venti Starbuck's a Grande Water, a Breakfast Sandwich and putting my cell phone and my heavy keys in the pockets of my jeans so I could make sure I was at least the required BMI of 35 to be considered obese along with my preexisting conditions.  In my bloatedness, I sat in my car and laughed out loud as I thought about how twisted my situation was where after my consult I was told that ensure approval for 100% payment by my insurance company that I would need to weigh-in  with an additional 5 lbs. immediately to meet the minimum requirements.  So in order to live a longer life with my family, I actually had to add more pounds to this already big frame.  UGH.  So the last week has been about "bulking up" ending in drinking beers with my darling husband at midnight last night.  Really?  Yes, really. 

I imagined I was Violet Beauregard from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory after she chewed the test gum and turned into a gigantic blueberry-like ball.  Fat. Fat. Fat...Keep thinking Fat. Fat. Fat.  I did it - I was even a pound more than my "fat goal weight" to cushion the number.

After that appointment I went to the Sleep Data center to pick up my machine to take care of my sleep apnea test.  The take-home machine will start recording at 9:30 p.m. tonight and I turn in the machine and data will be calculated sometime this week.

So what do I have left before a surgery date is scheduled:

• A Psych Eval
• My Fasting Blood Test
• My Nutritionist Eval
• Insurance Approval
• Sleep Data Results
• Liver-Shrinking Diet to start Immediately - at least 60 days

Thanks for peeking in to see where I am in the process.  For more info on Bariatric Surgery (SAFE Bariatric Surgery) or for info on Dr. Ellner, go to her website: EllnerBariatric.com.