Tuesday, September 29, 2015

The prep

To prep for surgery I have to be on a liquid diet for two weeks.  TWO WEEKS!  The majority of it is protein shakes.  I can also have non-starchy vegetables, broth, sugar free jell-o and sugar free/calorie free drinks.  I found this Protein Powder from Target that isn't too bad.

The goal is to have 5-6 shakes per day.  I can also have the pre-made Special K Protein drink.  The only restriction on any of these drinks is the first ingredient has to be Whey Protein. 

The first few days were hard.  I was grumpy and hungry.  I kind of felt bad for Bill and the kids.  By now I think my body has acclimated to the new diet.  I seem to have a little bit more energy which is odd for not having much to eat. 

I'm also preparing emotionally.  This is a BIG change.  One that I'm ready for but I'm also nervous.  It's surgery, after all and with any surgery comes some risks.  I get pretty sick from anestesia and I'm not looking forward to that right after abdominal surgery. 

I saw this little guy on Etsy last week and am going to get him.  :-)

Next weigh in comes on Thursday...  stay tuned! 

Sunday, September 27, 2015

And so it begins....

I've always struggled with my weight.  I think it started in fifth grade.  I've done Weight Watchers, LA Weightloss, Slimfast, you name it I've tried it.  And I've lost weight....  But then I had kids and it was increasingly difficult.  After I had my last daughter, my thyroid went in the crapper and losing the pregnancy weight became almost impossible.  

It has become increasingly difficult to get down on the floor and play with the kids.  Going to the park takes energy. Heck, walking up the stairs makes me winded.  I have a bad knee which I had surgery on in 2008.  I use that as a crutch for not going up the stairs and taking the elevator instead.  

I'm tired of being tired.  I want to be active in my kids lives.  And so I began to think...  Think about the direction which I want my life to go, think about how I want to be an example for my kids, think about my health.  

I had thought about bariatric surgery before.  But I thought it was the "easy" way out.  Truth is, nothing about the process is easy.  It takes dedication and is a true life change.  I thought about it for about a year before I made the decision.  I talked to my husband about it as well as my family doctor.  They were both on board.  I interviewed a few different doctors and found the practice and Doctor who really fits for my life.  

The first part of the process was talking to a psychiatrist to make sure I'm mentally ready for both the procedure and my future life.  I had to see a nutritionist who taught me how to eat after the procedure. Everyone in the office is so incredibly supportive.  You know them by their first names, they let you into their lives as you are letting them into yours.  

So it makes sense that the nurse, Cindy, cried with me when I got the call on September 18th telling me that insurance approved my surgery.  I was in my office at work and answered the phone not expecting her to be on the other line.  When she said "how does October 8th sound for your surgery?" I broke into tears.  The relief washed over me and a huge weight was taken from my shoulders.  Cindy cried with me.  I couldn't believe it was finally time.  

The morning I started the liquid diet I weighed myself for the last time as my present self.  The last time I will see this number on the scale.  And the same day I received information from insurance in the mail... The last time I will also see these words on any paperwork. 

  

This is the beginning of the rest of my life.  I will take pictures along the way.  I will share my adventures and struggles.  I can't wait to see where the next phase of my life goes....  My second chance!