Long time no see.....

I've been a bad blogger, don't hate me. I've had kind of a crappy few weeks. My moods are all over the place and I hate it. I have absolutely no motivation or desire for anything in my life right now.
I am completely sucking at the diet and behavioral changes I need to make before surgery.  Considering what I do for a living I know better than anyone that behavior modification does not happen overnight, but I wish it would happen at a bit steadier pace than it is.... Dear God that was a long, run on sentence. Pay no mind to it please. 
I'm gonna talk to the doc about a medication change or modification, because what was working and has worked is not so much anymore :(  Something has to get better soon.  First suggestion would be the weather, that would help my mood at least 50%.  Dear Lord, please bring the sunshine back. Amen.


Now, as I said the diet is not going well nor are the tiny changes I try to make.  However, I have completed 2/6 Nutritional Therapy appointments and 2/6 Dr. appointments.  Slowly but surely.  It all makes a difference and brings me closer to D-Day when my life will change forever and for the better.


Let's see.. Judd has been playing soccer and absolutely loving it. I've only been able to go to two of his games, but better than none.  He is a joy to watch. I still can't figure out how to get pics from Flikr! into a post without doing a single post with each picture. Grrrrr... so I will post soccer pics in a separate post.  


Okay, well I'm off to meet my friend B, for lunch at Qdoba. Yummy!




Hugs,


Jenn

Moving Along

Well, the weight-loss surgery process is moving along, albeit at a snails pace.  I saw Dr. B., that was interesting and even a little disappointing.  He has just changed so much, from when he first moved here and I started going to him, and not necessarily for the better.  I have been putting off going to another doctor for a long time now, because I've been less than impressed with his doctoring.  But I just refuse to give up on people.  


The point of this, is that I expected a much more enthusiastic reaction from him then I got? My weight has been a topic of concern from the very beginning. I can even remember the first time I saw him, forever ago (like a decade plus) lol.  I think he was less than impressed and dare I say a little annoyed/put-off that I am not choosing to go to The Center for Weight Loss Surgery at Wood County Hospital.  I tried to explain this to my family, since there is so much follow-up after surgery, I feel like having some place close to go will allow me an out. I know this doesn't make sense to anyone but me, but I know how I am, I am constantly trying to justify my bad choices. It makes sense to me and really I am the one who has to live with it, so that is what matters.


Anyhow, so my first appointment with the Dr. B. (for the six-month insurance requirement was April 14, 2010.  At this appointment, I got the referral for Nutritional therapy and I saw 'Leah' a Clinical Dietitian and we talked got a history and set my first goals.  I will see her once a month for the next 5 months.  So.. Here are my first 4 goals:


1. Cut down to 2 cans diet pop a day.


2. Increase H2O intake to at least 6- 8-oz. servings.


3. Chew each bite of food 20 times before swallowing.


4. Walk 3 days a week for 1/2 hour.


So far I am failing miserably on the soda goal, but I guess it's only been 2 days.  I'm doing better the past 2 days on the water.  Chewing haven't really focused on yet, and the walking has not happened.   So that's the latest.  I am going to store in a bit, not a lot of money this pay, so it will be interesting and challenging to see what I can buy.  I'm gonna have to get creative.


More as it happens!


Hugs,
Jenn

Weight Loss Surgery Update

I received the information from the Barix Insurance dept. and I will definitely need to do the 6mo. doctor supervised diet.  Part of me is okay with this while the little devil on my shoulder is saying no,no,no!  I knew this was a big possibility, so I'm not surprised which helps.  So, I put in a call to the contact at the Barix Insurance dept., a really nice lady named Vicky Scibor. She answered my questions and clarifications I needed and said she would keep in touch throughout the next 6 months. 


Next, I called Dr. B. and I have an appointment scheduled for Wednesday the 14th. I will talk with him about what to do, Weight Watchers, low-fat etc., and what the insurance company needs.  I need to go in monthly for the next 6 months, and the appt. must be specifically about the weight-loss attempt. And the notes must be specific for Medical Mutual to accept them.  


I will continue to update as I move throughout this process.  Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers throughout this, I will need it.  




Hugs, 

Jenn

NEW START

This choice, decision I confirmed today, has been a long time coming.  It is not one I take lightly.  There has been prayer, contemplation, and fear.  But I believe it is the only choice I can make at this point in my life.

I am having weight loss surgery, specifically the Gastric Band surgery (most likely the REALIZE ).  This is not some magic pill, a magical fix the surgeon will put in my body, it is more of a tool.  It is a tool to help me achieve the healthy life, I have longed for, but has eluded me for too long.  

I went this afternoon for a consultation with Dr. Jon Schram at BARIX CLINICS in Ypsilanti, MI.  I learned  some information I did not know about Gastric Bypass and Gastric Band surgery.  But most of it I did know from the research I have done in the past and most recently for the last week and a half.  I owe a great deal of gratitude and love to my friend Brandy, for giving me the information about the Barix clinics and by extension her friend who shared her experience with Barix.  It was strange, while I went to their website and researched them, I also went to the message boards attached to Barix, and what I found was a place full of amazing, courageous and inspiring people.  It was as if a lightbulb went off and I knew, it was what I needed to do.  But still, I have prayed I am making the choice that God wants for me.  I believe this is what I  am meant to do, his choice for me.

So today, I went and I was completely excited and confident, no worries.  Heh, yeah right!  Once I got there and got my vitals taken, I was freaking out feeling very self-concious and doubting what I was doing there. I have never been so happy to have texting on my phone in my life.  To my friends and sister, Chralin, Brandy, Melissa and Cindy, I love you, you were my rock and your encouraging words calmed me.  

It was just me and another man who brought his wife, for the group consultation, then Dr. Schram met with us individually.  I felt completely comfortable with him and he was incredibly nice.  Pretty much everyone I have met so far has been kind.  And truthfully, I did not expect anything else after all I have read from previous patients.  I believe in my decision.  Next step, is pre-authorization from the insurance company.  Barix has their own insurance department and you deal with one person from start to finish.  I am expecting a call by next week some time.  Dr. Schram did not forsee any additional testing on his end, but Medical Mutual most likely will require a Psych Eval.  I'm not worried about this, my head is in this.

So there it is, the big news.  I have a long road ahead, but I am confident it will be filled with more good than bad.  Challenges are good for the soul, they are the only way we grow.  I do ask my IRL friends and family for prayer and guidance when I seek it, and for any strangers  friends who may feel the pull, I will appreciate the prayers and positive thoughts and comments.  I will need you now more than ever, this is a life long change, one I will constantly seek to improve on.  

Hugs,

Jenn