6 Months and Christmas too!

It is hard to believe that it has been 6 months since my life changing surgery!


For the six month appointment, you get your labs done, see the dietician and the surgeon's nurse.

Labs look very good.

Vitamin D a bit low, who is Wisconsin doesn't have low Vitamin D? They increased my dose to twice a day.

My Glucose level is down from 124mg/dl to 100mg/dl. With my family history of diabetes this is fantastic!

I never had very high Cholesterol, but now actually have low Cholesterol with my HDL being 54, (reference range 40-999 mg/dl) and my LDL 56, (reference range 0-129 mg/dl). My Chol/HDL came in as low (reference range 4.0-6.0) with mine being 2.0.

Iron is on the lower side, by still within range.

Thyroid medication needed to be upped due to major body changes. They want to monitor again in 3 months.

Protein levels look very good!

All of the hard work and rule following is paying off.

As of this appointment, I have lost a total of 90 pounds, and 49.4% of my excess body weight!


The holidays are hard. I had surgery done on my body, not my brain!


I have increased my work out to 3 miles, which takes more time. It makes it harder to have time to do the weights.


I will post some photos of me in my Christmas outfit soon!

Here is one of my favorite new photos of Mia trying to resist the Christmas tree.


(Notice the Greenbay Packer Collar?)

5 Months!

WOW! I am 5 months post op! What an amazing adventure.

It is an amazing tool--- not magic!

Dennis and I continue to work out between 3 and 5 times a week.

I have lost 84 pounds!

More importantly, I feel VERY GOOD! This is a marathon... not a race!

I am experiencing some hair loss, which I didn't have an over abundance to begin with.

With the creative help of my beautician, and 2 appointments, we have a cut and color which seems to be helping hide the issue a bit. Who ever said that she is a "Beautician not a Magician!"

November is also the month with Dennis and I celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary! (We just celebrated a bit early on the Door County trip) Another anniversary in November is my full time employement at MedSelect (ABTG) which is 7 years! In honor of these two anniversaries and "friendship", my friend, (use to be boss) Kathy made me one of her fantastic, beautiful, special quilts! While Kathy quilts, she spends the time thinking about the person and the memories that they share. We have so many memories that you would think this would be the world's largest quilt!

I want to share part of the special card that Kathy gave with the quilt.

"The quilt has mistakes and I tried to fix all of them; but, realized our friendship is full of mistakes and things I would like to fix or undo too. I realized it wasn't necessary, to fix every mistake in the quilt because "a friend is someone who knows everything about you and likes you anyways!"

And that is why I love both my quilt and my friend!

Kathy's signature is the swirl with the hearts edge pattern

Mia feeling the warmth of friendship and the quilt. (Notice the back beautiful colors)

Another Goal Met!

As of today, I have lost 75 POUNDS!

WOW!
I am down 3 pants sizes, and bought an XL shirt on our trip.
My mind can't keep up with my body. It is a hard thing to keep up with!
What a Blessing!

A Vacation Away? !!!!

Hubby and I took to opportunity to get away! We started out with what was suppose to be a Orv's Pizza (were he works), golf outing. Well, it was October 10th and SNOWING! They ended up bowling!

We then continued on to Door County, for a nice relaxing trip enjoying the fall colors, touring wineries, and spending time together. Yes, it snowed some more, and was COLD. Our favorite thing that we looked forward to for some time was that we took a Segway tour. (We had wanted to do this at Disney, but I weighed too much.)

I have included some of my favorite photos from our trip

Three Month Surgeon Visit

Thanks to the account I am assigned to in Logansport, IN, I am a little bit late at going to my 3 month follow up visit.

Everything went very well. He was very pleased with my progress and all of the numbers that came back from my blood draw. Protein levels are very good. I work hard to get it in! He wants me to take one more Iron a day, plus another B12. Levels were within range, but on the low end.
I do have a bad itchy rash, so we are stopping the Biotein and Zinc to see if it goes away. (They are the last two newer items started.)

My Dietician visit also went very well. She said that she doesn't have to say this often, but needed me to increase my CARBS! She also wanted me to not get bored. She encouraged me to go to McDonald's, order a kids Happy Meal cheeseburger, and throw away 3/4ths of the bun, eat it and ENJOY it. The apples and chocolate milk were good too!

The most important part, is that I am making life changes....

Three Months!

It has been three months since I had surgery!

There have been so-o-o-o many changes in my life.
For the most part, things have gotten easier!
It is easier to...
Walk up stairs
Sit on an airplane
Wear higher heels, (my husbands favorite thing!)
Find clothes that fit. (Pants only last about 1 month)
Walk into my closet, (I have been going through clothes so fast, it is becoming empty)
Step on the scale.. it is exciting, even at the Doctors office!
Find things to eat within my food program. I now can eat just about everything low in sugar and fat, just not much bread.
Look at myself in the mirror. (Still not photos! :))

At 3 months, I have lost 66 pounds, and am down over 2 sizes!
My waist is down 8 1/2 inches! and my ankles down 2 inches!

I have made many adjustments to my new life style, and do not regret it ever!
I am so very glad that I did this for ME!!

Photo from Mari and Jeff's Wedding

OK, here is the photo. Personally, I don't like it! BUT... I hate all photos of me. Will this ever change? The wedding was beautiful, and I couldn't be happier for the couple. I wish them many, many happy years together.

OK, here is the photo!

Remember, I haven't worn a dress for over 15 YEARS!!!!

(Thanks to my Hubby for NOT leaving my side)

TWO MONTHS!

In some ways it seems longer, in others where has time/the summer gone?

I turned 46 years old on August 14th, and feel better than I have in years.
I have lost a total of 55 pounds since January, 30 pounds since surgery.
I have had a bit of a stall for over two weeks. I am not freaking out about it.
#1- When was the last time that I lost 55 pounds over any period of time???
#2 - I went down another pants size during the stall, so things are changing!

I am going to a friends wedding this weekend, getting to see many co-workers \ friends from the office who I have not seen since surgery. The big news is that I am going to wear a dress! It has been at least 15 years since I have worn one. So I will take a photo and post it as my two month picture when I get back.

Support Group Topic Plastic Surgery

The support group for this month was about plastic surgery. She started and the top, explaining a brow lift, talked about cost and went down the body. Very interesting. I have never thought of myself as a person to have plastic surgery, however one never knows. Excess skin, may make me think otherwise. Life is such an interesting journey.
Kind of like a roller coaster. It has it’s ups and downs, however I have chosen to jump in the front car, throw my arms up in the air and enjoy the ride!

First Plane Ride Since Surgery

Today was my first plane ride since surgery. I went to a customer site in Memphis Tennessee for a quick 2 day trip. Everything went just fine. I had my munchies along, drank my water and fit in the very small plane seats better than ever.
Thank you, Thank you very much!
(Get it? Memphis= Elvis?)

Follow Up with Surgeons Nurse

I had my follow up appointment with the surgeons RN today. Everything is right on track. My face is more broken out than usual. She said it probably has to do with hormone levels. What else is new! Those hormones! I need to keep working on protein. She added Zinc and Biotin to help slow down the hair loss which is common. I don’t have much to loose! I received some samples of Bariatric Advantage Calcium Chews! They are fantastic! Some one on a forum had asked the question if anyone else looks forward to taking their calcium as much as she does. It was because of the chews. The chocolate one taste like a under baked brownie. The lemon one, like a Starburst. They do not have an aftertaste. Great product. They are ordered on line Bariatric Advantage.

I have a confession, well two kind of. Dennis and I were shopping at an upscale grocery store, looking for some new healthy options, when I was lead astray. At the front of the store, there were these big fancy jars filled with all sorts of items. The one that caught my attention was the SUPER dark chocolate covered malted milk balls. So Dennis says, “Take one.” Well, that isn’t like me at all. He reminds me that I really can’t buy some, but that I should try one. With some more encouragement, well egging on is more like it. I quickly opened the jar, and took one. We walked over to the wine department, and I popped it into my mouth. OH MY GOD! I closed my eyes and savored the taste. (Yes I remembered to chew, chew, chew!) So Dennis asks, while I am chewing, “How is it?” My response was to hold my finger up over my lips and say, ”Sh-h-h. I am having an orgasm!”
The practice of cheating and stealing will not continue… but oh the pleasure….
Remember, nothing taste as good as the first bite!

One Month Pre Op

Yes, just back to work, and I took two days off. When I was growing up,my family went to a family camp called Moon Beach Camp in northern Wisconsin for 13 years of my life. Then when I was married and we had the boys, we joined other family members and friends made for 14 years. It is amazing how special and important the place and the people become to you. Dennis, (husband), Darren (youngest son) and I went to visit for two days. These photos were not taken this year, but gives you a peek at what a beautiful special place it is.

Yesterday was one month since my surgery. I have lost 47 pounds since January. 25 pounds before surgery, 22 pounds since surgery. Amazing!

Back to Work Already?

High Ho, High Ho, it is back to work I go! Why did I not take my full six weeks??
I am feeling pretty good. I am going to a customer within driving distance, and will be doing quite a bit of computer work and training Nurses. It should be OK. When I thought about 4 weeks off, it sounded like a long time. Week one, in hospital and at home recovering. Week two, feeling better, moving slow. Week three and four, busy getting eating changes down and building strength back. Not very long at all! Thanks to my very supportive husband and youngest son who was home for the summer for all of their help and support. We all found out together, that when you get low on protein, you get crabby!

Follow Up With Dietician

I had my one month follow up visit with the Dietician today. (Yes, a few days early). Things are going quite well. I need to work harder at getting in my protein. To get in at least 60 grams a day when only eating ½ a cup at a time is not an easy thing. I am not wanting to do protein shakes. I am just so excited to chew! Food is an interesting thing. It is such a center point of our lives, both as a necessity and social event. It is a very weird thing, food, right now. I get very excited to eat something, take a bit, maybe two… and am not thrilled with it. I don’t feel hungry, or full for that matter. In fact I don’t feel anything. When they create the pouch, they are cutting through all of the never endings. Typically, people get those feelings back between 6 and 9 months. I have not experienced dumping syndrome yet. That is probably most likely because I haven’t had any sugars or fats per say. I really haven’t tested the waters, and don’t plan on it. I now have very few dietary restrictions. No bread, or limited to 1/3 of a slice of thin bread. If eating beef, it can only be lean ground beef. No stringy vegetables like celery unless it is chopped up.

The rules when eating are:

• Do not drink liquids for ½ hour before and after eating.
• Liquids must be consumed in small sips.
• Eat your proteins first- You need to get in at least 60 grams a day.
• Next eat your fruit and or vegetable.
• If you still have room, you can eat a starch.
• Remember your new pouch only holds about ½ a cup.
• Chew, Chew, Chew! Do most of the work outside of your pouch.
• A morning snack, afternoon snack and nighttime snack are required.
• A protein snack at night time helps you to feel better in the am.

Other food related items:
Two tablespoons of peanut butter has the same amount of protein as 1 oz of chicken!

I have found Kellogg’s Protein Water. It comes in Pink Lemonade, Ice Tea and Strawberry Kiwi, which I don’t like as much. It comes in packets which you add to your water. I contains 5 grams of protein! I will take anything I can get!

On to Soft Mechanical Foods

WOW! 20 days Post-OP! How can that be? I only have one more week and I will be back to work. It was a beautiful weekend. My Mom, Husband and I went to see an outdoor concert on Saturday. Today, (Sunday) we were a bit lazy. We did do wash, hanging some outside, but over all did not get much else done. Jodie, the rule follower has a confession. I started eating soft mechanical foods a half a day early. I can’t believe that I broke a rule! Dennis and I went out for breakfast after church. I am taking it slow! I had a scrambled egg with cheese on it, some bites of hash browns, and they had turkey sausage! I ate a half of a link. I wanted to make sure and take it slow. It all went very well. Eat slow, and chew a lot. I have leftovers for tomorrow!
I have been walking at least a mile each day outside. Not able to go back to Anytime Fitness for a month. Dennis and my youngest son keep going. They are looking awesome! They have been such a big support, and courteous about not eating around me during my 4 weeks of not chewing. Well, on to another week!

15 Days Post-OP

Wow, it is hard to believe that it is 15 days Post-Op! I am feeling pretty good. I am on day two of baby food. The texture of pureed chicken and cottage cheese is a bit weird, but oh so good to have different tastes. I spent the day yesterday at my younger sister’s house sun tanning with my sister and nieces, down by the lake. It was a beautiful day. We then made Shrinky Dink pendants to make jewelry with. We really had a good time. We are the “Designer Dinks!” The creativity was flowing! I was tired!

Today’s weigh in was 44 pounds lost since January. It is really hard to believe. I can’t imagine what it will feel like in another 44 pounds! Today I have attended two funerals. One, a family friend growing up who’s health has not been good this year. She was 80, and had really lived her life. Then, Michael Jackson’s on TV. I think they did a nice job.

Continuing thanks for everyone’s support and concerns. I brought you all on this journey with me for a purpose. Not only, love, support and encouragement along the way, but FUN!! Looking forward to having some!

Doctor Follow Up Vist

I went to the Doctor for my follow up visit today. They added Calcium to my vitamins, and will start taking Iron again on Monday when I start my baby food. Yes, I have to wait until Monday to add more food. We don’t want to undo the good things that are happening. Doctor Chiang was very pleased with everything. My incisions look good, and nothing hurts. He reminded me to not push it to far, and to read what my body is telling me. Like when to sit down, when to take a nap, when it is full. I am officially down 40 pounds since I started this adventure in January. I can really feel it in my face and shoulders. I wore a new pair of pants to the Doctor today. I am really feeling good! Not only physically, but about the choice that I made to have this done.

"Arriving at One Point is A Starting Point to Another”- Surgery completed- recovery well on it’s way- Baby food next!

NO MORE PROTEIN SHAKES!!!!!

No, I am not done with them, just mentally. I just can’t do them today. I go to see the Doctor for my follow up visit tomorrow. I am hoping to go on to the next food stage, Baby food. Believe of not, that sounds terrific. Dennis and I are going shopping to get the following to be ground up. Cottage Cheese, yes even that still needs more grinding. Most of the work needs to be done outside of my body, not inside, canned fruit with no sugar added, more yogurt, yellow and pudding, frozen vegetables to be ground up. I did pick up a baby food ham. I will let you know. Here is a picture from the day I made my baby food chicken. I forgot that I had taken it. I call it my chicken Popsicles! I do get to heat it up. Two ice cubes or “Chicken Cubes” make a serving. Do you want to come over for dinner?

Not Sleeping Through the Night.

It is kind of like having a newborn in the house. They get on a schedule, and you have to readjust it. Well this time, it is me causing the problem. When in the hospital, my pain meds would start to wear off around 3:30am. I would then buzz for the Nurse to bring me some. By the time she came in, gave me the meds, did my vitals, emptied the incision drain, and maybe me empty my drain, (go to the bathroom), I would be up until at least 4:30am. Well, my schedule was set to do that after only 2 nights in the hospital. I am also a side sleeper, and with the 5 incisions on my belly, rolling is just not good. I went to the drug store today and picked up some liquid Tylenol. (Everything has to be liquid, solutabs or crushed.) I am officially going to be done with my Roxicet. Dennis has helped me change 2 of the 5 incisions dressings. The other 3 look pretty good, with no chance of the water from taking a shower getting into the Tegaderm. They are looking pretty good and starting to itch. So that is a good sign. I am getting around pretty well. I have gone to the mall to walk around to move some of the gas bubbles hopefully out. My stomach has gone down a bit, but is still quite distended. It all takes time.

Four Days Post Op

Well, we had a busy day today! It is Dennis’s last day of his vacation. What a way for him to spend a vacation hey? We went for a walk at Mayfair Mall. Well, maybe a stroll. It was good to get up and about. I have gas bubbles which feel like an air bubble curtain in a fish aquarium. It is a very different feeling. Often they do not hurt. Just make lots of noise and feel real weird. Sometimes to do cause cramps. We then went to Walgreens and the grocery store. I did take a nap in between. I haven’t done any homework for college all week, so worked on that a bit tonight. I am now eating Jello, Popsicles, 4 oz of protein shakes four times a day, drinking sugar free liquids. I then have a meal three times a day which consist of one; pudding, yogurt, pureed soup. Nothing but the best.. Panera’s soup. Very tasty. I am on the hunt for sugar free Root Beer Popsicles. Keep your eyes open! I will be on this diet for one week.

Thanks again for all of your support. I means a ton to me!

Back Home!

I am back home! Everything went very well. I have five incisions where they went in laproscopicaly to do there business. The most pain that I have is from the incision and gas pains. Lots of bubbles. I walk around to get rid of those. They keep you very busy while you are in the hospital. Between vitals, including temp, lungs, heart, checking the incisions, your tummy, legs and glucose, there is little time for much else except for a nap! I am good at those! I had insulin numerous times while in the hospital. My Doctor is a firm believer that you heal faster if your levels are on target. I was in the normal range by the time it was time to go home. It is very hot here. Heat index of 100 degrees. My husband had the house all cooled down ready for my home coming. I think he is glad to have me home. He has a week of vacation this week to spend with me. He is very patient, however keeps me on my eating/drinking task which is very good. I will write more later, just wanted to let everyone know that I was at home and doing well. Thanks for the thoughts, prayers, flowers and cares! They really mean a lot to me! The name of my blogg, is so true! Another starting point...
Blessings!

Well, tomorrow is the big day! I made it through all of the eating challenges this past week. If you were to ask me the one thing that I would love to eat right now, it would be anything crunchy and salty. Drink of choice? Margarita of course! Sounds like, chips, salsa, Guacamole and a Jumbo Margarita on the rock! I digress.
Kept busy this weekend cleaning the house. With me traveling so much, it was out of control. It still needs work, oh well, don’t we all.

I am to report to Elmbrook Memorial Hospital, in Brookfield Wisconsin by 5:15am tomorrow. They will give me a shot of Lovenox, to reduce the chance of blood clots, do a type and cross of my blood and a pregnancy test. The positive results of that one would be enough to have a code 4!

I will write when I get back home. Thoughts and prayers would be welcomed and appreciated. Thank you all so much for your support. I could not have made it these last almost 6 months without all of your support. I will need more very soon!

Thanks again!

Hey, Is It Friday?

Before I finish typing this entry, I will have finished my week of protein shakes! Wow! I made it! Not that I ever really had a doubt. I can usually set my mind to something, and “Get ‘Er Done!” This was not an easy task. I didn’t leave my house much, and didn’t watch food commercials. I will tell you tomorrow, well almost today, what I will be eating for the weekend. When I went to get my pedicure and nails done tonight, the grocery store was frying the chicken. This is why I have not gone out much! I passed how many restaurants and billboards for food? Of course getting a pedicure was a high priority! After all, I have a date with a nice looking surgeon! Blessing!

Day Two Sugery Pre-Op Diet

Day Two complete!
I got so that I really did not want to drink the protein shake and I did not want anything else sweet. Everything is sweet. Flavored protein shakes, Jello, flavored drinks, popsicles… so I heated up some beef broth. Not too bad. I finally drank my last protein shake around 9:30 and you know what? I made me feel better. So we are going with that mental strategy. I would like something crunchy… I am a texture eater. One to day three!

Day One Surgery Prep

Day One Surgery Prep.
Here we go! It is officially “The Week before SURGERY!”
We went to visit our oldest son Jared and his girlfriend Stephanie last weekend. We enjoyed food and some margaritas together. They are doing well.
Monday morning started out the preparatory diet to cleanse your system, and shrink your liver, since they will be working behind it. I am so happy that I only have to do one week! The diet consists of:

Soy protein mixed with 8 ounces of skim milk three times a day. I have both chocolate and vanilla, along with caramel, hazelnut, raspberry and orange extracts which I can add.

4 ounces of 100% fruit juice twice a day.

At least 6 cups- 48 ounces of a combination of the following:
Water
Broth Bouillon
Sugar Free Jello
Sugar Free popsicles
Crystal Light or Diet Snapple (no tea flavors)
Fruit 2 O or Propel

Day 1, was not too bad. I found that I prefer the protein shakes blended with ice to make it taste more like a bad Ovaltein malt shake. It makes the volume more, but taste a bit better. My youngest son Darren just likes to chug it down. He is being supportive and joining in.

Day of Pre-Op Appointments

Busy day today. I started out with a fasting blood draw, chest x-ray and an appointment with the Dietician. The Dietician was very excited about me having to do only one week of protein shakes. I also got some clarification. I can mix the power with milk. Much better that water. I can also have sugar free no fruit Popsicles and sugar free Jello. That seems helpful. I will lay out the dietary weeks as they approach. Then off to lunch with my Mom and two sisters at Harvey Moy’s for Chinese Buffet. I was given a bracelet by my family to remind me that they are on the journey with me. My family has been through a lot growing up. We are always there for each other. I rushed back to the appointment with the Nurse Practitioner, Karen. As I have mentioned before, we use to work at the hospital together and I now see her for my yearly GYN needs. Karen is also a certified hypnotherapist. She offered to help me prepare for the protein shakes, surgery and recovery process. It is another adventure to add to list on this journey.
For those of you who are curious, Karen had me start breathing through my nose and out through my mouth, concentrating on my body getting the oxygen that it needs. I closed my eyes, and she talked about visualizing walking along a river, the noises that I hear and the wind blowing through the grass along the banks and the leaves on the trees. I was still breathing pretty hard, so she told me that the path was not a hard one it was flat and nothing was in my way. She had me visualize stopping a moment and looking around. My breathing slowed down as she described the area, and how my body was relaxing. She had me visualize walking farther up the path with the incline becoming a bit harder. There were a few obstacles in the way on the path, however if I looked down the path I could see that it was clear past them. She then talked about the items that I having coming up that are small obstacles on the way, with a clear path in the future. At this point my body felt very heavy and like I was sinking into the chair. I don’t think that I could have picked up my arms. However my legs felt like they were floating upward. My eyes did a lot of fluttering, which she said is very normal. After a bit she told me that we were going to walk back away from the river, but that I could come back any time I needed to. She said that she was going to count to 3 and I could open my eyes when ever I wanted to. We then talked about the experience and what I thought about it. I came in with an open mind, and I found it very interesting. I have one more appointment with here before surgery.

Pre-OP Doctor Visit

Well… I was 1 pound, 2 ounces short of my goal. I was not a very happy girl. The nurse asked if we could compromise. She said that she would ask the Doctor is I could start the protein and water on Thursday, instead of Monday. Well that sounds better….
When he came in, he said that he thought I had done a very good job. However he was not going for the compromise. L I did such a good job, I only had to do one week.!!!!!!!!!!! HURRAY!!! Tomorrow I have labs, chest x-ray, dietician appointment, lunch with Mom and Sister Michelle and one more very interesting appointment. The Physicians assistant that I see for my GYN appointments, I know from working at the hospital. She had gastric bypass about 3 years ago. She has been a great support to me. She is also certified in hypnotherapy. She offered to do some sessions with me as a gift. So, another adventure on this journey. If I come out acting like a chicken… just kidding!

An update...

Tomorrow is the big day! I have been working hard in many ways toward this date. It is my pre-op visit with my surgeon. First, I worked very hard to get all of the requirements fulfilled, then to get the insurance approval. During all of this, Dennis and I have been very busy working out. When I travel for work or pleasure, I locate the Anytime Fitness Clubs in the area. Who would have ever guessed? My youngest son Darren is home from college for the summer, and has also joined for the summer. Everyone is working hard. When I went to my first meeting ever, they talked about you BMI (Body Mass Index) and the requirements per your body mass index prior to surgery. Your BMI determines if you are required to do one, two or three weeks of only protein shakes and water. The purpose is to shrink your liver, since your stomach is located behind it. When I did my BMI, I was immediately determined to loose enough weight so that I would only have to do 1 week of protein shakes. This is why tomorrow is the big day! When I weigh in on their scale!
I think it is going to be closer than I would like it to be!

The Date is Set

I will be having my surgery on June 22nd at 7:30 am.!
Amazing how you work so hard toward a goal, (the first goal in this process) and then you get to the finish line of the goal you have very mixed feelings. It was a lot of hard work, time and effort to get approved. Now… on to the next goal of getting ready for the surgery date.

I am still working toward loosing enough weight to lower my BMI (Body Mass Index) enough to have to only do one week of ONLY protein shakes instead of two.

I have appointments set up to see the surgeon on June 4th, and X-ray, Fasting Labs and Dietician appointments on June 5th.

The journey continues…. However really begins on JUNE 22nd!

Thanks for ALL of your support!

The Results Are In!

God has more power than the insurance companies. (Like I didn’t know that!)
Even though they think differently!
I received a call today that the surgery has been approved!
The next step is for me to provide dates to the surgeon of when I want to have it done.
I will be clearing my schedule!

It’s in God’s and the Insurance Companies Hands

Sometimes you wonder who thinks that they are more powerful? I have worked hard to get everyone’s dictation notes submitted and compiled to the Bariatric Institute. When the office agreed that they had everything that was needed. The office said, “But I really think that you need to have 6 months of seeing the GP Doctor and Dietician every month.” My reply was, “Let’s submit it and let them deny me.” So it was all submitted to the insurance company on April 29th. They have come back and ask for weight information from a visit to the Doctor, from 2008 and 2007. That was provided right away.
Now we wait…

Four Months of visits with the GP Doctor

Today was my fourth month of having monthly appointments with my General Practitioner Dr Dorow. I brought in my fitness tracking sheets from Anytime Fitness for him to scan in for the insurance. Yes, I have even been going to Anytime Fitness when traveling. Dennis, (husband) and I even went when we went to visit our son at college!
He was pleased with my weight loss, and we discussed the silly insurance rules. This could qualify the requirements or they could want three more months of visits. We decided that we would just plan on three more months, and be excited when we don’t need to. So times that theory works…. He also gave me a tetanus shot. I am ready!

Third Dietician appointment

I met with Trish the Dietician today for the third time. This maybe all that is required for the insurance approval for surgery. Keep your fingers crossed… OK your toes too! We discussed the Easter food challenges and the recommendation referral she would be writing. She is very pleased that when I go out to eat, which is most of the time when I am traveling for my job, I now make sure and order a vegetable with my dinner. Believe me I am not perfect; however I am giving it a good try. Between watching what I am eating and exercising, I have lost 15 pounds. It has been at least 7 years since I have weighed what I do today. Oh so many more to go…
I have found that a good treat is to take the 60 calorie chocolate pudding and dip your fruit in it. Bananas, strawberry, raspberries are all teriffic!

Healthy Lungs

Today’s appointment was with the Pulmonologist. I had had the breathing test prior, now I needed to see the Doctor who said that my lungs sounded healthy. (and pay my co-pay of course!) He told me the expected news, that loosing weight will make it so that I do not have asthmatic symptoms. He will dictate his approval for surgery to the surgeon. This should …. should be the last specialist appointment before submitting to the insurance for their approval. This has been quite a journey so far.

Terrific Job Maddy!

My Niece Maddy had the role of Princess Winnifred the Woebegone in Once Upon a Mattress at her school. It was fabulous!! I was oh so proud!

Prayers for Sister Pam

Well, my sister Pam is having surgery on her knee today. (She is my OLDER sister you know). Say a prayer and send your thoughts for best wishes and a quick recovery. She is all bummed that they got her in so quickly. I have been waiting for ever..... Isn't it just the way?

Bummer...

I am not done with all of the requirements. They not only wanted me to take the pulmonary test, they want me to see the pulmonary Doctor. I waited all day for the surgeons office to call me back. She called at the end of the day. The Pulmonary Doctor's office had already closed for the day, and is not open on Friday's. I have jumped through all of the hoops, jumped rope, hopscotched on one foot, jumped up and down while singing Yankee Doodle... and now there is one more thing!!!????
Well, maybe not all of that.
I did get a hold of them, and I have an appointment on April 6th. More waiting.....

Group Support Meeting

Part of the surgeons requirements is that you attend at least one of their support group meetings before you go to surgery. This months topic was, "Love the Skin Your In! - Body Awareness. The same Shrink that I saw, (the one who didn't offer for me to lay down on the couch), gave the lecture. She is a bit eccentric. She dresses very free spirited and is her own person. She really was a very good speaker. She sure kept everyone's attention. She was so into her talk that she fell of of the stage! She landed on both feet.

She told us all that we had a food addiction, and reminded us that the surgery will change our physical body, but not our minds. We have all chosen "THE BONUS ROUND!" It is our opportunity... we need to make sure and do the right things. She also talked about Body Dysmorphic Disorder. It is seeing your body differently then it really is.
She had a few other good sayings that I will share:

"I use to live to eat, now I will need to eat to live."
"If you don't need it... don't eat it." (protein, vegetables, starch, fruit)

I believe that I have now full filled all of my requirements for the surgeon for sure. Tomorrow, I call and request that they submit to the insurance. They can then respond yes, or explain what else they will require. This takes forever!!!! I would like to get the date set...

Testing.. 1,2,3 and 4!

Today was a day off of work to go to appointments.
With traveling more now for work, it sure makes it harder to set up appointments.
I started out the day with my General Practitioner for my monthly appointment.
He was very excited about our work out schedule. I have been keeping a chart that Anytime Fitness has, to document which days we go, what I do and for how long. The scale also showed good things today!

From there I went over to Elmbrook to register for the rest of my day appointments. Since I use to work there for over 20 years, there are still a few people that I know around the place. I did know one of the ladies in registration, however did not know the one who shared her gastric bypass success story with me. She was very encouraging and gave me some helpful hints.

My first appointment was for an EKG. Very simple, great results.

My second appointment was the one which I was dreading. I had had a Pulmonary Broncospasm Evaluation one other time and it was really hard and exhausting. The girl had to laugh that I was thinking that it would be worse than her drawing my blood gas. She did a great job at drawing the blood gas, (they can really hurt!) and I did very well on the breathing test too!

Next appointment, Physical Therapy. She was also very excited to hear about our exercise program. I had a knee injury about 2 1/2 years ago, and it really never gets completely better. She shared some exercises with me for it, and warned me to no re-injure it again.
We then talked about before and after the surgery, and what I will be able to do and be expected to do. She said that the only reason she would be seeing me after surgery is if I am not being motivated to get up and moving. I told her that she would not be seeing me!

My last appointment for the day, was my first ever Psychological evaluation. I answered 223 questions... filling in the yes or no dot. Then I meet with the Therapist. We talked about how the body will be changed and not the mind. Many people find another addiction to replace the food addiction. Drinking, Shopping, Gambling, Sex.... I know which one I want to sign up for!
The biggest disappointment was that she didn't have me lie down on the couch. I have waited my whole life for the chance.....

All that I have left to do is the group meeting... it is next week!

Second Dietician Appointment

My appointment with Trish the Dietician went fine. This is to full fill the insurance requirements.
I am learning things also. I sure doesn't hurt.
We reviewed my three days of food tracking. I need to eat more fruits and vegetables.
When on the road, I am going to the grocery store and getting fruit and raw veggies for my room. This is helpful. She liked the exercise plan, and the scale going in the downward motion. Who doesn't like that??!!
I will see her again next month, with three more days of tracking recorded.

Tomorrow is my BIG DAY OF APPOINTMENTS!!

The Perfect Winter Storm

The Perfect Winter Storm

Today was a very weird winter day. Where I live the sun was shining all day. At the airport in Milwaukee, only 32 miles from here, it snowed all day totaling 14.7 inches! The wind was blowing to the west off of Lake Michigan bringing the lake moisture on land. Along with the cold temperature, the perfect snow storm was created. This lasted all day long in an area of about 10 miles wide. Other areas along the lake had some accumulation also, but not like the airport. Needless to say, only one flight got out all day. We on “This side of the lake” do not see this happen very often. In Michigan… it is considered…. Winter!

Happy Birthday to My Nieces

Happy Birthday Lydia (9) and Maddy (13)!

You are the best two youngest nieces that I have!

Blessings to both of you!

The Poop Scoop

The results are in from the next test. No, I am not posting a picture from this test!

I do not have H.Pylori. (The stomach infection)
That means that I do not have to do the antibiotic regimen.



Now on to my neon YELLOW pee! Vitamins do wonderful things!

Here is a picture of my vitamin pill box. If I traveled with all of the bottles I would have to pay for an extra bag! So, I went the old lady route and bought the daily divider JUMBO size to fit them all in.

Food For Thought 2/19/09

Tonight Dennis and I attended the group meeting night with a Dietician from the hospital. I already knew or had heard quite a bit of the information before the meeting. Between going to Dr Dorow’s Dietician and starting to adjust some eating habits, speaking with people who had already gone through it and the initial meeting we attended, there was really no huge surprise. Dennis and I both agreed that the Dietician who led the group meeting made it quite depressing. I don’t think anyone was motivated when they left. I understand that it is serious and we need to be informed, I just think it was her presentation style.

So the food facts:

Currently: Have already started things like portion control, eating the right amounts of the food groups, and exercising. I have also started working on spending time chewing food more. This is more of mind work than anything else.

2 Weeks before Surgery: Liquid Protein Drinks and Water Only

2 Days before Surgery: Clear Liquids Only

1 Meal after Surgery: Clear Liquid

2 Weeks after Surgery: Full Liquid

Then as follows:

1 week of Pureed food

2 weeks of Mechanical Soft Food

Then… Balanced, low fat diet…. Life long

Like I said, we were not that surprised for we already knew the information. Just not very motivational. I guess once you read it … it is a hard subject to motivate people on. Maybe supportive would be good. I will look for that from all of you!
Blessings!

Posting of Comments

I did some investing and changed a setting so that anyone can post, not just Goggle members. If you continue to have problems, let me know. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't learn something!

Part of the inhumanity of the computer is that, once it is competently programmed and working smoothly, it is completely honest."
--Isaac Asimov, Russian-born American author and biochemist


Went to see Wicked last night with 24 of my relatives! It was fabulous company, and of course Wicked was fantastic!!!

Relaxing Positive Photos

After that last post, I think I needed to post something relaxing!

I would love to be any of these places right now!

Vampire Results- 2/13/09

I have Vampires on my brain! I am reading the Twilight Vampire Books by Stephanie Meyer. I am on the final LARGE book--- Breaking Dawn.

Anyway, The Bariatric Institute called to tell me that I am vitamin deficient!

Here are the results…

Vitamin B12- was told normal range is 300-900.
Mine is 242.
Instructed to add 1000mcg per day

Vitamin D- was told normal range is 32-100.
Mine is 7.8
Instructed to add 1000 international units per day.

Iron- Ferrous Gluconate- was told normal is over 62.
Mine is 8
Instructed to take 27mg three times a day.
Do not take with calcium products including Theragran M. No dairy ½ hour before or after taking.

Vitamin C w/iron- add 500mg a day

H. Pylori test. (Helicobacter Pylori)
This is a specific bacteria that causes an infection in the stomach. Most people do not even know if they have it. They test for it before stomach surgery.
My test came back abnormal, of course why not.

It is amazing that I am alive!!

I am now on a new diet. The pill diet! I am taking so many pills there is NO ROOM for food!

This blood work up is a good thing. Part of my plan to have a healthy life!

Meeting with Dr Dorow's Dietician- Trish 2/12/09

I am trying to keep up with all of these appointments and documenting them! It is crazy!Today I went to a lunch time appointment with Trish, the Clinical Dietician with Dr Dorow's group. This is part of full filling the either 3 or 6 month for the insurance.

We talked about eating behaviors, suggestions and made a plan for our next visit of eating more fruits, vegetables and lean meats. Doing the basic plan. Divide your plate in half. The right side half is all vegetables. Two cups. Now divide the left hand side in half horizontally. The top fourth is lean meat, serving size the palm of your hand, or deck of cards. The lower fourth is your starch. Pasta, potatoes, rice. 3/4 of a cup. I have to keep a food diary for three days before our next visit in a month.

My husband and I also joined Anytime Fitness. Tonight was our first workout there. I walked for 1 mile on the tread mill, and biked for 2.5 miles. Another like changing step.....

Photography Hobby

I thought that I would try and brighten and lighten my blog by adding some of my favorite photos I have taken. Since it is a gloomy day in February in Wisconsin, I thought I would start with a few flowers.

Hope you enjoy them!

Blessings!

More Appointments -2/6/09

Today was another day of appointments. I started out the morning with a fasting blood draw. The vampire was not a very good stick! A little bit black and blue from that. Four vials were taken. Almost like donating blood! I do not believe that I have ever had a full blood work up before. Results should be interesting.
Next, on to the GP- Dr. Dorow. This visit is centered on insurance. I haven’t even begun to talk about insurance. The Bariatric Institute had called for the initial contact with the insurance agency. The group is out of network; however the hospital is in network. What that basically means is that the max for a year I will have to pay is $3,000. Next they require a Multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen. (Now that is a mouth full!) Basically they require either 3 months or 6 months of consultation with a dietitian, reduced calorie diet program supervised by a dietitian, exercise regimen, behavior modification program, and documentation of all this. The biggest question is do they want 3 or 6 months? They don’t want to commit. We are going to submit for approval after 3 months of good documentation. It is very interesting, because the Bariatric Institute requires all of this also before hand. Just not for 3 or 6 months.
Back to my day…. Dr Dorow is great. Of course we can document all of this during 3 or 6 months of visits. It is just prolonging the goal. See you next month. :)

The next appointment of the day was my yearly OB/GYN appointment. Since I am not having anymore babies, I made the decision last year to see the Nurse Practitioner. Her name is Karen Howard, and I had worked with her when she worked on the Mom/Baby floor at the hospital. When Karen walked in last year, I said that is your voice but not your body! It has now been two years since Karen had her gastric bypass surgery. We talked about me going for my surgery, and I asked her some questions that I had for someone going through it first hand. It was a very exciting appointment. Karen is so excited for me which is so sweet. She will be a great support person. Another day on the journey…

First Things First- Group Educational Meeting on 1/15/09

I just wanted to let you all know that I am aware of the missing space in my blog title. They limit you to only so many characters. Not perfect... but works.

On with my story…On January 15th, my husband and I attended an informational group meeting hosted by the Bariatric Institute of Wisconsin. (It sounds like a place of learning and education doesn’t it?) Well, they sure had a wealth of knowledge on that evening.

There are quite a few different procedure choices that are offered. There two most common that I have listed more technical information below.

They encouraged us all to do some further research and consideration for which procedure we would like to discuss further.

Two of the physician from this group spoke that evening. Dr. James Burhop and Dr. Manfred Chiang. It just so happens that I worked at the hospital which the surgeries are done at for over 20 years as a pharmacy technician. I had contact with the physicians within this group through the surgery department. I had done quite a bit of work in on a project that involved the whole department. I had also had a minor surgery with Dr. Chiang in the past. The doctors are general surgeons. I had chosen Dr. Chiang for my procedure.

At the end of the Doctors speaking, a patient spoke giving her perspective. She had just reached her two year, “Surgaversary”! Get it? Surgery + Anniversary! I loved this term! She was very informative and has done very well after her procedure. I also know a hand full of people who have had the procedure and have spoken with them about their experiences. They will be great support along the way.

Below you will find the description which I promised.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Procedure

The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass is the benchmark bariatric operation. Other procedures are compared to the Roux-en-Y as to their quality and effectiveness. During the Roux-en-Y procedure, a small pouch (it inner curve of the stomach and the small intestine is then attached to the pouch. This procedure provides an excellent tool for long-term control of weight without the feeling of being deprived and hungry. Patients eat much smaller portions due to the pouch size, but they have the sense of fullness and satisfaction that makes them indifferent to even their favorite foods. Food appetites change after surgery; as the body no longer tolerates food high in sugar or fat. These foods may make a patient physically uncomfortable. With this built-in control, you naturally avoid these foods. Other surgical procedures don’t provide this important benefit of behavior modification. Because a section of the small intestine is attached to the pouch, less of the food you eat is absorbed.Patients who have the Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y still continue to enjoy eating, just much smaller portions. Nutrition is also maintained with vitamin and mineral supplements.When done laparoscopically the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass has the advantage of avoiding a large incision, thus the recovery is much faster.

Lap-Band® Procedure

The Lap-Band is the newest surgical treatment for morbid obesity in the US. Like a wristwatch, the band is fastened around the upper stomach to create a new, tiny stomach pouch. As a result, patients experience an earlier sensation of fullness and are satisfied with smaller amounts of food. Since there is no cutting, stapling, or stomach rerouting involved in the Lap-Band procedure, it is considered the least traumatic of all weight loss surgeries. Your surgeon makes several tiny incisions and uses long, slender instruments to implant the device. By avoiding the large incision of open surgery, patients generally experience less pain and scarring.The Lap-Band System is adjustable for a customized weight-loss rate for each patient. Adjustments to the band, which are performed during simple outpatient visits, are determined by the patient's weight loss, the amount of food that can be comfortably eaten, the exercise regiment and other issues surrounding the patient's health. (The rate of weight loss with the Lap-Band procedure is slower than with the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.)Because no permanent changes are made to the body's physiology, the Lap-Band can essentially be reversed. If necessary, all of the system components can be removed from the body with no damage to the digestive organs. The stomach will generally return to its original form and capacity once the band is removed.To date, more than 100,000 patients worldwide have undergone the Lap-Band System procedure.

Arriving at one goal is a starting point to another

"Arriving at one goal is a starting point to another"
~ John Dewey~
American philosopher and educator.

Well, I have always liked this quote, however it seems to be very appropriate.

Before Christmas I had made a choice in my mind, to make a big change in my life. I had a conversation with a friend, and thought I was ready to make a big decision. Usually once I start to have these deep thoughts, I share them with my husband, my best friend. (Yes, I know corny, but very true). This time it was a little bit different. Jared, my oldest son was home from college. He goes to Winona State in Minnesota and is in his third year studying Business/Marketing. (We also have another son Darren, who is in his second year at Martin Luther College in New Ulm Minnesota. He is studying to be a Lutheran School Teacher).

Back to my story... Jared and I were out doing some Christmas shopping, and I brought up what I had been thinking about to him.I asked Jared, what he would think about me going in and having either Gastric By-pass or Lap-Band surgery. The first thing he asked, was, what does Dad think? I told him that I hadn't spoken to anyone else about this as of yet. Jared went on to tell me that in his marketing class they talk about selling yourself with presentation, knowledge... and appearance. I could agree with all of this. Next he said, "It would be better and healthier for you.. don't you think?" We went on with the discussion which was very sweet and touching to me. I have always enjoyed the open discussions that I often have with my boys. So now I had said it out loud.Step one.

In the mean time after coming back from vacation time with the family over Christmas, I found out the the new VP in charge of our Product Management group had decided that number one, he no longer wanted any decentralized employees, (I live about two hours away from the office, but was hired as such along with others), number two, I did not fit into the skill set plans he has.Thanks to the current Bosses that I did have, they convinced him to number one not tell me the week of Christmas and more importantly, that I remain employed with the company to not loose the knowledge of the product and customers that I do have. A big huge thank you to both of them for believing in me, and for keeping me employed during this tough time in our nation and our nations economy.

So, this is a little bit of starting information on me, Jodie!I really can't believe that I am doing a Blog. It was suggested by a person who I look at as being very inspirational in my life, who thinks that my journey would be worth telling.I will end this first entry now. More to follow....