So much to update!

Where do I begin? It's been a whole month since I've written and there's been lots going on since then.

November 20th I had all my pre-op testing. Lots of testing.
I had to be at the hospital bright and early at 6 am. First I had lots of bloodwork and a urinalysis done. Being a hard stick, I was nervous. But the phlebotemist drew 10 vials of blood like it was nothing. After that I had an EKG done and O2 sats checked. After that I had an abdominal ultrasound. Didn't expect it to be as painful as it was. I guess she really had to dig into my stomach to get a good pic, but geez it hurt! And lastly, a chest xray was taken. Everything went so smoothly and I was on my way home by 8 am.

A week later on November 28th I had my EGD performed.
It was another early (and VERY cold) 6 am morning. I was checked in and taken back to a room where I put on a gown and slippers. Vital signs were taken and lots of questions were asked. Then it was time for the nurse to place my INT. For some reason I was more nervous about this than the EGD itself. Although I've done lots of these myself, I've never had one. As I said before I am a hard stick, and luckily I only had to be stuck 3 times. Wasn't nearly as bad as I anticipated. After a little while of waiting, I was finally rolled back to the procedure room. The anesthesiologist explained what was going to happen. Then my surgeon came in and talked for a few minutes. I was then told to turn to my left side and a bite block was placed in my mouth. The anesthesiologist then said "I'm about to give you the sleepy medicine. Next thing I know I was being woke up by the nurse and rolled to recovery. I was really sleepy while in recovery, but would have never known I just had a scope put down my throat. After getting back to my room I was given my date for my pre-op appointment with the surgeon and then discharged home.

Feeling way too good after the EGD

 

December 12th was (finally) my pre-op appointment with the surgeon.

I was there along with 4 other women who are being sleeved as well. We met as a group with the office manager who talked to us about nutrition and what to expect after surgery. We were also given binders that had everything we could possibly need to know about what to expect before and after surgery. Then the surgeon came in and spoke with us about instilling habits now that will help us be successful after surgery. We were then taken back one at a time to talk with the surgeon about our progress and test results and anything else we wanted to discuss before surgery. After being weighed in, I was at a 16 lb weight loss since my last visit. After speaking to Dr. Woodman, he said he wanted me to lose another 13 lbs before surgery. He then asked to see my stomach (which threw me off guard) and then talked about my ultrasound results. He said that I had a "fatty liver" but assured me that eating a low fat diet and losing another 13 lbs would help shrink my liver significantly. After our discussion and some pre-op picture taking I then scheduled my surgery.

 

My surgery date is *drum roll please*...January 14th!

 

I am soooo glad to finally have a date, but at the same time (in spite of all the research and preparing I have done) feel so unprepared. I feel like I have so much to do in the next month. I'm preparing for a new beginning and a new life!

 

 

SERIOUSLY?!

Today I finally received my letter of approval from the insurance company. But my "WOOHOO!" moment was short lived.

Looking over my letter I found out that insurance had approved me for the Lap Band when I was, in fact, suppose to be having the gastric sleeve done.

I immediately called the surgeons office and told them of my dilemma. Basically it came down to miscommunication between the surgeon's office and I. They informed me that they could re-submit the paperwork to have me approved for the sleeve instead. So that's what I asked them to do.

Now I am just a tad bit frustrated because I have been waiting for weeks for this damn letter, now I get to wait even longer.

My approval letter had a surgery date listed on it, it was set for December 19th. Now I am wondering if my surgery date will change if they approve me for the sleeve? Does the surgeon or insurance company set this date? Also, will it take as long to get the second approval as it did the first?

Any input would be appreciated!

-ashley

Waiting...

Hello friends!

Not much to report in my world lately, other than the fact that I am now playing the waiting game. I HATE WAITING! My surgeon's office submitted my paperwork to the insurance company last Thursday, so now I am just waiting on the call from them for me to come in and schedule my surgery date. I've thought about calling the insurance company and ask about the status of it, although I figure it won't matter since my surgeons office won't do anything til they receive official word.

So, question: what shall I do while I wait? Give me your input!

With love,
-ashley

Ten Things Thursday!

Here are a few things that make me happy right now.

1. Torrid is coming back to Memphis!
While out and about with the bestie yesterday I passed a Torrid store that is set to open soon. Had no idea Torrid was opening a new store. I have missed it terribly.

2. Mad Men season 5 came out this week.
Two words: Jon Hamm.

3. On the first week of my diet I lost 2 pounds.
Tomorrow makes two weeks I have been on my diet. I'm really anxious to step on the scale a day early and see how much I lost this week. But I won't.

4. My house is spotless.
I have spent all day cleaning top to bottom. Granted, there is a huge pile of laundry on the bed, but at least all the clothes are clean.

5. I have four days off, in a row.
Try to contain your jealousy.

6. It is officially fall at my house.
The Autumn Wreath Yankee Candle is burning, pumpkins are on the porch, and leaves are in the yard. This is my absolute favorite time of year.

7. OPI's Skyfall Collection is ah-ma-zing.
I love every color in this nail polish collection and the colors are prefect for fall and winter.

8. I am so in love with my mattress.
We finally broke down and dropped some money on a much needed mattress. You have no idea how ragged our other mattress was. The new mattress is so thick that I literally have to run and jump into bed. And I love it!

9. No sweet tea cravings.
Suprisingly, I have not had a fit for sweet tea. I haven't missed it these last two weeks. Water and diet Lipton green tea have suited me just fine. Tomorrow I get to experiment with my new protein powder.

10. Saturday I get to see Taylor!
Taylor is my 10 week old neice. She is the most adorable baby ever, and she really loves her auntie :)

Life is good.

-ashley

Nerves!

I love Snapped, and today is a Memphis episode. Score.

I have been a fluffy ball of nerves the past few days. I started my pre-approval visits this week. The appointments I have been to have gone better than expected, but there have been a few surprises too.

Wednesday was my first appointment, this one with my primary care physician. I was most nervous about this one because if it didn't go the way I hoped, I felt that it would ruin this whole process for me. I have a great PCP, but he is an older doctor and is set in his old school ways. However, I explained to him that I was considering weight loss surgery, we discussed this and he agreed to submit a letter to my surgeon recommending me for weight loss surgery. It was almost too easy. This was such a big relief to me.

Wednesday afternoon was my consult with the nutritionist. This gal was such a sweetheart. She was very knowledgeable and easy to speak with. She did make some suggestions about dieting before the surgery. The biggest one is to cut out sweet tea. I thought ohmygoodness, NO, dont do this to me! Tennessee girls LOVE their sweet tea. But, I am willing to do this. I will find a new love.

The nutritionist also suggested that I started eating three balanced meals a day. Working nights my meals are backwards. I eat dinner with the hubby before I go to work. A small snack at work, such as a rice krispie treat and tea (ahhh). And then breakfast on my way home from work, which is almost always a pop tart. Her concern with eating on the go, although I dont eat much drive thru meals, is that I am not getting the protein and calcium I need. So I started taking calcium supplements and a multivitamin. She also gave me a protein shake to try. She said I could even substitute it for breakfast. It was the Myoplex Lite. Not horrible (although it did have that funky protein shake taste) but definately not as good as sweet tea.

Yesterday was my first visit at the surgeon's office. My sweet hubby took of work to go with me. He said he wanted to show them that I had a great support system. Ain't he a doll? After doing all the office paperwork, we went back.

First they took my weight. As soon as that number popped up I almost fell off the scale. I couldn't believe it. And not in a good way. I just had to remind myself that the weight is only going down from here. Just keep swimming...

Blood pressure was just as bad, but I attributed that to white coat syndrome. We then watched a video, then went in to talk to the RN. She discussed insurance and the pre-op procedure. She then asked me why I chose to have the lap band. I explained because it was less invasive, recovery time, blah blah blah. She then stated (big WHOA here) I think you would benefit more from the gastric sleeve. She explained to me that although she didn't want to persuade me one way or the other, the sleeve seem to be more effective for people with a higher BMI such as myself. This really took me by suprise just because I hadn't really considered the sleeve. All my research had been on the lap band, so I practically know nothing about the sleeve.

This has opened up a whole new can-o-worms for me. Now I have this to consider and research and pray about. It does make me a little nervous because it is more invasive and irreversible. However if it would be more beneficial to me, then maybe it is the right decision. So much to think about.

I think ill go think it about it over a pedicure...

Farewell my sweet friend.

-ashley

My Equally Awesome Half

Today I wanna take time to brag on my husband. Tomorrow is our one year anniversary. It has been an amazing year. We have been together four years and each one is better than the last. He is the most caring, unselfish, amazing man I have ever known.

He has told me that he loves me no matter what size I am, but if I choose to have WLS that he will fully support me. And he has. 

I choose WLS so that I can start a family with him and aggravate him for many more wonderful years.

Here's to you babe, I love you.

With love,
-ashley

Here We Go!

Not sure how, but somehow my TV has ended up on Bubble Gumpies, which is even more odd since I have no kids.

It's a little after 5 a.m. and yes, I am up. I have been up since 12:30 Facebooking, Pinteresting (yes, those must be actual words) and trying to find something, ANYTHING on TV. Oh the joys of working nights, my nights off are spent like this.

I decided I must start my own blog now that I feel like I am getting so close to starting my Lap Band journey. I wanted to do this because I have found so much inspiration from reading the blogs of other bandsters, maybe something I share about my personal journey can inspire someone else.

I want this blog to be a place where I can share the good, the bad, and the ugly. Where I can be brutally honest with what I experience and where I can share the many joys I have waiting for me.


So, let's start this journey...

I started looking into WLS several years ago. I have been overweight my entire life. Other than the many health problems and risks associated with obesity, I feel like I have missed out on so many things that people seem to take for granted. I want to be able to enjoy simple things such as enjoying shopping or riding a roller coaster.

After researching the Lap Band I have attended 2 seminars by Dr. George Woodman with MidSouth Bariatrics in Memphis. I have decided that I want to and need to do this for myself. For myself, no one else. So far I have told my husband and mom about my decision. My hubby actually went to both seminars with me and both my husband and mom have been so supportive of my decision. I have only told these two because I guess I feel that if I run around telling everyone about my decision to get the band, I will somehow jinx myself and things won't work out. I'm sure that sounds silly, but I'm not taking any chances :)

I have such an overwhelming feel of hope.

Rock on,
-ashley