counting down...pre-op 8

Yesterday was a disaster.  It started with the morning nausea and just went downhill from there.  Through the course of the day I ate 5 (yes, FIVE) boiled eggs and about 2 oz. of cheese.  Not a lot of food, really...unless you're supposed to be on a liquid diet.  The upside of all of this?--I feel great this morning!  And, I'm down 5.5 lb for the week.

Even my mental state is rejuvenated and I'm ready ready to go full steam ahead until surgery.  Only 8 more days!  [I can do it, I can do it, I can do it] Wa-Hoo!

I went grocery shopping yesterday and stocked up on everything I'll need for the 1st week after surgery--Clear Liquids (Day 1&2) & Full Liquids (Day 3-6).

counting down...pre-op 9

Still hungry...still thirsty (I'm drinking plenty of water, I promise)...still tired...getting used to it.  I think I waited too long to have my 1st shake this morning and experienced a bit of nausea and sour stomach/burping.  I quickly had a shake and the symptoms went away.  Lesson learned.

counting down...pre-op 11...way to go Aetna!

Is it possible that things can get both easier and harder simultaneously?  I'm getting more used to the routine of the liquid diet.  It's slowly becoming "normal" to me.  In that respect, things are much easier.  But, I still get HUNGRY mid-afternoon.  And, it's not just head hunger.  My stomach rumbles and lets me and anyone in a 5-mile radius know that it's hungry!  And, I'm tired.  Maybe today I'll try laying down for a nap when the rumbling starts--maybe take care of both issues at the same time?

I got a call from Ellie @ Aetna last evening.  She is my Case Manager for the next 6 months (up to a year if I need her).  It's an extra service that my husband's company purchased with their insurance agreement.  She deals only with bariatric patients and her role is to be an additional support person/resource for me during this process.  We talked about lots of things:  details of surgery, nutrition, mental state, what to expect after, making sure I don't forget to take care of myself in other areas (don't forget to floss, remember to see your lady doctor).  If I have any questions or concerns or if anything happens to me (bariatric or otherwise) in the next 6 months, she is there to help me work through it.  She said she would call me 3 days after surgery to check up and answer any questions that may have come up.  I think it's a great service!

counting down...pre-op 12...wedding ring trauma

Last night was difficult.  I actually broke down and had some canned tuna.  All protein & zero carbs, so I'll assume that I didn't throw myself terribly off track.  I'm feeling pretty good about things today.

Not much happening today--just daily cleaning/laundry & putting up curtain rods for the new curtains!  Then a little more cooking for the freezer...crockpot chicken curry.   (***yesterday's beans, greens & sausage was a disaster!  Yucky AND smelly.***)

I haven't been able to wear my wedding band in a couple of days.  I have a condition called wedding ring dermatitis.  Who knew?  My wedding band has a channel of diamonds across the top which means that it is hollow on the underside.  Apparently, dirt & moisture has been getting trapped under there causing irritation, blistering & peeling.  The only way to clear it up is to stop wearing it for a couple of weeks and let it dry out an heal.  After that, I just have to make sure either to take the ring off when I wash my hands (put on lotion, etc) or just make sure to dry thoroughly underneath.  At least, I hope that's all.

Cheers!

counting down...pre-op day 13 (take 2)

Yesterday was better.  Still hungry.  Still thirsty (wtf?).  Still torturing myself by continuing to cook good smelling stuff for Darrell.  Yesterday I had a Venezuelan sirloin roast in the crock pot all day.  Boy did it smell good!  Today I'm working on a sausage, bean & greens "stew."  I don't like collard greens, but Darrell does.  This one should be easy to resist.

I anticipate that my biggest problem today will be boredom.  Eating the same thing day after day is bad enough.  But doing nothing but drinking--that's just boring!

Good news, though, is that I dropped a couple of pounds already.

d'oh!

LOLs!!!!!!  Apparently, I mis-counted and started my liquid diet a day early.  I guess I'll be doing a 15-day liquid pre-op instead.  (for anyone who's counting, that makes today Pre-Op 14)

counting down...pre-op day 13

Alright, let me just get it out there--1st day of pre-op liquid diet SUCKED!  But, I did it.  Moving on.

****Note to self:  do not buy rotisserie chicken for Darrell and then have to smell it in the car all the way home from the grocery store on your first day of a liquid diet.  That's just mean.****

Here's the thing that has me stumped.  I was expecting to be hungry.  I was not expecting to be so thirsty.  Did anyone else experience intense thirst during the beginning of the liquid phase?

counting down...(pre-op day 14 drinking plan)

SlimFast shake (vanilla)
Mix 1 (blueberry)
SpecialK Protein Shake (chocolate)
Low Sodium V-8
SlimFast shake (Cappuccino Delight)
Mix 1 (Lime)

These are all RTD (ready to drink) in the can/bottle.  I really abhor mixing.  Having said that, the RTDs aren't very good if they're not refrigerated.  So, I also have a 16oz. blender bottle that I carry with me when I go out of the house.  I store a packet of powdered meal replacement (they had these on sale @ GNC) in the cup so that I can just buy a bottle of water and mix if I find myself away from the home at "meal" time.

My plan is to do pretty much the same thing every day--just mixing up the flavors a bit. We'll see how it goes.

2-weeks to go...wrap up (i.e. "I thought I was smarter than that")...planning...

Two Weeks to Go...

I have decided to give the two-week liquid diet a try.  You may recall that my doctor only requires 10 days.  He suggested, though, that 14 days would be better if I thought I could handle it.  I have also decided to count down (instead of up) which makes today Pre-Op Day 14.  I hope I'll get around to daily posts for this period as I recall finding those posts very informative in other blogs when I was doing my preliminary research.

I thought I was smarter than that...
So, the last couple of months since the end of my 3-month insurance diet have been a disaster.  At the end, I was devastated to learn that I would have to wait TWO MORE MONTHS to have surgery.  I took an "I'll show them" attitude and proceeded to indulge in two months worth of "last meals."  And, I showed them all right--by gaining back every single ounce of weight that I had lost during the first 3 months of the year.  Yep...I am now exactly the same weight as when I started.

And, really?--did I show anybody?--did I really stick it to them?  Of course not!  The only thing I accomplished was setting myself back and really making sure that that time was wasted instead of putting it to good use by losing a few more pounds.  Did any of this really punish them for making me wait?  Nope.  I only wound up punishing myself.  The sad thing is, I knew that this was counter-productive the whole time I was doing it.  I really thought I was smarter than that.  Oh well...

Planning...
Today I will be focusing on planning and prepping meals for Darrell.  I do all of the cooking (part of our agreement when I decided to quit my job) and I want to make sure he doesn't "suffer" just because I'm not eating "real" food anymore.  Yesterday I found some recipes for meals that are designed to make a head and freeze.  Some of them are casseroles, but other actual "meals" (like pork chops and baked apples) that just require a little bit of time in the oven.  I will be preparing one each day until surgery and freezing them in individual portions.  That way, I can just grab one and pop it in the oven for him while he's on his way home--no cooking (and no sampling) for me during my Pre-Op and Bandster Hell phase.  I'm doing something similar with breakfasts--gonna try out some grab-n-go egg "muffins" and hope that he likes them.  Luckily, he doesn't mind eating the same thing for breakfast every day.

So, there you have it.  I'll talk about my post-op requirements once I get there.   For now, I'm just focusing on the task at hand.

Cheers!
Lynda

just ain't got it in me...

Nothing's wrong.  I feel fine.  Good health.  Good spirits.

I just don't have it in me to write these days.  I know I promised details of my pre-surgery requirements...and I'll make good on that promise.  Just not today (and probably not tomorrow, either).

Y'all have a good weekend.  I'll be back next week.

Cheers!
Lynda

JUNE 8!!!!!!!!

I have a date!  3 weeks (minus 1 day) from today.  June 8, 2010 @ 6am.

Pre-op with the anesthesiologist is on June 2.  I have a 7 day full liquid diet prior to surgery.  Dr. Lin suggested, though, that I could do 10 or even 14 days if I felt up to it.  I think I'll try for 14--especially since I weighed in today at exactly the same weight prior to starting the 3-month insurance diet back in December.  Doh!

Tonight, I'll work on a more detailed post with the pre-/post-surgery requirements.  Just wanted to get a quick one up to share the good news!

Only 3-weeks until the rest of my life!  WOOOOO-HOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

we're finally making progress...

Band:
All of my pre-op testing is finished.  I had my EGD on Thursday.  Yesterday was the pre-op nutrition counseling, blood work, EKG, chest x-ray, PFT w/ arterial blood gas.  It took almost 7 hours!  They tell me that things should move pretty quickly from this point on.  I have an appointment with the surgeon tomorrow afternoon and have been led to believe that I may be getting my surgery date at that appointment.  Fingers crossed!

Shout out:
Miss Vickie finally got her surgery date!  She will be banded on Monday (May 24th).  Woot!  Woot!

Mental Health:
I know it takes more than just a week for the effects of the anti-depressant to take effect, but I am feeling better these days.  I've been more motivated around the house and am actively seeking activities outside of the house.  I'm scheduled to donate blood on Friday and have signed up to volunteer at the Georgia Aquarium.  I have been invited to attend a Volunteer Information Session to attend next week.  I'm very excited about this opportunity!

one of these days i'll talk about the band...

...but, there's just not much happening on that front these days.  I have the pre-op EGD on Thursday and the rest of the pre-op testing (bloodwork, nutrition class, etc) next Tuesday.

As a follow up to my previous post about my emotional (un)stability, I saw my PCP yesterday.  I should mention that I absolutely LOVE my PCP.  She actually listens to what you say and it appears that she reviews my entire chart to prepare for our appointments.  I know this because she will often reference something I've mentioned at a past appointment even if it was something that we did not address directly.  For example, yesterday we were talking about my stress issues and how it all started when I quit my job.  She then asked about my husband's long hours.  This was something that I had just mentioned to her in passing almost 4 months ago!

Long story short, she thinks I have MDD (Major Depressive Disorder) and GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder).  Basically, I'm depressed and anxious--but, I knew that already.  She has started me on Lexapro, which is both an anti-depressant and an anti-anxiety medication.  She also referred me to a therapist who specialized in depression & anxiety.  While the Lexapro takes 4-6 weeks for full effect, I should start noticing improvement within a week.  I am so ready not to feel "on edge" 24 hours a day!



My husband has been great about all of this.  I had hidden a lot of the deeper emotional issues (daily crying, fights with family, general rage toward all the "stupids" in the world) because I didn't want him to worry.  But, he still has been the victim of some of my mood swings and general crabbiness.  Yet, through it all, he has remained calm and supportive.  He has such an even temperament!--it's the perfect foil to my more passionate roller coaster of emotions.

BYOC #7?

. Do you have any nicknames? (Thanks for this question Joey)

My grandfather used to call me 'Lil Bit' and my uncle calls me 'Motormouth'.  'Lynda Lou' is the most common--although, I absolutely HATE it and refuse to speak to anyone who calls me that.  My high school counselor called me 'Lucy' which then morphed into 'Lucy Goosey.'  A little girl in Publix greeted me once with "Haaaaaayyyyy Mz. Stanky!"  I'd never met her before. :)

2. What was your “last straw”? The incident/situation that made you decide to get a lap band or commit to losing weight via any plan this time?

Seeing a picture and not recognizing myself.  My face had gotten so fat that I actually looked more like a man.

3. What’s your favorite joke or funny story? (This is from Sandy – she needs some laughter to start the weekend and requested this one.)

This isn't really a joke, but it made me laugh...Toy Boat.

4. If you could be a TV dinner – what flavor would you be?

Stouffers Cordon Bleu pasta.  Deeeee-lish!

5. The question we do every week so everyone can be a little famous without having to do an official blog award….what blog or comment stuck with you or spoke to you the most this week and why?

I couldn't get over Drazil's husband proclaiming, "I pooped in the woods today!"  That one has stuck with me and provided many bouts of giggling at very inappropriate times.  Loves it!

thanks & other random stuff...

IMPORTANT:  You'll need to sign up to follow me on this blog.  I couldn't figure out how to export the followers.  Sorry for the inconvenience.  Hope you like the new [out]look!

Thanks for all the compliments on the new design.  If I may brag on myself for a moment...I took the banner picture myself.  My husband is generally the photography expert in our family.  He actually knows things about lighting, exposure, etc.  I'm more of the mindset that if you take enough pictures, at least one of them is bound to turn out good eventually.  This picture was taken along Tomales Bay (near the Point Reyes National Seashore) last October during our 1st Anniversary trip to San Francisco.

I'm getting frustrated with the whole process at my surgeon's office.  It is so incredibly linear!  Can't we work on more than one thing at a time?!?!?  They won't let you even make an appointment for the next step in the process until the current step is completed.  Of course, there's always a 2-3 week waiting period for the appointment--which equals WASTED TIME in my book.  But, Dr. Lin is the best gastric band surgeon in Atlanta, so I guess I just have to go with it.

Here's one thing that's really been worrying me lately:  I've been under a lot of stress lately and I think I'm about to crack.  In the last 6 months the following things have happened:  I quit my job; my parents sold the house I grew up in and moved into a house in my neighborhood; their dog died; my dog died; my mom had a heart attack; we got a new dog; my dad was diagnosed with clinical depression (that's came with a whole set of additional stressers and issues that is really hard on the whole family);  and, of course, the whole surgery thing is happening.  I'm not handling it well at all.  I cry a lot.  I'm often nauseated.  I'm getting rashes.  I can't sleep--or, I sleep too much.  I'm always tired.  My moods swings are intense.  I'm often angry.  I lash out at my family (mostly my parents) and then spend days worrying about hurting their feelings.  This makes me cry more.  In general, I just feel really unstable emotionally.  I've decided to call my PCP and talk to her.  Maybe she can give me a magic pill (temporarily) to help me get over the hump.  Maybe she'll suggest I see a psychiatrist.  I've got to do something, though.  I don't like feeling so out of control.

*update*  I have an appointment with my PCP to talk about the stress & anxiety that I've been experiencing.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks for listening!

-Lynda

this time next year...

IMPORTANT:  You'll need to sign up to follow me on this blog.  I couldn't figure out how to export the followers.  Sorry for the inconvenience.  Hope you like the new [out]look!

You may (or may not) have seen my recent post about how I don't like the name of my blog.  "The Band Saga" just sounds sooooooooo depressing.  Really, who wants to read a saga for fun?  So, how does one go about changing the name of one's blog?  I know the technical aspect of it, but do I need to send out a notice to my followers?  Do I just change it and hope everyone finds me again?  Does anyone have any experience with this?

I think the new title might be "This Time Next Year" just because that's what I keep saying to my husband.

This time next year, I can sit on your lap and not worry about breaking the chair (or your leg).

This time next year, I'll feel comfortable going with you to the pool.

This time next year, we'll both fit on the motorcycle again.

This time next year....

...well, you get the picture.

Thoughts?  Comments?  Advice?

Cheers!
-Lynda

Approved!!!

Just got the call from the Emory Clinic's Scheduling Coordinator--Aetna has approved me for surgery!  My next step is pre-surgery testing on May 17th--a full day of nutrition counseling, blood work, EKG's, etc.  There will be an endoscopy done on a different day (waiting for the surgeon's personal secretary to call and schedule that one).  They say that surgery will probably be 2-3 weeks after the tests.  Looks like I should be planning for early June.

So, on to more waiting...

PS  Turns out that Aetna moves really fast once they actually receive the documents.  My case was officially opened on 4/28, clinical notes were faxed on 4/29, approved on 4/30.