Liquid what???. . . .

Here we go! I’m on my first day of my liquid diet. For breakfast I opted to make the chocolate into a pudding instead of a shake. Not bad, just a slight aftertaste, and a little dense, but not as bad as I thought it would be. Definitely better than Slim Fast! It did take me about 2 hours to eat it though. It was the mix with 4 oz. of water. But by the time I was finished, I had gotten use to it.

I don't really have a before image of myself, but thanks to you-know-who, I have a small shot from our get-together. Yep, that's really one arm -- just be glad you can't see my butt!:) I'll try to get a head to toe picture taken tonight and then maybe update as I go along.

If you get a chance today, say an extra prayer for me. I don’t think it will be the food that is going to be hard for me these first few days, but the low sugar levels. I have to get use to my blood sugar being lower than I’m use to.

P.S. I will be off the whole first week of September for my surgery on 9-3-08. I will try to update as the hospital has wi-fi in the rooms:)

Surgery is a go!

FYI: I went for my pre-op appointment yesterday. Even though I've gained a few pounds back, we're still a go for surgery. I guess that's not all that uncommon. The gal in there with me is having a gastric bypass done and she gained weight back too! So as of 8-28-08 I have to start my liquid diet to clean my liver out for a safter surgery. Then on 9-3-08 I have to be at the hospital at 8:00 a.m. and they will probably take me back for surgery around 10:00 a.m. or so. They said to plan on spending the night, but some patients do get to go home the same day, so it may be a pleasant surprise.

Thank you for all your support and prayers during this time. I'm sure I'm going to need even more after surgery!!

Hope all is well your way. Don't forget to give an update on how you gals are doing.

Love & Miss you!

GOD IS SO GOOD!!

Surgery problem has been solved! After hours of trying to get financing for surgery, I was able to speak with a gal at the surgeon's office. As long as I am able to pay everything before my surgery date of 9-3-08, I can make payments instead of having to come up with it by next Wednesday. That is feasible! I might have to rob Peter to pay Paul, but it's within reach. Oh, I'm so excited!! Finally, I'm going to reach my goal:)

Surgery date!!

My surgeon's office just called and everything came back normal on my echocardiogram and nuclear stress test from Monday. So I now have a surgery date! Wednesday, September 3rd. I go for my pre-op appointment on 8-14-08 at 8:30 a.m. and then they will give me a time I have to be there on 9-3-08.

I feel fantastic!!

Ok, so maybe not the title you're glad to hear if you're having a bad month, but I really do feel fantastic and I have to share! I don't know if it's just because I know I'm in the home stretch of my surgery, but I've been working out 2 - 3 times per week and really enjoying it. If you know me. . .I've NEVER enjoyed working out. It was always too much like work. I'm seeing it trickle over into other things also. I have more energy and I'm not as hungry as I usually am - plus, I'm craving better foods. (Not the normal double cheeseburger and fries -- although I'm not turning away pizza.)

I think I just finally know I'm going to get the help I've needed for so long. After all the years of trying, failing and gaining more weight, I know I can't do this on my own and this tool is going to help me so much.

I hope your month is going well. I'll keep you gals in my prayers and hope your succeeding in all your goals! Love ya!

Hello????

Ok ladies, why am I the same person that's posted 3 times in a row? Where are ya'll at?

Anyways, I have great news! I just heard from the surgeon's office and my insurance APPROVED my surgery!!!! GOD IS SOOO GOOD! Now I have to wait for another girl to call me next week to set up my pre-op visit and surgery date. And come up with my part of the cost ($1665), which is minus $300 since I'm working out at the YMCA and not driving 1 1/2 hours to their facility to work out. But if you'd like to make a donation to help my cause out, feel free! ha!;)

Have a great 4th of July!!

I did it! How about you?. . .

Ok, it may have taken me 7 months, but I finally met with the gal at the YMCA Friday and she walked me through an hour + workout including cardio and muscle building (toning). I was so sore yesterday, but today I'm moving pretty good:) I am going back today to do it for the first time on my own. (Say a prayer I don't croak!) My goal is to do this every M-W-F and walk the off days.

What are you gals doing?????

Goodbye June!!

Where did this month go? It feels like it was just the beginning of June. I can't say I'm not happy that it's almost over though. This month I found out that my surgery hasn't even been submitted yet to my insurance. We were waiting on my psych eval to be sent to the drs. office.

I finally got an email Tuesday that it was being submitted that day, only to find out later in the day that I was supposed to have had a cardiac evaluation along with my EKG. My (new) PCP dropped the ball. He is not in favor of me having surgery and would not refer me to a cardiologist because he didn't feel it was necessary and thought my insurance wouldn't pay for it. So I went ahead and had the EKG done on my own at the cardiac unit at the hospital. Then I find out yesterday, that back in December, Dr. Zee from Riverside faxed a letter to my PCP explaining why I needed it. To date, I've never heard from my PCP that he even got that. So I am now trying to get in to my old PCP that moved to Dayton and a referral from Riveside to have the cardiac consult done before I can have a pre-op appointment with Dr. Myers, which I understand all of that. I just wish it wasn't taking this long.

In the wake of all that frustration, I think I've gained 5 pounds! But some of that is from good happenings this month too:) My highlights were Ginger turning 10 yesterday, doing Relay for Life and Terese and her boys coming to Ohio to visit. (BTW - thanks for a great time Kim & Terese!) Other than that, it's just been so busy, I've been relying on convience food to save time. But that is stopping today. T-ball is over and I'm going to learn to say no to things I don't absolutely have to do.

My plan/goal is to eat a carnation instant breakfast every morning w/ 1/2 a banana a light lunch and dinner with the family. My exercise has included walking to the library and playing with the rugrats. I'm awaiting a call from the gal at our YMCA about starting a 12 week exercise program. Now if I can just get her to call me back. . . .:)

So what are your plans/goals for July? Yes gals, I'm talking to YOU!

Final weigh in!

Ok, I went to my final weigh-in . . .I lost just under a pound! Honestly, I expected to go in and hear that I had GAINED 5 lbs. So any loss is better than any gain. Now I just have to wait for the paperwork to be submitted to the insurance and then see if they approve or deny. Say an extra prayer that they approve it this time. If they do, I may be looking at a surgery date of late June or sometime in July depending on the surgeon’s schedule and vacation.

As you know, the past couple of months have been really hard. I think I fell into the rut where I knew I was going to “never eat these things again” and really craved the sweets and, I admit it, I ate them. At my appointment last night I think something finally clicked. When the dietician told me how important it is after surgery to make sure that I am getting all of my nutrients in each meal, it hit me that I’m going to be eating a lot less and my body needs the right stuff. And I’M WORTH IT!!! If I waste it on something sweet and sinful, I’m not going to nourish my body. I am now going to be forcing myself to eat to live . . . not living to eat! It is so wrong that it’s taken me 33 ½ years to figure this out?!

Weigh-In Update

Ok, I went and weighed in yesterday. I lost .6 lbs - yep, that's about 1/2 a pound - but I'll take it!! A small loss is better than a small gain:) I have one more weigh-in next month and then they will resubmit my information to my insurance company and, hopefully, then I'll be scheduled for my surgery.

I have been doing a lot better on the exercise part. I walked with the kids Wednesday night and then last night after supper Chely wanted to know if "we walk?" So I walked while her, Ginger and Jackson rode their bikes. I'd say we got a good 30 minutes in.

So how are all of you doing on your goals? Updates, girls, updates! :)

P.S. Thanks for any all all encouragement and prayers.

A second start . . .

Ok, this has been a difficult couple of months for me. I'm so afraid I'm going to go for my weigh in this Thursday and she's going to tell me again that I've gained weight again. So I got my butt up out of my chair and went walking today at lunch. I was able to do it a few times last week to, but I just feel like I'm back where I started. I guess that's why I think I need this surgery, because this is how it always ends up. I lose 15 - 20 pounds and then gain it back and more. I don't know what they'll say if I go in there and I've gained again. I thought about cancelling and skipping this month, but then I realized that my insurance said I have to be in the program for 6 CONSECUTIVE months.

Then, like I don't feel bad enough already, I took my son to his first ever petland birthday party and he started taking pictures with my camera. He just had to take one of Mommy holding the beared dragon lizard. OMG! what an awful picture - and no, I'm not posting it - I already deleted it;)

So my goals for this week - not month - but week, is to walk every day at lunch and drink an instant breakfast shake with 1/2 a banana. Plus I'm tossing around the idea of calling the YMCA (which I have had a membership at for 2+ years and don't use) and seeing what I have to do to get an exercise routine. I noticed on their webpage they do it for free. Maybe that will get me motivated and my butt in gear!

Like my month wasn't stressful enough already. . .

So I went this morning for my monthly weigh-in and wouldn't you know it. I gained a pound! After the week/month I've had dealing with my husband on his pain issues (that's a whole nother blog) and our summer plans for childcare that he doesn't think we need, I knew it wasn't going to be a good month. I'm actually glad it wasn't a larger gain. And do I get any credit for being bloated because of you know what?

Yes, it would have been nice to loose another 5 pounds, but at least I know I have it within my power to loose it. One pound at a time:)

On the bright side, I have walked 4 days in the past week. My goals are to increase my mobility with walking like I did earlier this week with the kids and a co-worker and purchase a pedometer. I really need to get my pilates DVD out and do it at least once a week. Say a prayer for me that I get the motivation I need to make these goals a reality. I need all the help I can get, especially with all this rain outside.

You're not alone. . .

Oh, girl, you are so not alone this month. I don't know if it's because now I know I have 3 more months of waiting for surgery, PMS, or just plain stress, but the past couple of weeks I have just wanted anything and everything chocolate or greasy. I have been able to fight off the urges most of the time, but I did have some fries last night --- ssh! don't tell. And we won't talk about last week at all. Ugh! . . .and working out - that's a whole nother story.

So I decided this week was going to be brand new. I took the stairs at work (down counts, right?) and walked 10 blocks yesterday and Sunday we played out side in the snow. So far today I have taken the stairs once, but I did really good at lunch. I had a grilled chicken sandwich and a chilli to eat. That was a hard choice because I really, really wanted a double cheeseburger and fries and a chocolate frosty. Ok, quit drooling. . .

Then out of the blue last night, my hubby tells me I "really have lost a lot of weight." WOW! Of course, that would have been nice to hear over the past three month -- every month. Then he followed it up with, "Now you're gonna get all skinny and leave me." What? You don't think I can leave you cause I'm fat?" I got a blank look and then his response - "No, you will, guys will start flirting with you when you get skinny." Me: "Oh, so you don't think they flirt with me now?" He didn't seem to understand my thinking. Well, I guess at least he finally said it. That should count for something. . . I guess.

Anyways, the rest of this week I want to walk at lunch and eat like I should. Not to mention I need to keep my log up-to-date as I eat instead of filling it out later. I've gotten into a bad habit with that. Even though I've had a few "testy" weeks, I still think I'm doing better now than I was 4 months ago.

And the decision is. . . .

Well, the news is in. . . I have to wait 3 more months to have surgery. My insurance is requiring me to have a total of 6 months with the dietician before they will approve my surgery. Which is a real bummer, but I guess I’ll just have to use that time to lose another 15 lbs.! I'm just happy I'm loosing.

I’m back into taking the stairs at work. While I was sick, I really slacked off of that. My next goal is to add some type of work out with it (i.e., Pilates or walking at lunch).

Today I was actually able to put a shirt on I bought after Christmas that was a little too tight for my liking. It fits perfect! That’s 2 shirts and 1 pair of pants I’ve been to get into that I couldn’t since I started this endeavor. I don't know the last time I even accomplished something like that. I was even able to suck my gut in and actually see where I’m sucking it in at! It’s the little things in life I love:)

February weigh-in

I went for my monthly weigh-in yesterday at Riverside. I am down another 5 lbs!! I really thought I had gained weight, so you can imagine how happy I was to see that I had lost that much:) That's a total of 15 lbs. since I went to the seminar in November 07 - and 10 lbs in the past 2 months. The dietician feels I'm ready to have the surgery now and was going to fax my paperwork in to the insurance company yesterday. They will either approve it or tell me I have to do 3 more months with the dietician. So keep your fingers crossed!

So now it's back on schedule for keeping my food log and getting my butt up to exercise. Which the exercise seems to be my hardest thing to get motivated on. If you have any pointers - please - let me know!

My goals for this week

Ok, I was going to make goals this week, but after being sick Monday, they are now just to make it through the rest of the week and try to get some exercise in. I'm doing ok eating, but the extras have been pushed to the side the past 3 days.

I'm still caffeine free and sugar free for the most part. I did sneak a few french fries out of Jackson's happy meal last night after gymnastics, but I haven't had them in weeks! Other than that I'm doing pretty good on the no fried foods thing. I guess right now, my hardest thing is to get movitivated to work out. If I don't start doing it soon, though, I'm going to be the only reason for my surgery to be post poned and I don't want that.

So I'm going to make my goal to be to take the stairs the rest of the week at work and to get my pilates DVD out of the box (that I bought 6 months ago) and use it. Please say a prayer!:)

Things I'm learning along the way. . .

So now I’m a month or so into my journey. I have LOST 5 pounds! Woohoo!!! I have to admit, I thought it would be more, but I'll take what I can get. This is all thanks to a daily food diary I keep that has to be checked by the dietician once a month. I have to learn to only drink small sips of water and sugar free drinks (no carbonated beverages EVER again!) throughout the day and no drinks with meals.

I also have to learn how to take at least 30 minutes to eat each meal. That part is really hard when you're at your in-laws house and 4 minutes into your meal, everyone else is already on seconds. By the time you get 25 minutes in, they've had third helpings and dessert! Not to mention everything in that house is a carb. That house is a whole nother story . . .

Anyways, it must be working. I have more energy now than I did a month or so ago and I'm sleeping better than I have in months. My next set of goals that my dietician gave me are:

• to be sugar free
• fried foods free
• and caffeine free

all by next month. I also need to eat more fruits. She said that will help satisfy my sweet tooth. So with each meal I need to add a fruit since I seem to be concentrating on veggies too much (can you imagine that?). My hubby's trying to figure out how I'm going to be fried food free, but he's trying. I came home the next night after this appointment and he had bake pork chops for me instead of frying. It just blew me away! This is a man who hates to cook and would eat McDonald's every day all day if he could. So maybe my good changes may trickle down more than I think.

Teri - My history

Ok, here goes my accountability part. After a whole lifetime of struggle with being overweight, I have started my journey to living healthy in 2008. I made a decision in the latter part of 2007 that I didn’t want to live the next 33 years of my life like I did the first 33 years. Plus, I want to make sure I get the next 33 years!

So my husband and I attended a weight loss surgery seminar at Riverside Methodist Hospital. It was very informative and I knew in my heart that this was the place for me. This was the help I had needed all these years. Not just the surgery, but the support and information they provide long before surgery and long after. Unfortunately, my hubby didn’t feel the same way. He was very interested in it until he heard that he couldn’t eat steak anymore. Then I sadly saw the interest fade from his eyes.

I took time and thought it over weighing the good against the bad. Could I really give up doughy breads and my Mt. Dew?? Let me digress. . .my name is Teri, and I’m a Mt. Dew-oholic. I use to average a 12 pack – or more – a day. Ok, now back to the present . . . Could I really give up the food that I loved? Finding out I was type 2 diabetic only changed my habits for a short time. Did I really love all that food more than my kids? Heck no!! I have to do this -- I HAVE to learn how to “eat” again.

So on December 6, 2007, I started the process. I reported to the doctor’s office to submit my urine and give blood for all those tests. Throughout that day, I met with a dietician, a counselor – who gave more tests than in school - and, finally, a doctor. Come to find out all is good except one thing with my blood tests. I have to take antibiotics for 14 days to get rid of some bacteria in my tummy – no biggie. (No one told me they were horse pills!) Then the counselor thinks I’m ADD, but that has yet to be proven! Since I’m too big of a scaredy-cat, I am choosing the lap-band over the gastric bypass. The doctor did think my choice in the lap-band surgery was appropriate and he feels that I will loose 100% of my weight loss goal considering my age and mobility. It’s all up to me now. All 120 pounds of it!

I’m hoping that keeping this accountability log will help me with this process and maybe encourage others that they can do it too! I’ll try to post as often as I can.