I Have a Date!

CME joined me for my appointment with the surgeon today.  We started in a group meeting - 4 other patients and families - to get a little more information on the surgery itself.  The surgeon was really nice and the presentation did explain a couple more tidbits of information that I didn't know.  But what stood out to me was when he said that they (bariatric center) don't set goal weights for patients.  It's not really about a number, it's about becoming healthier and feeling better.  He mentioned that often-times people set unrealistic goals for themselves which automatically sets them up for failure.  The "goal" of this program is to get significant amounts of weight off and keep it off long-term.  Not hit a target number.  He also mentioned that the yo-yo effect of dieting (which I'm certain every one of us in that room have experienced) is physiologically detrimental.


I then met the surgeon for a little one-on-one (+CME) discussion.  There aren't any real concerns about the surgery for me.  He mentioned that I am young (which made CME chuckle) and should have no problems.  However, with the family history of DVTs, he probably will place me on a blood thinner for the first month after surgery.  I've not had any blood clots, but the fact that both parents and my sister have experienced them puts me at a higher risk to develop them. 


We were then sent to the surgeon's main office to get on his schedule.  It was kind of funny when were in the group meeting, another patient and I were discussing dates.  We were kind of joking with each other that we would race to the surgery center to get the first date.  We are both SO excited for this event. I happened to be the first patient the surgeon saw after the meeting so I was the first out the door to try to get on the books.  Wouldn't you know it...the first available date was the same date that my youngest son will be starring (ha!) in the elementary school choir's spring play at church!  So I took the next available date - Wednesday, May 9, 2012!  I figure that one week for me isn't a big deal - but to my 11-year-old son, it's huge!  Priorities!  I'd be lying if I didn't tell you I was a little disappointed.  I was thinking I'd come home this afternoon and could write that I'd be post-op 2-weeks from now.  But God's timing is perfect...always.  And I am thankful that I now have a date and can continue to prepare for the changes that will occur with this surgery.  I still need to buy a few more samples of protein powders.  I still need to try a couple of the recipes.  I still need to do a little more planning.  A surgery date one month away probably IS better for me after all.  


Oh...and I was down another 5.2 pounds since my last weigh-in/visit at bariatric center.  I made it through Easter without a glitch.  It's amazing what keeping my eyes focused on Jesus really does allow me to do!


Counting down til May 9...
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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14

Oh Happy Day!

Today has been excellent!  My friend and I walked ~5 miles today in roughly 1.5 hours!  My knees were just a little tender afterward and my legs "feel" the walk this evening.  That's good, right?  We even set another date!  Next Saturday we're going to venture across the river and check out a different walking trail/path in KY.


Picked up my Turkish daughter for lunch.  Took her to Manna Mediterranean Grill, our favorite place to dine together.  I got the vegetarian platter complete with falafels, stuffed grape leaves, hummus and baba ganoush.  (Didn't even eat the pita that came with it.)

Afterward, we came back to our house.  She played some Xbox with the boys while I did some things around the house.  Then we spent the next 3 hours sitting on the back deck talking and drinking coffee.  It was a GREAT way to enjoy the weather God's been giving us!

And to top off the day, I got a letter in the mail today that said:

Dear Deedra:

We reviewed your request to cover Laparoscopy, surgical, gastric restrictive procedure with gastric bypass and Roux-en-Y gastroenterostomy for you.  Based on the information submitted and your benefit plan, we determined that the health care service is eligible for coverage.

...more stuff that really has no importance to me (ha!)...

Sincerely,

Insurance Company 

Why yes, folks, I have the insurance company's approval!!!!!


OH HAPPY DAY!  Happy day, indeed!!!!
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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14

It's The Little Things

It's the little things that are making me smile.  First, this evening I made a "date" with a wonderful friend of mine.  We're meeting Saturday morning at 9am for a walk!  That's right...a walk!  Not lunch, not coffee...a walk!  It makes me smile that we get to spend time together - it's been way too long - but I love the fact that we're going walking!


CME handed me the debit card a few minutes ago and said, "order that protein stuff you wanted."  So I order this: Unjury Protein Starter Kit.  Seems silly, but I'm super-excited about that!  Wasn't too happy that the shipping was almost 1/3 the price of the product, but still excited that the first order is placed!


Tomorrow, I get to see some of my very favorite people!  Yes, we're having lunch, but we all eat lunch anyway.  I know the restaurant and I already know what I'm having; a yummy spinach salad.  Yay for planning, right?


Also, I was a bit concerned that I'd not done so well lately.  I've not journaled like I need to the past couple of weeks, but I have made conscious decisions like smaller portions, no snacking, etc.  (I know!  I know!!!)  So this morning, I reluctantly pulled out the Wii (the most accurate "scale" I own).  Although I do get a little annoyed when she tells me, "Step On" quickly followed by "Ooh!", the scale went down 2.4# from last Thursday!  I'm so glad no one was awake to see me do a silly little victory dance!!


So yeah...this week is good (even if I've still not heard from the insurance company!)  The little things are BIG things to me!
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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14

Change of Seasons

We've had a very mild winter here in Southern Indiana.  It's the end of March and we've had more days in the upper 70s than we have anything else.  Spring has officially sprung (and so has the grass).  That means that I need to get all my spring/summer clothes out of that space-saver Space Bag and put away the old winter clothes.  


Put away?  Well, not really.  I will never wear these clothes again.  My winter season of size 26-28 (3x) clothes will be a thing of the past by the time I'll need them again.  Still, I'm hesitant to take them to Goodwill just yet.  I want to be brave and just do it.  But there's that little bit of hesitation in my mind saying, "You've not heard back from the insurance company... you've not had surgery yet...you better wait."  So I think for now I'm going to get them out of my closet (probably this weekend) and put them "away" - if only temporarily.


I'd be lying if I didn't tell you that I am excited to be able to wear cute clothes some day.  To be able to shop in any store I want and buy/wear trendy clothes - not something frumpy and designed for someone twice my age.  I'm looking forward to silly little things like being able to own at least one set of cute matching bra and panties!  Something I've NEVER been able to do.  Ever.  (Sorry if that's TMI.)  I'm looking forward to the day when I drop off the clothes at Goodwill...knowing that I'll never be this size again. 


I'm looking forward to the change of seasons.
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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14

The "F" Word

Fat.


It's a mean word and according to a recent CNN article that CME sent to me, it's the new "ugly" on the playground.  I don't know how new it really is; I remember being called fat in elementary school - odd thing is that I wasn't fat back then,  I just wasn't skinny.


The article mentions that children as young as 3...THREE...are already concerned with weight and body appearance.  (I wasn't too far off when I mentioned in my last post that how we see ourselves starts at a VERY young age!)


Regardless, the "F" word is as offensive to me as any other 'f' word that might come from someone's mouth - especially if it's targeted at children!  PARENTS!!!  PLEASE teach your children how hurtful words can be and how to be a good friend to others - even those whose body types and skin color are different from their own.


Click here for the article:
Fat is the new ugly on the playground

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"I praise you [God] because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14