March 27/11

Today was a good day :)

A lady came into the shop today.. her name is Hazel and she has been getting tattooed and pierced by us for years.  She is one of the most unique wonderful ladies I have ever met.  Whenever she would come into the shop it would make me smile.

She wanted me to re pierce her navel, since she had had a tummy tuck.  We determined that it wasn't too tight so we were able to do it.  She told me that a few years ago she had the gastric banding done.. and that's why she had the panni done.  I told her that I was having the bypass done in a few months... and she told me that after the band didn't work for her (it made her sick alot) that she had it reversed and went on to have the gastric bypass.  It ends up that she had hers done at the same hospital, and dealt with the same doctor during recovery that I am having do my surgery.  

It was SO nice to talk to someone who has gone through the same thing... who knows what I'm talking about when I mention the pouch and B12 strips lol  She had such a good experience, and had great things to say about her surgery and the hospital... its really uplifting to hear.  Now that I am two weeks away from getting my date... I am starting to get nervous and even questioning my decision a little bit.. so to hear Hazels experience... that just reaffirmed my decision...

We exchanged emails and phone numbers, and she told me that she will be my bypass buddy lol...  

So she came in for a piercing.. and I got a new friend in return :)

March 17/11

Happy St. Patricks Day!!! And what a great day it has been!  I had my Dietitian appointment this morning at 8am.  Which meant I had to be up at 5:15 and on the bus by 6am! Thankfully my husband was able to come with me this time! (even if he did sleep the whole way there lol)

The receptionist asked if I was only there for one appointment.  I said yes but if the had a cancellation to see the Social worker I would take it.  That would save me having to come back on Monday and spending another $80 to get there and back!  She said she was just about to check the messages and would let me know.  Not even 2 minutes later she told me that she did have a cancellation at 9, so my appointments would be back to back!  How perfect!!!

I saw the Dietitian first.  Her name was Denise and she was so nice!  She was really interested in my tattoos and even told me about a book by John Irving called "You Went Away".  Apparently its about a female tattoo artist... Im going to read it for sure lol

Anyway, she asked me a lot of questions about the actual surgery, to see how much I knew about the actual procedure.  She also asked about the Dumping syndrome and about what the three stages of eating are right after.  I am so happy that I have done so much reading and research about Gastric Bypass so I knew the answers!  She talked to me about my eating habits and portion control.  Over all it was a great meeting and she said that I am as ready as I am going to be!

Right after I was able to see the Social Worker.  I really wish I could remember her name, but Im so bad with that.  The only reason I remembered Denise is because thats my mothers name lol

She asked me alot of the same questions but focused on the diets Ive tried, why they havent worked, why this is different.  She asked about my support system and my family.  I then had to try to explain why I have 8 parents and 8 siblings lol   We spent a lot of time talking about the risks of the surgery and the risks after.  She also told me that I was very well informed, with a great support system and that I have a very realistic outlook for my results. 

And like that .. I was cleared for surgery!!!

I have an appointment on April 11th to see Dr. Hagen, where he will then give me my surgery date, and a date to go for blood work and meet the anesthesiologist and nurse.  I will also get my 3 week supply of Optifast at that time.  I was told to bring $300 in cash and some heavy duty grocery bags, since they are divided into 6 shoe box like containers.

So I have my date to get my date lol and Im super relieved. The wait is almost over and my new life is about to begin!  Today was a good day!!!

March 9/11

So I went out this morning to buy all of my vitamins that I am going to need after the surgery and I was very overwhelmed by the variety and the choices that there are out there!

I was VERY thankful for my information package that I received from the Bypass Class.  It narrowed down my options.  I had to buy vitamins that were either chewable, or liquid at first, until my new stomach is able to handle the kind that you swallow.  I was very surprised at the price... I was able to get everything I need ... for $60.. and that's for a two months supply.

These are what I found:

Jamieson B12 Fresh Mint Strips (the dissolve on your tongue) 

30 strips for $10.99

Jamieson Chewable VitaVim

60 tablets for $11.99

Wampole Calcium and Vitamin D Liquid

350 ML for $16.99

I kind of wish I had picked up the Chewable Calcium with Vitamin D that said they tasted like caramels, but I didn't see them until after I paid... maybe next time!

One more week to go until I see the dietitian and social worker.  I feel like time is going by sooo slowly.  I'm also a little bit scared about meeting with them.  Ive heard from other patients that they postponed their surgeries because of depression, or because they weren't informed enough.. and I really don't want that to happen to me!!!

I am not an emotional eater.. other than that fact that sometimes I eat out of boredom... My biggest issue is that i eat the wrong amounts of food at the wrong times.  I also read that some patients have to go back to see the Dietitian and SW twice for follow ups before even getting a date.

Im just really really impatient.  Cant wait to get some answers!!!!