Before pictures

And people wonder why I don't like having my picture taken.

My letter

I'm not sure if anyone cares to read this or not, but it's my letter to the doctor. We basically needed to tell him why we think we got the way we are and show him that we've done our research, we know the risks, and that we take the surgery seriously. It was a little harder to write than I thought.

Now for my ten paragraphs.

My name is Elizabeth Hoadley. I'm a part-time rehab technician at the Independence Manor Care Facility, a full-time" wanna-be Artist." I am also 22/23 years old and I've been overweight for as long as I can remember. I've lived a relatively sedentary lifestyle and I was never really into sports. I also didn't have the healthiest of eating habits, growing up. My older brother was in and out of the hospital a lot and there's only so much running around one can do in the ER. A lot of meals either came from the hospital cafeteria, a quick trip through the nearest drive-through, or easy to fix frozen meals.

I've tried many different weight loss options over the years, my mother was really into weight watchers for awhile (which helped everyone for a period of time), I've visited a dietrician, I've gone to a "Fat Boot Camp," and even invested in the metabolife pills. But my most successful weight loss attempt was when I was off to college, I joined a local Curves and would swing by "the gym" on my way home from my classes. Through Curves I managed to go from 236 to 205 and was doing great until I graduated in September of '08. That was a depressing fall and a hard winter of not being able to find a job in the field I had gone to school for. I worked overnight at a Target restocking clothing and chugging down caffeine filled sodas to just make it through my shift, when I'd get home I would be too tired to make anything so I often had food delivered or I'd pick something up on the way home. When Chicago became too expensive I returned to KC and moved into my parent's basement. I was back in the environment where I learned most of my bad eating habits, it was just a few short months before I was back to 236 and growing, and I adopted the grim philosophy of "It doesn't matter anymore, no matter how hard I work the weight will just keep on coming back." I saw my inability to get an art job, my weight gain, my move back to KC, and my continued bad luck in the art field as failures. The straw that broke the camel's back was when I went clothes shopping for a friend's wedding and nothing in the store fit.

It was during this fit of hopelessness that my mother suggested I look into a weight loss surgery. I was not very keen of the idea at first, for the longest time I saw it as the "easy way out" but I figured it was worth looking into. The first thing I found was a video web journal by a lady named Taunia (http://www.youtube.com/user/divataunia). She'd had the RNY surgery March '08 and discussed, in depth, what to do to prepare yourself pre-op. Everything from what doctors and insurance companies would require to the various different tests I should anticipate on taking. Her journals also cover the more personal things of what to expect during the first year after the surgery. I realize that I will need to relearn how to eat and that if I'm not careful with how I eat or what I eat I can expect pain and discomfort. She also explained that in the weight loss experience one will hit plateaus, or that even after the surgery my weight will fluctuate. From her I learned that it isn't an easy fix.

I have also spoken with Alicia B at work, she had the MGB surgery a little under a year ago and was more than happy to educate me on the ways of MGB and life after it. She especially focused on that after the procedure I will be able to live a normal functioning life and that I shall not spend the rest of eternity on a diet of broth and mashed potatoes but even so I there will be foods that just won't agree with me. She also told me about hair loss and even showed me that after awhile it will grow back. Her best advice was to take a few bites, wait a few minutes and see how I feel.

Those two ladies have been a fountain of advice and encouragement for the procedure to come, but my strongest source of support has come from my mother, who has decided to have the surgery with me. Her words rang something along the lines of "Misery loves company." In all honesty, I'm very impressed with her for deciding to join me. While all I shall be giving up is 22 years of bad eating habits, she must not only give her's up, but she also decided to go the long haul and gave up smoking as well. Together we've been comparing notes and concerns.

I've skimmed through various websites to read up on the vitamin cocktail I shall be taking for the rest of my life. I've started stocking up on citracil, multivitamins, broth, and gatorade.

I selected the MGB over the RNY mainly for the recovery time. Both procedures have high success rates and both are fairly similar as far as the actual procedure goes, but my research shows that the MGB has a shorter recovery time and seems to be an simpler procedure.

I also realize that the surgery itself contains risks. I know this is a bit mellow dramatic, but I do realize that I could die. In these kinds of surgeries a whole slew of things could go wrong both during and after the procedure, the one that worries me the most is blood clots. I also realize that I could be one of those poor unfortunate souls who has to have the procedure reversed for one reason or another. I have come to terms with all of these matters and I still believe that having the MGB is the best thing I could do for myself.

The surgery is not a magic fix all, I will be giving up a lot of things I used to enjoy, but as I've heard many times: "Nothing tastes better than skinny feels," and I cannot help but feel that this procedure is the tool needed to help me successfully master my weight.

Thank you.

E-Cigs

So as I'm sure I've mentioned my mother is joining me on the great MGB Adventure. She wasn't sure if she'd be a candidate, since she's a smoker and all. Dr. H said that he would prefer she stop smoking, but that he would still do the procedure on her anyway.

Well, mom decided to quit smoking. At first she cut out all the cigarettes she didn't really need (the ones she'd smoke when bored of when she needed something to do with her hands) then she slowly cut back from there. She's gone from a full pack to a little under half a pack in a matter of a few weeks, where as all her previous attempts had failed.

Mom has been floating around half a pack a day when she hit her plateau, the doctor prescribed her the Chantax (she's had it before and it failed), but what has really helped her out is the new E-Cigarette. It has a little bit of nicotine without any of the other chemicals and helps dull the edge of her craving. The one she purchased comes with 4 strengths of nicotine and as she progresses she's supposed to lessen the strength.

So far it's worked well for her. The best part, however, is the fact that it comes in flavoured filters. She can get chocolate, cherry, mint, or tobaccoo. I joked around that after the surgery that will be how mom gets her chocolate fix, she'll smoke it.

Knew I should have shaved

I FINALLY got my physical done and over with.

Basically told the doctor I had a MGB surgery set up, and my surgeon needed a letter saying he would do my follow up check ups and just make sure that I'm doing alright.

He said he's write the letter after he got my lab work done. We go next week to geet that done.

Silly work story

I'll try not to talk about work too often, since that's A) not very professional and B) not what you're here to read about.

But this was just too cute not to share:

We had someone go to the hospital yesterday (she's had a bad rash for WEEKS), and they were trying to lighten the lady's mood (she's a mean one if she doesn't like you). She snapped at them not to drop her, and the lady EMT responded with "We only drop people on Firday." She was not amused, "IT IS FRIDAY!" The poor EMT gave her a huge smile "Then you're lucky!" Shirley whined that she's been very unlucky. So mom went over and stage whispered into Shirley's ear "Oh I dunno Shirley, this fella is pretty cute!" And Shirley was quiet as they got her out of her room and halfway down the hallway, that's when I heard her say "He is!"

Oh the characters I work with.

Not much else to say about the surgery, mom and I got all 10 contacts yesterday (something she's very relieved about) so now we have to write a paragraph for each contact.

No steps forward and one week wait

So I was scheduled for that physical.

I was going to have it yesterday.

I drove out to the doctors, signed waited in the waiting room, filled out the paper work, waited some more, made a bad N1H1 joke, waited some more, reassured the people around me I didn't have N1H1, waited some more, and was finally got called up by a nurse.

She pulled me into the first room on the left. Put my chart on a table and said:

"We don't have people see doctors who are not their primary physicians."
"I have a primary physician?"
"Yes, it says on your chart Dr. Enriquez is your primary physician."
"Oh... I haven't had a physical in like 7 years, I didn't remember."
"It says you had one in 2005.."
"Really? Seemed like it was longer."
"I know what you mean. Dr. Enriquez is going away to a convention tomorrow, so you'll have to come back next friday."
"..I can't see Dr. Louis?"
"No, he isn't your primary physician."
"I saw in in June though, for my ear..."
"I know. You'll have to come back friday, that's the soonest Dr. Enriquez can see you."
"Oh. I'm just worried about time. I have a surgery scheduled and I need this done two weeks before the surgery."
"It'll get done in time, don't worry"

Then she rambled about dictating and weeks and days and 24 hour shipping.

"And don't worry, we won't bill you for today."
"....thank you?"


So I go out to the front desk with the nurse, she hands the appointment lady a paper saying that I won't be charged for waiting in their waiting room and she says to schedule me for Dr. Enriquez at the first opportunity. So the lady jotted me down for the 29'th of Sept.
Which is next tuesday.

What happened to friday?

...yeah I dunno. So I waited for mom to finish with her physical, she's got to go back anyway. I told her what was going on and she brought up a valid point.

"It took them this long to realize Dr. Louis isn't your primary care physician?"
We scheduled these bad boys quite some time ago, and I DID wait in the waiting room for a long ass time.. why did it take two seconds before my physical to realize that I was seeing the wrong guy?

SO YEAH.

I get to go back to get my physical, and then I get to go with mom to some other facility for the blood work.

We're also scrambling to get 10 contacts. I think we're almost there.
We also need to get dad's support letters.
I need to write MY letter.
And do the dreaded "before" pictures.

I think I shall post them.
Maybe.





...in a year.

Eat it while you can

Last Friday while therapy was out in the hallway working with a small group of our "Morning People" the topic of "last meals" came up. What will our last meal before the surgery be? Are we going to eat high dollar foods? Super greasy chow? Good old fashioned comfort food? Fry our brains out with sugar? Or will we take it easy and go with a light meal?



I've had quite a few people who have done the MGB come up and tell me to pick out all my favourite restaurants and go there before the surgery. Mom and I have started a small list of places we need to go before we can no longer pig out like we used to.

At the top is Culvers followed by the Corner Cafe and BD's (love me some Mongolian BBQ).
Ever since I've adopted the mindset of "Eat it while I can" I've noticed my jeans feel smaller than usual.

----


Alright, so this is a BIG EDIT. I had started this post at work but had to skimp off to go do my job and the post remained unfisnished for the weekend.

Saturday we did the Support Group meeting. Met four lovely ladies who'd had the surgery anywhere from 3 months to 6 years ago. It was fascinating to see how each one ate after the various time gaps. It was also encouraging to see that even though the surgery will change the way I eat, I'll still be able to go out to restaurants and eat socially.

We discussed things like how to eat (chew chew chew, don't follow a bite with water if you're feeling a little choked or full-just wait it out), what to keep on hand (small salt packets are handy and bottles of gatorade are good to keep around should you ever feel nauseous), what to do in restaurants (it's ok to let them take good away, or to even take in your own beverages), and I finally got some answers to my questions about alochol.

Because I'm blocking off 90% of my stomach more alochol will be hitting my liver. It is important to avoid alochol for AT LEAST a year or two before taking cautious sips. Alochol will have a stronger effect that lasts longer too, hence why it is easy for people who have had the procedure to become alocholic. I asked what would they suggest I do should I ever be in a situation where I am pressured to drink. They suggested to talk to the bartender and ask him to pretend like he's mixing me a drink when in reality all he's doing is shaking juice around or to make sure at least one person knows I've had the surgery and swap out for their empties.

Apparently after the surgery you're nothing but a gas house... and that my gas will smell even worse than usual.

...


maybe I don't want to split a room with mom after all.