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My approval for surgery

It's been a while since I've posted anything but nothing has really happened in my life.   Well that was until last Thursday, March 24th. After school my mom had recieved a phone call from my nurse and she had said, finally, that I was approved. I was shocked that I didn't have to do the two week diet but instead my doctor told me to eat as much as I can, while I can. And I have to say, I have.   I had to do the pre-admission testing yesterday, along with a small hour long class that just went over the procedure and they gave me a grocery list. My surgery is tomorrow. I have to be at the hospital 2 pm which isn't too fun since I can't have anything but jell-o (not red or purple) and other clear, non-acidic liquids on Wednesday and nothing to drink after midnight (and no eating.)   I've already made my list of the things I'm going to take. I'm able to get a private room, along with my own personal nurse. I'm a little nervous, of course, but most people have said that it is possible. I'm excited to see how everything goes!
kourtany93

kourtany93

2
 

Surgeon, Surgeon Today

Well I finally got to meet my surgeon, Dr. Jorge Rodriguez, today. He was pretty awesome. I drove for a good 2 hours and only saw him for about 10 minutes but it was great.   He's really pushing for me to have this surgery since I have diabetes and high blood pressure (today's was 146/96) and he's says that it'll hopefully fix my problems in the future. But every time I go somewhere, I just can't do it without embarrassing myself at least once.   You walk into this room and they want to take a picture of you with this sign held high, just below your face, with your name and other info. I did well with that but when it came to her asking if I could turn sideways, well... That's the funny part. Instead of understating to turn myself sideways – I turned the sign upside down. Yea, there were about four different nurses in the room trying to get this one camera to work and just my luck, they all laugh. I was extremely embarrassed but it's just going to be one of my memories of this wonderful experience.   Anyways, when I met the surgeon he was very straight forward. He made sure this surgery was right for me and of course gave me the "lecture" as he puts it but it was fine. I've read so much about this and dreamed of it for years, hearing it again, this close to when I'm supposed to get a surgery date. He told me that I shouldn't worry about my insurance since I have more than two co-morbidities. That was definitely a relief to hear!   I go to my normal doctor on January 4th and from there my surgeon has this list of seven different tests that he wants done and then when they get all that done at my primary physician's office, I get to go back to my surgeon and have a Colposcopy (where they shine a light to check your stomach – to make sure you can handle this surgery). Not looking forward to that but it's alright.   This has been moving so fast and I just can't believe it. I'm nervous about it but my surgeon has strength in me. He told me, "You're young and a really smart girl," I didn't really understand it but then again I guess where so many adults nowadays are having this surgery, it's good to start out young and have it before you get any more problems.
kourtany93

kourtany93

0
 

Just What the Doctor Ordered

My dietician gave me this binder on my first visit last week; I hope this helps. I've been reading more of it, I just can't seem to put the thing down. As I continue to read through it, I'll be putting up helpful information if any needs it. All of this information is based on MY surgeon, so make sure you check with your surgeon as well.     Grocery List: (After surgery)   Sugar free popsicles (less or equal to 5 grams of sugar per serving)   Sugar free Jell-O or gelatin (any flavor)   100% Fruit Juice with no pulp (limit 2 cups per day)   Crystal Light (or equivalent)   Flavored water (non-carbonated and sugar free), less than 10 calories per serving   Fat free or 1% milk   Chicken or vegetable broth   Tomato or vegetable juices   Diet V8 Splash   Variety of canned soups such as chicken noodle, beef vegetable, tomato, cream of chicken, etc. (must be strained and blended so that the soup appears “liquidy”)   Propel Fitness Water (or equivalent, NO Gatorade)   Soy milk   Decaff coffee or tea   Artificial sweetener of choice (Splenda, Sweet-N-Low, Equal or equivalent)     Protein: (After surgery)   **Remember no more than 200 calories and at least 20 grams of protein per serving. No Boost or Ensure. Protein supplement can be premixed product or powder. Examples include Slim Fast Low Carb (not the Optima or High Protein), Glucerna, EAS, Zero Carb Isopure Water, Muscle Milk Light, Whey protein powder, Soy protein powders.     Check Out for Help:   www.unjury.com   www.bariatricadvantage.com   GNC pharmacy     Vitamins: (After surgery)   Multivitamin which provides 100% daily value   1200 mg calcium + Vitamin D   Optional: B complex vitamin     *Choose multivitamin which contains 100% of daily value for at least 2/3 nutrients   * Begin with chewable or liquid vitamins and progress to whole capsules as tolerated   (For best results, stay with the ADULT CHEWABLES, instead of gonging back to whole capsules because they are too big for the new stomach)   * Avoid children’s formulas that are incomplete   * Do not mix multivitamin containing iron with calcium supplement; take at least 2 hours apart    
kourtany93

kourtany93

0
 

Rumor Has It

Today I would have to say was the best day of my life! I went to my appointment in Louisville, KY, today expecting that I would be seeing my Registered Nurse. Instead I saw everyone expect my surgeon, of course. I got to see my Psychiatrist, Dietician and my Registered Nurse. I thought that I would have to go back at different times to see them since I’ve read other people’s blogs and that’s what they’ve had to do. I was shocked when they sat me down and said I would be seeing all of them today. I love this place! They were all extremely nice and between each one of the specialists I had to see, the waiting time was less than ten minutes!   Today they gave me some more informational packets that are truly beneficial. They told me about the before, during and after procedures that would have to take place around my surgery, which I’m going for the LAP-BAND (REALIZE BAND). My surgeon mostly does the REALIZE BAND instead of the LAP-BAND AP system because the REALIZE BAND causes fewer problems because one size fits all.   Here is some beneficial information Norton Hospital gave me:   (For support groups, info about obesity)   American Obesity Association   http://www.obesity.org     American Society of Bariatric Surgeons (ASBS)   http://www.asbs.org     What to expect day of surgery:   Blood drawn – at surgeon’s expense   X-ray   Blood sugar testing   **All of the testing is made by what the surgeon orders prior to the surgery   I am literally too excited about January and the months that continue. I’m ready for my new life and I’m willing to go any distance to have it, within reason of course.     I’m going to continue to read this informational binder and put more details into my blog!    
kourtany93

kourtany93

1
 

The Phrase that Pays

I have to say, it's been a while since I last wrote anything. Not much has been going on in my life. I've went through another doctor's appointment in December 14, 2010. That was my fourth month, thank goodness! Time seems to be going by pretty quickly and I love it.   I'm the kind of person who loves list. I have OCD and I'm addicted to them. Recently, I have been making a list on what to expect these next two months. I know in my books they've got plenty of lists but this one is for me.   1. Researching more information – you can never be too prepared   2. Finding my BMI ( which is 48.7)   3. Learning on what to expect before and after the surgery   4. Mentally preparing myself – I've been wanting this for the last 3 years, there isn't much more preparing needed but it's definitely welcomed   5. Going to EMMI (my-emmi.com) **Highly recommended   6. Pros and Cons of surgery   7. What happens to my body   8. The surgery itself   9. My surgeon   This is just one of the small lists that I have going right now. I'm more excited as each day passes. I only have two more months to go and I'm hoping they will get here without any problems. I'm practically sitting at the edge of my seat. I'm kind of nervous about my surgeon though. When I went to the seminar, I knew that he was the right doctor for me immediately. He's the kind of doctor that doesn't listen to excuses and he's hard-headed. I need that. I want someone mean who will tell me what I'm doing wrong. This isn't the type of surgery where I want someone to hold my hand, it would only seem as another diet to me. I don't want him to take one look at me and decide I'm not really needing this, I'm now at 275 lbs. I need this badly; I'm only 17. On January 1, 2011, I will, finally, be 18 and be able to get the ball moving some more.   My next appointment is January 5, 2011. Its short notice compared to my last doctor's appointment in December but it was oneof the only times available they had and I was willing to take anything rather than wait until February and possible push this surgery back.   I'm excited about everything that has been going on. School has been perfect, I'm a senior, not much more to expect. Half of my year has gone by and I just can't wait to be perfect "normal." I don't want to be the odd person out anymore. I've come to realize that I don't have to "fit" in by anyone's standards. I can create my own but I was a normal last year and I'm hoping by the time May rolls around, I'll be able to be who I've always wanted to me. I need all the support I can get.
kourtany93

kourtany93

2
 

Dear Fairy Godmother...

Over these last few weeks, I've been completely consumed of LAP-BAND. Recently I've brought more books and been to more websites than I ever have before. I feel as if I know this procedure like the back of my hand now, even though I would never perform it. I didn't expect for days to fly by. I keep thinking about how each second takes forever and then I look up and its been a week. I go to random shopping websites just to check out the clothes that I can't fit in now. When most people see an obese person they say, "Why do they need surgery? They can just go on a diet?" Well that may be true but I've always gained my weight back just like many Americans have as well. When I was little I didn't dream of forbidden places or being a princess, I would look at girls my age who did that and wish I was was them, with their skinny bodies and pretty faces. My first diet I would have to say started when I was in maybe the second grade and had escolated ever since. I've come to learn over the years that fairy tales don't exist. No handsome prince is going to come and rescue you from a towers. I've learned that you must make your own sacrifices and just live on. Take what you can get and just keep holding on to it. No one can put me down anymore nor can they make me feel less than I am. I'm ready to take the next step, not for some handsome prince that will never happen or for my mother, who I love to death. This is for me, as well as seeing the rest of my future. This is my ticket to that place. Some Questions for my Benefit that No One seems to Answer: If someone could please help me and answer these, that would be awesome and amazing of you to do so. Thank you! 1. Why do doctors want the liver smaller? 2. Why do doctors sometimes want patients to go on a diet before surgery? Websites I've looked at and are helpful: These are just a few :cursing: www.livestrong.com/article/15571-what-eat-after-lap-band/ www.obesityhelp.com/ www.lapband4u.com/default/lap-bad-surgery www.obesitylapbandsurgery.com/ www.occforum.com/index.php?act=idx
kourtany93

kourtany93

2
 

The wrong side of the table

At the end of last week I learned that I would have to do the six month program with my primary doctor. This completely bummed me out. Here I thought I would be able to have this surgery done in January but nope. Then I started thinking. This really isn't so bad. It gives me two extra months to get everything together. I've bought books recently that I would highly reccommend to anyone who is head strong about this surgery:   1. Weight Loss Surgery with the Adjustable Gastric Band by Robert W. Sewell and Linda Rohrbough   2. LAP-BAND® Companion by Mark J. Watson   I've learned recently that it's better to have some kind of weight loss surgery but only if it's thought thoroughly. I thought I was the only one for years that was the last kid to be picked in gym class or someone who wouldn't go to amusement parks anymore because I get too tired or that I can't fit on a ride. I'm not alone in this. I close my eyes and I try to picture the new me. It's as if it's right there and I'm gaining momentum on the image. With just the thought of it done, I'm happier than I have been in years. I'm ready for a lifestyle change and I want it forever. It doesn't matter what I have to give up, I'm willing to do what's neccessary for my life. Food just makes me depressed beyond measure. I want to live my life and be happy while doing it instead of living in a comatose state. I dream about the change and what I'll wear in the next few years. I've never been one to go shopping for clothes because I was too embarrassed but now I'm jullivant for these next few years. I'm not wanting the "quick fix," I'm in this for life.
kourtany93

kourtany93

1
 

Knowing vs. Thinking

I was finally able to send in my packet information yesterday. It was more of a relief just waiting to happen. I know I want this surgery more than anything. I don't think I do. Right now is the time of my life where I'm starting to decide where I'm going to go from now. Simply put: I've spend the last three years deciding if i was right for me since everytime I looked at a diet I became depressed. I would look at clothes that weren't my size and just pretend that I could someday fit in them. Just waiting for the doctors office to give my paper work drove me insane. Most of my life I've alwys did things off on a whim but not this. Everyday I'm driven to look at LAP-BAND®.com and seach for everything they have in decisions and I can even go to the EMMI website that the website suggests. That's exactly where I am right now. I'm not wanting a quick fix or anything. I'm wanting to change for the better. I'm always looking for the misery in everything positive I see. I want this more than anything. I know that I'm young and unexperienced with so many things. I know that I should wait and see what else is out there for me but I can't do another diet. The word no longer exists for me. I want a lifestyle change to a healthier me. I'm not looking for another size or the number of pounds I want to lose, I'm looking forward to the best years of my life.
kourtany93

kourtany93

1
 

Just starting out :)

After going to the first and only seminar I've ever been to, October 9, 2010, I was hooked. I've been researching and looking forward to the LAP-BAND procedure for the last 3 years, when I first saw the commercial for a better life. I recently found out that I won't have to do the whole 6 month diet that some insurances require. That made me super excited! Even though I'm only 17 now, in a short while (January 2011) I'll be turning 18, which is when I'll be able to get the surgery. Meanwhile, in that time I'll be able to see the surgery and have all the tests that need to be done. Finding all this out just makes my dreams start to come true. :cursing:
kourtany93

kourtany93

1
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