Pre-pre-op!

[CHM 1,011]

Merry Christmas Eve Eve, everyone! My name is Chantal, and I am currently on the path towards gastric bypass. I've made a couple of posts, but I wanted to wait until my 2nd appt with my surgeon's office before making a formal introduction. This will be long, and I apologize - I am a thorough storyteller. I am 35 years old, extraordinarily happily married for 9 years with no kids (infertility being one of my comorbidities). Unless fur babies count - we do have 3 small dogs that we love to pieces - Herberto, Cole, and Alice.

Weight has always been an issue for me, as for many here, I'm sure. I was an overweight child, raised by overweight but chronically dieting parents. I struggled with anorexia and bulimia as a teen but still never really looked thin, and by the time I'd won that battle at 19 I'd messed up my system so much that I rocketed into obesity within months, hitting morbid obesity by my mid-20s. During all this time I was up and down and back and forth on some version of a diet - Weight Watchers, Slim Fast, body cleanses, juice fasts, low carb, low fat, low calorie, good ol' fashioned diet and exercise...you name it! I thought I wasn't keeping the weight off because I was too weak or not dedicated enough, and obviously it wasn't 'important enough' to me. Then about 2 years ago, I stumbled upon the line that I've heard over and over since starting on this path - once you're more than 100 lbs overweight, you only have about a 2% chance of achieving and sustaining meaningful weight loss. This sent me into a depression, causing me to pack on another 25 lbs and hit my highest weight of 355 lbs.

Finally it occured to me that I might need help losing weight. Took a while to arrive at the obvious, but I got there! I searched online to see if there were any local medical services that would assist with weight loss. I wasn't thinking surgery yet, I was just hoping for access to dieticians and doctors who could tell me something more helpful than "eat less and exercise more". Well, I did find a weight loss clinic, but they focused on surgical solutions. My brain wasn't there yet. But it did put it in the back of my mind, and every couple of months I went back to the site and read the information again. FInally in September of last year I told my husband that I wanted to attend one of their information sessions on weight loss surgery. He was very encouraging and supportive, and it was then that I learned how concerned he had become for my health, but he was afraid to say anything (we're both very non-confrontational). He said he wouldn't mind the weight, but with high blood pressure, fatty liver, and complex endometrial hyperplasia he was happy I was ready to look into options. After the session, I still wasn't sure I could do this. I dedicated a lot of time to research, and the more I did the more I knew this was my best chance at the healthy life I'd craved for so long. This past August at my monthly appt with my PCP - still at 355 lbs - I finally asked for a referral to the weight loss clinic. While waiting for my appointment, I started making a few changes to help the transition, namely working on the food journaling habit (without focusing so much on WHAT I was eating just yet), and trying to get a little more activity when I could (taking the stairs if it was only 1 flight, parking a little further, little stuff like that).

My first appointment was on Sept 22. I was weighed, measured, photographed, and introduced to my surgeon, her PA, and my nutritionist. Gastric bypass was recommended. I was informed that my insurance required 3 months on a medically supervised weight loss plan before consideration. I was told to lose 25 lbs, eat 1200 cals/day, start incorporating exercise as tolerated, and get in 70-90g of Protein. The first few days were hell - trying to cut my calorie intake in half left me cranky and ravenous. I got 1800 cals the first 2 days, 1600 the next 2, then 1400 the 5th day. By the 6th day, my hunger settled down and 1200 cals wasn't so unreasonable any more. I started walking my dogs again, rather than just letting them out in the yard. First to the end of the driveway, then to the corner, then the next corner, and so on. I had my psych eval in the first week of November, which I aced.

Monday (Dec 21st) was my 3 month follow up. I am consistently consuming 1200 cals/day (equally plus or minus 100 cals), getting in 70-80g Protein daily, and walking the dogs around 2 blocks 2-3x/day, and down a total of 70 lbs. My surgeon's office was over the moon with my efforts so far, and assured me they would be floored if I had any trouble obtaining insurance approval. They said they would be submitting that day, and that my insurance company takes 10-14 days to come back with a decision, then we can start pre-op. Apparently surgery can be scheduled as little as 2 weeks after approval, but mine may take a little longer. At my last appt with my PCP in the first week of December, she wanted to check my liver panel again to make sure they were coming down with the weight loss, but instead my AST and ALT had shot up significantly. Their best guess is a gallbladder issue on account of the rapid weight loss, but an abdominal ultrasound on Dec 29th should tell us more. If it is my gallbladder, it will be up to my surgeon as to whether she wants to just remove it at the same time as surgery, or if she wants it done first. If she wants it done first, I will have to wait another 2 weeks after that surgery before my WLS surgery date. But either way, I'm in the home stretch and I'm finally FINALLY excited about it all!

[Dark-Horse 5]

CHMD- congrats on your decision! It is exciting and scary. The more you know, the better prepared you will be. Please keep us posted on your journey. Good luck!

[TinyTink 268]

I love the name Chantal. That was the name I chose for myself in French class way back in high school. I enjoyed your story. You are doing a fabulous job!! Best of luck on your surgery.

[CHM 1,011]

Thank you very much for the encouragement, guys. Its only been 4 days since submitting to insurance and it already feels like I've been waiting to hear back for a month. Lol

@@TinyTink - Thank you. I get compliments on my name all the time. I was supposed to be named Monique, but when I was born my mother decided I didn't suit the name and chose Chantal instead, which I'm grateful for. I like Chantal so much more.

[CHM 1,011]

Just wanted to update that I got my approval today! I was given the choice between a Jan 25th or a Feb 24th surgery date. I'll be considering it tonight and let them tomorrow. So EXCITED!!!