The Six Month March

[Dragon64 142]

Tomorrow is visit #4 with my family doctor. A simple weigh-in and discussion on my weight-loss goals before and after surgery.

A quick update before I provide a doctor visit update; I am still struggling with some food addictions that will need to hammered out in order to make "this" work for me. I find that in causal conversations I still bring up favorite foods (i.e. Turkey burgers, lasagna, tacos, The Whopper etc etc), and I talk of them passionately, or in fond remembrance. Although I am not craving these foods, they weigh heavily on my mind quite a bit.

On a side note; since I am taking BP meds, insulin meds, blood thinning meds, and am actively using a CPAP machine, the stats of Alabama has asked that I relinquish my commercial drivers license. I have had my CDL now for 24-years. Briefly last year I tried my hand as an over the road (OTR) trucker, but I ultimately came off the road due to kidney stones and blood clotting, as outlined in my first posts in this thread, leads me to where I am at today.

Nevertheless, I am forging forward, never looking back! I will update after my visit tomorrow. Also this month, I have my second visit with my nutritionist. I am really looking forward to showing her my progress, should be a good visit all around!

Cheers, and thank you for all your support on life-saving journey!

Edited June 5, 2018 by Dragon64

[Orchids&Dragons 9,046]

Good luck tomorrow!

[Dragon64 142]

June 64, 2018 Family Doctor Visit (4 of 7)

Stats:

Weight: 292.0

BMI: 40.7

The visit with my family doctor went well. He actually sent in his nurse practitioner for this visit, but I did not mind, she was very nice. I am down 14.4 pounds since the last visit, and a full 2 points off of my BMI. WOOT! They were pleased with my results, and said that what ever I am doing to keep doing it. Unfortunately, I went into the visit hoping that they would take me off of Metformin, but instead offered suggestions on modifying how I take the dosage (Grrr).

So what does this mean? It means that I am building a mind set that will help me succeed once I have the surgery. We all know that if we do not go into this prepared to change our lifestyles, then we are doomed to failure. I know that for me, I have 50+ years of bad eating habits and food addictions to turn around, and believe you me, I am going to turn this ship around!

About this months weight loss; my goal was to lose 10 to 11lbs, and I over shot that goal by 3 to 4lbs. As discussed a couple posts back, I decided once and for all to cut out all artificial sweeteners, and this decision alone I believe is what helped with the additional weight loss. Yes, I am struggling still drinking black coffee, but the benefits have been 10-fold... yet another addiction I will never return to.

Note: My ticker will always show a lower weight, as that is the weigh-in at home, nude and empty. This weight is taken first thing in the morning. I am 5 pounds heavier at the doctors due to Breakfast, lunch, and all of my clothes and shoes. Of course, the doctors weight is what will get sent to insurance for approval.

Next milestone will be my 2nd visit with my nutritionist on June 27th. My 5th visit with my family doctor will be July 6th. Time is moving quicker than I thought it would... and there is still much to be done before hand.

Much thanks to all for listening, "Life is Good!"

[Orchids&Dragons 9,046]

Sounds like you're progressing nicely! 14 pounds in one month the "normal" way isn't easy. Great job!

[Frustr8 7,886]

Will be watching on June 27th for a further update. Keep your Dragon scales shiney, we are going to make it through to the other side. And stars will fall down sparkling from the sky at that time!

[Dragon64 142]

The June 27th visit to the nutritionist has been cancelled. The visit was not required by insurance like the first visit was, so I cancelled it. Medical bills were expensive this month with my DOT physical, and my wife's need for new glasses, that we had to plug the medical bill leak somehow...

Other than that, I have plateaued off at a loss of 38lbs. This may or may not be where I start from at surgery, but I have 2.5 months to try and lose more before all of my paperwork is submitted for approvals. The thought of surgery makes my toes curl with nervous anticipation. Truth be told, I do not want this surgery... but I need it!

Edited June 21, 2018 by Dragon64

[Frustr8 7,886]

I understand that, such things do happen. Keep,up Johnnie and post us when you can. Best from me.

[Dragon64 142]

Yeah! I finally broke through the plateau and lost a pound. So unofficially I am down 39.4 pounds pre-op. I need to keep at it, so I can keep lowering my set point. I also started a new exercise routine from Beach Body called P90. Years ago I was young enough to do P90X, but now I am a little to brittle for that routine, and P90 seems more my pace.

Current diet remains about the same, low carb, high Protein (not really watching or counting calories). I have tried using the calorie counter called My Fitness Pal, but I despise that application. I spend all my time entering data... would much rather just walk!

Life is good, and getting better.

[Dragon64 142]

Not much to report at this juncture of the journey; I have plateaued as far as the doctor supervised diet and weight loss is concerned. I have only managed to lose 2lbs this month, compared to the 14lbs prior to last months doctors visit. Diet wise I have made no changes, although I could stand to lose the popcorn habit... that addiction seems to be the hardest to shake. Popcorn on Friday; popcorn if I go to the movies, popcorn! popcorn!! popcorn!!!

My next supervised doctor weigh-in visit is this Friday the 6th of July 2018 (For archival). This will be my 6th visit of the insurance required 7. I will have to work with my doctor to modify the final visit to come in under the 180-day limit per the insurance requirements. That should not be a problem though.

You know, I was dead set against this insurance requirement of a 180 weigh-in period. But I have to say, it is giving the much needed time to get a jump on the lifestyle changes that I will need to make anyway. It has also helped me to lower my set point, so that I am just that much closer to a much healthier goal weight.

As I get closer, I am going to start getting acclimated to a more liquid diet. Since I will more than likely be put on a liquid diet phase prior to surgery, I might as well start the search for the liquids I could stomach (stand) for 2 to 3 weeks prior to surgery...

I am shocked by how many people just do not get it; I am on a couple fakebook (facebook) groups, and I am shocked at the questions that some surgery recipients ask prior and after surgery:

1: How soon after surgery before I can start smoking pot again...? Some patients even gave timeline answers as to when... what!?! Try never, you should never smoke pot again.

Along those same lines:

2: I am still smoking cigs, and my surgery is in a week... will they deny my surgery? They should is all I can say, as you are just not getting it...

3: A favorite here, this was asked just last week: "What would you do for a Klondike bar?" I do not get why some people look for dietary supplements for the crap foods that got them here in the first place. That is still food addiction, and if you do not get rid of the cravings and the addiction, you could be dooming yourself to failure.

Am I the expert? No, not by a long shot. Giving up the cravings is a real b*tch. My birthday was two weeks ago, and when asked what kind of cake I wanted, I said none. What I wanted was a small fruit cup with strawberries, grapes, pineapple, cantaloupe, and honey dew. My mother, who is a 10-vet of gastric by-pass, could not believe that I did not want cake to celebrate... Well, that in itself speaks volumes as to why she is regaining her weight. Celebratory foods was one of the addictions I had to break: Yeah it's Friday. time for chili conqueso, it's Saturday time for Pizza! It's your birthday, time for cake and ice cream! Celebration foods, mood foods, and treats etc. I had to stop rewarding myself every time with food. A very nasty habit to break. Although I do not currently have these addictions, I am still actively searching for ways to offset the cravings... gum really helps!

Anyway, still marching on ward. It has been tough, rewarding, and time has literally flown by. I will report after this months doctor visit.

Life is good!

[Orchids&Dragons 9,046]

Sounds like your head is definitely in the right place! You've got this!

[mitch22622 21]

Not much to report at this juncture of the journey; I have plateaued as far as the doctor supervised diet and weight loss is concerned. I have only managed to lose 2lbs this month, compared to the 14lbs prior to last months doctors visit. Diet wise I have made no changes, although I could stand to lose the popcorn habit... that addiction seems to be the hardest to shake. Popcorn on Friday; popcorn if I go to the movies, popcorn! popcorn!! popcorn!!!
My next supervised doctor weigh-in visit is this Friday the 6th of July 2018 (For archival). This will be my 6th visit of the insurance required 7. I will have to work with my doctor to modify the final visit to come in under the 180-day limit per the insurance requirements. That should not be a problem though.
You know, I was dead set against this insurance requirement of a 180 weigh-in period. But I have to say, it is giving the much needed time to get a jump on the lifestyle changes that I will need to make anyway. It has also helped me to lower my set point, so that I am just that much closer to a much healthier goal weight.
As I get closer, I am going to start getting acclimated to a more liquid diet. Since I will more than likely be put on a liquid diet phase prior to surgery, I might as well start the search for the liquids I could stomach (stand) for 2 to 3 weeks prior to surgery...
I am shocked by how many people just do not get it; I am on a couple fakebook (facebook) groups, and I am shocked at the questions that some surgery recipients ask prior and after surgery:
1: How soon after surgery before I can start smoking pot again...? Some patients even gave timeline answers as to when... what!?! Try never, you should never smoke pot again.
Along those same lines:
2: I am still smoking cigs, and my surgery is in a week... will they deny my surgery? They should is all I can say, as you are just not getting it...
3: A favorite here, this was asked just last week: "What would you do for a Klondike bar?" I do not get why some people look for dietary supplements for the crap foods that got them here in the first place. That is still food addiction, and if you do not get rid of the cravings and the addiction, you could be dooming yourself to failure.
Am I the expert? No, not by a long shot. Giving up the cravings is a real b*tch. My birthday was two weeks ago, and when asked what kind of cake I wanted, I said none. What I wanted was a small fruit cup with strawberries, grapes, pineapple, cantaloupe, and honey dew. My mother, who is a 10-vet of gastric by-pass, could not believe that I did not want cake to celebrate... Well, that in itself speaks volumes as to why she is regaining her weight. Celebratory foods was one of the addictions I had to break: Yeah it's Friday. time for chili conqueso, it's Saturday time for Pizza! It's your birthday, time for cake and ice cream! Celebration foods, mood foods, and treats etc. I had to stop rewarding myself every time with food. A very nasty habit to break. Although I do not currently have these addictions, I am still actively searching for ways to offset the cravings... gum really helps!
Anyway, still marching on ward. It has been tough, rewarding, and time has literally flown by. I will report after this months doctor visit.
Life is good!

All your comments got the mark.

Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

[Dragon64 142]

I may have really messed up. My family doctor called last week to change my appoint from this Friday the 6th of July, to today. I did not write it down, and I totally missed the appointment. Completely my fault. They called me at 2:40 today, to let me know I missed my 2:30. Charged me $40 for the missed visit, and rescheduled me for this coming Monday... Sounds good right? Not really, as I got pretty upset. I admitted fault to the nurse, and on the 2nd call, I admitted fault to the office manager, But they would not take me in for the weigh-in, citing office policy. I missed an appointment, and they would make no exceptions... I may have worded my argument a little terse, and now I feel there is some bad blood... blood hot enough to burn some bridges.

These appointments are very important to me, as this is my life! I screwed up by not writing down the appointment change, I make no excuses... but these visits are merely $25 weigh-in co-pays. I was 15-minutes from the office, I could have been in and out and would not have impositioned anyone. Live and learn.

Hopefully I can recover the time, and squeeze the last two visits in closer together and still meet the September 4th dead line...

[Hop_Scotch 1,625]

Shame they do not send text message reminders, for my doctors we get a reminder the day before, we have to acknowledge yes via return text message or phone their office to cancel.

[Orchids&Dragons 9,046]

10 hours ago, Dragon64 said:

I may have really messed up. My family doctor called last week to change my appoint from this Friday the 6th of July, to today. I did not write it down, and I totally missed the appointment. Completely my fault. They called me at 2:40 today, to let me know I missed my 2:30. Charged me $40 for the missed visit, and rescheduled me for this coming Monday... Sounds good right? Not really, as I got pretty upset. I admitted fault to the nurse, and on the 2nd call, I admitted fault to the office manager, But they would not take me in for the weigh-in, citing office policy. I missed an appointment, and they would make no exceptions... I may have worded my argument a little terse, and now I feel there is some bad blood... blood hot enough to burn some bridges.

These appointments are very important to me, as this is my life! I screwed up by not writing down the appointment change, I make no excuses... but these visits are merely $25 weigh-in co-pays. I was 15-minutes from the office, I could have been in and out and would not have impositioned anyone. Live and learn.

Hopefully I can recover the time, and squeeze the last two visits in closer together and still meet the September 4th dead line...

I missed an event that I planned to attend yesterday, too. The mid-week holiday had my brain messed up. I hope your brain burp doesn't have any lasting consequences. If all they do is weigh you, I can't believe they didn't just let you come in.

Edited July 4, 2018 by Orchids&Dragons

[Dragon64 142]

The office manager said that if she were to make an exception for me, she would have to do it for all... I told her I promised not to tell (trying to defuse the conversation), but she had no sense of humor.

No reminders, text or phone call, like they have always done in the past... Misunderstandings all around, and it cost me an extra $40 for a missed visit. Live and learn.

I do not believe this will severely impact my schedule, as I only need three more visits between now and September 4th.

So, for this weight loss surgery story; be ever so vigilant on your schedule. Six months worth of weight loss supervised doctor visits go by quicker than you think, especially when there is so much needing to get done before the big day. Insurance, in my opinion, got this one right. They are forcing us to take this six month time, to get our head straight, for what will be a life long life style change. Trying to get all of the changes in place after surgery, in my opinion, would be a tough go...

Enlight of recent events, "Life is Still Good..."

Edited July 5, 2018 by Dragon64