lbriteyes

I've had to log my eating for the last two weeks. Every single thing that goes into my mouth. I've been pretty good with just one big screw up. They want me to eat six times a day. I can't do it. That equals about every three hours. I'm just not hungry every three hours, but I try to fit something in. I've had to *practice* chewing, and all the tricks like taking a long time to cut food into tiny pieces before I eat it. Meals for me aren't really meals. I haven't had a problem drinking liquids though. They want me to drink mostly water, but I've been drinking weak coffee in the morning, and weak tea all day. Nothing with meals. Today I have my first one on one with the dietician. We'll see how that goesk, and how my meds fit into the picture. Linda

Ok. I read through quite a few entries here, and I've gained insight and encouragement through Tawnya's story. I have decided to begin my own. Recently, I've been diagnosed with High Blood Pressure, and have pre-diabetic conditions. My weight has ballooned to 299.2, with a very high BMI. I'm also short. I also have other disorders... some related to weight, some not. More on that later. My husband and I talked with my medical doctor today. We all came to the same conclusion. I need some sort of gastric bypass in general, and have decided to go with the lapband. I found that my insurance won't pay, but will pay for most of it (I swear that's what they said). They will only pay if there is a medical condition attached to me. I have decided on a hospital, and will hear from them this week. So my journey begins. Updates as they come in.... Linda

I have an appointment with the dietician today. My first one on one. I have to take my food log with me. Kinda nervous about what she'll say. But then I think... I'm one step closer.

As usual, great advice!

I know what you mean about moving. We moved from the house we lived in for more than 20 years. I still consider that *home.* It is good that you get to spend so much time with your family. Have you been charting your eating? I have found that to be invaluable. Chew Chew Chew. I hate chewing so much! I've been cutting my meats (chicken usually) so small, but it still seems I can't chew enough. Hopefully you can get into see that doctor soon. I'm lucky that my husband will eat anything put in front of him, and especially veggies. Still, I chew, chew,chew. I hope everything works out with the new doctor. Let us know when you get a chance.

Wow. That's just one month. I with you luck! Hopefully things will settle down some after.

I've tried several brands of e-cigs. My favorite was the Pure brand, although, I did also like the Njoy disposables. What seems to work best is a combination of patches and lozenges. I really screwed up for two days. Yesterday, my entire diet consisted of potato chips. I think it must be time for my period. No excuses, though. Back to it today... Linda

It isn't so much that I can't do it, as I can't stay up late enough to finish eating it all. Six meals/snacks 3 hours apart is just too much for me to stay awake. Plus I have meds I have to take after the last meal and they pretty much knock me out. I'm sure I'll be able to work with the dietician on it. Today, I totally screwed up. Really bad. I quit smoking, but then got these serious cravings for chips. I ate the whole bag, and then bought cigarettes. Ugh. This HAS to be just a setback. Back on the wagon tomorrow.

You seem to be doing very well. I hope I can do half as well as you. It seems like all I do is eat. There's no way I can get all six meals in. Keep up the good work!

Its so good to hear from you. Seems like you're getting closer to goal. Boot camp sounds tough. I like the ordering from the kids menu and halving it. I don't eat out at all right now, but my Amy and I will probably after surgery. I'm so proud of where you've come from and where you are now! Keep going!

Tawnya, just wondering how you're doing. How's the new place? How are you feeling?

Its been awhile. The class wasn't really a class, but more of a meeting with the insurance stuff. I was given paperwork to complete and labwork , to do. Then later, I met with the doctor to go over concerns and such. All my bloodwork came back ok, with the exception of a vitamn D deficiency. We decided that with all the meds I take, that I should meet with the anesthesiologist seperately. That'll happen closer to surgergy. After the doctor, I went straight into the dietician's group class. We were given log forms and information on nutritian. I have to eat six times a day, marking how hungry I was and what exactly I ate. I've been doing *well* so far. I think. I can't seem to get into eating that 6th meal. I'm never hungry. I've also started back excersizing. A bit at a time. I will meed again with the dietician three more times, taking in my food logs each time. Insurance doesn't have a lot of requirements, but the program does. No shortcuts. This won't be easy, but nothing great ever is. Linda

Question: Would you have had all that energy before surgery? You have my utmost admiration for what you've accomplished. Today, I woke up at 10:00. No energy. I'm tired all the time. I can't imagine me doing all you do.

Wow. I didn't know that. I thought everything was covered in Canada. I'm in Ohio. I'm disabled, so I have Social Security Disability Insurance. I have Medicare for medical stuff (operations, doctor visits, medications). Its regulated by a regular insurance company. In the U.S., unless you are really rich, you're at the mercy of what your insurance company thinks is right. If they don't cover a medication, for instance, you have to fight tooth and nail to get it covered. And sometimes they still won't cover it, so you have to make do with something else. /on soapbox If I'm paying for someone to *insure* my health benefits, and my doctor prescribes something - be it medical or pharmacological - it IS medically necessary. It drives me insane to have to fight for every little thing. But then, the insurance companies are publicly traded and have to pay their shareholders, so the little guy gets crapped on again. /off soapbox Linda

AHHHHHH!!!!!! Ok. I feel like things are moving now. I talked with my insurance company today and they gave me all the figures. Looks like they're going to cover 100% less my deductible. I'm almost tempted to call and talk to someone else, because that just seems too easy! They don't require much to qualify. No supervised diet (though I'm sure the surgeon will). No real weight loss log, Just that I have and what. No time frame needs to be specified. They don't even require any additional medical testing (but again, I'm sure the surgeon will). I'm done for this week. On Monday, I have an appointment with my medical doctor to go over all the paperwork so he can do his part. My first dietician appointment, and my physical are scheduled for August 22nd. I'm getting really excited now! Linda

You probably won't get this post until tomorrow, but good luck! Linda

I'm so happy for you for having it done so soon. When did you start? I can't wait to read your story! Linda

You are definitely a role model. Linda

Thanks! I'm sure I'll figure it all out eventually. I usually drink stuff all day, too. Linda

It sounds so complicated. If you drink all that water, when do you eat real food? I have this picture in my head of never eating solid food again. I know that's not right, I imagine that doing crunches right after surgery would hurt. Linda

Men! I bet he wouldn't stop for directions either. I guess that's why they invented GPS. At least you got cat naps. I agree that you should next time stop and get real sleep. Does the base offer storage for the things that won't fit? How long will you have to stay there? Starting new with everything is such a pain. New utilities to have turned on, new deposits, new doctors, new banks. Ugh. I don't envy you. Linda

I hope you get to Disney soon. I'm sure you and the kids will love it. I don't know why, but I pictured you taking your scale with you on the drive down. lol Is losing 20 lbs a month realistic? I would love that! It makes reaching your goal weight even sooner. Fingers crossed.

We didn't go. Dad wasn't feeling up to it. And now he's working on finishing the painting on the house, so who knows. When he's done with that, he will be getting up on the roof to rip it off and re-do it. He's 74 years old. and apparently stingy. He doesn't have a cell phone to take up with him, just in case he falls off. He did that several years ago... not off the roof, off the top of a ladder. It was messy. He is the definition of a narcissist. Lots of reasons. Its a pain.

My first appointment with an actual doctor isn't until next month. That's when I get my physical. Most likely, I won't have the surgery until after the first of the year.

OMG! Seeing all those crosses must have freaked you out. So sad. I bet you were really glad to get there, even though the housing issue wasn't good. Will a three bedroom be large enough? Do you have a yard? How big is the base? Is it small enough so that the staff at the hospital will get to know you? I absolutely hate hate hate finding a new doctor. Of any sort. Its like you have to pick at the scab to expose every little detail before they trust you. That seems backwards. They're working for you, not the other way around. Hopefully, you'll be able to eat better at your Mom's house. The only problem with mothers is, they (at least in my case) want to feed you all the time. I used to go over to my mother's house, and the first thing out of her mouth was, "Are you hungry?" and "Let me get you something to eat." I can't imagine going to a restaurant and just eating an egg. I don't think I have that much control. My party was a blast. The kids loved it. We enjoyed good company, good food, good music. Linda