sastexan4u@yahoo.com

To say that I am doing the happy dance is an understatement. Tomorrow is day one of my pre-op liquid diet. Whoo Whoo. Not for the liquid diet, but that I am two weeks away from getting sleeved. It blows me away that my dream of being healthy is finally coming to fruition.
 
I have been overweight for over 20 years when I get right down to it. It has been a very horrid experience at times. This disease is treated so differently than anything else in the world. The hatred that I had for myself was devastating. Every time I lost a job, every time I lost an opportunity for something I dreamed of, every time I thought of going on a trip, I tried to lose weight, but my system would not allow me to do that. Between drugs I was taking, to the addiction I lived with daily (food adiction) it just never seemed to get any better. No matter how hard I tried, it wouldn't work so I would suffer in silence.
 
For once in my life everything is sunny. I was pre-approved for starters four months ago. I went through everything that had to be done. Got all the approvals, did all the paperwork and got a pre surgery date of April 18th. Then a miraclehappened, I ws told that my insurance no longer required six months of dietician visits to be approved. My paperwork was turned in on February 12th, insurance approced on the 15th and now I am scheduled on March 7th. In addition my out of pocket has dropped by $400! Come on folks, nothing like that happens to me. It must be right.
 
Today I technically had my last supper so to speak. The office had lunch for everyone and since my birthday is this Sunday I can't have cake so I had my cake, and meatballs and potatoes and gravy and everyhting I love for one last time. Tomorrow is day one of the liquid and I will make sure in my mind it is like a gourmet meal. :-)
 
Oh and did I say I am excited. My hubby will finally have a thin wife and I will be able to see my grandchildren graduate from high school. What could be more perfect than that?
 
I will be checking in daily from this point on so I can record how things are going. Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my perfect life!

Saw the doctor yesterday and it couldn't have gone any better!!! Our converstaion was like we had known each other for years. He didn't beat around the bush and told me that I had a lot of work to do. I am totally ready for this and willing to do whatever it is I have to... I was able to have labs drawn that same day and so the process is officially started, AND to top everything else off, I have already been approved by my insurance. In about 3 months I should be ready for surgery! I can't wait to get an official date to put on the calander. Next appointment in a month and is suppose to be full with many other appointments.

I have done the steps, accepted that I am over weight, took the steps to see the doctor, asked some questions, had the blood test and went to the seminar. I am now in the process of seeing the cardiologist, pulmonologist, dietician, and therapist. I have to wait a month to see them, but I am willing to wait and do what I need to personally to get myself prepared for what is to come. I was also given a tentative month for surgery and it looks like April it is. So many emotions each day seem to catch me by surprise.
 
Today I felt blue because I don't have many to turn to about my process. My husband is hard to talk to about it because he likes me just the way I am. He knows that I am depressed about it, and agrees with me to do something to make myself feel better, but sometimes I feel that is not enough. We have kept the news of my decision to go through this on the down low becuase I am still embarresed for the things I have to do to get what I want. The hospital that I am going through has a group that meets this Monday and I think I am going to check it out. I hope this helps with the blues that I get from time to time. Maybe even connect with someone and build friendships. I do know that God is on my side and going to take it one day at a time!

ooooh, my stomach cramps everytime I drink. I just had the vertical sleeve procedure yesterday, Feb. 5th, so this is my 2nd day post-op. I am following the sleeve diet regimen: 1 ounce of liquid diet every 15 minutes x 12 hours/day. My starting weight was 212.4 lbs and I my goal is 150 lbs.
 
After surgery, I had gas pain which went away soon after my nurse administereda dose of mylicon and pepcid. Other then this, I'm doing fine. As for the cramping, my new stomach has to heal.

Hi everyone. I appreciate you taking time to read this. Today's entry will be short because I am on my lunch break. I'm pretty open with my life so I've had a few people encourage me to write a blog. This is all very new to me but I'll try to make it interesting.
 
I guess I should start with the title of my blog, "The Princess and the Sleeve". Now of course I am not a real life princess nor am I a spoiled brat. I was raised by a single mother and have never had much money. My husband and I are happy with what we have but we both work 2 jobs to have that comfort. However, I do have a family that treats me like #1 and a husband that works very hard to give me the things I need and ask for. That alone makes me feel like royalty and therefore, a princess.
 
I was a super skinny kid and a beauty queen, cheerleader as a teen. My weight problems didn't come until after high school. I guess I quit playing sports and was less active. My food choices were all fast food and I was leading a party life. So along with spreading my wings, my ass was also spreading.
 
I met my husband when I was 22 and I was already 250 lbs. He has never seen me smaller than a size 16. We have been married 19 years this June. I am scheduled to have Vertical Gastric Sleeve surgery on 2/25/13. I hope you will follow me on my journey.