The First Appointment has been made

I, along with my wonderful husband, will be attending the initial weight loss seminar on January 14.  Now I have a date to get things started.  I have to fill out a 6 page application and bring it with me.  This application has all the usual stuff, plus a diet history.  Heck, I can't remember the diet history!!  I guess I'll just have to guestimate some of it.  I took Meridia back when I lived in Toledo, I've done calorie counting, the diabetic diet, weight watchers several times....

It's really interesting to see all the necessary steps to be done.  I've been down this road once before, so most of these steps should be easy.  So after the seminar I turn in this application and once it's reviewed by the medical staff, the appointments will be scheduled.

I'll have to go through a three-part series to be evaluated for surgery:  Dietary, Medical, and Psychological.  Then it's a series of classes to learn how to eat after surgery.  Then I meet with the surgeon and get the surgery scheduled.  I'll also be a part of the support group that has members in all different stages of treatment.

And I know I have my support group of family and friends and my special friends who have been through what I'm about to go through.

What will be interesting to me is what type of surgery the doctor will recommend.  With all my issues, plus having Crohn's disease, I know I'm a difficult case.

January 14 seems like a long way away, but I know it will be here before I know it.  Heck, it's only 2 months and 1 day from today.

Things I'm not going to miss

I've been meaning to post for days now, but just haven't had the time.  So many things I want to write about....so many thoughts going through my head.  Today I decided to list the things I won't miss when I take my journey to a new me.

Here is what I won't miss:

• Fat and Flab!!  I'm so tired of being fat.  And yes, I'm going to use the word fat.  Other words:  Blubber, Lard....I'm sure there are more, but you get my meaning.
• Huffing and Puffing like a freight train!  I can't walk more than 1/2 block without being out of breath.  I can't change my clothes without being out of breath.  I can't walk upstairs to my bedroom without being out of breath.  I can't play outside with my kids without being out of breath.  I'M TIRED OF BEING OUT OF BREATH!!
• Paying an arm and a leg for clothes.  Sometimes I can get shirts and maybe some pants at Wal-Mart, but most of the time I have to go to Catherine's. Any idea how expensive those clothes are????  Have you ever tried to find a "romantic" outfit in a size BE (Baby Elephant)???  
• Speaking of romance, I'm not going to miss being able to be intimate with my wonderful husband in only one position.  There, I said it!  I want more fun in the bedroom!
• Being left behind.  Sometimes I really hate being left behind, but I'm used to it.  I walk so damned slow, that when I'm with people, I'm always trailing behind.  It would be so nice to be with the people I'm with, enjoying the conversation, but I can't expect everyone to walk slower than a snail to stay back with me.  However, it really gets lonely at the end of the line...
• Taking tons of pills.  I take 10 different oral medications, 2 kinds of insulin, and 1 weekly shot.  I'm looking forward to the diabetes and high blood pressure getting under better control and being able to stop some of my meds.
• Pain!!  I won't miss being in pain all the time.  My knees hurt, my feet hurt, my arms hurt, my ass hurts.  I'm tired of hurting!!

Well, it was good to get all that off my chest.  

about me

I guess my first post should talk about who I am.  I am a mid-40's female who has 3 wonderful children and a fantastic husband.  I have a great job that I really enjoy.  I have an awesome small circle of friends, and a church family that I love.

I also weigh just shy of 400 pounds.

Boy it sounds really bad when I say it like that.  I guess it would sound better if I say 394 pounds, but that is how one tries to avoid reality.  Once you put that 4 in front, it takes on a whole new meaning.

Besides the weight issue, I also have hypothyroidism, diabetes, high blood pressure. Crohn's disease, arthritis , and sleep apnea.

About 7 years ago, weighing around 350, I decided to have a gastric bypass.  I was one doctor appointment away from scheduling the surgery when I found out I was pregnant with my third child.  So that stopped everything.

I thought I could do it on my own, but nothing has worked.  So here I am again, starting this journey one more time.

The Start

Today is the day I started the journey.  I made the first phone call.  I got the names of 4 centers that my insurance will cover for bariatric surgery.  This blog is to track my journey to an improved me.  For now I am not revealing my identity, but I might change my mind in the future.  Today is just the beginning.