I'm back from Toronto, yesterday was my PATTs appts. It went really well. I got in at 9am and was out by 11:30am.
First was some blood work, then the ECG, then a nurse, followed by the Anesthesiologist and to wrap it up, a very quick chest x-ray...everyone was great!
On Sunday, I have to sleep at the hospital for the fitting of my new (grr) CPAP, let's see if I sleep this time...lol
Have a great weekend!
August 26, 2011
August 23, 2011
August 23rd, 2011
Day 7 of 28 of OF. Doing great, no cravings!
I went yesterday after work for the first time since I started OF to the grocery store and that's when it hit me. The way my brain was well programmed. As soon as I went through the door my brain went directly to my favorite places. I was mapping the store on where to go. I just stood there realizing that it has become such a habit of buying what I loved instead of anything healthy it kinda opened my eyes more to "this surgery is exactly what I am suppose to be doing".
Habits/obessions/addiction totally took control of me without realizing it. I drove home with this satisfaction feeling that I have taken part of my life back in control and food is NOT anymore!
I went yesterday after work for the first time since I started OF to the grocery store and that's when it hit me. The way my brain was well programmed. As soon as I went through the door my brain went directly to my favorite places. I was mapping the store on where to go. I just stood there realizing that it has become such a habit of buying what I loved instead of anything healthy it kinda opened my eyes more to "this surgery is exactly what I am suppose to be doing".
Habits/obessions/addiction totally took control of me without realizing it. I drove home with this satisfaction feeling that I have taken part of my life back in control and food is NOT anymore!
"My head is like a bad neighborhood, I shouldn't go in there alone."
August 19th, 2011
Well, last night, end of Day 2 of OF - not so good! Around 9:00PM I started to feel irritated. I was ok as soon as I made myself busy by watching Big Brother...lol...but between the commercials, started to notice that I was getting angry and that I couldn't eat and truly thinking just a piece of bread or cheese. Trying hard to clear my head and think, these are only feelings, I'm not even hungry and its only withdrawals. My body was going through some rough changes. Then around 10, closed the tv and went to bed with my head being back to normal but still felt the adrenaline of the withdrawals.
I fell asleep without any problems but come midnight, OH MY GOD! Woke up feeling so dizzy, palpitations, started to shake from the inside. At the beginning, I thought it was my sugar getting too low, I didn't have my testing machine with me so without hesitating, I took 2 glucose pills that I keep at my bedside. It helped, but it started again. Then my wonderful step-son came to me trying to calm me down, explaining that since I had all the feelings at 9-10, this was kind of the aftermath, the adrenaline that I felt was leaving my body, making me go into a panic attack. It lasted about an hour on and off and then fell asleep. This morning woke up, never felt better! lol...still my arms are a little weak but feel "normal" happy again! That was quit the roller coaster ride last night!
Also, this morning, received a call from the local sleep lab to go in August 28th for the fitting, still have to sleep there..grrr...I hate those wires, not long enough to move when laying down....with soooo many wires, I can probably get HBO...lol
Have a great weekend everyone and thanks again for reading, I hope this helps
I fell asleep without any problems but come midnight, OH MY GOD! Woke up feeling so dizzy, palpitations, started to shake from the inside. At the beginning, I thought it was my sugar getting too low, I didn't have my testing machine with me so without hesitating, I took 2 glucose pills that I keep at my bedside. It helped, but it started again. Then my wonderful step-son came to me trying to calm me down, explaining that since I had all the feelings at 9-10, this was kind of the aftermath, the adrenaline that I felt was leaving my body, making me go into a panic attack. It lasted about an hour on and off and then fell asleep. This morning woke up, never felt better! lol...still my arms are a little weak but feel "normal" happy again! That was quit the roller coaster ride last night!
Also, this morning, received a call from the local sleep lab to go in August 28th for the fitting, still have to sleep there..grrr...I hate those wires, not long enough to move when laying down....with soooo many wires, I can probably get HBO...lol
Have a great weekend everyone and thanks again for reading, I hope this helps
August 17th, 2011
DAY 1 of optifast!! It has come - 4 weeks of this...lol...my first reaction of my first sip was relief following by "Wow, this almost tastes like a chocolate milkshake from McD's...lol...then after half of it, it was like "ok, maybe not" lmao. The taste is not at all bad, way better then my Premier Nutrition Protein Shake that I have been taking daily since Feb. 1, 2011. But no matter what the taste was, I can't complain, I'm going through this amazing journey, it was MY choice and I can deal with it! - ttyl
August 16th, 2011
I was called to have a tele-health with Dr. Dale from Ottawa. Very kind doctor. He had the opinion that I might not need a CPAP anymore since I lost weight but since Dr. Glazer, the MI requested that I be treated before the surgery, to go ahead and be fitted for one. And of course, it will help me especially when I wake up from the actual surgery.
August 2nd, 2011
Optifast, you are my Everest - ok, I watch too much F.R.I.E.N.D.S.!. lmao
It's my big countdown to Optifast, another 15 days before I start...yay!
August 25th, 2011 is my pre-screening appt at the HRRH and can't wait to let you know the details of this appt.
It's my big countdown to Optifast, another 15 days before I start...yay!
August 25th, 2011 is my pre-screening appt at the HRRH and can't wait to let you know the details of this appt.
July Posts
I received an email showing my next 3 appts:
July 5, 2011
Gastric Bypass Information Session (2nd - 3hrs)
They gave us a folder containing different kinds of documents. A sheet with helpful websites like ObesityHelp.com, a forum I fell in love with. So many inspiration stories and help and support. There was another copy of a powerpoint presentation. They showed us samples of different protein products, the vitamins we must need to take for the rest of our life and a food guidelines.
July 6, 2011
RD - This appt only took 15 minutes or so, she looked over the questionnaire I filled. Questionned me about the surgery to make sure I understood and/or listened to the info session...lol She could object to the surgery but gave me her approval.
SW - Questioned if I was financially ready for this, if I was ever a depressed person, if I'm an emotional eater, do I binge, am I a mindless eater, etc. She could object to the surgery but gave me her approval.
*When I received the email, I automaticcally called Dr. Starr's office and since I am 8 hours away from Toronto, she told me previously that when I know when my appts are to call her and she would try her best to put ALL appts at the same time so I don't have to return multiple times. and she delivered. She gave me two other appts, one with the Medical Internist (MI) and the other with the surgeon himself, Dr. Starr.
MI - I was told by my surgeon's office that the MI might request a sleep apnea test so that it was a good idea if I would go for one in my hometown, at least it would be done. Glad I listened because he wanted it, so he looked over the results and he mentioned like my NP said, I lose oxygene at some spoints of my sleep and he might request that I get fitted for a CPAP. Then he took my blood pressure and that was fine as well. Lastly, he did an ECG and with the results, I received my final approval for the surgery.
Dr. Starr - I had a very good first impression with him. He was very calm, did not feel rushed. He explained the many different types of surgeries and came back to the RNY and explained a bit more. Asked me if I had any questions for him.
Before leaving, even though I didn't have to start Optifast for another 6-7 weeks, I purchased everything so I didn't have to return. I certainly didn't want to drive 16hrs to buy the product...lol
I was given the option to choose between chocolate or vanilla or both. See my photos to see what Optifast looks like. If I understood properly, your weight will determine how much Optifast you will need to take:
400lbs = 4 weeks
300lbs = 3 weeks
and so forth...(approx. $100/week)
July 5, 2011
Gastric Bypass Information Session (2nd - 3hrs)
They gave us a folder containing different kinds of documents. A sheet with helpful websites like ObesityHelp.com, a forum I fell in love with. So many inspiration stories and help and support. There was another copy of a powerpoint presentation. They showed us samples of different protein products, the vitamins we must need to take for the rest of our life and a food guidelines.
July 6, 2011
RD - This appt only took 15 minutes or so, she looked over the questionnaire I filled. Questionned me about the surgery to make sure I understood and/or listened to the info session...lol She could object to the surgery but gave me her approval.
SW - Questioned if I was financially ready for this, if I was ever a depressed person, if I'm an emotional eater, do I binge, am I a mindless eater, etc. She could object to the surgery but gave me her approval.
*When I received the email, I automaticcally called Dr. Starr's office and since I am 8 hours away from Toronto, she told me previously that when I know when my appts are to call her and she would try her best to put ALL appts at the same time so I don't have to return multiple times. and she delivered. She gave me two other appts, one with the Medical Internist (MI) and the other with the surgeon himself, Dr. Starr.
MI - I was told by my surgeon's office that the MI might request a sleep apnea test so that it was a good idea if I would go for one in my hometown, at least it would be done. Glad I listened because he wanted it, so he looked over the results and he mentioned like my NP said, I lose oxygene at some spoints of my sleep and he might request that I get fitted for a CPAP. Then he took my blood pressure and that was fine as well. Lastly, he did an ECG and with the results, I received my final approval for the surgery.
Dr. Starr - I had a very good first impression with him. He was very calm, did not feel rushed. He explained the many different types of surgeries and came back to the RNY and explained a bit more. Asked me if I had any questions for him.
Before leaving, even though I didn't have to start Optifast for another 6-7 weeks, I purchased everything so I didn't have to return. I certainly didn't want to drive 16hrs to buy the product...lol
I was given the option to choose between chocolate or vanilla or both. See my photos to see what Optifast looks like. If I understood properly, your weight will determine how much Optifast you will need to take:
400lbs = 4 weeks
300lbs = 3 weeks
and so forth...(approx. $100/week)
It all started here!
It all started when I asked my NP (Nurse Practitioner) about this procedure (RNY - Roux-En-Y). She helped/supported me so much. She made sure I was eligible which I was because I am morbidly obese + diabetic. She went ahead and sent my referral and got the ball rolling, this was back in late 2009. She mentioned that there "could" be a waiting period of three (3) years.
I received my first phone call from my surgeon's office in January 2011 to book 2 appointments:
January 31, 2011
Dr. Starr
This was only an introduction meeting, I didn't meet with the surgeon. Sat with someone and she explained a few things. That I will eventually have to take Optifast: a shake that will eliminate all the fat around the organs, especially the liver since during the operation, they need to lift the liver up to make the "pouch" - new stomach. What happens is that since we are obese, fat surrounds all our organs and makes them soft which is not good, not good at all. Optifast burns the fat around and brings them to, somewhat normal, hard like a healthy liver.
Since my BMI on that day was 63.6, she suggested that I lose weight to bring my BMI to 55 which is a preferred BMI for surgery, they don't like it when it's higher and to my understanding, they can refuse the procedure.
Click here to calculate your BMI.
In April I was called to the sleep lab for the sleep apnea testing. A week after, I received the results stating that my oxygen level was lowering to 81% as some state of sleep. To be determined my Medical Internist if I need a CPAP.
So I was asked to do a weekly weigh-in (has to be on a prescription pad from my health team office) and report it via email which I did. I reached a BMI of 55 in May 2011: lost 51lbs in 4 months. Felt awesome!
Gastric Bypass Information Session (1st of 2 - 3hrs)
They give you a printed copy of their powerpoint presentation and it is simply to give awareness on this surgery.
__________________________________________________
5 months after my 1st gastric bypass information session, mid- June, I finally got an email from the Bariatric Office of my hospital, HRRC (Humber River Regional Hospital). Attached in this email, there was a map of the location of all appts, hotels nearby, nutritional questionnaire and appt letter. (see Jul-2011 tab for details on appts)
The nutritional questionnaire is basically what are your habits, what do you normally eat in a day and it is to be given to the receptionist when you are going to see the RD.
There are 3 hotels next to each other from 0.3 to 0.5KM away the HRRH. ONLY one offered a "hospital rate" and it was at Comfort Inn. They do not charge parking fees however, the HRRH charges $15/day parking so to save the money ($30) I walked (0.5km).
I received my first phone call from my surgeon's office in January 2011 to book 2 appointments:
January 31, 2011
Dr. Starr
This was only an introduction meeting, I didn't meet with the surgeon. Sat with someone and she explained a few things. That I will eventually have to take Optifast: a shake that will eliminate all the fat around the organs, especially the liver since during the operation, they need to lift the liver up to make the "pouch" - new stomach. What happens is that since we are obese, fat surrounds all our organs and makes them soft which is not good, not good at all. Optifast burns the fat around and brings them to, somewhat normal, hard like a healthy liver.
Since my BMI on that day was 63.6, she suggested that I lose weight to bring my BMI to 55 which is a preferred BMI for surgery, they don't like it when it's higher and to my understanding, they can refuse the procedure.
Click here to calculate your BMI.
In April I was called to the sleep lab for the sleep apnea testing. A week after, I received the results stating that my oxygen level was lowering to 81% as some state of sleep. To be determined my Medical Internist if I need a CPAP.
So I was asked to do a weekly weigh-in (has to be on a prescription pad from my health team office) and report it via email which I did. I reached a BMI of 55 in May 2011: lost 51lbs in 4 months. Felt awesome!
Gastric Bypass Information Session (1st of 2 - 3hrs)
They give you a printed copy of their powerpoint presentation and it is simply to give awareness on this surgery.
__________________________________________________
5 months after my 1st gastric bypass information session, mid- June, I finally got an email from the Bariatric Office of my hospital, HRRC (Humber River Regional Hospital). Attached in this email, there was a map of the location of all appts, hotels nearby, nutritional questionnaire and appt letter. (see Jul-2011 tab for details on appts)
The nutritional questionnaire is basically what are your habits, what do you normally eat in a day and it is to be given to the receptionist when you are going to see the RD.
There are 3 hotels next to each other from 0.3 to 0.5KM away the HRRH. ONLY one offered a "hospital rate" and it was at Comfort Inn. They do not charge parking fees however, the HRRH charges $15/day parking so to save the money ($30) I walked (0.5km).
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