First Official Appointment

On Wednesday I had my first appointment with Dr. Nick Nicholson. It went really well. Megan, the PA, took me back and weighed me. (198 lbs for the record) Then she took me to a room and went over my current medications, asked which surgery I was interested in, and then started handing me consents and prescriptions for nausea and B12 vitamins. I was shocked she was giving me all of that considering I hadn't even talked to the doctor. But whatever. 

Dr. Nick then came in and he asked me what I wanted and asked what I did for a living. I told him I'm a stay at home mom for 3 boys ages 3, 4, and 7. He explained that I would probably need help with them for at least a week and a half after surgery. He talked about when I could expect to drive etc. Then he asked me what questions I had. 

I asked him what if I had a hiatal hernia. This quickly changed the conversation. If I have a hiatal hernia then insurance will cover his surgical fees and some of the hospital and I would only owe the hospital approximately $4k which would save me about $8k. An $8k savings is huge!!! So come on hernia!!!! I've never wanted a hernia so badly!!! 

So with that our conversation was over and I went out to schedule an EGD. He said we would talk about everything else after I have the EGD and go over those results. 

My EGD is scheduled for next Wednesday, July 24th at Victory Medical Center in Plano. 

Oh, also the only place I can have surgery is Victory if I use my insurance to cover the cost of the hernia repair. I was really hoping to have it at Forest Park but I'm ok with Victory if it means an $8k savings. It's a very small facility with only 20 inpatient rooms and I've heard good things about it. 

I'm nervous for the EGD just because I don't know what to expect. As long as I'm knocked out then I'm good. Lol 

I'm excited to be one step closer!!!!  

Oh, I didn't know you were...

PREGNANT!! Ugh...nothing more humiliating (I'm sure from both sides) when someone says that when you are in fact not pregnant.  I just laughed and reassured her for at least 2 minutes that it was no big deal.  And then as soon as I walked her out and shut the door, I came back to my room and can't stop crying!!  I mean, I know I'm fat and I do look pregnant but it just sucks when someone points it out.

On a positive note, I spoke to the surgeons office today and scheduled my one on one consult with him.  I meet with him on this Wednesday at 11:45!!!!  YAY!!!  Hurry up Wednesday!!!

Support

I have to brag on my husband. I really do have the best husband EVER!! He totally supports my decision to go ahead with surgery and thinks it will greatly benefit me and our family. 

A few days ago, the boys were playing video games in the living room and I was in my room watching TV. John came into the room and said, "I just want you to know that I fully support you and surgery." It was totally random and I already knew he did but I really appreciated hearing it again. 

I asked him if this was something he would ever do and he said no. He said he wasn't against it, he just can't imagine taking the majority of his stomach out. I definitely see that point and I question my own decision. But he reiterated how he supports my decision to do it. He admitted that there was no way he could relate to being over weight for so long. The last time I was in the normal weight range was in high school. Granted, in college I was just over the normal weight by 10 pounds. 

But back to the point...I'm so lucky to have the best EVER husband!!!! Love him so very much!!! 

Seminar

I went to the required informational seminar last night for Dr. Nick Nicholson. I felt like clapping when he walked into the room. It was like meeting a celebrity after watching so many YouTube videos about him and doing so much research. Everything everyone says about him is true. He is a very kind, funny, tell you how it is type of doctor. He didn't sugar coat anything and was very transparent 

He talked about the general stuff...how he started doing bariatric surgeries, the types of surgeries along with the pros and cons about each one. He also talked about the 3 deaths he's had over the coarse of operating on over 9,000 patients. 

Interesting facts:

1.  98% of people fail long term on diets. That means I only have a 2% chance of succeeding on a diet long term. No wonder I've done so many diets and still fat!! 

He spoke for about 2 hours and made sure everyone's questions were answered. I was very impressed. 

Now I wait to get a one on one consult. I'm so anxious to get the ball rolling. I know he's the surgeon I want and I know this is the surgery I want!!

Morbidly Obese

I said "I am morbidly obese." For the first time last night and cried. Sucks to admit certain things out loud. 

Picking Dates

Having 3 children makes for some complicated schedules. I started looking at our calendar to see when a good time to schedule surgery would be. Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself since I haven't even had a consult yet but always better to be prepared, right?? 

I'm assuming since I will be self paying for this surgery I won't have to jump through so many hoops that a lot of people have to. I will still have to do all of the pre-op testing and etc but that shouldn't be a huge deal. 

With all that said I think the week of August 19th would be best. It's a week before school starts, towards the end of summer, between kids birthdays, before soccer starts and after my inlaws get back into town from traveling to San Diego. 

We will see what the consult results in. :)

Told one more person!

Yesterday we had all of our family over for 4th of July. It was a lot of fun! We grilled steaks, pasta salad, potato salad, watermelon, strawberries, and homemade ice cream. 

After everyone except my dad and step mom left I told my dad that I have a weight loss surgery consult. They seemed a little surprised but were very supportive. I do feel better letting at least family know about it. I'm a very open person so I'm not sure I can keep it a secret from family. 

Now I only have John's parents left to tell. I probably should have told them yesterday but I chickened out. I know they will have a lot of questions and I know they will be concerned which is all good. I just don't want to be criticized or asked why I can't just diet and exercise. Hopefully John will help me in explaining how this will benefit me and our whole family. 

Last Meals / Food Funerals

I've been reading a few WLS forums to hear from real people and get support from people that have been there and done that. One thing I keep reading about are food funerals. 

I think this is one of the head problems of being fat. Ever since I've decided that I'm going to go through with surgery I've been eating everything in sight. Nothing has been off limits. It's like this will be my last time to enjoy this...after surgery I won't ever be able to scarf ______ (fill in the blank) down to my hearts content. 

It's crazy. I feel horrible, physically, after I do it but I still do it. I'm going to gain 20 pounds before I even have a consult lol. 

I've also been thinking about the restaurants I want to hit up before surgery. 

1.  Babe's Chicken

2.  Joe T. Garcia's

3.  Buca di Beppo

4.  

I'll have to keep adding to the list because I know there's more! 

I know I'll be able to eat these foods eventually but I do have to change my life and change my mindset about these foods. So, yes, I do feel like I'm saying goodbye to them.