so ready

If I could go in for GBP tomorrow... I'd do it in a heartbeat. I just want to feel good... be healthy... feel good about myself... fit into clothes from a normal store... be active with my husband... be able to have a family... not feel self conscious when meeting people... be able to see my collar bones... I could go on and on.

I think I'm gonna start my to-do list for after GBP. Things that make me fearful now or things that my weight holds me back from doing. Stay tuned...

I've got the golden ticket!

I can't even believe it. I have been waiting (not so) patiently the past 2 weeks for some word from Dr. Fuzz's office. And nothing.

I got REALLY ticked last week when Richard got 2 calls from Amber (the nutritionist) about stuff for GBP, and she didn't even remember my name.

BUT all that was gravy when I got my letter in the mail Monday morning.


Can you see it?! October 18th at 10am is the big day. I have my appointment with Dr. McNatt. I'm can't begin to tell you how excited I am to start this new phase of my life. And now, Richard has decided that he also wants GBP so we'll be doing this together. (Ironically, he got his letter today, and his appt is at 9am on the same day. Funny, huh?!)

Learned tonight that Obesity just surpassed Tobacco use at the leading cause of preventable death . It's time for a change. I'm ready.

Roux-en-Y

Oops. Forgot to talk about the PAVE class.

I basically took an entourage with me. Mom asked if she could come, and our friend Kevin (who recommended Dr. Fuzz) also came along for the ride. I drug Richard along too for fun ;o)

The class was very straight forward, much of the information I already had learned from my research on the internet, but it's always good to hear it from a doctor.

I got to meet Dr. Fuzz (Fernandez), and his nutritionist - Amber (who was the sweetest thing!)

He talked about the 3 different types of weight loss surgery (lap band, Roux-en-Y, sleeve). I'm going all the way with Roux-en-Y.

Even though the lap band surgery is the most commonly used weight loss surgery right now, I don't trust the side effects (band slipping, I don't like the idea of having a port to fill the band, I also don't like that there is a possibility that the band could become infected inside-- weirds me out.)

The Sleeve is when they cut out 85% of the stomach, totally taking it out. I think the possibility for leakage with that would have to be high since the incision would be hugh compared to the bypass. (Not a fan.)

So Roux-en-Y it is! (Pronounced "Roo - n - y")

In short, they will cut the top part of my stomach and make a little pouch. They will take part of my small intestine, and attach it to the pouch, but will leave the rest of my stomach in tack, it just won't be used except to put deposit some digestive juices into my small intestine every once in a while.



So that's the tall and short of it. I'm waiting now... for medical records and for approval for surgery from the doctor and from my insurance company.

Waiting Game

I'm not good at waiting. I like to get things done now, not later.

I've got all my paperwork in to Dr. Fuzz (at Baptist), now I'm just waiting on some medical records to be sent over. Then it's more waiting... they must deem me a candidate, and then my insurance must approve me.

I'm not too concerned about me being deemed a candidate; however the insurance thing... it's makes my stomach hurt with nerves. I'm praying that God will just make this process go smoothly, and with no hiccups.

May the wait be short :o)

1st step - PAVE

Today could potentially effect not only the next 18-24 months of my life, but the rest of my life. How crazy is that?

We'll be leaving at 4pm today to head to Winston-Salem for the first step in this gastric bypass journey. I'm required to go to an informational seminar (called PAVE) where I will turn in my packet, and then the waiting game begins. I must be "deemed a candidate" and then my insurance must approve to cover me. Those are my biggest prayers right now.

Last night I watched the Dr. Oz show where he had a colonoscopy on tv. The entire show reminded me of my Memaw, and how sick she was for over 6 years with colon cancer. This is just one of the many reasons I want to go forward with gastric bypass-- I want to eliminate "obesity" as one of my risk factors for colon cancer.

So I'm looking forward to today with nerves, but excited to be on the road to a healthier me!

The Benefits

Did you know that obesity is the 2nd leading cause of preventable death in America? only behind the use of tobacco products.

I am astounded by all the health benefits that can come from GBP.

{I do not know the original source of this diagram, I first saw it on gastricbypasstruth.com.}