Blog Fail....and some updates.

So I have been doing a bang up job blogging, huh? In my defense, I have had a busy couple of weeks, working lots of double shifts to save money to move (cannot WAIT), and have been dealing with some logistical issues with getting my surgery scheduled.

When I last wrote, I had just had all of my appointments with the surgeon's office, and was all excited about scheduling my surgery for July 29th. I had some trouble getting what I thought were the necessary documents from my PCP's office, and knew there was no way I was going to be able to get everything submitted in time to make that surgery date.

I also had a conversation with my best friend, who has also had the surgery, and she brought up a really good point that it might not be the best idea to move a month after surgery. Her exact quote was "You could split your incision open, and then your guts would be flopping around!" While the conversation was laughing, she did make a good point, and I decided that between the PCP issues, and moving, it might be better to move it to September anyway.

I also finally got in touch with someone from insurance company, who went through my plan's specific requirements with me, and I don't think I'll have any trouble being approved. For my plan, I just need to be over 18 (check), BMI of >35 and 1 co-morbidity OR BMI of >40 (check), completed the 6 month supervised diet (check), and the psychologist evaluation (check). I spoke with the surgical coordinator, and passed on all of that information, so we went ahead and scheduled my surgery for September 23rd! Eeee!

I'm pretty excited, but there is so much to do beforehand. As I mentioned, I am moving in September, so I am working like a crazy person at my 2nd job to try to save the extra $$ I'll need, plus there's the stress of finding an apartment. Between that, my day job, spending time with my parents (especially my dad, who is undergoing treatment for gastro-esophageal cancer right now, I am sure I'll write more about that in future posts), and finding time for well, life...let's just say there's a lot going on!

I'm also going to try to go on a pre-surgery diet. I don't want to rely solely on the band to lose weight, and I am definitely going to have to change my habits afterwards anyway, so I want to make a start. I'd also like to start going to the gym at work. It's such a waste that I have it in my building, and I pay for it every week, but never go.

So that's my update. Hopefully it won't be almost a month again before I write again.

Here We Go...

So, here we go again. Another weight loss attempt...even another blog (hopefully this will be one that I will keep up with).

After years and years of self dieting, WW, and whatever other random things I've tried to lose weight...I finally decided to take the plunge and have gastric lap banding surgery. I know it's not a quickie solution, nor is it going to be easy...but I am ready.

Yesterday I met with everyone at my surgeon's office, for my final set of appointments before scheduling my surgery. I've been meeting with Dr. S since January to fulfill the 6 month supervised diet requirement from my insurance company, and I met with Frank and Dr. K for the first time. Looks like we are going to be all set to go for July 29th, which is my preferred surgery date, as long as I can get some final documents from my primary care doctor for the insurance package. My mom came with me to these appts, which was the first time she'd done so, which I think helped ease her mind a little. She's been worried about the surgery, especially with everything else going on in our lives (more on that in a future post). I think coming with me helped allay her fears, which is nice.

So my official pre-surgery weight is 271. Ech. I am not sure what my final goal is...I'm 5'8", and do carry my weight pretty well...so I guess my first goal is to just get through the surgery!!! After that, I've come up with some mini goals (250, first 10% (244), second 10% (224), 50# (221), 199, third 10% (198), etc...) I am not attaching any kinds of timelines to these goals, because I don't want to be discouraged if I don't meet them by the time I've specified.

So there we go. My first blog entry. Hopefully first of many!

I am heading to my parents' house after work tonight to spend the 4th with them, lounging by the pool and eating lots of barbequed goodies...perhaps I shouldn't mention that on my weight loss blog, but it IS part of life, after all ;-)...Hopefully I'll get the nerve to take some "before" photos, maybe in my bathing suit, so I can get a good documentation of my progress.

Thanks for reading, and I'll post more soon!