Nearing the End of the Beginning

My classes are nearly done. And them more waiting will commence. Not that I haven't been "waiting" this entire time.

I recently returned from my first cruise, which went to Cabo San Lucas with my mother and sister. I had a great time, and took away some great memories. I was ready for my next cruise before I had even finished the first!


I was a worried about gaining weight during this time, as it would be two weeks until my next class and weigh in.. and those two weeks not only included the cruise, but Thanksgiving as well. I was pleasantly surprised to find I had lost 2lbs, though.

I have to make up my 9th class, and hope to be able to do it this week after I return from Texas (I'm enjoying my time with my husband and dog :] ). I tried to schedule my re-take before I even left for the cruise, but apparently that's not how Kaiser classes work. I let them know when I would return and that I would be gone for a few days in Texas right after, and was told it wouldn't be a problem to get rescheduled. I was advised to call after I returned, to see when a class 9 was open. I called first thing Monday morning (the 5th), and was told Thursday was open.. which obviously wouldn't work for me since I'd be in Texas. I asked what was available the following week, and he said I would need to call the beginning of the week to find out. They sure don't make rescheduling easy! He did tell me, however, that as long as I made up the class "before surgery", it would be okay. I thought it had to be before my graduation, though.. which is what I will try to do either way.

For those who have been asking, I still do not have a surgery date set, yet. As I understand, after the classes are over, I will be scheduled for my psych evaluation and to meet with the surgeon. I'm not sure the order, but after those I should receive a date. From what I hear, it's about 3 months from the end of the class until surgery. Hopefully mine will be sooner than that, so I can get onto recovering and come home to my husband and start the rest of my life. :]

Halfway through classes!

I've now passed the halfway point of my bariatric classes with Kaiser! Kind of crazy to think I've been at this since October 4th, but even more so that it's already the middle of November. My last class is December 20th.

There are multiple tests to be completed throughout the 3 months of classes. After the second class, I was given the clearance to complete the first set of tests (which needed to be done before class 3). The first thing I needed to do was go to the lab to pick up a stool sample kit, as you had to have this done before having the bloodwork done. When I returned to the hospital, I first did my EKG test, and then a chest X-ray (took only about 15 minutes combined). After this I went to give a urine sample, and then get my blood drawn. By getting my blood drawn, I mean half of the blood in my body.... okay, maybe not that much, but 14 viles of blood is a lot!

The results from my tests all came back good. The only only thing that was wrong is I have a vitamin D deficiency, which was expected.

I've since started taking my vitamins every day. I take the following: multivitamin, calcium citrate+D, B1, and B12. I bought a weekly pill case, that has separate daily slots (split into AM/PM) that can be removed so I don't have to haul the whole case around when I go out.

Still to come- meet with the nutritionist, pyshc evaluation, and meet with the surgeon.

Update for the last month.

I have let myself slip into the lack of blog updates time warp. There is much to be updated on.

I began my Options classes on October 4th, and have since attended my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th classes (once a week, Tuesday nights). I am a third of the way through! Time did start moving more quickly once the classes began. So far, the classes have gone over the basics (the different surgery options, risks, complications, what to expect), how to handle stress, and nutrition. In the coming weeks, we will cover exercise, vitamins, and more of the mental aspect of the surgery/weight loss. We have a binder with handouts and information to read and fill out, and each week are given something new to add to our folders so that by the end of the 3 months we will have a full folder filled with information on bariatric surgery.

We've been given the suggestion to lose 10% of our weight by the end of our classes (December 20th). I say suggestion, because we've been told they "recommend" losing 5-10% of our weight, but that if we don't lose it's okay, and just be sure not to gain. Obviously, I think it would be beneficial to lose the weight, but I wish they'd give us a more definite response.

This last class covered nutrition, which was helpful. We were given information with menu plans and suggestions for different daily caloric intakes. I wish they would have given us this information sooner in the course because I think of it as beneficial information to help us begin losing weight.

I really need to focus on planning meals and documenting what I eat/drink. Keeping track of everything I eat/drink seems to be difficult to get into the habit of doing. Planning my meals will make it easier, also. For some reason I just can't seem to get into the groove of doing it. I know once I start, and get focused, I can do it.. but what's stopping me from doing that like yesterday?

I'm hoping the motivation and drive to get this going within me will begin soon.

Side note! Need your help!!

Thanks to all who voted, and helped me become a finalist!! I’m now one of four competing for the grand prize- $1500!! So, I need you help even more now!! Please take a minute to log into your facebook account, go to this link: http://apps.facebook.com/militaryvalues/entries/view/143

And VOTE!! Votes start over now, so even if you voted in the first round, vote now! All you need to do is to enter the captcha and an email address (no spam!). Vote using all your email addresses! Share it with your friends! Thank you SO much :]

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Comments problem

Apparently there's an issue with the comment link not working.. I am trying to get this fixed ASAP! Until then, if you'd like to give me feedback (which I'd appreciate!) email me- StephO.8406@gmail.com

Thanks for your patience :]

The Waiting Game.

It seems every step is followed by more waiting. And not the kind of waiting in which you know when the next step will be... No, the kind that really leaves you waiting, hanging on for the next piece of information that you need to move forward. 

I am now in Southern California, after deciding to just make the drive out rather than flying back and coming out later. I attended orientation on Friday, the 16^th. It lasted about 2 ½ hours, and included the 3 types of surgery covered by Kaiser (Gastric Bypass, Gastric Sleeve, and the Band), overall expectations, and what is next. I didn’t really learn anything new, nothing I hadn’t read about or researched already on my own. This really was more of a mandatory step to take so that I could be scheduled for the Options classes (the 12 week classes necessary to take before surgery). 

Kaiser does seem pretty against the Lap Band, probably because they’re busy doing so many revisions after complications. If you choose to have the Lap Band done, they send you to San Diego to an outside facility, because Kaiser will not do them. As of this past August, Kaiser has begun completing the other surgeries in house, which is good. 

 After the orientation, I’m still strong on my decision to have the Gastric Sleeve done. It seems like the best option for me. If you’re not familiar with the Sleeve, here’s a link that explains more about the procedure: http://www.yourbariatricsurgeryguide.com/gastric-sleeve/

 

We had to fill out a couple forms, one “indicating our preferences and availability” (HA.. see my last post if you’re not sure why I laugh at that) so that we could be scheduled for the classes. Everyone passed theirs forward (everyone being about 50-60 people), and I held onto mine until after the orientation was over. I asked the facilitator if there was anything I needed to note on my form in regards to my situation, as I have spoken with a few people and had been told about the class beginning on 09/30. She said no, as I had already mentioned it on my form. So I then placed my forms on the top of the stack. First come, first serve, right? I can play, too. :]

Back to waiting. I’m crossing my fingers and toes in hopes I will find out within the next few days that I got into the 09/30 class.

"Indicate your preferences.."

Since my last post, I've attempted to get more information from Kaiser regarding the time between the orientation and the classes. Last week, Friday, I received a call from a "Ruby" in the health education department. Unfortunately, she did not call my cell phone and when I returned the call 5 minutes later, she "wasn't available". I spoke with a woman who told me not to quote her, but the call may have been about getting me into the class beginning on 09/30, but I would have to wait to talk with Ruby.. which was not until Tuesday thanks to the holiday weekend.

Tuesday came, Ruby called, and gave me nothing. I felt like I was speaking to a telemarketer reading prompts from a sheet of paper posted in front of her face. I explained my situation, and she continued to repeat her bit about "indicating my preferences and availability on the form I receive at orientation and then I will be scheduled for the classes". I quote this because she said it at least 6 times. I understand it's first come, first serve, I understand I need to attend the orientation in order to be scheduled for classes, and that it's based on availability... but I just wanted a little more information to help me decide if I would be flying out for orientation and coming back to Texas in between then and my classes, or if I would be driving out for the long haul. I knew this would be difficult, but I was hoping someone could help me make what was already a pain in the ass a little less painful!!

The next day I decided to give it another shot, and I called Member Services and spoke with a woman names Hailey, who was so helpful and friendly.  I explained my situation and she called the health education department while I was waiting on the line and spoke with a Debbie, who told her there is a class starting on the 30th. Not only that, but that it's a "mega" class, double occupancy, and is only 50% full right now. She said there is a high chance I will get into that class. Worse case, and I don't get into that one, there are a few starting in October as well. Now why couldn't I have received that information in the beginning?!

 So, here's where I stand:
My tires will hit the road headed for California on Monday. My orientation is 09/16. Cross my fingers, I'll be in class on 09/30..(you can cross your fingers, too! ;] )

The Process is a Long One.

I've been traveling so have not updated like I planned. But I'm back now, only to be leaving again in a couple weeks.

Good news: I've been accepted into the bariatric program!!

I am going through my insurance for my surgery. I'm lucky that they cover bariatric surgery, and am willing to jump through some hoops to avoid paying nearly $15,000 out of pocket. I know it will take longer to go through insurance (which I think is more than a little upsetting), but it's the better option financially. It started with contacting my primary care doctor and asking her to give me a referral for the surgery. She did, on 08/05/2011, and on 08/19/2011 I heard that I had been scheduled for orientation on 09/16/2011. I was told that I need to attend orientation on 09/16/2011 and at that point I would provide my availability to be scheduled for the class that lasts 3 months (which can take 2-6 months to get into... downer!!).

My biggest obstacle is being in Texas, and having my surgery in California. I'm lucky that I have family I can stay with, and have support coming from all over. I will likely be out there for about 6 months. Because it can take a few months in between orientation and the classes starting, I will go out to California for my scheduled day, and come back until my classes begin. I was hoping to be able to complete everything in one stretch, but hopefully things will go smoothly and I'll only need to make one trip back.

I'm glad the ball has started rolling, even though it's slow.

Why weight loss surgery?

My decision to have weight loss surgery was not one that happened over night. In fact, it took over 3 years, lots of research, many discussions, and even more research. My struggle with my weight has gone on much longer, though. It took me many failed diets, frustration, tears, and acceptance that if I don’t do something to change that I will have many unwanted problems in the future.

For a long time, I worried about what others would think if I made this decision. I thought people might see it as a cop out, a short cut, the “easy way out”. I don’t know whether it was my husband telling me numerous times not to care what other people think, or if it was me realizing that this is MY life, and I want to have a better life (probably a combination of the two). The decision doesn’t affect the nay-sayers… so why should I let their opinions affect me? I’m not sure why I let that influence my decision for so long, but when it comes down to it, the people who would not support me aren’t people I want in my life anyways.

Some people have asked me why, and others seem afraid to ask. I have multiple reasons, some I’m sure I’m not even aware of yet. My overall reason- I want to have a better quality of life. I want to be healthy, and active. I want to be able to keep up with my children (when that time in our life comes). I want to prevent the many side effects of being overweight. I want to enjoy so many little things that too many people take for granted.

I’m anxious and excited, and I know this will definitely be an experience I will remember.

This is Only the Beginning.

I’m embarking on a life changing journey. I have made the decision to undergo weight loss surgery. I’m so appreciative of the support I’ve received thus far, and I know the support I have will only help me during this experience.

My intention with this blog is to not only keep my family and friends informed and updated, but to share my experiences with those who are considering weight loss surgery and/or are looking for a more personal account on top of all the medical jargon you can find online. I thought it would be personally beneficial if I documented my journey, and maybe even help someone out along the way.