Weight No More.....

Hey Everyone,

I've had several friends on Facebook and out in public ask me a few questions about my recent and on-going weight loss, so I finally decided that I would break it down here and expose the truth, the whole truth & well, you get the picture.

If you've known me most of my life, you'll know that weight has been a pervasive issue throughout my life from middle-elementary school on until today. Believe me, there are plenty of reasons, and if you want to, go back to the beginning posts on the blog and read about all of them. For now, suffice it to say that life knocks you down sometimes, and for me, food became a source of comfort, a friend, and ultimately an enemy that I haven't felt strong enough to defeat until recently.

Most women would have a panic attack at what I'm getting ready to say: 353. Yep, that's it a number. A significant number, at that, but it's just a number. I'm sure you've already guessed, that was the highest weight I ever hit. At just 5' 5", that's packing a lot of excess weight around.

Last year, my company provided health insurance to all employees, and I began to start wondering about the possibility of having bariatric surgery. I started to do a lot of research, and if you're wondering, Cabarrus County has one of the BEST weight loss centers in the country. Here's the information, in case you're doing research as well: www.carolinaweightlosssurgery.com The website is a treasure trove of information about Dr. Bauman's clinic. Dr. B. has become one of my heroes in life.

Here's the basics of getting approved for surgery (all the pre-op hoops you have to jump through):

1. You attend a seminar at his office where you'll learn about the different types of surgeries (bypass, lap band, etc.) You'll meet plenty of other people who need surgery as well. You'll learn about the side effects, the dangers, and all the positives of taking the step of having surgery. A very important point that's made right up front is this is NOT easy; this is NOT all that will be needed to lose and sustain the weight loss; the surgery creates a TOOL; it's up to each individual patient to take charge of his/her weight loss. This was a very eye-opening experience for me. I've always looked at myself as the largest person in Cabarrus County. Relieving, yet heart-breaking to realize I wasn't even close!

2. After the seminar, you can begin the process of registering to have the surgery.

3. You visit your Primary Care Physician for a battery of lab work and tests. They record your weight history (different insurance companies require different information, so I can only tell you what BC/BS needed). They sign off on a form that agrees that they will be your primary partner in following up on your surgery and weight loss for the rest of your life.

4. You have an appointment for an upper GI xray...you drink some stuff that tastes like it was brewed in the depths of Hades. No big deal really, but not great fun, either.

5. You have a psych evaluation where you meet a person you'll never see again in your life, and he/she has the ability to say yes/no....this was the most stressful part of the whole process for me. Not the actual testing; that was simple, but the wait to see if he approved me for surgery...wow!

6. You start taking tons of chewable vitamins that you will be on for the rest of your life. (If you can find me one that tastes good, let me know!)

7. You meet with a nutritionist that works with the surgeon to explain what will be required of you as far as eating and exercise goes.

8. You meet twice with the surgeon (Dr. B. and his amazing nurse, Tammi). During these meetings, you watch a video with the actual surgery you're going to have. That was kinda fun, but not for the squeemish!

9. After all the doctor visits, his office sends all the paperwork out for approval through the insurance company.

10. Once it's cleared through BC/BS, you get your surgery date!!

I started all the investigation in August, and then my surgery was slated for October 20, 2010. What a day it was!! More to follow later!

Gosh, this makes me PROUD to be from NORTH Carolina...I always said there's Greater and Lesser Carolina.......enjoy!!