My Theme Song

The wife jokingly said this should be my theme song.  I personally think it's perfect.

Bam...bam bam bam...bam bam bam...bam bam bammmmmmmmmmmm

Changes All Around

The blog name has changed.
My nerves have changed.
My life has changed.

Since I wrote my last post, I got some nerves about going through with this surgery. I decided that I needed to give things one last shot before I pushed forward with this route.

On June 12, 2011 my life changed. I picked myself up and brought myself into a Weight Watchers meeting. On the way there, I called my wife and asked her if she would support me in whatever weight loss path I choose to go down. She told me that I have her support in anything I do. That was the push I needed. I walked in and paid for my first week. I paid my $13 and got weighed in. 301.8 pounds *Gasp*. I took my materials and sat down (in the middle, not in the back for the first time). Low and behold, the meetings topic this week was "SUPPORT". How will I get support? Who will support me? How will they support me? This was a sign for me. I had just finished asking my wife for support, and here we were talking about it. It really got me motivated.

It's been 4.5 days since my first meeting. I have been struggling and thought of giving up already and just having the surgery. But I refuse. I found success stories, blogs, and message boards that contain individuals who have done this. I am going to join that elite group.

I have changed the name of my blog to "The Incredible Shrinking Jaime" because I think it fits. This journey will follow me shrinking down bit by bit. The title inspires me. Now I just need a theme song...

Appointments Scheduled!!

I am so excited. My primary phycisian is working on my "Letter of Necessity" and my "Script for WLS Nutrition Counseling". I have made my initial dietitian appointment: June 20th. I am about to call and make my psychological evaluation appointment (some time in October). Things are moving along and I cannot wait!!

***UPDATE***
Psych evaluation has been scheduled for November 5th :)

Heard Back from Insurance Company!!

I am on BCBS of TX through my employer. We finally heard back yesterday (fairly quickly actually, just under a week) on what our next steps are to be approved for the surgery:

1. Get a letter of necessity from my primary physician.
2. Follow a 6-month doctor led nutrition program (this is offered at Celebration Health - the location of our surgery).
3. Complete a psych evaluation.

Once I do those three things, the insurance company will provide their preauthorization.

After preauthorization is received, I have to complete these next steps:

1. Set up an appointment with a Celebration Health nurse to determine what clearances I need to complete.
2. Complete required clearances.
3. Set up appointment for pre-op.
4. Schedule SURGERY DATE!!!

I also found out that BCBS of TX DOES cover the gastric sleeve surgery. This is the route I have decided to take. With the sleeve gastrectomy AKA gastric sleeve, they staple and then remove ~ 80% of your stomach. This leaves a banana shaped "sleeve" which causes fullness faster. It also removes the portion of the stomach responsible for creation of a hormone (gherlin I think) that causes hunger and cravings.

I feel this procedure is best for me because I don't have to worry about malabsorption with being pregnant. All three types of surgery allow for healthier pregnancies, and there are ways around the malabsorption while pregnant, but for me, I feel better with the sleeve.

I am SO SO SO SO SO excited. I cannot wait to start feeling better. The journey has started :)

Quick Update

The doctor we went to SUCKED!! His office was messy - his staff was rude and unkempt - he seemed full of himself. We have decided to have a consultation elsewhere. Next Wednesday, we are attending an informational seminar at The Metabolic Medicine and Surgery Institute at The Florida Hospital in Celebration. Fingers crossed this one is better!

Unsure if anyone is reading this blog yet - but if there is anyone out there who has gone to this location, please post comments on your experiences!

***UPDATE***
I went to the seminar at The Metabolic Medicine and Surgery Institute at The Florida Hospital in Celebration. I feel so much more comfortable here. The staff was very helpful. The surgeon was knowledgeable and had a great bedside manner. He actually trains other surgeons how to perform his techniques. This is definitely the place for me to move forward on this journey.

First Step

For years I have been adamently against surgery to lose weight. I've hit the point that I am now not only against it, but excited about it. Today I take the first step towards my journey...I am meeting with the doctor for an initial consultation. I am excited and nervous - but mostly excited. I want to know everything that I need to know. Today starts the beginning of the rest of my life. Today starts the day that I become a better mother, wife, and me.

I will be posting again after we meet with the surgeon so that I can get everything documented before I forget anything.

Starter Post

Hi -

I am Jaime. And this blog is to document my journey from large to small with the assistance of bariatric surgery. I will write my background story in another blog at a time when I am not so exhausted. But for now, I just wanted to start the blog off.

My hope is to provide documentation of my journey for myself, in hopes of finding out more about me as I progress, as well as to offer first hand experience knowledge to other people out there who are considering this route.

I have my first consultation with a bariatric surgeon on Thursday, more details to come!