My First WLS Support Group

My Bariatric Surgery Center has a Weight Loss Surgery Support Group called MONARCH.  It stands for something cleaver, but I can't remember what right now.  It meets once a month right at the Bariatric Center.  I am kinda anxious and nervous by nature so I didn't want to go alone.  Gander hurt his back and wasn't feeling well, so I felt bad dragging him along (even though he assured me he wouldn't mind).  My mom kindly offered to go with me instead. 

There were only about 12 people or so at the meeting.  It started with someone handing out the MONARCH Newsletter and some WLS-friendly holiday recipes.  Then a man got up and introduced himself as one of the leaders.  He had bypass in 2009 and has lost over 100 lbs.  He went around the room and had us all introduce ourselves and explain where we are in this process.  One lady next to me was 6 months out (bypass) and had lost 80 lb already.  She was positively GLOWING.  After brief intros, the guest speaker was introduced.

She was one of the Nutritionist at the Bariatric Center (the one that I have an appointment with in February....which will be my 2nd nutrition appointment, which could potentially be my LAST one if she approves me).  She gave a presentation on how not to gain weight during the holidays.  Honestly, it was kinda boring and stuff I already knew and read about in fitness magazines all the time: don't go starving, bring a healthy dish to pass, don't drink your calories, etc.  I didn't feel like it was really directed toward the weight loss patient. But it certainly applies.  That lasted about an hour.  And then my mom was ready to go.

I wanted to stay and listen to the "chit-chat" part even though it was kind of annoying.  A lot of the people there didn't really seem like they "got it"...some of them were actually approved for the surgery already, and were asking the oddest questions....things that they should DEFINITELY know already.  Like what's the post op diet?  What can you eat right after surgery?   One person there had her surgery last week and she was asking things like "can you ever eat in a restaurant again?"  I guess I'm being too judgmental.  But there were people there whose brain I would have loved to pick.  Like the lady next to me.  I did have the chance to ask the leader a few questions.  He seemed like a genuinely nice guy.  Volunteering his time to help people accomplish what he did. 

But anyways, I felt bad making my mom stay later, neither of us had eaten, it was getting late, and it was snowing bad.  So, we left.  I think next time I will go alone or take Gander (who is contractually obligated to hang out with me even if he is super bored....cuz we're married and stuff).  Long story short, I don't think it was all that great, but I fully intend on going next month.  I want to soak up any opportunity to learn anything and everything I can about this stuff!

Hoops: First Appointments Made!

OK people!! This is happening!  (Well the things that have to happen so that the things that need to happen before the other thing can happen are happening.)  I called to make my appointment at the Bariatric Center.  I was pleased that all I had to say was, "I went to the Seminar...now what?" and the lady on the other end knew exactly what to do. 

Although she wasn't exactly warm and fuzzy, she did know exactly what I needed to be scheduled for and how far apart the appointments had to be.  They gave me the first appointments available...which was mid-January. Even though that's about 5 weeks away, it's ok because my insurance doesn't kick in until January 1st.  Also, it gives me a little time to get in to see my Primary Care Physician and get her on board with this whole thing. Fun.

My group nutritional appointment is January 16th, 2014 and is from 8:30a-11:00am.  Then I have my hour long History and Physical Appointment January 23rd, 2014.  Finally, on February 11th at 9am I have my one-on-one 30 minute nutritionist appointment. 

Technically only 2 nutritionist appointments are required, so in theory, this could be all I need.  I really didn't expect to get all these appointments to soon!  I am just anticipating to be met with so much resistance and to have to fight tooth and nail the whole way to make this happen.  I am also struggling to really appreciate all the steps they have you take and view them as tools that will help me succeed post-surgery instead of obstacles I have to get around so I can get the surgery.  I'm already thinking of things I should say and trying to figure out what they want to hear.  Instead of that I should just work on DOING those things!

Like chewing a zillion times before swallowing.  And writing in a food journal every day.  And exercising.  And taking my diabetes and blood pressure meds (which I have been doing).  And eating high protein. And watching my portions.  And cutting out junk food.  And taking my vitamins.

Wow. That sounds like a  lot of work.  I think that between now and my appointments I need to really focus on getting my mind around this.  I need to wake up out of this FOG.  I need to start watching what I eat and exercising. I spend a lot of my life hiding from it.  Hiding from life I mean.  The thing about life, though, is that it doesn't spend a lot of time looking for you. Doesn't send a search party.  Just kinda keeps going...passes you right by.  I need help.

I know that I have to see a therapist of some sort to deal with my food issues.  I tried that already early this year....it helped and didn't help.  I couldn't open up.  I didn't want to talk about things.  I liked the person I was seeing, but maybe she wasn't as good a fit as I thought?  I don't know. 

There is a Weight Loss Surgery support group that's affiliated with the Bariatric Center.  They meet once a month and it's free of charge.  I am going tomorrow.  Maybe hearing from people that are going through this and have gone through it will help.