We are members of a gym!

My husband and I went to tour the Anytime Fitness yesterday in Trussville. It's a nice place, a little small, but I like it. Plus, we can go at anytime! So we signed up. I told the owner and the personal trainer that I am having Lap Band surgery next Friday, and explained to them that it is very important that I try to minimize the jiggly skin that may come. The personal trainer seems nice. He isn't intimidating, which makes me feel better. We have an "evaluation" appointment with him on Thursday. He will get out weight, BMI, body fat and measurements. This is great actually, because Friday I start my pre-op diet.

Willie & I (before I had a new surgery date) went to Sam's and we got terrible food. Now, we need to eat the food before Friday. My husband is starting Friday on his diet with me. I am so lucky to have a husband that is willing to go through this with me. He is my greatest support.

The cleaning is still going on. My husband and I have a 3 bedroom house. We do not have children so the extra rooms are our offices. His is more for video game crap and storage. Mine became a library and wedding headquarters. I have most cleaned out, and he does too, but we have to take all the junk the goodwill. We are trying to buy a house, so this will help in the moving process.

After we visited the gym last night, we went to Wal-Mart to buy a new scale. Of course you can't leave Wal-Mart without spending $100, so Willie also bought new running short, and a couple of shirts. I bought new workout pants and a pink tank (it's a little snug, but I want to take my progress pictures in it) and we went ahead and took care of my mother-in-law's Mother's Day present, and bought her a "Duck Dynasty" shirt, which she loves! Now, I have to get my mother something since my surgery is Mother's Day weekend.

I have a binder that includes all my surgery paperwork and guidelines, and bought a separate day planner that fits in the binder so I could write out when to eat what kind of food. My husband wants me to write it on the calendar in our kitchen, so he knows too. We have a great challenge ahead of us!

Women are excited, men are mad

More people know about my surgery than I ever intended.

I only wanted a few people to know because I was afraid of the reaction. So far, the women who know are encouraging. The men are mad and hate that I am doing it. They don't understand. Only my husband and step-dad are encouraging. It's not that they want me to have it, but they understand I want and need it.

Friday I start the pre-op diet of high protein, and low card foods. My husband has really jumped on the band wagon and decided he wants to go through this journey, sans band, with me. Today we are going to tour a local gym and hopefully join it. It is a 24 hours gym, which fits us because we are always so busy! I've got some grocery shopping to do this week, buy a new scale and the vitamins.

This weekend I had a wedding and a funeral to go to. Weird right? I had decided I would wear my favorite pair of black pants. They fit me when I had loss the 70lbs before, but I have been able to get in them as recently as February. Wedding was at 4:00pm Saturday afternoon, an hour away. At 12:30, I put them on...and nope. Wasn't happening. I had to run to Kohl's and buy a bigger size. I was so upset for 2 reasons: 1. I really wanted to wear the other pair, and I was very disappointed. 2. I did not want to spend the money on pants I would hopefully never wear again (except for the funeral the next day). But, I did buy a cute shirt that was a little snug, but actually supposed to be a bigger shirt.

Tonight: my last pizza and chicken alfredo.

Surgery Preparation

Two weeks from today, I will be pre-registering for my Lap Band surgery. In preparation, I will have to go on a high protein, low card diet starting May 3rd, and then May 8th I start a clear liquid only diet for the surgery on May 10th. I will not eat normally (and by normal I mean solid foods) for about 4-6 weeks. That is a crazy thought to me. This weekend I will go to the store, load up on prep food. The nutritionist also told us to try out different types of protein drinks to see which we will like. I've been scanning blogs to see what other banders did that week of surgery. It's going to be hard.

My second preparation is cleaning my house. I have too much junk. This week I am on break from school, so I am cleaning and clearing. I have already tossed two big boxes of clothes. I am getting rid of clothes that are already too big for me. I guess my way of saying "I will never be this big again!" A couple of years ago, I lost about 70lbs and bought jeans sized from 22 to 16 at the thrift store. I still have them packed away. I am keeping those as "goal pants". I am cleaning the entire house, because I know my family. The weekend after the surgery, they will crowd my house and I have a loving grandmother who will criticize my cleaning and organization. Also, bless my husband, and he will clean, but not the way I like, so I am going to give him the least there is to do. We are also trying to buy a house, so I am getting rid of as much junk as possible.

I start classes again on Monday. I am already behind on briefing classes. I plan to tell them about having surgery (not the type) and that way in case of any mishaps I will be clear to miss class the following couple of days the next week. My surgery is on Friday, so I hope to be okay enough to continue my normal routine on the following Monday.

I just keep telling my body, just a couple of more weeks.

I have a new and MUCH closer surgery date!

I have been "re-approved" and I have a soon surgery date!

Friday, May 10th!!!

I do my pre-register stuff on the 8th.

Very excited, but very nervous!!!!

Pre-surgical diet starts May 3rd.

New body, here I come!

Hope on the Horizon

I may have some change in my surgery date.

Apparently, BC/BS did not link my last 6 years of coverage with BC/BS to my new account with... BC/BS! How crazy! They do not use social security numbers anymore, so it doesn't automatically link itself.

The surgeon's case manager said she needs a letter stating I am good to go.

Today, when I get a little time a work, I am going to get on the phone and try to straighten this out. Hopefully I can have a much sooner date than 8 months & 2 days.


Update!: I called BCBS today, and the agent told me my account was updated on April 15. I DO NOT have a waiting period! I called the case manager, and she just called me. She is going to resubmit by info tomorrow! I hope this is my miracle!

8 months, 2 weeks, 4 days

I guess December 20th is definitely my surgery date. I am so heartbroken. I received a letter in the mail yesterday about being approved but having to finish the waiting period. I think this is ridiculous, considering I was with the same insurance company for 6 years prior to being on my husband's. My aunt who work at my insurance even had them send me a letter stating there wouldn't be a waiting period, but apparently that isn't valid. My aunt asked for a copy of my insurance card a couple of days ago, so I think she may be trying to work some magic.

I was just not prepared to spend the next 8 months in this body.

I am hoping for a miracle.