Why didn't someone warn me?

I really wished someone had expressed how exhausted you are after having surgery even once the pain goes away.

Maybe it is just because it is my first week back at work... But I'm so exhausted it literally made me cry. At the support groups they just talk about the good stuff.

I really wish someone would just be honest with you. I'd still choose to do the surgery, nothing I've been through thus far would make me change my mind- but it would have been nice to have been better prepared.

The doctor assures me that this is normal. Even though it was a laproscopic (sp?) surgery it was still a major surgery. Thanks doc I never would have figured that out without you telling me. So when does it get better?!?!?!
Good news is he did tell me I can try taking my regular calcium again and get rid of those terrible options for chewable.

My scars are also healing very nicely, I am very pleased with them and the doctors reaction pleased me even more. He is impressed with them as well... Almost surprised he didn't ask to take pictures lol. He also said I am ahead of schedule for weight loss. Today is day 17 and I am down 27 pounds from the day I came home from surgery.

I'm happy- but tired... Oh so tired... In fact, I'm going to bed now.

Sweet dreams all!

First NSV (Non-scale victory)

Today I had to return some clothes I ordered online to Fashion Bug and managed to get the sister who doesn't totally hate shopping to go with me. Since I was returning clothes because they were too big it was okay to browse as long as I didn't spend more then I was refunded right?

Well, shopping is so much fun right now! In August I remember being in Fashion Bug to get an outfit for my uncles 80th bday and crying in the dressing room when I had to try on 4x because 3x just didn't work anymore. So today I go into the dressing room with a few shirts in 3x and one 2x just because they didn't have it in a 3x. I tried on the 2x first because I figured I could cheer myself up with the other shirts when this one didn't fit.... But guess what!!

I had to peak my head out of the dressing room and ask Alyse "Can you see if this one is on the clearance rack in a 1x?" Seriously, that moment is totally in my top 10 best moments ever! I ended up getting a few shirts that were 2x and a few that were 1x. I comfortably fit the 2x's now- but I know it won't be long before I need the 1xs. (At $5/each how can you not stock up a little in the smaller sizes?)

It was such a fantastic day. Alyse hasn't seen me since before my surgery because she was away at college. When she saw me for the first time last night she kept telling me all the places I had lost weight. Once she and Jessica started commenting on the fact that my thighs looked thinner- it was picture time. I stood in the doorway I took my preop pics and then loaded the new ones into the computer side by side.... WOW! You can see the difference.

Who knew I have a neck? lol!!!
I'll post some pics after today... I want the first time I post pics to be a fabulous hair/makeup day!... And how could I forget--- cute clothes day too!

First Post-Op "Meal"

So, technically I'm not supposed to be starting on soft foods until Monday. After reading so many blogs and all about different peoples diet plans after surgery and seeing how many people go home from the hospital on purees and mushies I feel comfortable with my choice to have a tiny bit of soft food tonight.

What did I decide on? Was it my shrimp and cheese I craved so bad the first few days? Was it the meat from a lobster roll I just new I HAD to have days 5-8?

Can you guess what this is?

The meat from two tiny crab legs with half of a ritz cracker and a few squirts of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter. It was delicious!!!!!!! As you can imagine snow crab legs do not come with much inside of them. This picture is of my left overs. But it was so nice to sit at the table with my family while they ate their roast beef, carrots and potatoes (that I made for them) and eat something real. Now, tomorrow I'm going to try to stick to my shakes again until Monday. Maybe lol.

For the record- I do not support or condone not sticking with your surgeons plan. I made the choice to not follow my surgeons plan and will take what ever consequences come my way as a result of this decision. Never in my life did I think I could ever be so satisfied with such a small portion of something so delicious! Prior to this meal I would have wanted/needed POUNDS of crab legs to be happy.

So up until today I have REALLY struggled with getting in my fluids. Two nights ago my lips were so dry and chapped that I stayed up until 2 a.m. just to try and sip more fluids. In those two extra hours I managed to get in only 8oz. Well... welcome to what I needed to get my fluids. In the last two hours I've now managed to get in 16oz of fruit punch crystal lite. I've seen a lot of things posted and it was even suggestion by the nutritionist to not drink from a straw because it could cause extra gas. Well, at this point I am so desperate to get fluids in I'll deal with gas if I have to.  Thank you Christmas Tree Shop for this awesome $4 purchase!

I'm going into work for the first time tomorrow, but only for a half day. I'm going to go in after lunch time so I don't have to deal with the smells of McDonalds, Taco Bell, chinese and pizza. I'm nervous as can be! My job can be so back and forth with the crazy I'm affraid I'm gonna be walking back into a crap storm. Oh well. Keep me in your prayers!

~D

Day of surgery pics

I'm nervous doing this. No one really needs to see how fat I started out (at least in my mind you don't really need to see them,) But maybe it will help someone else to see what I've started out at. Now- keep in mind I've already lost 22 pounds since surgery, and 31 since starting this process... But here were go!

9 Days Post Op

I am feeling SO much better! Virtually no pain remaining, and I'm just trying to get in my protein and water.
Getting enough water in is a challenge. I find myself having to stay awake later than I want just just to try and get in an extra 8 ounces.

When I've left the house I try to keep my 8oz bottle of water open and in my hand so every few minutes I take a sip- and this works well. I just haven't left the house much.

My family and friends have all been so super supportive. There was a bump in the road my first day home from the hospital with my mother, but it's worked itself out.

I can't wait to go back to work. I'm kind of getting bored at home- although I'll miss my afternoon naps :) I'm also desperate for money. I live pay check to paycheck and by taking off the second week I'm putting some finances in jeopardy. Good news is that we will be getting Christmas bonuses at work this year. I'm not expecting the fantastic bonus I had last year- but probably about half of that which is also just totally awesome to me right now! Along with a 2-3% raise.... I'll take it!

I'm finally done with school for this semester. I've managed to pass my first college level math course with about an 80!!!! I can't believe it I'm so excited! This from the girl who took three tries to get out of basic algebra in high school! Also expecting about a 95 in my English class.

Next semester I'm taking American History, Science 101, Advanced Writing and Fundamentals of Nutrition. The nutrition class is an elective that I do not need at all for my associates degree, rather it is a class I'm taking because I think it is very applicable to my surgery. I haven't decided if I will share with my class this journey or not, but I love sharing it with all of you.

I have a vlog on YouTube that I also greatly enjoy doing. The link for that is www.youtube.com/madamdanyell

Holla atcha girl! lol

Below is my vlog from 6 days post op.

Post-op day 5

So I feel a lot better today. YAY! My energy level isn't up there and probably won't be for a long time, but each day I seem to feel better.

Yesterday I went to the grocery store with my Dad and walked around. It was uncomfortable, but the rest of my body needed to move. When I got home I rested on the couch for a bit, but I didn't end up napping.

Today I woke up and I had been sleeping partially on my tummy! At first I was alarmed by this, but then I realized it didn't hurt and I fell asleep again. When I woke up again I was able to sit up without wanting to die. So, the pain is getting better. It's mostly just uncomfortable now with an occasional side of stab.

Something else I hadn't anticipated was how cold I would be. At first I thought it was because of all the blood thinners. However, I've since done a bit of research and have found that the ghurelin (a chemical found in the large part of your stomach- the part I had removed) may also help in your body regulating your temperature. Eventually it'll work itself out but for now, my teeth would chatter! So off to Target with my Dad where we purchased an electric blanket. I'm currently under it and toasty warm :) And as you can see from the picture, Gypsy loves it too!

So now for the amazing news! Drum roll please.......................
As of right this second I am down 17 pounds from 12/7/11. Today is 12/10/11. How awesome is that?

Things I wish someone had told me

I wish someone had told me how much this surgery was going to hurt. I don't feel like doing anything I'm in so much pain. Sleeping is the only escape from it and that isn't even fool proof because if I go to move in my sleep the pain wakes me up.

I have a total of 7 incisions. Only one hurts though- the one they actually removed stomach through. Part of me is wondering what the hell did I just do to myself... For the rest of my life. And to make matters even worse, when I get on the scale I've actually gained weight because of all the fluids they gave me in the hospital. But every time I pee I lose up to a pound, so the water weight is quickly coming off.

In recovery all I could do was smile and picture having a baby. I did this so I can have babies and now I feel like I'm in so much pain I'd take it all back if I could. I know I need to give it a few days before deciding I feel that way, but I can't help it.

I had to throw a really huge hissy fit in the hospital in order to get them to speed up the process of my release papers. I wanted to go home! I wouldn't take a dying snake to that @!*##!@* hospital. A nurse actually had the nerve to tell me she couldn't bend over to help me put socks on. Sorry- but I thought the job of a nurse was to help. Thank my lucky stars for Jessica- I had my own private nurse come in and she saved me.

Noel is doing 10x better than I am. I don't want to say that she has a better pain tolerance then I do, but it is certainly seeming that way. Then again, less than a year ago Noel had a c-section, so this probably doesn't compare.

I'll post more later, I'm starting to feel weak again.

Shield your eyes- there's a belly pic below!

Anxiety! Hi, how are you?

So0o0o0o0o0o0o... Approved. Yay, right? Nay!

Tuesday 11/29 got the news I was approved for surgery by the insurance. Wednesday 11/30 get a phone call that my surgeon is having emergency surgery and will be out of the office for about two months. Talk about kinked up plans. So, I can still have my surgery on Monday 12/5 but it will be with a doctor I haven't met with officially. I'll be meeting him for about five minutes today just to say I've met him.

I'm not waiting for Dr. Kaul to come back. I really really wanted to. But, we're talking about February being the earliest I can get my surgery now and I could already be down 50+ pounds by then. I'm not waiting. Dr. Maffei is the chief bariatric surgeon at Putnam Hospital Center, so obviously he knows his stuff too.

I keep having this half fantasy/half dream that they switch Noel and my surgeries and give us the wrong ones. She gets VSG and I get bipass. Well, I think she and I would both be okay with that too. Think about the amount of money we'd get for that one! I'd be able to quit my crummy job and tell all those nasty people in that office ...... a lot of bad things I won't post here!

Right now I don't know how I'm going to get home from the hospital. I can't be in the car with my dad for that long of a time with him driving 40mph... Jessica has a patient who is demanding to be seen by her at 3pm on the day I'm to be released. I have the option of riding home with Noel and Aunt Jessie, but I really don't think I'll feel up to sitting in a back seat 2 days after I've had major surgery, ya know? Tempted to drive myself home lol.

I wish Alyse was going to be here. I know that sounds so weird probably. But Alyse is the patient caretaker type and I think it'd be nice to have her around. She was so great last year with my Dad when he was in the hospital. So, she better be up in Oz studying hard and acing those finals!

Anyway, I woke up an hour late for work. I got on the scale this morning after pigging out for a week. I'm actually down another pound, who knew?

Adios amigAs!

Last hoorah with my sisters

Well, tonight was the last hoorah with my sisters. I had so much fun with them. I know Rachel may roll her eyes and Jessica and Alyse might get a little teary eyed, but nights like tonight just totally cement our relationship for me.

Some of you may or may not know Alyse and Rachel are not my biological sisters, but honestly they couldn't be more my sisters if they were. When people ask my about siblings I ALWAYS tell them I have three sisters. We're all different and totally bitchy in our own ways, but I love us and am so thankful for each and every unique sister I have.

Tonight all we really did was take an hour drive to an all you can eat seafood buffet. Let me tell you, this is the ONLY time I will ever out eat any of these girls. They make me look like a lightweight every time we are all together and have something to eat, with the only exception being if we go out for seafood. I totally ate 4.5 lobsters and would have gone for more if #5 hadn't been bad. Then again, the shrimp dishes, the crab legs, the ribs, the wings and the prime rib... I ate A LOT! I ate more tonight then I've probably been eating in three days lately. And I love every minute of it until it was time to move!

Insurance company has everything they need to approve my surgery. Now it's just the waiting game. Authorization better take place in time for the scheduled surgery on 12/5.

Oh, btw, Noel got approved for her surgery 11/23! So happy for her. You guys will definitely be updated when I hear from the insurance.

And here it comes.....

The freaking out part. What have I gotten myself into?

I've researched and researched and felt so comfortable with this decision and have been so excited. Now that I'm just a few weeks away I'm a mess! I love my doctor, he's great. Love the clinical staff, they are awesome and so non-judgmental like every other doctors office. Office staff--- well they suck, but hey can't have it all.

With my surgeon I actually have the choice of two hospitals. One hospital is very close to the doctors main office, the other is much closer to my home. I've got everything scheduled and arranged to go to the hospital closer to the doctors office because I thought they would be faster and it is the only hospital in the area Noel can go to. Our surgeries are scheduled for the same day and we are all set to be roommates. However, what happens if my insurance doesn't approve me in time?

I'll tell you what.. Noel will still have her surgery on the 5th and I'll be stuck at that hospital with some stranger as a roommate farther away from my family then need be, with a shower that the other patients will be sharing with me.

Now, if I saw screw it and just go with the hospital closer to me I will have my own private room, private shower and my sister can spend the nights with me. I don't mind sharing a room if Noel is going to be my roommate, but the closer I get the less likely it seems insurance will approve me in time.

Now, on top of it all I'm having that meltdown. I haven't been the greatest at following the low carb high protein diet. I've lost about 10 pounds and it's stayed that way for almost a month now because... I can't keep my lips shut. I never really thought before about how much I eat!! I'm not hungry.... I'm bored.. Or hurt... Or empty and it's a way to feel full inside!

Mentally I am 100% prepared. Emotionally I'm starting to wonder if you can be a negate percent of prepared. Like -50%. I'm such a wreck. And even though I'm going through this whole process with Noel, I'm starting to freak out in a major and I feel alone as I can get.

NSVs I can't wait for

So, I've been reading lots of discussion boards. People frequently are making lists of non scale victories (NSV) they have just had or can not wait to have. So I've decided to make a list as well.

I can't wait for a regular bath towel to be big enough to wrap around me.
I want to cross my legs when I sit.
I can't wait to walk into Hollister and buy a hoodie.
Cute bras.
Cute shoes.
Cute shirts.. Hell just cute everything clothing wise.
Being able to RUN my first mile!

I'm sure the list will grow. But these are the big ones for me right now.

Birthday, Illness, Weight .. GAIN!?

Well, it's been over a week since I last posted and it sure has been crazy.

Saturday October 29, 2011 we got hit really hard with a snow storm. Totally annoyed by it, since my birthday is October 30 and my mother went to the hospital to give birth to me in a tank top, shorts and flip flops! (Indian Summer, not pregnancy hormones.)

The day started off with my sister Jessica, bff Rachel and friend Nikki heading to Lyndenhurst, NJ for a birthday dinner at Medieval Times. The drive there wasn't that bad, mostly just full of idiot NJ drivers. (I swear in the tri-state area the only people who know how to drive are NYers!) Anywho.. We get to the restaurant and walk around, get our pictures taken and the power goes out. While we wait around to see if the power comes back on my sinus start to plug up and the pressure in my face makes me want to let the King behead me. The power doesn't come back on, they give us free food and send us home.

Back to NY we go. All of 17 in NJ was black. No power. It took us like over three hours to get home and was so annoying. The closer we got to home, it seemed like the power issues there were such as unplowed roads and detours due to fallen trees.

My poor cousin Noel (the cousin who will be having surgery with me) has a 10 month old and her power went out, so she packed up and headed to my house so she had heat for the baby. In the past sleep overs (yes, even at the ripe old age of 27 and 31) were always a blast for us. Well, not so much because I was so sick all I wanted to do was sleep. And it was hard on the baby sleeping in a strange place. I love that little boy so much! In the morning I rolled over and there he was standing up in his pack and play smiling at me on my birthday. Noel made me breakfast and then I think I slept most of the day away.

The power was out at work for two days, so no work. Which was just fine by me since Monday and Tuesday were when I was my sickest. Finally get to go back to work, and it sucks. I really hate my job most days. And those bitchy women I call co-workers don't make it any easier.

I've been on antibiotics over a week and I still feel like crap.. And the worst part, because I don't want to get dehydrated I haven't been taking my water pill, the antibiotics kill my stomach, I get too out of breath to ride my bike... And I gained back like 4 pounds. AHHHHH!!!!!

Tick tock...

My birthday is in four days, I will be twenty-seven. Every year at my birthday I start reflecting on my life in the past and what I want it to be in the future. This year especially I am thinking about the future, with my VSG scheduled to be done December 8, 2011. This time next year I should literally be a whole new person.

That's forty-two days away. When I first started the countdown app on my cell phone it was sixty-eight. My oh my how time is flying.

I met the nutritionist for the second time yesterday. I'm down eight and a half pounds. That is enough weight loss to shrink my liver and to satisfy the surgeon. Obviously, I would love to lose more then that. After all, isn't the entire purpose of this process to lose weight? The tricky part for me is going to be not regaining any of it. But, then again, isn't that always the problem?

My cousins bypass surgery is scheduled for the same way, and if all goes well we should be sharing a room in the hospital. My mother is also planning to be there, which surprises the hell out of me. I truly don't believe my mother has left the house since my car accident on November 14, 2009. I will be impressed and very touched.

That being said I'm also so worried her being at the hospital will just be annoying. She is so dependent on others and my sister will already have her hands full. At first I really wanted my aunt to be there because next to my mother, she is the closest thing I have to that role. However, there is some family stuff going on right now and I don't know if I still feel that way. I want my mom there to stroke my hair or make the nurses tow the line if needed. Instead, she'll just need to be pushed around in a wheelchair that will probably resemble a stretcher. *sigh*

Deep down, I can't help but hope that her watching me go through this process will jump start her brain and make her want to change. Supposedly she has a doctor appointment in two days, but who knows if she will follow through with it. Like I said, it's been almost two years since she has left the house.

If anyone is reading this, please pray for my mother, maybe with more prayers something will change?

Dying to be thin?

Not sure why I gave this entry that title, but I like the way it flows.

Life is really crazy right now. I'm so busy all day at work and my nights are dedicated to homework. I'm 48 days away from surgery.

Yesterday was my physical with my PCP and boy oh boy. I'm tired of being weighed and poked with needles. Although, yesterday did mark the second scale in a doctors office to say I've lost four pounds. So, maybe I really have lost four? I'm so nervous to go to the surgeons office on Tuesday and get on their scale. What if their scale says I haven't lost any weight?

I am happy to report that I shouldn't be having any more blood work done until December 2 when I have my pre-op blood work done. PHEW!! I was really starting to feel like a pin cushion- and needles and I do NOT get along! I actually cried in the doctors office when it was time for my flu and pneumonia shots. Cried like a baby. And then Jessica made the mistake of telling me that the IV needle will be bigger/worse than the needle they use when you donate blood.

I don't know what my issue with needles is about. The blood doesn't bother me. It really is just the needle! Glinting silver that is designed to slide right through your skin and rob your body of its life substance. I HATE THEM! They are rapers of veins everywhere!!

I ordered a video camera so I can start vlogging on YouTube. I'm excited to do that. I've watched so many inspiring stories on YouTube that I can't wait to add mine to the mix.

I sure wish I knew if people were reading this blog or not. Doesn't really matter, it helps me to write it down.

December 8, 2011

Yesterday I spoke with my surgeons coordinator and while I was giving her the dates for all of the clearance appointments she suggested we look at the calendar for a possible surgery date. Originally we looked at 12/1 and 12/2, but I decided on 12/8 so that my insurance has plenty of time to approve it after my last nutrition appointment on 11/28.

Yesterday we also scheduled my surgery class, last appointment with the doctor and a time for me to go in for my pre-surgery lab work. I thought I would be so super excited that I'd be jumping up and down, but instead I sort of feel just like "okay."

When I was sharing my feelings with my wonderful sister Jessica she was like that's because it is still 58 (now 57) days away. (Thank you iphone countdown app!)  And all I could really think about was someday, when a warm wrapped baby is placed in my arms and I am gazing in to his/her face for the first time being over come with that love you hear mothers talk about, I'm going to remember December 8, 2011 as the date that made that possible.

First Nutrition Appointment

So yesterday was my first appointment with the nutritionist. She was very nice and for someone so skinny I felt very comfortable around her.

The appointment was a little bit of a class with three other women. Jessica also came to the appointment with me, as I thought it was going to be a one on one thing and wanted her input and questions.

Well, Jessica didn't end up talking much, but me and two of the other women sure did!

I was so relieved to find out that the weeks prior to surgery will not see me on a liquid only diet! PHEW!! For right now I am to replace one meal a day with a protein shake. I learned that the Myoplex shakes I was doing this with already were bad choices and probably had something to do with the one pound I had gained since my consultation. (Or I'm blaming TOM!) So, for $45 I purchased at the doctors office a 3lb thing of Isopure Low Carb Chocolate shake stuff... Then Jessica and I did a mad dash around and found me a Cookies and Cream on at GNC for $38.99. I hope I will like that one!

After words Jessica and I had a fun sissy date at the mall. Bought some makeup, had a little dinner, bought some other stuff.... Like an AWESOME Hello Kitty backpack! Woot woot. I also bought something that is a size 18/20 on clearance because I really liked it, it was cheap and I know I'll be fitting into it by spring!! WOOT WOOT!

Also bought this ugly mumu type night gown for at the hospital. Still hoping I'll be able to talk my doctor out of the catheter, but if I'm not able to I figure a gown will be my best bet at least until that comes out. And got a super cute pair of pjs and matching robe (hey surgery is in December) for when the catheter comes out.

I feel like I could just chit and chat the whole day away, but off I go to get ready for work.

Kisses!
D

Psych Evalutation

Well, I haven't had it yet. My appointment is at 10:00 and right now it is 6:30.

Those whom I have asked what I should expect have said nothing much. The shrink just wants to make sure I am aware of what changes I will have to make and that I will have a good support system.

Sometimes I feel like my support system is a little sketchy. My sister is 100% behinds me, but she may just be the only one. Others are certainly behind me with this decision but I don't know if I could say they are 100% behind me.

Mostly I'm nervous about some shrink trying to poke around in my brain. I'm not comfortable digging through some of the crap in there, I certainly don't want a shrink doing it either. I'm going for something specific and I don't think he needs to concern himself with the rest.

Quitting Smoking

Now that I am going through the insanely miserable process of quitting, I find myself wondering why the heck I ever started.

I remember exactly when I started. I was a senior in HS and my grandmother died in Mass. My mother and Aunt left the night she passed, and the next day my sister, cousins and I followed them up from NY. Us 6 grandkids all shared one hotel room and the day after we got to Mass there was a terrible ice storm that kept us stuck in the hotel much of the day. Well, my cousins were smokers and it just sort of happened. It was a way to deal with things.

For the longest time I could smoke for a week or two and stop for a month and so on and so forth. Then college started, I got a job and spent entirely too much time in the car. The next thing you know, 8 years have gone by.

It's been two days since I have smoked. I felt very bad for my coworkers today because I was so moody and I knew I was being moody. I tried to stay quiet but heaven help me my patients are trying people.. And some of my coworkers too.

It will be worth it in the end. The respiratory therapists I work with have had a few good suggestions and have backed up what Dr. Kaul told me about it taking 2-3 weeks for the charboxyhemoglobin to show I haven't been smoking. I was hoping my doctor was exagerating, but oh well.

The Big Decision

It's been about three weeks since I have made the decision to have weight loss surgery. (WLS) It was a tough decision to come to, but since making my decision I feel like there is something in life to start looking forward to again.

Originally I wanted to go with Lap Band, but after going to a WLS seminar at the Putnam Hospital Center where I heard Dr. Ashutosh Kaul, I realized it isn't for me for several reasons. One- due to my BMI it isn't the best option. 2- because I suffer from PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome) Lap Band does not help as much with resolving PCOS issues as other forms of WLS. And if there is anything I want in this world more then being healthy and skinny.... it's to be a mom. So, my mind was made up to not go with Lap Band.

Until the seminar I hadn't really heard of VSG or paid much attention to it. As we got further into the seminar it sounded better and better, because I was and am so dead set against Gastric Bypass. So, this decision being made I booked my appointment for a consultation with the team of surgeons from the Putnam Hospital Center.

Now, when I first booked the consultation I was a little crest fallen thinking I wasn't going to have the doctor from the seminar. The seminar doctor was so kind and thorough in his presentation. And although he isn't from the USA, his English is so perfect you don't have a hard time understanding ANYTHING this man says, which given this situations is a big deal for me. In addition to all this, I was given the opportunity to see him being a doctor first hand. One of the women at the seminar went into what appeared to be an insulin shock and Dr. Kaul went right over to her and began helping her.

So, the day comes for my consultation. My cousin went with me, who was looking into having her WLS performed at a different hospital. I was very surprised and pleased when I was informed I would be seeing Dr. Kaul that day and that he was going to be my surgeon. He took his time with me, explained all the answer to my questions and he gave me hope. As a young woman, I have dreamed my whole life of feeling my child move inside of me and giving birth to this child. For the last year or so I've been feeling less and less like a woman because of the PCOS issues. Dr. Kaul is giving me back this dream!

I even asked Dr. Kaul if there were questions I should ask that I hadn't and he went and explained a few more things to me that I hadn't thought to ask. My cousin was so impressed with him that when she was informed that they took her insurance she switched to their practice after having insurance issues with her previous doctor.

Since making this decision I have a goal in life. The next few months are going to be very busy as I prepare for surgery. I have to see a cardiologist, a pulmonologist, a psychologist, my PCP, and have three appointments with a nutritionist. My goal is to have all of these appointments done in October so that November 28th when I have my last nutritionist appointment everything is ready to go for insurance approval.

The goal is to have my surgery the second or third week of December.

I will be blogging and once I get closer to surgery I will begin vlogging on YouTube.