A new Andi

This is a place for me to talk about my weightloss journey. I am trying not to use the word struggle because right now I am trying to have a positive attitude about it but it definately is a struggle.

In Sept. 2009 I went to see a weight loss surgeon. I weighed 290 lbs. He told me I qualified for the surgery but I needed to lose 10% of my bodyweight before I could have it. The next step was to sign up for an EGD. An Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is an examination of the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and upper duodenum with a small camera. I scheduled it but once I got home I chickened out and canceled. I felt I wasn't informed enough and there was too much unknown.

I have a friend who is going through the same process but with the Navy and she is recieving excellent information which she has graciously shared with me. I felt better about the GB process so I scheduled the EGD and had it March 31 2010. I have a hernia. I think it is called a hiatal hernia. It will be repaired during the bypass surgery. There were also a lot of red irritated places in the stomach that were biopsied and came back normal.

Next step, lose the 30 lbs!!! I feel like if I can do that then why do I need the surgery. I am so very whiney about this. I can't excercise too much because I am in constant pain and I can't lose weight without exercising. It's hard for me to reduce my calories because I am the main cook bla bla bla. The other day I was just stuck in this whine fest of self pitty. I was misserable.

After I stopped freaking out I tried to pick something small. I have had a lot of swelling issues lately and I have to go on a liquid diet for two weeks prior to surgery. I will be intaking mostly protien. The PA I spoke with about my EGD results said to go on a high protien diet. This was overwhelming to me. I decided that I need to get use to not having sugar. I don't eat a ton but when I want it it is all encompassing.

Starting Tuesday April 13 I stopped refined sugars. I don't know how long this will go on for but I need to get use to not having it. I have been drinking at least two protien shakes a day and eating apples and raw almonds. The apple helps with the sugar cravings and the almonds keep me feeling full. Tuesday I rewarded myself with my very unhealthy popcorn because I wasn't having sugar and butter isn't sugar. I immediately swelled up like a baloon. Wednesday I cut salt. I did have a couple of very thin slices of ham but no added salt and I tried not to eat things with lots of salt. Today I was down 4 lbs.!!!! More importantly I don't feel tight and puffy.

My motto for now is baby steps. This is where I am going to bitch and whine and rejoice. If you want to read, read if you don't, don't. This is hard for me and I need to talk but not everyone wants to hear so will just blather on here and I will be fine. I can hardly wait to be at a normal weight. I'm going to take off the required weight so that the surgery can go smoothly. I'm going to get this done.

Andi