ONE WEEK AWAY!!!!

So, its Monday, week 2 of my 1k calorie/day pre-op 'diet', I realize at this time next week I will be 'under the knife'.   Considering all that's swirling in my head, I am in a fairly decent mood, regardless of the fact that I have not had carbs in a WEEK!!  (I'm Sicilian-this is nearly unheard of!)

Excitement, anticipation, uncertainty and many other emotions fill  me to the brim and beyond.  I am excited for a drastic change- type 2 diabetes banished, weight loss (read cute summer dresses) and a whole new way of life. The future looks brighter than ever.  I am the best possible place emotionally, physically and psychologically than I have been for as long as I can recall back to my teenage years (those were some great years!).

Anticipation because I want it to be over with.  I hate anesthesia- really does anybody- and I can never recall coming out of it during prior surgeries.  My husband will be there, I know, to be sure I am OK and absorb any information I cannot but I still hate the thought of going under. There is always the possibility of never coming out of it.  I hate death.  The idea of mine or anyone else's.  Over-thinking this whole thing, possibly...realizing possibilities- very smart.

The uncertainty lays in: Will I lose a lot of weight?  Will I no longer be diabetic?  Will my liver be small enough for laproscopic surgery (6 small incisions as opposed to one huge one from the bottom of my breast bone to my waist- the latter has the removal and replacement of the liver after the Rouen-Y procedure is done)?  Will my surgeon see my humorous statements as the fear that they are indeed attempting to disguise?  Will I be able to follow my new eating habits properly and not have a sugar dumping right out of the gate because I am a chocoholic?!?!  Seriously!!!  Will I have complications after the fact: leakage, blockage, stretching of the new stomach??   Like I said, UNCERTAINTY!!!!!

I will be in VERY good hands at Beth Israel, I know this, that is why the procedure is being done there.  I could have gone locally (Lowell General) but I felt most comfortable going into Boston to have this done.  My surgeon, Dr. Dan Jones, Chief of Minimally Invasive Surgery and Director of the Bariatric Program at BIDMC is a straight shooter, tells it like it is and it knowledgeable and reputable- otherwise I would not put Dave through the stress and anxiety of driving into Boston so I can have this done.  I trust Dr. Jones.  I trust his experience.  I trust my decision to do this.

So, as I am about to have yet another meal replacement shake, I thank you for taking the time to read this and follow my little journey.

~Nichole

SURGERY IS APPROVED BY INSURANCE CO!!!!

So, after 15 days of anticipation and holding back on irritating the sh*t out of my Surgeon's Admin- my health insurance company sent a letter to me approving 1 (one) gastric bypass surgery (like I want it done twice, c'mon!).

This is truly momentous and thrilling.  Having just went to meet with the anesthesiology nurse, having blood work for pre-op this morning at Beth Israel in Boston, its all sinking in...my physical being is about to change- more scars (incisions) and weight loss that will reverse my type 2 diabetes.

If you or anyone you know is a candidate for the surgery, all I can do is highly recommend the gastric surgery team at Beth Israel.  With experience and expertise, they are truly the best hands to be in.

So cheers to May 7th....a glowing day on my calendar (surgery day) and I cannot wait to share my triumphs with all of you!!!

Til my next post- take care!

1st blog

Hi and thanks for stopping by!  

This blog will be my documentation of my Gastric Bypass Surgery to reverse my type 2 diabetes.  Surgery is aggressive and not for everyone, but I truly believe that l have a second chance at life, in general, after this life altering process.  I am truly looking forward to the end results!

I have done a lot of research; reading online, reading my 'workbook' from the hospital where I will be having the surgery (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC from here on out....www.bidmc.org)) and talking to friends and family that have also had the surgery.  This was not an easy decision to make.  With the help of my VERY supportive husband, the urging of my endocrinologist and A LOT of reading, I determined now was the best time to accomplish this task.

Lets talk about friends and family for a moment- everyone has their own story and some are inspiring, others not so much.  Everyone one of them had this surgery for their own particular reason, from general weight loss to other health reasons, and of course, everyone heals differently after surgery.  Having had a couple of surgeries in the past decade, my body heals fairly slowly and requires frequent rest.  I am comfortable in making my decision and will document it to the best of my ability.

My hope for this blog is to be inspiring to people considering surgery in the future without sugar-coating the reality of the aftermath of Gastric Bypass Surgery.  

So below,  this is a picture of me, today....  I also intend to post regular pictures as well as document my weight and blood sugar tests.