Day 1 Optifast

Today I started the Optifast.

I am not allowed to have coffee so I have managed a cup of tea!!!!
The chocolate bar is o.k too.

I found out that I will have bad breath for a while. It's a result of Ketosis associated with rapid weight loss.

This isn't something I am looking forward to so I will have to start out with weights reasonably quickly, just light ones though for a start.

I am still excited about what's ahead and because we are leaving on Wednesday night for council stuff and a wedding I think the time will go really quickly.

kerry

Ready, .................

I went back to Harry Frydenberg on Wednesday the 8th of October and then I saw the dietition.
I am still in Melbourne and having a "food funeral" which mostly seems to be poached egg dishes and ice-cream, both of which I will be eating again in a few weeks time. Melanie,the dietition, said it wasn't necessary because I will be able to eat most food again but just not much.

On Monday I start on Optifast. I thought it was shakes but there are bars, soups and a dessert as well as shakes. I can also have some green vegies.

I am getting really excited now.

Blood Tests

I finally had my blood tests on Monday morning.

Last Monday morning I was supposed to have them but Reid brought me a coffee in bed and then Zachary made me some oats for breakfast. It was only after I had it all that I remembered I was supposed to fast.

This time I got it right.


I have decided to go with the sleeve.

The GP

I had an early morning appointment with the GP in Melbourne so I travelled down the night before and went with friends to a spanish restaurant. The food was magnificent.
The GP was lovely and very thorough and took more interest in my IBS than anyone else ever has.
Turns out I have no real problems but have to have obligatory blood tests which my own doctor will see to next Monday.
I have booked into the psychologist for grief counselling on October 14th which was the earliest I could get.
Kerry

The Psychiatrist

I have been told that I am too honest for my own good.


After a quick tour of Albert Park I finally found Dr. Leon Fail's practice, a quaint little house tucked behind the cafe area of Albert Park. There is no receptionist, just a doorbell and a locked door that he opens for you.

I have read on forums that he makes his money very quickly.

A quick chat about my weight ups and downs and mostly the huge up since the Mothers Day after Mum's death and he tells me I will need grief counselling or I could sabotage the whole procedure and then, are you paying by cheque or cash, here's a pen. In total 10 or 15 minutes of his time.

I probably do need counselling and I know a good one, I just don't want to fork out the money or the time.

Kerry

Preliminaries

August 28th, 12.30 p.m Appointment with Psychiatrist

September 4th, 9.00 a.m Appointment with General Practitioner in Melbourne

October 8th, 12.00 noon Appointment with Harry

October 8th, 1.45 p.m. Appointment with Harry's Dietician, assuming the other two doctors deemed me fit for surgery

My last hurrah will not be at the wedding it will be at the Hobson's Bay Mayoral ball the weekend before because at the wedding I will be only having Optifast shake.

I am so excited about all of this

Taking bigger steps

This is Mr. Harry Frydenberg, my surgeon. Reid and I had a lovely chat with him on Friday and he has given me two options:
1. The Lapband

2. Gastric Sleeve

Check out the links to see a detailed explanation.

The second option is more radical but there is no need for follow up visits. This would save on fuel, accommodation and other travel costs over the first twelve months.

I have to go to a psychiatrist and a general practitioner and then back to Harry after they have assessed me as fit for the operation.

We have chosen October 20th tentatively because the general practitioner is hard to get into and Harry is having three weeks off in September. We have a wedding to go to on the 17th so that will be my last hurrah.

If by some chance I can get back to Harry quickly it will be sooner but not likely.

If you have some thoughts about the choices, please leave a comment.