Nutritionists & Psych Evaluations = Fun

Well, fun in some aspects... at least I try to make things fun. :)

I met my nutritionist, who is in the same office as Dr. Bruce.  He asked me lots of questions and then explained what I'll be able to eat after surgery.  He showed me the little plastic pieces of food - 1-2 ounces.  1-2 ounces??  Yep... 1-2 ounces.  Start with protein and go from there.  Of course, the first 4 weeks are liquid diet only.  Protein shakes, broth, jello, decaf tea/coffee... boring and bland... but I'm OK with that.

Dr. Bruce has studied with his patients what he calls the "Bruce Metabolic Scale".  He asks each patient before surgery, "What is your hunger level each day on a scale of 1-10?  What is your carb cravings each day on a scale of 1-10?"  The sum of the two is the Bruce Metabolic Scale (BMS).  Mine is a 17.  When I wake up from surgery... it will be a 1 or 2.  That's right... no hunger... no carb cravings.  I basically have to force myself to drink and eat after surgery to ensure I get enough nutrients!!  Oh Glorious day when I no longer crave carbs!

I have a long list of protein shakes and vitamins to try out to find the combination that works best for me.  I bought some protein from Whole Foods, but unfortunately have to return it.  It is absent of whey & soy, which I need for my nutritional plan.  I also bought green super food powder... not quite sure about that one... it's green.  Deep, dark green.  Something about that is just not right.  Especially when mixed with apple juice... dark dark green... <shudder>.

I have been taking the Digest pill that Dr. Bruce told me to get.  It seems to work great (when I remember to take it).  Folic acid seems to be giving me a tad bit more energy... and I am almost excited about the B12 shot tomorrow.  I hear that helps with energy as well.  

This week has been really tough, mentally and physically.  I seem to have a more motivation - I cut out soft drinks Thanksgiving weekend.  Haven't had one since.  I've started to mix 1/2 decaf in my coffee.  I'm doing 1/2 sweet, 1/2 unsweet tea.  Just need to switch to decaf soon.  I've been having a lot of pain in my neck/head area.  I haven't been resting well at night and can't seem to get into my groove this week.  

Back to the program... I also went for a psych evaluation.  I had to meet with a psychologist for a few minutes, give her a quick history of weight issues and emotional issues caused by being overweight, then had to complete a couple of tests.  The first was made up of statements that required answers like "Always, Often, Sometimes, Rarely, Never".  The questions were tricky and sometimes entertaining...

I like the size of my buttocks. 

I think my thighs are too large.

I think my thighs are normal size.

I think my thighs are small enough.

The other test was comprised of true/false statements...

I have flown across the Atlantic more than 30 times this year.

I have been on the covers of several magazines recently.

I am responding honestly about the state of my health in these responses.

Really??  What does magazine covers, flying over the Atlantic and trick questions about my thighs have to do with my psychological makeup and whether I'm able to have surgery?  I guess I get the questions about my thighs, but how many different ways do you have to ask it??  I started to second-guess myself and how I responded to those... tricky, tricky shrinks... I hope I outsmarted them :)

So tomorrow, I get my B12 shot.  This weekend, I will be busy working on handmade Christmas gifts and finishing up shopping.  Next week I will have a Sleep Study... will keep you all posted on that.  Work is going to be crazy over the next week or so and I may not have much time to post.  

Thanks everyone for your kind words of support!  It means everything to me!
Kell