senickisncis

By excited, do you mean freaking out because I have never been under anesthetic? If so then yes. Actually I went to the dentist once for tooth extraction and whatever they gave me knocked me the #$&*# out!
 
It is vain but I am looking forward to looking good. I am embarrassed by how much I want to be annoyed by male attention. I get none right now. I want to know what it is like to not be able to cross a room without people looking. I have no illusions that I will have a hot body but what I will have is a shape that is not a size 20 and THAT I am okay with.
 
I turn 40 in March of 2014... and people can snark and comment and judge all they want but on that day, I will not weigh 273 lbs like I did this year. I will not fight to lose and gain the same 40 lbs. I will not cry because I see people losing weight at a great clip and I am in pain from trying to work out and gaining and losing the same .4 lbs every week and not eating anything GOOD. For that kind of progress, I'd rather eat a pepper and onions sandwich or a pizza or donuts every Friday.
 
MOST OF ALL when I go out with my girls I will not be the fat chick in the back trying not to notice that the dude is complimenting everyone but me. I will not shy away from pictures because I feel like I look like a beached whale next to everyone else, despite having dropped 30 lbs. What world do I live in where I lose 30 lbs but I am still fat?
 
Never again, if I can help it.
 
So yeah. Excited. NERVOUS. But really looking forward to the after picture.
 
I am on liquids through Wednesday of this week. 39 days to surgery. 29 days until I have to be on the 10 day liquid diet, so I am preparing myself. it's actually not too bad. Meal times are a breeze. I hate having to decide what to eat. I do better with limited options, LOL.

40 days to surgery.... and I've been keeping myself busy so that time doesn't stand still.
 
Keeping up with caring for my skin, trying to improve it. My Clarisonic Mia came in and i've used it twice. pretty cool. Using my Ambi and Garnier lightening creme on the dark spot on my face. Not seeing much yet but it's been just a week, so I have a ways to go before I see something.
 
My parents are coming to visit next month... they said they were coming, I just wasn't sure when or IF they were coming for sure. They will spend Christmas Eve and Day with me and then go spend time with my Aunt and the rest of the family. They live south of town, about 45 minutes from me. I didn't even have a bed for the guest room so I had to scramble to order something. I also ordered a table and some chairs since I didn't have that either. I'll be putting that together this week and finishing up the bedroom.
 
That will be RIGHT AFTER surgery! My mom had Bypass in 2001 so she gets that I don't plan on being the life of the party. At least I will get to see them. I have no idea what to get to have here at the house... I won't be able to eat any of it.
 
Is it bad that I am kind of relieved? I don't really like holiday food. I stuff myself with the few options that I like and then hate myself for it. This year I won't be able to do that.
 
Anyway, on with the preparation...I tried the Celebrate NS vitamin powder you mix in with a drink........ewwwwwww. no. No way I am doing that twice a day. As far as I can tell, Dr Alvarez only requires his patients to take a multivitamin. I got some Wellesse liquid multi and also one with vitamin c and D vitamin, and also some liquid protein. I figure I'll take all of that that I can get and if I can add it to something else, that would be great.
 
I ordered a couple of genie bras, an electric kettle (for making unjury protein soup) and a cup warmer to keep it warm since it gets cold so fast. I also ordered a warming pad... is that what you call it? I can't remember. I got one, anyway. I want to also get a binder because I heard that it helps, especially when on the plane.
 
I am liquid dieting Sunday through Wednesday this week. Actually I started yesterday but I went to brunch first. Dinner was soup and later on I had an Atkins shake and I've been drinking my water. Thursday is our company Thanksgiving dinner and I want to have some of that but I will probably get back on mostly liquids. I still want to hit the 230's by the time I get on the plane. I will be on full liquids by December 10th.

I've noticed something and I can't quite figure it out.  Every AM (usually around 7) for breakfast I have a protein shake (Syntrax Nectar) in which I add - Greek yogurt, 1 c. almond milk, 1 Del-Monte fruit cup.  I blend and then sip (yes still this is a challenge).
 
This keeps me full all AM (even through my commute where I walk and stand a lot).  Usually by the time I feel hungry it is between 12:15 - 12:30 PM.  However, I've tried having the same thing for lunch and it is a no go.
 
If I have the shake for lunch (12:30 PM) I am literally starving by 3 PM.  I'm not sure why this doesn't keep me full in the afternoon.  I'd like to get to the point where I can do 2 shakes and a small dinner. 
 
I like the feeling after the shake (feel satisfied but not weighed down) but it is such a no go twice in one day.  Anyone experience this?  Any suggestions?
 
I'm not trying to do this every day, but on my busy days I just don't always have time for a full sit down lunch.

Told my mom about going to Mexico for surgery. She is NOOOOOOOOT HAPPYYYYY. I cannot convince her that Dr Alvarez is high skilled and qualified. She said to tell him not to mess up!
 
She said she respects my decision and she's happy that Bestie is going with me. They will be here in ATL on the 24th so we'll do Christmas eve, Christmas, and then they'll probably head down to hang with my aunt and cousins and all the good people. I'll be off work, so I'll have a lot of time to rest up and get used to the sleeve.
 
My security deposit came out yesterday, so no going back now!
 
SO EXCITED.

I didn't bring my lunch to work today.  I decided I'd go grab something quick to eat.  There are tons of choices downtown so I started looking at a few menus online.
 
What was supposed to be a quick and easy choice was a bit tough.  The more I looked at menus the more I realized I could not eat half of what was available. Many of the foods I LOVE would result in over half my daily calorie intake.
 
This is why I bring my lunch.  I was a bit frustrated.  How oh how can a small salad be over 500 calories???
 
Needless to say, I opted out of eating out.  I really want to get some protein in but I just couldn't spend money on something that would not even be within my plan.  Instead I grabbed a serving of Special K crackers, and a fruit cup. 
 
Do I feel fully satisfied?  NOPE!  But, I'm not hungry either.  There is one more fruit cup here but I'm going to continue drinking my water and try to hold out until I get home.  There at least I have healthy snack options. 
 
I won't be doing this again.  I'm also going to bring some snacks to work so if I happen to forget, I'm not stuck.

Forgot to mention that my weigh in yesterday was 247.0, down from 251. Not too shabby. I did very well on the test days. Next week I'll probably do Sunday - Wednesday. Eating is so much less stressful when i don't really have to think about it. I think I may actually enjoy the 10 day liquid diet!
 
Spoke with my lender yesterday and verified all the loan info. He said it will fund a couple of weeks before surgery, so around the first week in December! w00t!
 
Till then I am just really trying not to buy a ton of stuff until I come back. Who knows what I will actually use/need/like and I don't want to waste money. Right now, just concentrating on getting to surgery.
 
I told my boss yesterday (one of the two people ONLY) that I am going to tell about surgery) and he's excited.
 
44 days!

Yesterday I had my visit with my Nut.  She didn't fuss express any complaints.  She was glad I understood and did research on what would be required at each stage of post-op.
 
She also weighed me.  After my last meeting of 5 lbs down, I was very disappointed to only have lost 1 lb. this last month.  I have been following the plan and even reduced my calorie intake as suggested.  Exercise has been consistent.  
 
Today I woke up very tempted to just diet until my immediate pre-op diet starts.  I have a goal (self-imposed I'll admit) to get down to 300 lbs by my surgery date.  Since I don't know when that will be (most likely late Jan/ early Feb), I want to get this first 50 or so lbs. off.
 
I realized that I still have some mental crap stuff to get over.  Logically I know that this is a marathon and not a sprint.  It is going to take time to lose just as it took time to gain...years to be exact.  But man would I love to have only 150 lbs to lose post-op.
 
Why 150? Because I like round numbers.  Also, because I've read that sleevers don't lose as much or as quickly as Rny patients and well I'm scared that in the first 6 months I won't lose much.  I know I will continue to lose but I worry what it will feel like to lose 50 lbs and then have to lose the remaining 100-130 at 2 lbs a week for another year and a half.
 
That type of slow weight loss has never kept me motivated or going.  The faster I lost the more motivated I was to keep eating well and exercising.  I also know I have problems keeping weight off so that is a whole other side of this.
 
I've come to realize if I'm only going to lose 2 lbs a week, heck that is the same as any other low calorie, low carb diet.  Why go through with surgery for such a slow loss rate?  Sure, I'll have the extra tool of the sleeve but I really worry after all this is said and done I will not have reached my goal.
 
I understand this goes back to my fears.  I also get it that I need to take a major chill pill.  I'm really trying to get my head right for this and know today's recurring thought of not reaching my personal goal is hurting more than helping.  So I'm going to chill wayyy down and go have some tea.
 
Has anyone else felt like this?  I'd love to know I'm not the only person so particular about how much I lose before surgery to make things "easier" after surgery. 

Today I meet with my Nut.  It is part of my 6 month pre-surgery requirement from Kaiser.  I have a secret...
 
I really don't like meeting with my Nut.
 
Okay there I said it...My Nut and I were kind of thrown together.  I originally met with another Nut (A).  She was great.  Honest but firm and helpful.  She treated you like a partner and held you accountable. 
 
I had my first meeting with Nut A where she sat and helped me come up with a plan.  I then had my second meeting with her where we decided I would pursue surgery.  We tweaked my plan and she scheduled me for a third.  That's when the problem started.  She is just too darn popular.
 
Everyone (or at least most in my area) wants to work with her.  Again, she is great.  However, to meet with her you literally have to schedule 2-3 months out.  By the time of my 3rd appointment, she didn't have anything available for 2 months.
 
I didn't want to add even more months to my 6 month process so I agreed to meet with another Nut (.  Nut B is the exact opposite of A.  She makes you feel lousy no matter how well you do.  It is like she tries to not be happy.
 
At my last appointment I lost 5 lbs.  This was major for me. Not because I haven't lost weight before, but this time I didn't do anything crazy extreme.  I was proud that I stuck to the plan (from Nut A) and increased my exercise.  Her response? 
 
 
I'm going to pause here to let you know something - - that little lady almost caught big time attitude.  I think time stopped for about 30 minutes as my mind processed how to not show my tail in there.  I didn't get rude, rather I reminded her that I ALWAYS wear my walking shoes to each meeting because I come directly from work and have to take public transportation.
 
You see, she is simply not easy to work with.  In fact, at my last meeting with Nut B, she received a call that someone else (apparently this is common) is leaving her to work with Nut A.  Instead of being phased she proceeded to insult the guy - in front of me.  Wow! - - and these 2 examples are the "nicer" ones regarding my interactions with her.
 
My point for writing this...it is a challenge that I'm having to overcome.  Working with her is actually helping me to see that this really is for me...not her or anyone else...me.  It gives me perspective that not everyone cares that I am losing weight.  Not everyone cares that I stick to my plan.  Not everyone wants to hear my crap (good or bad) regarding this change in my lifestyle.
 
Sure, my Nut should want to be more of a partner with me but her job is to supervise my progress and provide correction to my plan when needed.  Her job is to ensure that I stick this through and meet Kaiser's requirements and not to be my friend.  Her stand-offish (is that even a word?) behavior helps me to keep my focus on doing this for me and not for someone else's approval. 
 
I stick with my Nut (such an appropriate name sometimes) because she does have a high success rate.  Very high, even though she is not the most liked.  Her people tend to be very independent and exceed their set goals.  So there is a method to her madness. 

So basically I had some weird throat infection the entire pre-op diet week, which I only had to actually do for 1 week. So eating nothing but full liquids was fine because I didn't feel that great anyway and slept A LOT. The hardest day, believe it or not, was the clear liquid day the day before surgery. I did okay though once I got some SF jello. It's hard finding ones that are not a deep red. I did find some pink and orange ones, though!
 
So I didn't actually feel too horribly nervous until that morning. I wasn't due until 12:30 and the hospital is about 45 minutes away. Around 10:30 AM on Wednesday (June 27) they called to ask if I wanted to come in early because they had a cancellation. I said sure but it will only be like maybe 15 minutes earlier because I live 45 minutes away. So we ended up leaving about 11:15 because I had to wait on my mom to shower. I had already done all that and my bag was packed so I was ready! We got to the hospital about 12:15 or something. We had a hard time finding where we were suppose to go but we got it. Yay!
 
Luckily we had gotten a parking spot that was in the first row from the door so that was nice. I grabbed my bag and my turtle pillow pet and walked in, taking my piercings out and shaking all to hell trying not to fling the pieces around and get them in the baggy I brought for them. I got to the desk and they had me to go an admission desk to sign some papers and get my wrist band and some folder with stuff in it that I still haven't actually looked at. I don't know what is in it, lol. Just some papers.
 
Anyway so they asked us to wait in the waiting room. We did not even get our butts in a chair and they had called me in, they told my mom to wait outside because they were just going to run some tests real quick that they routinely do. So they brought me in and it looked like the same pre-op area where I was with my sister at a different hospital for a pregnancy complication. Not to sound as morbid as it may but it was strangely comforting to feel like I was in a place I had seen before. I was given a cup and asked to use the bathroom and pee in the cup for a pregnancy test. They do this routinely I guess, it's mandatory. Boy was I ever exploding cuz I filled that whole entire freakin' cup! Sorry for TMI there lol.
 
So I go back to my waiting area and asked where to put it and the nurse says to put it on a little table at the end of what was to be my bed that another nurse was writing in my chart at. So I set it there and said MERRY CHRISTMAS! And giggled nervously. She laughed at me, too. So then I was given my robe and socks and a bag to put my clothes in and told to change and they pulled the curtain. Oh man was I shaking so bad! I got it all there and put it on the chair next to the bed and sat down, she undid the curtain and I got situated on the bed and they put a warm blanket on me. Then they had a nurse come put an IV in me and it took her forever. I have tiny veins. They put a 20 in me and said it'll be good until I'm under and they'll switch it to a 18 or whatever. They drew 2 vials of blood and then whatever. Stuck some little sticker node things on me and asked me questions like who I am and what surgery I'm having. Then the anesthesiologist asked some questions too like if I have diabetes and etc I said not that I know of. It's true, I didnt know lol. They did get a CBC and whatever else with that blood they took and I never heard much back so I guess I'm ok.
 
So then they hooked up an IV and then came the Versed. That's the happy medicine they gave me so I can relax. At some point during the questioning they got my mom for me and she was sitting with me. But once they put the IV in they made her hug me and go back to the waiting room. This was around 1:30 by this time. And then the praying hit as tears started rolling down my face when she left the room and I started praying, HARD!! But the Versed hit and I felt okay. They rolled me to the OR and I remember looking at all the gadgets in the room thinking Hey! This is just like on TV and in videos of sleeve related things I had seen before. That was comforting, too. But I was doped up on Versed so that's probably it, too. They aligned the operating bed up to my bed and locked them all in place, then had me help myself from the bed to the operating bed. I was not scared at this point but they were laying my arms out on the little arm tables and had an oxygen mask laying lightly on my face. I was okay with that! That were touching me a lot and it felt comforting. Then they said they would be making me sleepy and I was out.
 
I remember when I first woke up they said I'm waking up and asked me how I feel. I said owww pain. It hurts. They said they are giving me pain medication RIGHT NOW. And it felt better right then. They had given me Dilaudid when I needed the rougher med but they used Toradol for inflammation and pain in the meantime and Fenergan for nausea or whatever it's called. They gave me something else right before surgery too for like acid or whatever but I forget what it was.
 
So I was in and out a lot. Dilaudid pretty much makes me pass out. I had gotten a swab sometime in the later evening and I think a droplet had gone down my throat and I got nauseated and started dry heaving. This lasted only a brief period because the nurse took an alcohol prep pad and waved it in front of my nose telling me to breathe deep and I did. The aroma strangely made me calm down from heaving. I didn't have true on nausea at all. Just onset of heaving. I had another 2 or 3 bouts of that that night as they gave me Dilaudid but they started giving the Fenergan with it and I was fine after that. At home I dry heaved only 2 times from pain medication and that's been it. I stopped taking that nasty garbage.
 
So at home I just staked out on the couch as best I could. Tried sipping my liquids and pacing the house or taking my dog on mini walks. It felt good to walk! I'm now 4 days out and I feel almost just fine except for 3 things. One I feel as if maybe I am getting a cold, I have that pre-cold groggy feeling. And the other 2 are pains. One is in my shoulder from gas pain, and the other is that odd diaphragm area spasming that is horrid but luckily only lasts a couple of seconds.
 
I had trouble getting my liquids in but I'm doing okay. I feel okay and energetic during the day. I sip a little protein, a little soup, or vitamin water zero or sobe life water or just plain water. I got some pain cramping when I had colder liquids at first but it seems to do ok now. I also really like SF chocolate pudding. Im going to try a fudgsicle later tonight.
 
As far as food goes. I get weird cravings for things. I know it's in my head and I have to control that. But sometimes I'm just confused at my body because my stomach grumbles all the time, but it gets really loud at random times and it doesn't hurt but it pangs like that familiar feeling pre-op when I would be so hungry that my stomach would growl and pang like that. So I'm not sure if I'm hungry or what. But it's really annoying and eating a little pudding or soup does alleviate it a little. Although the noises don't stop for long at all. I also wanted to add in here that I do get a bit grossed out by some foods now that I woulda just been like "ehh" about before and not really gotten that weird gag feeling when something smells or tastes gross. I can't even eat broth of any kind and some of these "cream of" soups do the same thing. I have no idea why! I do like those soups normally so not sure what the deal is now but I'm dealing with trying out other things. I realized I can get a soup that has things in it but blend and strain it afterwards and it does actually hold the tastes of everything that was in that soup. I had a tomato and rice by Campbell's and blended and strained it out and it tasted like it. I have a bacon and bean soup that's also 98% fat free that I found and i'll do the same thing with that. It sounds good, something different. I don't have to resort to only 1 kind of soup! Just strain strain strain! Another thing I did was today my parents had something for dinner in a skillet that had green beans, onions and chicken breast chunks. It had a lot of juice that tasted really delicious that I strained out and sipped on. It was really good!
 
Other than that, I feel great. I feel super apprehensive about the type of sips I take and how much soup or pudding or whatever I should eat. I don't know what my limit is and I definitely don't want to PUSH it. I never truly feel hungry to begin with so I'm not sure when I'm FULL if that makes sense. I haven't felt much tightness yet from eating those things but I think I read a few places that people don't always feel that tightness too much until mushy phase. So I'm not too worried about it. I'm just worried about what will happen if I do push it on accident.
 
The only other uncomfortable thing has been a couple bouts of hiccups. Those HURT! Oh my gosh do those hurt.
 
The pain was horrid and I had a few moments in my head that I would probably not go through this again had I known how it would feel but it didn't last that long for me so I think that maybe I do not truly think that at all. If I use this tool wisely and utilize it well to lose weight like I need to then I will be fully satisfied. I just hope that I can stay on track. I know I will.

Tomorrow, although I guess technically today (June 26, Tuesday) is my last pre-op day! I am sort of in a calm before the storm state of mind. I'm a bit nervous but not as much as I know I will be in that car ride to the hospital. My mom is coming with me and staying with me while we are there. Thankfully! Everything has been paid off as well, so we are A-OK on that. I had been sick all week but luckily feeling better today and will only be getting better from now on. We were a bit scared at first not knowing if this darn sore throat would be gone by the time surgery came around. It seems to be alright now, hasn't hurt much at all all day. I don't anticipate it to hurt at all tomorrow and gone completely by Wednesday. I called the RN and let her know and asked if we would be alright still for Wednesday and she says it sounds like we are going to be just fine. So glad!
 
So I have a few things to pick up at the store tomorrow, like some sort of G2 or something packets (not crystal light! I am allergic?) to put into my water in case I have a weird intolerance. Want to be able to get in some extra electrolytes, too. Those are supposedly handy dandy for hydration. I'm also going to pick up a couple of jars of baby food. I have plenty of soup/s left over from this week that should be good for post-op.
 
I just have to finish packing my bag. So far I put my chapstick in there and a couple of throat drops although I don't anticipate needing those. I also put my Gas-X strips in there and my tooth brush and paste. My pillow is near by my bag so I won't forget it. I bought a nice big square pillow pet that is a turtle, I love turtles. It should be ok to use for the ride home and when moving around against my belly and whatnot.
 
There's always that feeling like I am missing something or will forget something! Gosh I hope not.
 
Just trying to relax and remain calm and not forget anything. I hope I make it through clear liquids decently! They do list jell-o as something I can eat so I guess I can eat some of that for texture if I absolutely need to..

Well, not directly. I'm worried about BEING sick. I've been sick since Wednesday and trying to be careful on what kind of medication I take. I have only taken acetominophen which is NOT an NSAID which is advised against pre-op. It's the only medicine I've taken except a small 25 mg allergy pill to help with a tiny bit of congestion. My problem is mostly a sore throat. It could be strep but I wouldn't know. I don't have the money for a PCP right now because all of our funds went to the surgeon that we had extra right now and I don't have insurance at this time. I mean who would have thought this would even happen anyway?
 
So I'm just worrying, because my throat does not hurt anymore but it is still swollen. I can see it. It's huge in there. I don't have trouble breathing or anything and it's not painful to swallow. I'm just worried it won't be better by surgery time and I don't know what else to do to try to get this swelling down. :/

Well. I got it. I got my surgery date. It's for June 27th. I'm so excited. That leaves 10 days before I have to start my pre-op diet which they require me to do 7 days prior and the day before surgery has to be clear liquids only with no red dyes.
 
I'm stoked. So I've been getting things ready. I ordered 9 sample packs from Unjury 3 each in the chocolate splendor, chicken soup and unflavored packets for $1.99 each so that was $17.91 plus S&H. Then I got a sampler kit of Syntrax Nectar packets. It comes with 11 packets in a variety of flavors including Apple Ecstasy, Cappucino, Caribbean Cooler, Chocolate truffle, Crystal Sky, Fuzzy Navel, Lemon Tea, Pink Grapefruit, Roadside Lemonade, Strawberry Kiwi, Strawberry Mousse, Twisted Cherry and Vanilla Bean Torte. It came to be the same price as the Unjury including S&H. I'm fairly impressed. I know I can find ways to like the taste of the majority of these flavors in some form or another.
 
So I have the protein taken care of, for now. I feel better about that. I have a few samples to try here at home to get use to that taste. I don't particularly like it. But I have another shopping list I need to take care of that consists of some soy milk and yogurt, various liquids that are not a thick form, like vitamin water, etc. I need to get some broth to water down or some no sodium bouillon cubes and some SF popsicles. Lots of people seem to have lived by those and maybe still do. They also said I can find no added sugar or low sugar preserve juice from Smucker's. I guess that's pretty neat. I will look at the nutrition facts and see about those. I loves me some juice!
 
Other than that I'm just trying to take it easy and get in any last bit of shopping I need to do directly before the next 10 days comes too fast. I have to overnight ship the last papers of the financing stuff. So once I can get that expensive crap taken care off I'll feel a lot better. Eric needs to get his side sent in, too. I just hope he can get it in with no problems.
 
References:
Unjury: http://www.unjury.com
Snytrax: http://www.bestprice...k-11-packs.html

I'm am so excited, I don't know what to do!! I'm having gastric sleeve surgery on Thursday in Mexico, with Dr. Jose Rodriguez. I can barely contain myself, I can expect minimal amount of sleep for the next few days. So sleevers!! Any advice for me? Will the pain be bad? I also go to school and I'm trying to go back to class on Monday, how will that be? Also, when did you guys start doing any physical activity? I want to start playing basketball again as soon as possible, how long should I wait? Any advice helps sleevers!! Will keep you guys updated on my status!! Toodles!!

Hello all, on Thursday November 15, 2012 I will be officially sleeved!! It has been a long time coming and it is finally here. I feel like I am about to open up a new chapter in my life. I can't wait to feel comfortable doing the things I've always wanted to do like wearing a cute little mini dress of going to the beach in a BIKINI. That would be amazing or how about even doing the everyday things like riding in those tight seats on the airplane and amusement park rides. I can't wait for my clothes to start loosing up on me because right now they are kind of tight, lol. I can't wait to finally wear shorts without feeling mortified that my thighs look all jiggly and gross. Most of all, I just can't wait to finally feel comfortable with myself and the skin that I'm in. I'm in college right now and finishing my last semester, so I will be missing a few days of school. I hope my recovery time won't be too long because my plan is to go back to class on Monday. Any advice for me? My soon to be fellow sleevers. What to expect? Will the pain be bad? How long do I have to wait before doing physical activity, like playing basketball? Wish me luck all!!!

Hey all, I've heard some scary stories of people who have gotten sleeved and experienced some really bad hair loss. My hair is just touching my shoulders and I absolutely do not want any of my hair falling out. I've heard of zinc and biotin helps to prevent hair loss, also to make sure i'm getting my protein. I'm kinda scared and don't want to loss any of my hair. Any suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

We had hubbies mom's funeral yesterday, i was dreading it, but with my sons and the eldest sons girlfriend with us we did ok.
We went out for the day today, just hubby and me to our favoroute seaside town, Scarborough, it was strange to be on our own, but it is just another thing we will have to get used to and we did have a lovely day.
I decided to have a few days of my liver shrinking diet , there is no chance of a cancellation until after the 29th oct, the day i should get my blood test results so i figured i would have a few foods that i know i won't be eating for a long while.
I am starting back on the diet strict on monday, to be ready for the op any time in november.
I was surprised to find that i can not eat as much as i could do and actually knew when i had had enough, the pre op diet has done me some good.
I had a fish today, in batter, and 2 toffee apples, the red toffee ones and really enjoyed them.
My mom should be home next tues or wed so we have been busy moving things around for her new equimpment and are going to clean her bungalow tomorrow afternoon so it is nice and fresh for her homecoming.
When my operation was delayed i was devastated and so down, but now i can see that in God's plans it was for my good.
I was very close to my mom in law and it hit me harder than i thought it would and can now see how difficult it would have been to have my op just after she had died and to then have to go to the funeral would have probably been too much for me.
I have been very fatigued with the grief, the fibromyalgia has been bad and at least now i get time to recover, but i am so ready for my op now.
My sister had her operation the day after i was due to have mine, and has just got back the lab results, it is great news, they got all the cancer cells and she only had one cell in her lymph nodes which was removed, she will have radio therapy and be on tablets to stop the cancer coming back for 5 years, but it was caught early and they expect her to make a complete recovery, so happy for her and her partner.
The autumn is really well and truly here now, the misty cold mornings with the crisp chill in the air and all the trees have turned into living fireworks of golds, oranges, reds and browns, they are a delight to the eyes.
Next week we put our clocks back in the uk and it will be getting darker an hour earlier, we have long cosy dark evenings to look forward to, and then christmas.
I am not a bit bothered wether i will be on liquids or soft food by then, i just want to have the operation and get on with loosing the weight and keeping it off.
Some people are beginning to notice how much weight i have already lost, i have gone from a size 34 to a 28 and all my clothes are very loose on me, much more comfortable than been tight.
Some are saying that i don't need the op now because i am doing so well, but i am not listening, i am loosing weight to have the operation so that this time i will loose the weight and keep it off for life, i wont have a huge stomach and be hungry all the time, but it is hard to get some normal size people to understand this.
Hope everyone else is doing well, we are doing this because we need to, want to and with the tool of a sleeve we can all change our lives for the better, keep up the good work everyone,

so I am a nurse and I do not know how to eat slow...I am post surgery week 3 and find myself inhailing my food in like 10 minutes as my past habits are hard to break...It only bothers my stomach about five minutes then it passes. I measure my food so I will not eat to much so that is not a problem. My question is has anyone had this problem and did it cause any long term problems????

I've now completed everything in my pre-filing six month period, so all I can do is wait. While I'm not a good wait-er (see previous entries) I feel pretty good about it this time. The ladies that file insurance in my doctor's office seem to feel very confident that I'll get an approval right away. We're hoping to possibly get the surgery in before the end of the year, which would be wonderful for a number of reasons. But I'm still very nervous. For instance, there's still the esophageal scope that has to be done. If there's anything weird on there, they can't do the surgery. I think I might just be worrying now because it's in my nature. Either way, I'm just ready for some news. It's Monday, and I hope to hear something within the next week to ten days.
 
So fingers crossed! I'm so ready for this!!!

Today I have my Psych Eval and Pre-op class the last hoop before they schedule my surgery! I'm pretty excited. I'm hoping to have my surgery scheduled for next month around the 12th. I wasn't really nervous until this morning about the psych eval.. I've spent the last year getting to know myself and my issues pretty well so guess I'm kinda nervous about letting him know about them! I've had lots of opinions about what to say and what not to say. I think however I'm just gonna go w/honesty and let God take the lead!

Enjoyed a lovely carvey with hubby and our two sons yesterday for my birthday which is today. i even had half a yorkshire pudding, it was yummy.
I am getting a stairlift fitted today, I didn't think i would be so excited by a stairlift on my 55th birthday, but can't wait, my left leg is agony when i walk, no more crawling upstairs in agony, yay.
I am going out tonight with the ladies from our church, it is the ladies christmas meal that just so happens to be on my birthday, thinking i might have a steak.
I am hoping that by this time next year i will be wearing size 18 rather than the 28 i am in today, or even a 16.
I am already eating much smaller meals than i was able to eat last year, and next year i suspect i might be eating a starter for my main course, bring it on.
Still waiting to get my blood test results back, hoping it will be soon, ive waited 5 weeks now, so must be nearer getting them.
Funny thing about time, 5 weeks just seemed like an eternity 5 weeks ago, but here i am, 5 weeks done and hoping i will get the phone call any day now.
I have been able to address comfort eating in this waiting time and also am pleased that i now prefer to go for the healthier options for my meals and always try to share it with my dogs or leave some on the plate, not bad for someone who was brought up to eat everything on my large plate.
It took a long time to get over the dissapointment of my sleeve op being cancelled, but now i am at peace that i will have it when it is the right time for me, God knows best, i am resting in Him.
I particularly wanted to do a blog today to record how i am feeling and will compare with how i am next year, believing
God Has got good plans for me, to do me good and not harm, and that my latter years will be even more fruitful than my former years, that the years that the locusts have stolen from me will be restored back to me 100 fold, amen.
Praying for everyone who reads this to have a quick easy operation with no complications and a swift good recovery, to get to the weight of your dreams.
I also pray for all who have already been sleeved for good healthe and continous weight loss to get to your dream weight too, God Bless to all, Janet, xxxxx

Well I joined Curves last week. I've gone before but lacked motivation. This time I have a new attitude and am motivated. The local Curves has a new owner and sure makes it more enjoyable. It just feels good to get moving and not sleep all the time.

I got.......a lotta packages yesterday. An Unjury sample pack, Celebrate vitamin thingys you put in water (I HATE pills, they stink, the smell makes me vom) and some biotin. I shoved it all in a corner cause I had it all shipped to work. Didn't have the chance to look thru anything but I will take a look tonight.
 
I contacted the loan people cause I hadn't got my final docs yet. She said they don't usually look at files before they are 45 days out from surgery so they would probably look at it next week. And I think my birth certificate is on the way finally so I can get my passport.
 
Trying the vitamin water additive thingy today. They make water taste so... vitaminy.
 
Last night I met a friend for dinner but I was still 'practicing' my liquid diet. I had a few bites of Caesar salad and some tomato soup. Other than that I have been liquid since Sunday. I am not too jazzed about eating lunch-- I have some broth here and an Atkins shake, but I might pick up some baked chicken for dinner. I don't want to 'not eat' for 45 days.
 
Hope to chat with my boss today about surgery and then I will reserve my airfare while I have the cash.

Countdown to Surgery: 47 days!
 
I can think of nothing but having surgery. I really need time to just speed forward. I've been trying to start some projects so I have something to keep me busy. I am doing NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and I need to go through my summer clothes and bag them, and I have been researching some issues I am having with my skin. I also have a ton of books I'm reading, so I should be pretty well occupied. I think I will set a reading goal to hit X books before I leave for surgery. That'll keep me really busy!
 
I have been eating like boo boo for about a week. It stops today. I don't even know what I weigh, but my knees tell me I am over 250. I've tossed out what crap I didn't eat. Last night's dinner of meatball parm and garlic rolls was the last decadent meal I will have until Thanksgiving probably. I am practicing being on a liquid diet today. I have water, Atkins shakes, chicken and beef broth and that drink and eat chicken soup.I forgot jello. DANG! Tomorrow.
 
I should be good go to go today. I'll probably continue it to tomorrow and weigh in on Tuesday. if I could head to Mexico in the 230's, that would be great. My knees would thank me and I would be more comfy on the plane.
 
Another tip that my bestie gave me: Get a coffee cup warmer! Especially if you plan to eat a lot of Unjury chicken soup, you'll have to sip so slowly that it won't stay warm long. You can't warm it up in the microwave because it will clump and curdle. I plan to get a hotpot and a warmer to keep upstairs because I spend a ton of time up in my room. I am almost never downstairs. And yes, I brought my extra microwave up here, LOL.
 
I also need to make a list of things I need to pick up to take with me. It takes me forever to get things together so starting now would be a good idea. Today I picked up some long sleeved shirts. I will go get more pairs of leggings and some socks and that is going to be my fashion for those days I am in surgery. I also need some sports bras, because I am not going to wrestle into a Lane Bryant bra after surgery.

I am really anxious to get the surgery done, I'm not good on patience and I won't pray for it. Lol.
 
I have noticed when I'm cleaning dishes, I catch myself before I lick the spoon. Or when my grand daughter leaves a fish stick on her plate to not pop it in my mouth. That must be the mindless eating they keep talking about.
 
This must have to be practiced, but thankfully I've been able to catch myself before its too late. No more licking the knife of peanut butter. Lol
 

So glad that's over with, the therapist was so nice. He said all is good, no problem areas, so now I'm scheduled for my final surgeon appt on Nov 14th. Not looking forward to getting cut open but ready to get on with it.