KittyLouSou

18. Anti-embolism knee-highs that should be arriving from Amazon today, and Johnson's all over body wash instead of safeguard bars (thanks to light_lady for the tips) 19. Cortisone cream in case I have an allergic reaction to surgical tape, which seems to be common (shout out to sunshyneqtie for this heads-up) 20. Lightweight robe to hide my booty in the gown, and my ortho-heel flip flops for walking. 21. Neck pillow. 22. Travel fan (I don't do well with heat...this heat wave should be interesting). 23. Oh yeah, the pads and extra undies in case of the trots. Sigh. My bag is getting full and heavy. Trying to prepare for any potential issue...my way of dealing with anxiety, as I can't eat it away, hehe.

You'll be fine bulldog girl!!

Awesome to hear, no-longer-bigeater620! Now you are tinyeater620.

Hope everyone already there is comfortable and happy! Funny question - what do y'all think "a light breakfast" means?

Wishing you smooth sailing, Jamie!!

As my tummy was rumbling yesterday, even with the Protein shakes and chicken breast/salad, I pouted and decided I needed more info on why we do this diet...does it really work, etc. This had the best detail I've read so far, http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/61166-how-to-shrink-your-liver-and-increase-st-weight-loss-%26-8211%3B-the-low-carb-pre-op-diet/ And I finally had the guts to watch a video of the procedure, and understand what they have to do with the liver during the surgery, and now I get it...it's not just a mean thing doctors do to stick it to us, hehe (although after reading the detailed whys and mechanisms...the obscenely restrictive ones still feel a little like that...). Anyhow, knowing how important it is will help me stay with it. Hope the donut dreams stop soon. Good luck fellow pre-oppers! May we all have an adorably tiny liver by surgery day.

Oh how I hope this happens to me after surgery next week! My personal caption could be "Body by sugar (or high fructose corn syrup)".

I was worried my sister who is coming with me wouldn't have anything to do. I will let her know it's like spring break in Cancun.

Haha - The sharts. Oh man. So many fun things to experience. (But it will all be worth it. ) BRB - putting pads in my luggage.

I am a chronic overpacker (and possibly a germaphobe), My pile o' things I'm bringing so far: Includes from left: 1. Florastor (doesn't prevent C. Diff, but good to take if you have possibly been exposed). 2. Antimocrobial bandages. 3. Triple antibiotic spray 4. Generic Hibistat to wash with before surgery, and real Hibistat hand wipes. 5. Mini lysol. 6. Gas X strips. 7. A few packets of crystal light. 8. Two packets of Unjury chicken soup. 9. Safeguard soap (because why not have two types of soap?) 10. Prilosec 11. Generic immodium. 12. Aveeno lip balm. 13. Pill crusher. 14. Heating pad. 15. Thermometer. 16. Eye shade and ear plugs. 17. A few sugar free ricola for sore throat (not sure those are allowed, but someone recommended them). What am I missing?

July 5th with Dr. Garcia at Florence!

I am 2.2 weeks until surgery...let the freak outs and second guessing begin! Hehe. It's probably too soon to make this happen anyway, but did any of you find a policy to cover surgery complications? I am doing the Mexico self-pay route, and my insurance specifically excludes coverage of complications. My google-fu is failing me in finding one I could buy for a little piece of mind.

Sadly, no response.

Oh Janice5/32, did you start gaining weight in the first place and become overweight because you were feeling insecure about what you felt was a boylike figure? Maybe just subconsciously? If so, that might explain your intense discontent. You think you are heading to your worst fear, one that you had already "fixed" by the weight gain. (Our brains don't "fix" things very well, do they?!) That must be tough, knowing you did the right thing for health but still feeling it was so wrong. It's a definite disconnect, for sure, but I think you just weren't prepared to deal with that part. Especially at 23! It's a tough age of self discovery. And I think I understand, as at one of my more successful weight loss program schemes (I've tried them all!), I did a hypnosis course/support group thing. It was rather enlightening to learn that some of us gain some of this weight without realizing it as a form of protection. I myself have always had difficulty dealing the right way with attention from men, so after a failed engagement (wherein my fiance jerkface slept with his coworker's super skinny girlfriend, how cliche!), I ballooned well past my usual safety plumpness as I NEVER wanted to feel that betrayal pain again...so I was "protecting myself" by ensuring that I was the one ignored at the bar with my thinner friends, and feeling like I was in control by having taken myself out of the game completely. Which lead to never leaving my house, which lead to more weight gain, rinse, repeat. Of course, there are many reasons I'm overweight (all of which I take responsibility for), but that was an aspect of it that has been "working" for me. But now five years of this with a brand new high blood pressure diagnosis and and some intense latent loneliness later, I believe I'm ready to change all that and not be afraid of what happens if I'm not invisible anymore, or to not have the overweight thing be something I can point to as THE REASON WHY NOTHING WORKS IN MY LIFE. Yes, it's a scapegoat, and I'm ready to see what it's like without it. It will be tough, I know, without my tubby suit of armor. I'll probably be all "THE REASON NOTHING WORKS IN MY LIFE NOW ARE THESE FLAPPY BAT WING ARMS AND THIS SAGGY PANNIS I HAVE TO TUCK INTO MY PANTS", hehe. But you only live once, and I'm ready to hurtle into that unknown, as the other rare times I've taken a chance in my life usually turn out pretty good. Although I think that my view may be opposite of the way you are seeing; as maybe you are afraid of becoming more invisible in a way you intensely fear or somesuch, but it's a similar thought process, no? A twisted protection or fear of the unknown and the change. Anyhow, wow, did I just make this all about me? Yes, yes I did. Sorry. I hope you can make a breakthrough in the mental side soon and enjoy your rockin' new bod! We are all pulling for you and hope to see a glorious celebratory post in the future. If not, you can gain it all back by eating little bad things all day long, right?

Thanks Jamie! I sent them an email to see if they can offer any plans in my tight timeframe.

How are you all feeling? Hanging in there??

I'll be checking into Florence right about when you're checking out! Wishing you lots of luck. I thought it seemed possibly too soon when I committed and booked it, but now it feels like time is dragging! Ready to get to the other side and and start this interesting journey.

The incredible shrinking woman! You look fab, and it sounds like the best part - you have energy and feel better!

Hope your pre-op diets are going well, ladies! Safe travels to you down to TJ this week!! Let us know how it goes. <3

Celebrating Independence Day from our sluggish old lives! *insert fireworks here*

Good luck to you, Q!!

Yay July Sleevers! We can high five in the halls of the clinic or hotel as we're walking off our gas pains. Party in my room!! Oh wait. I forgot it's not spring break in Mexico.