Chrisann

When I am dehydrated, my veins recess, so if I am liquid free from the night before, they can't find them to insert the needles, so I was told I have to be first or I will be stuck all over the place. You should see the bruises I have from the blood tests I have done in the past two weeks for this reason. Once when I was having a colonoscopy, they couldn't find any veins in my arms or hand and wound up going into the back of my calf and still didn't hit the vein. I have a permanent bruise there from where the Fluid leaked because the needle had gone clear through a deflated vein. I wasn't knocked out when they started the procedure. I talked about this with the anesthesiologist at my pre surgical testing on Wednesday. My surgery was originally Jan 21, but they cancelled it and this is the only other day/week that was convenient for me to take off and my parents to be in town. Otherwise, I would have to wait for their next trip up in April. Today is day 5 on the liquid, and I swear today was a little better, no real annoying hunger pangs and I don't feel like eating the furniture.

Day 5. Surprise, surprise. Only had a smoothie and a slim fast so far. Not really hungry, no grumbling stomach, could it be its getting adjusted and the next 10 days will fly by?

Last nite at my office party, the people I work with was so supportive it was scary. All the initial threats of tempting me when the surgery was initially scheduled a few months ago never materialized. They all kept asking me if I was ok, comfortable, etc, because I wasn't eating all that much. It was so uplifting. My good friend and I had a fight 3 weeks ago when I didn't go to her b'day party, so she doesn't even know my surgery was scheduled for the 31st. My best friend is a guy, 6'4" and close to 400 pounds who initially wasn't supportative at all. He is more on board now, as I am getting him into drinking at least one Protein shake a day. But he thinks this is minor surgery and I should be up and back to work and driving the next day. My Dad has been on board from day 1, and he too a big man. It took Dr. Ren calling my Mom on the phone to bring her 100% on board. My siblings supported the idea but in reality never thought I would go through it. Now they are all stunned I am on day 5 of liquid and will be on liquid for Christmas Eve.

I had my presurgical testing this week. I met with the Anethesiologist too. They have me scheduled the first AM surgery because when I am dehydrated, my veins shrink in. I said that to the Anth. showed her all the bruises from the various doctors in the past two weeks that have taken blood, and told her about a previous procedure when the knockout drug when under my skin not into the vein. I have a permanent bruise there. She says "so are you looking for special treatment", I answer, well I am more concerned since people can't find my veins, I am not going to be fully knocked out during surgery. She then says, we do 50 of these a week and never have a problem. I am not so reassured with her answer.

Well last night was the company Holiday Party. I was in day 4 of 14 of the liquid phase before surgery. I was dreading the night, in that our parties are always food festivals. My nutritionist said to go light all day and have 2 shakes, then at the party eat lots of veggies and about 5oz of broiled/boiled fish or chicken. I had one shake. By 5pm, I was starving, wondering if I made the right decision. We are in NYC so we walked to the party site, 10 blocks away. Lo and Behold, the hunger went away. I had one half a glass of good Pinot Grigio, and none of the appetizers that were circulating. When we sat down, there was a tier tray of cold lobster, crab claws, jumbo shrimp, clams and oysters on the half shell. I ate 4 shrimp, 1 crab claw, and a mouthful of lobster, AND I WAS FULL!!! I picked at the salad the rest of the evening. I called my parents and read them the menu and asked what they wanted, ordered it, and then the kitchen boxed it up for me to take home. I had no problem picking at the veggies that came out while everyone else was eating their meal. The point I am trying to make is, that was the first time in my life I was ever full from eating so little. It was an eye opening experience and such a great feeling. Who thought that being on a liquid diet for 4 days would do that? Its giving me more support than I thought for the next 9 days, weird I know, but I am more determined to succeed on this liquid phase than I thought I would be after last nite. Thanks for letting me write the novel this morning.

Day 4 of the liquid diet. I was really hungry this morning. But, tonite is my company Christmas party. I spoke to the nutritionist and she told me to have 2 slimfast shakes today, and I can eat veggies and broiled chicken or fish tonite. Then its back to the liquid. I have taken to having a smoothie once a day that is 300 calories, Og fat, 45g protein. It fills me up for hours.

I am. I have the first surgery of the day, 7:00am. With Dr. Ren. In day 4 of my liquid phase. Tonite is my office Christmas party. The nutritionist said to drink 2 slimfasts today and eat veggies tonite, and 5oz Protein, broiled or baked chicken or fish. NO liquor though.

Starting day 4 of my pre op liquid diet, and yesterday was a killer, have the hunger pains this morning so this is probably my body adjusting. I am glad I am at work, where people know I am in this phase with the operation coming up, otherwise I would be eating the frozen meat in my refrigerator at home right now.

Day three was a little harder, but my own fault. Had pre surgical testing at the hospital at 10, so had a slimfast at 8:30am. Got out of the hospital around noon, so got the smoothie I spoke above about. Ate a few pieces of lettuce and two mushrooms in the afternoon and a 10 cal no fat Jello cup. Instead of taking a slimfast with me, I went to the lap band support meeting with nothing that started at 6. Didn't get home until 9. So, ate 3 pieces of cheese and 8 triscuits and beef broth with mixed veggies because I didn't stop at the store to get other ones. I didn't want to make a shake. So, I think I am at about 36g fat, and 800 calories, 60 Proteins, so I am where I am supposed to be, but I am so upset with myself I had the cheese and crackers. I should have thrown them out, but still can't bring myself to do it. Luckily there is only a bit of cheese left. Oh and 12 days to go........:faint::help:

Oh geez, I feel for you, but she is still your family, and say to her, "enough already, go on the damn internet and read what I am allowed to have since you won't listen to me". I guess my attitude comes from being the oldest, and living in NYC, we are thick skinned with an attitude. But your sister sounds like she is being catty, purposely looking to annoy you. Maybe she's jealous, maybe your parents have been talking your surgery up, after all if she's overweight and you are a success, they maybe pointing at her next. In any event, go home, enjoy yourself as best as possible. It wouldn't be a holiday without someone in the family having a fight.

Does Gax X help the situation at all? With my profession, I couldn't be burping and farting for 30 days...

The preopt reason my doc said the liquid is because I have to defat my liver as that makes the surgery easy. I keep thinking that when I go to reach for something. I don't have a fear of the surgery, but want to make it as smooth as possible and strangely enough, that thinking has been working. Now if it works until surgery, that will be great. Hang in there and take one day at a time. Go to bed and say, "yes, I made it through day___, only ___days to go".

If your doctor documented your trials with weight lose fully, you will get through with flying colors, I just know it.:clap2: You can also call your Benefits Administrator at work and explain the situation, sometimes they can cut the tape and get right to an insurance company rep instead of going through the regular 800 number.

Have Oxford Liberty PPO and paperwork was submitted on 12/10, the day my surgery date was changed, and approved on 12/13. Not sure if the quick approval was because the date was changed from late January to December 31 though.

I have the Protein powders and haven't used them yet. Been using the slimfast, and then a smoothie from smoothie king. That baby kept me full from 3:00pm to 9:30pm last night. I can also have two cups vegetables and also broth so I made a quasi Soup with those ingredients. Started to get a headache today, so I sipped the slimfast really slow, like over 45 minutes and the headache went away.

Just finishing up day two of the liquid phase. I found that today, when the headache was starting, I grabbed another slimfast, and sipped it slow over 45 minutes and the headache was gone.

Just bought a year subscription to push.tv with Bob Harper as my DVD trainer. I like the idea of the video at home and the ability to interact with their website. $225 for the year. I figured I spent so much trying to lose weight, what's one more thing? They send a new video every month based on your progress.

Hang in there. I am drinking broth with string beans right now, and got a flavored decaf coffee that smells heavenly, so with all the food circulating, especially the kalua cake with fresh whipped cream, I am smelling my coffee very deeply.:biggrin1:

First day fo pre-opt liquid was crummy in the morning, but probably because I hadn't eaten anything all weekend cause I was sick. Had two Slimfast shakes between 9-12 and 2 cups of tea. By 3pm someone suggested a smoothie from Smoothie King, 300 Calories, 0g fat, 45g Protein, but 31g carbs. I emailed the nutritionist about it, but haven't received a response. Wasn't hungry after that until 9:30pm, and had 1 cup beef broth and 2 cups green Beans. Total for the day: 770 calories, 21g fat, 65g protein. Have to do: 1000 calories, 35g fat, minimum 55g protein.

I live in Brooklyn, NY, NYC. I have a ticket plan with the Mets, but with the increase this year, and the doubt they will offer me the same package in the new stadium, this may be my last year. Had the seats for 10 years now. This is me and my dog at Dogs Day at Shea in September.

Well this is good to know, cause that question was posed to me just tonite, and even during my current liquid phase could we? I figure, as long as you enjoy it, and swallow, do it on an empty stomach.

Get the low salt versions of swanson in the paper like pack or the one by Wolf Gang Puck. Both are about 1 quart in that packaging and are pretty tasty. I add dried onion flakes, oregano and some red pepper. Weird, I know, but when they simmer for awhile isn't all that bad. My pre opt liquid diet allows me broth with 2 cups of vegetables and today threw in one cup of green beans. Simmered everything for 30 or so minutes.

Good luck. I believe this would qualify for emergency surgery, and with insurance it shouldn't matter where the initial injury occurred, you are entitled. Even an HMO can get someone in an emergency. Besides, if they would have approved you in the first place, you wouldn't have had to go somewhere and self pay. Keep us posted, and keep your chin up.

Ok, so now its 10:30pm and I am eating a cup of green Beans with salt and pepper and a teeny amount of butter. Had a smoothie today, not sure if they are allowed, I emailed the nutritionist, but for 20oz, it had 300 calories, 0g Fat, 45g Protein, but 31g Carb's. So waiting on an answer from her as to whether I can have it again. But after that at 3:00pm, wasn't hungry, grumbling stomach, until now.

I am in New York City, that photo was in Dutchess County, about 100 miles north of the city when I went Apple picking with my friends. Its really pretty out of the city. Thanks for the hair compliment. I have been growing it out for 3 years, and the color is from the sun in the summer here in the city. I am so worried that I am going to lose it a few months into the band. I didn't like it in the photo, so thanks so much again.