nycm00

Well, tomorrow is my surgery day! I have to be at the hospital at 10:30. I was really hoping for an earlier time, but I am so glad it's finally here! Today was tough. I spent the day with family. Easter brunch had soooo many goodies. I was even responsible for making two of the cassaroles. Everything smelled and looked so good. I had my Clear Liquids today and that will be it for me. I am kind of nervous about tomorrow. I think it's the idea that I will not be in control and will not know if something bad is happeneing. This whole heart problem thing has me a bit freaked out, but I have confidence in my doctors and will just have to leave it to them and to God. My husband will be taking me to the hospital and my 7yr old will be with him since there is no school tomorrow. Our two little ones will go to daycare. (Everything must go well, they need their mommy.) Did I mention that I am nervous? I bought a case of Isopure. I mixed up the flavors and will send DH back for more of the one's I like. Does anyone have a post op restriction on lifting? My MD says nothing heavier that a gallon of milk for 6 weeks. This will be impossible for me. I will do my best, but I know I cannot possible stick to this. My daughter is 22 months old and needs to be lifted into her crib and her carseat. DH is home this week, but he leaves for Hong Kong on Sunday...then I'm on my own. Thank you guys for being here. I don't know what I would do without you at this point. Christine

Harley, What a beautiful picture of the mare and foal. You are blessed to live in a place where you can see miracles like that when walking around your neighborhood. Christine

Tomorrow I have to be at the hospital at 10:30. I was hoping to go in earlier, so I would not have to fast as long. Hey after 2 weeks of liquids and a day of clears, you would think I'd be fine with it. Today was tough because there was so much yummy food at our family Easter celebration. SO glad I was surrounded by people that know about the surgery and I had great support from them. Good luck tomorrow everyone! Christine

I've done it too. If we were really good at sticking to diets, we would not be here. Don't be hard on yourself. Just pick up the pieces and be really diligent about what goes in your mouth today and tomorrow. Hugs! Christine

I am feeling the same way. I had reached a point where I was eating a lot, but not enjoying it at all. It would be great to eat wonderful foods in very small portions and be satisfied. Instead of large portions of mediocre foods and still want more. Christine

Rhonda, I'm glad you called. It's going to take time to get used to the band. Try to take it slow. It will all be worth it. It's amazing how different everyone is. Seems some are not hungry for about 2 weeks, others it hits after just 2 days. Christine

Thanks! I've had nothing since midnight. My pre-op testing is not until 3 PM, but i will survive! Thanks for your post! Christine

I won't know my surgery time until Sunday evening. Can't wait for this to happen! I did really well with the pre-op diet for about 9 days and then I've done lots of little screw ups. Very annoyed with myself, but I can't be the only on ewho has had a hard time with this. I am on the straight and narrow now. Good luck on Monday everyone! Christine

I always do the big Easter dinner here at my house for the extended family. When I found out my surgery date, I knew I would not be able to handle it this year. My aunt is doing a brunch on Sunday. It will be tough to be around all that yummy food, but my surgery is the next day....so there will be little time to redeem myself and I don't want to screw things up completely. I know I can handle it. I will be doing the Easter egg hunt in the morning with the neighborhood kids. It is tradition and my kids would be upset if we did not do this. So, even though I'll be on clear liquids all day, my family will be enjoying and I'll be looking foward to Monday! Best of luck to you on Monday. Keep us posted on how you are doing. Christine

I had my appt with my surgeon today, and after jumping through all the insurance hoops, I finally have my date set. I am 37 yrs old and have 3 children 7,4, and almost 2 yrs old. My husband travels a lot, so I'm nervous about the post surgical lifting restrictions. I would like to lose about 130 pounds, but cannot even imagine it at this point. I am having my surgery by Dr Ren at NYU. I start my liquid diet on March 10. I am so ready for this! So happy to be joining you! Christine

Things I look foward to in my new thin life... 1. Surverying the room and realizing I am not the largest person in the room. 2. Being able to comfortably adjust the volume/canget he channel using those armrest buttons on an airplane. 3. Being able to wear a seat-belt without removing my coat first. 4. Have an easier time wiping my ass! 5. Have more energetic sex and get into some new positions. 6. Excersize without worrying that my heart will explode. 7. Get off some of these medications. 8. be able to SINK into a bathtub and have more of me submerged than on top of the Water. I'm going to be banded on Monday and I can't wait! Christine

Good luck to all the people getting banded today. Welcome back to all the newly banded sounds like everyone is doing pretty well. I am really struggling with this pre-op diet, and yesterday had a bit of a binge, but it's over and I've asked my DH to please help me instead of bringing home all these really tempting foods. This diet was so much easier while he was away. The strange thing is, I know it really does work. I measured my liver before I started the liquids and again on Mon (a benefit of being an ultrasound tech)and was amazed at how much smaller it is and less fatty. I really was shocked. That was only after a week! So I have 4 more dedicated days of liquids and then surgery on Monday. Pre-surgical testing is tomorrow...do we need to fast for that can't remember. Christine

Best of luck today Harley! Fenton, how did the shrimp go down? That is pretty solid and I was told we may have trouble with shell-fish. You must be so glad to move on to mushies, but there is so much more high calorie temptation. Christine

Tamara... Sorry you are having such a hard time. I have bought adult liquid Tylenol. It is found with the other adult Tylenol and looks like a Nyquil bottle. Maybe that will help with your pain. I had horrible shoulder/neck pain after all of my c-sections and they said it was from gas. It's the biggest thing I am leary about the surgery. Hope you are feeling better soon! Christine

I got the all clear from the cardiologist! Yay for me!! I had a nuclear stress test and after that he said I could go ahead. I meet with him on April 3 to go over these tests, but he sees no reason to not go ahead with the surgery which will ultimately help my heart! Thanks for all the positive thoughts! Christine

For those already losing weight...you guys are doing so well with your weight loss. Do you feel any different? Increased energy? Clothes less tight? Feet and legs less painful? I've lost 14 and really have not noticed much difference. I am so excited for you guys. It seems you've done so well already...and Rhonda, you are not even banded yet! Congrats and keep up the fabulous work! Christine

Monday-Rhonda & Special K Tuesday-Harley Wednesday- Lynn Thursday- Busy Best of luck to you guys! I am scheduled for Monday, but I think I may not be a Shrinking Shamrock once I talk to the cardiologist on Monday. I am so scared that they will change my date because of these new findings with my heart. I am really worried! Trust me, I would rather know now than find out during surgery, but last week they made it sound like it will take time to get my heart under control before going under a general anesthesia. Either way, I am going to GNC or Vitamin Store tomorrow to get some Protein drinks and powder. Can I get unjury and Isopure drinks there too? All I have at home now are Medifast and Slimfast Optima. I really want to be sure I get my full protein amounts in after surgery. Christine

The cardiologist called yesterdayleft a message I needed to call as soon as possible, but of course I did not get the message until after 3 and the office closes at 3. So I will call on Monday. I am nervous about needing new meds or additional testing before surgery. I can't even think about the surgery date being changed, so I'm not going there. Fenton, thank you so much for posting your daily log and all your positive advice. You always find a way to make me laugh. Welcome to all the newbies and congrats to all the newly banded. Thank you to the person who posted those Protein shake recipies. They sound awesome! You guys really are keeping me sane. Thank you so much for being there! Christine

Yesterday I went for my cardiology clearance for surgery. Dr recommended I have a stress test. Had that this evening and falied miserably. They did not like how quickly my heart rate went up, my BP went up too quickly too, and in the end I was having many PVC's (irregular heart beats) and it took too long for my BP to come back down to normal. The PA who performed the test said I would most likely need a nuclear stress test and possibly some new medications before going through surgery. Gee I'm so glad to find this out 10 days before my scheduled surgery. Oh, and did I mention that at 37yrs old I have a thick left atrium on the echo that was done yesterday. I have been told that it will not go back to normal size even if I lose a lot of weight and it is thick because of my weight. All of this really proves to me that I need to be banded to save my life, I just hope it does not delay my surgery. Christine

I am so sorry you feel this way. I cannot imagine what you are feeling. What you describe is one of my fears. I know this is right for me. I am too young to not do this. I have proven to myself that I cannot do it on my own. I need this. I would assume that before the surgery you felt much the same way, or you would not be here now. All I can do is hope and pray that you will feel better soon. Hugs! Christine

Having a very hard time with the 2 weeks of liquids before surgery. My DH has been in Hong Kong 3 weeks and between work, my three kids and all these doctors appts I am about to lose my mind. I wish I could take more time to post, but I've got to get everyone up and to school/daycare and then take my train to Manhattan. My DH will be home on Sunday so next week I'll be able to facus a bit more on me...just have to forget the fact that DH and I have been having a rough time the past few months. Anyway, new day, I will only drink these shakes today. I will stay postive and I will make it through to the 24th when I will finally get some much needed rest. Congrats to everyone post op. You guys are doing so very, very well! PS I've lost my ticker! Christine

Scrappyfriend...congrats on losing 50 pounds!!! That is so awesome! Congrats! Christine

Good luck Mom007!

I am getting banded on the 24th. Today I drank 4 Medifast drinks and then totally blew it by eating a bowl of Cereal for dinner....a big bowl of Golden Grahms. I will be better tomorrow. I measured my liver today at work (I'm an Ultrasound tech). I am interested to see if this diet will significantly shrink my liver by the 24th. Glad to hear everyone is doing so well post OP. Stay strong on the limitations. Welcome to all the new bandsters. Christine

I can't get the shamrocks logo to go to my signature either. Christine