debbieperez55

I will tell you the same thing they told me, and I mean it from my heart. Once a September Samurai always a September Samurai. We will all be there for you no matter when you have your surgery. I am so sorry for your loss. I know the pain this can cause. My heart goes out to you. You will do fantastic on the Liquid Diet and October 16 is right around the corner. It will be here before you know it and you too can experience the joy of gas! Actually, it is not all that bad and it is weird being "not hungry". Take care sweetie GREAT BIG BEAR HUG :smile: Debbie

I have glue also. I have six incisions, my port incision is very large. My port is below my left breast above my waist. Not good for me because my favorite position is to sleep on my left side. I tried last night - YIKES!!!!! I actually had to get up and sleep sitting up. Felt much better. I actually called the Dr today. I was worried because of what I thought was unusual puffyness and swelling near my port. I was told it was normal and to just watch for all the bad stuff, you know fever, drainage and such. I was also worried about the amount I am not able to get down. I can only do 1/2 a popsicle at a time and only a few sips of liquid. He told me as long as I can get a shot glass, 30cc, down an hour that is fine. I feel so much better. I also took 4 walks, not counting pacing in my house, each progresively longer. That is when I feel the best. So I made it, might be a little sore, and for the record, YOU ARE ALL RIGHT, THE PORT IS THE BIGGEST "PAIN". Huggs to all. Thanks Debbie

Well I made it through the night, slept a couple hours. I thought I wouldn't make it with the Clear liquids, but I was wrong. I couldn't even drink what I was allowed. Today is the most important day in my life, the end of a long journey. I have had some hurdles to overcome, but I have faced each one. Sometimes with tears, sometimes with anger, but always with a Samurai on my shoulder. I am so ready for this new page in my life. When next you hear from me I will be a member of the elite "Banded". Honestly, I can't wait. There might be pain, but in the end, there will be health and a longer, better life. I am ready to shead this fat coccoon and emerge a butterfly. Here's to the new me :smile: Debbie

Well I did it, I have joined the "BANDED" --- forgot to add --- I lost another 10 pounds, I CRIED. I am finally under 250. What an acheivement All in all feel good, sore and gas pain. They explained that it is the diaphram spazzing out. It is official, my Dr might be tops in his field, but he is an ass. That said, I will just live with it. I have 6 incissions, one right where my bra hits, isn't that wonderful. No bra's for me for a while. The girls are free. Egads, they are free and jiggly, just like my jello! :confused: We didn’t get to talk to the Surgeon because the dumb ass, after waiting for two hours, was scrubbing for his next surgery. Finally we just left, one of the nurses was all pissed off that he couldn't take the time to talk to us and told us we could go, that it was redicilous. I we seen by two other Drs, so all is okay, he just wanted to see me personally. I was there at 5am, had surgery at 7:30, awake at 10 and back from recovery by noon. We didn't leave until two. What he couldn't make it by before his next surgery. Good Grief I told a lie - they told me I couldn't leave untill I pee'd. I wanted to go home. So I lied. Once we got home my Hubby kept at me to sip, sip, sip and finally I got out a dribble. I was worried about that little lie. But I figured the worse was that they would make me go back. Had one quirk, but this is ME - After surgery in recovery, they told me everytime I fell asleep I quit breathing, oxygen got down to 80, then they watched me like a hawk, there was no sleep for me. They kept prodding me and telling me to breath deep. After I was fully awake, everything was fine, so I am not that concerned. So when I got home I wanted a popsicle so bad, but I could only eat 1/2 and and couldn't eat any more. I can only eat a couple tiny bites of jello and a few sips of water. I have liquid pain killer, which I promptly spilled and I have to take Pepcid, crushed. Go back in two weeks to see the Surgeon, have to see my Dr Saturday. All in all I think I am perfect, just TIRED, Going to try to sip some more crystal lite. Thanks so much everyone - huggs Debbie

Well I did get on the scale at work, but I didn't like the number. It was good, not great. I cannot believe you can eat so little and not loose faster, but as I have said, I am in it for the health. Sorry about breakfast, I may have that problem too, my protien is chocolate so I am stuck. Oh well, it was the best tasting one I could find. Take care Debbie ttyson70 So sorry you had problems. I hope you are doing great and up and around soon Debbie :redface:

My Doc has them on mushy stage and you can have egg salad, mmm, scrambled, soft boiled, as long as mushy. I can have tuna, as long as I make it mushy and use the food processor. :redface:

Thank you Teri, you will never know how much this means to me. Seeing my name on this list, it is just over powering. As tears well up, I am just over come with emotion. Seeing my name on this list is like a dream. I watched the phone all day, waiting for the Surgeon to call and cancel. But the call didn't come, it is really going to happen. I couldn't have made it to this point without you, all of you. Thank you so much. Okay now the little kid in me is coming out --- I AM GOING TO JOIN THE EXCLUSIVE CLUB OF THE BANDED TOMORROW WOO HOO:thumbup: Thanks so much Debbie :redface:

Hey Anjie, I am tomorrow too!!!!! I waited all day for that call, but it never came so I am good to go. I have over prepared. I have lots of sugar free Jello, sugar free Popsicles, Crystal Lite, and juice. I also have my junk for the full liquid stage, which I get to do Friday. I was so nervous today I couldn't drink my protien shake. It took me three hours and then I just couldn't do another. So I am on my liquid until midnight. Just have lots to stay hydrated. WE ARE ALMOST THERE! WOOO HOO We are going to be Bandsters!!!! Come on Waldo, bring it on!!!!! So - how the hell are we going to get to sleep tonight?

Janine, I think I will sneak to the receiving dock tomorrow morning and when the "guys" are not looking --- at least I know it is accurate, even if it does have a HUGE display. I just have to know, I have worked so hard. I just need to get to sleep tonight. I am so wound up I may never sleep again! Debbie :girl_hug:

Welcome Band Day Buddy! I am also on the 23rd. :girl_hug: Excellent planning on Sat, I think we might to do that from now on.:biggrin: Do you have a clear liquid day tomorrow? I have to be at the hospital at 5:30am, which may not be a problem since I WON'T SLEEP ANYWAY. Trust in your liver, it is our friend, even if it does have the you know what scared out of us. I am worried about my liver too. But I have to trust that everything will be okay. Take care, let me know how you are doing. Huggs Debbie We are almost there...................

I can only relay what my Nutritionist told me. Thin and runny to begin with. But thank you for sharing such a scary experience. I think this helped all of us. Debbie

I just love a good sense of humor! :girl_hug: Let me know how you are doing. Maybe we can out smart the white coats together. :smile2: You know, we are going to do great. We have a fantastic support group and a good foundation to work off of. Hang in there! Big Bear HUGG :biggrin::girl_hug: Debbie

Hey Fantastic News, See they made you freak out for nothing. You are on your way! Debbie

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Good luck tomorrow. We will all be thinking of you. Take Care Debbie

Don't you just love those Sugar Free Popsicles!!!! :smile2: Okay, I will quit complaining that I have to do clear liquids for 3 days, even if Teri got full liquids the next day....:sneaky: But I guess it will make me that much more thankfull for the full liquids, which include baby fruit and cream of wheat. And to make sure I took little bites, I purchased toddler spoons. Okay, maybe overboard, but I just want to do this right. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE, I AM PLAYING BY THE RULES, TO THE LETTER :biggrin: Debbie Oh - do they weight us at the hospital. I AM SOOOOO READY TO STEP ON THAT SCALE!!! :girl_hug:

Glad you appreicated my warped sense of humor. :girl_hug: OKAY - 11 year old son, no, don't say bite me. But tell the others to BACK AWAY FROM THE DESK!!! :biggrin: (of course you know other unmentionable words might come to mind, we might want to keep those to ourselves) :smile2: I think it's going to be hard for all of us, we are always scrutinized. Just try to ignor them. This is so hard for us and frankly if they can't something supportive they should just shut up. Whoops, I guess I have some unresolved anger issues...... Don't tell my shrink, he might decide I am off my rocker after all.............. :smile2::lol::wub::sad: Watch out, here comes the men with the little white coat, the net and the padded cell. Well maybe the padded cell.............. Hang in there, Take Care Debbie :sneaky: Oh I guess I should mention, I have two days to go. I am ready to jump out of my skin and I guess I am getting an "little" anxious. Maybe I should quit while I am ahead. Ha ha ha ha ha

Poor Baby - I had to give up Diet Pepsi, I feel your pain, in the head that is :biggrin: My suggestion, wein yourself off. Cold Turkey is painful. You have a few days to get off slow, maybe just a little and then a little less each day. Don't beat yourself up, just keep trying. Caffeine is a strong drug. No wonder people drink so much coffee. Take care. You can do it. ARE YOU ON CLEAR LIQUID THIS SOON - you poor poor thing. I just noticed that. I have been on two protien drinks and a small dinner for a few weeks, even longer since they rescheduled me. Tomorrow is clear liquids. I have LOTS of Crystal Light, Sugar Free Jello and Sugar Free Popsicles. Hang in there. You can do it. Huggs :girl_hug: Debbie

My suggestion for the picnic, go prepared. Take some food with you and some snacks. It is still so early, it would be a shame to get there, find nothing soft and mushy to eat. Could be a disaster. Good Luck Debbie

I was told prune juice. YUCK, prune juice, but that is what the Nutritionist told me to do. So when I get to full liquid I will get baby food, first stage, fruit and I bought prunes. MMMmm can't wait :girl_hug: And I was told the same thing, thin thin thin. I can't believe some get "real" food so soon. I will be in liquids for 3 days, full liquid 2 weeks or until I see the Dr. If I don't get in, that could be three weeks. Oh My. Debbie

Just a little advice. Tell them to "BITE ME". :smile2: Okay, don't be rude , but you are doing this for you. Other "fat" people just don't get it and they resent that you will be loosing. They ARE going to try to help you fail. Stick with those who support your decision. I told a work friend, who I thought would understand. She has Lupus, she should understand. WRONG I am so sorry. But 99% of those I have told show support, and it helps that I am doing so well on my pre op program. Even those who are thin at work have trouble maintaining it. So for me they were happy. The one large person in my office, I simply told her that this is the path I have choosen. She asked if our insurance paid, and I lied and told her I am covered my hubby. It is no one's business and if she wants this she needs to do the leg work herself. Anyway my point is, stick to those who support you. The others are very jelous and they will try to bring you down. And if you get one of those food police, you might want to consider telling them to back off, or BITE ME might work too :wub: We are here to support you. And it doesn't matter if insurance paid or you are self pay, we all have tried and failed. Oh we know how to loose it, we have all lost hundreds of pounds and gained them back. We are choosing to utilize a tool to help us once and for all keep it off. Take care Debbie :sneaky:

Because of the rescheduling of my surgery, I ended up telling the people in my office. Because I am the Manager, I didn't want them to see this as a weakness. I am using my vacation because I wanted to keep this privite. I was going to tell after. Now, I just had to tell. The Dr rescheduled me on Payroll week, on our most hectic day, with two others out on Medical Leave and my receptionist having a vacation day. Bad timing all around. But everyone was supportative, they understood, and they have all offered to pitch in to make sure the office runs smoothly. And, I now have access to our computer system at home. I get to Telecommute!!! Put me at ease and my Boss. I have lost, I believe, close to 30 pounds, I need a scale. My pants are falling off, my Mom is taking them in this weekend. So everyone knew something was up. So I know I said I was keeping it a secret, but in the end, telling was best. Only one person was negative, all in all pretty good. :thumbup: Three more days, Tuesday, the start of my new life. Debbie

Isn't it amazing, every Dr has different rules. I put myself on a part liquid diet, 2 Glucerna and a meal a month before my surgery. Then I met the nutritionist who hates Glucerna, too much sugar, not enough protien, and I was put on 2 protien drinks and a meal. Now with the change of my surgery, I have been on this for almost 2 months. My liver better be on the "petite" size by the time I have my surgery! Anyway, my Dr wants me to practice "sipping" and taking a long time 30 to 40 minutes to consume my drinks. Believe it or not I still have trouble with "sipping", but I have the time down. AND IT WORKS, I take the time to drink and then it seems my protien drinks last a good 3-4 hours. I am not starving, now in 4 hours, I am ready for more, but I am doing okay. Funny you mentioned your birthday. I picked my surgery before of my Birthday and now that I had to tell everyone in my office, because of the change, I am able to say, please no cake. I will still be on the full liquids. Funny, this will be the first Birthday in a long time that I should be under 250. I think that will be the best birthday present of all:wink_smile: Debbie

I had to give up Diet Pepsi and it almost killed me. I have consumed diet cola since I was 16, way back when they first came out in the 70's. They are, I believe, the major cause of my cronic "accute gastritis". They are unbelieveably addictive. And when I went off for my band, I suffered horrific headaches. If you are a big caffine drinker and didn't wean yourself off, you might need a little coffee. I'm not saying to go off of your Dr orders, but maybe just realizing that it is caffine might help. Debbie

Take care of yourself, Sept 24 will be here before you know it. I totally understand, but you have to think of your health. Get well, then you will be able to take on the Band! :thumbup: Huggs debbie

Thanks GG, I am makeing September by the thinnist of threads. But I guess this gives my LIVER more time to shrink. Today I worked my self up into a mess and got ill. I thought my tummy was never going to calm down. :thumbup: I know I have to relax, but it is hard. YOu know, you get psyched up for the big event and then the big let down. Thanks for being there. Debbie :smile2: