Hanging In There

Just had dinner - this is the end of my second day and I am doing okay. I really like that I get dinner. At first, I didn't think that I got food other than the protein shakes - I'm glad that I was wrong.

I get a little bit of meat, veggies and starch. That makes me not hungry for the night. I get a little hungry in the afternoon, but I have a yogurt in the afternoon and it actually takes away my hunger.

I really notice food commercials now, I don't think that I noticed them that much before. I just do something else so I don't think about food. I think that the key to success in the pre-op part is to keep busy and not think about what you feel that you are missing.

All this is so worth it, I really can't wait for my surgery day and then beyond.

I have so much support from my family, co-workers and friends, every step of the way they are supportive - I think that really helps. My sister, Mona, and my friend, Franci, call to make sure that I am doing okay. I really appreciate all the kind words that everyone is sharing with me.

With their help, God and my own determination this is going to change my life. I am so looking forward to the journey.

Well, it is time to go walk the dogs. Have a great night.

Last day of food for a while.

This morning I went and had my pre-op lab work done. EKG and blood tests, hopefully that all goes well. The blood work part was a little painful. The nurse tried to get blood out of my right arm but said that my veins kept jumping, so she dug around for a little while, then I had a really bad pain and she said that she had hit my tendon. Youch. She switched to my left arm and had no problem. I now know to start with the left.

Today is my last day of real food for a while. I start the pre-op diet tomorrow. I will be having protein shakes and can have some food in the evening 3 ounces of meat and four ounces of vegetables.

I went to lunch with Karen today and we had Dos. It was my last time with chips and salsa for a very long time.

I am really excited that I am now starting my liquid pre-op diet - it means that I am that much closer to my surgery date.

I also did a video blog today and seeing it made me that much happier that I am going to be getting a new tool to help me lose my weight and keep it off. Man, it was not a pretty sight. Oh well, tomorrow is a new beginning and I am so excited.

Yeah, me. How blessed I am. Thank you to Dr. R. and his staff for giving me this opportunity. I will never be able to repay them for all they are doing for me. I will not waste this opportunity.

Had my pre-op appointment!!!!!

My pre-op appointment was on March 16th.

I went in and met with Karen, Dr. R's nurse - she is so nice and positive it is always nice to see her. I told her that I thought my blood pressure might be a little high since we were packing and getting everything ready for vacation (leaving right after my appt.); but to my surprise it was normal and so was my pulse. Thank you father for your genes in all that.

I then met with the nurse practitioner, Jeanine. She was so helpful in explaining the order in which everything will happen. We talked about food before and after and talked about success. That is what I am looking forward to. Being successful all the way to goal. Not being close, but slow and steady and winning this battle that I can't seem to win. She explained the actual procedure and where I would have cuts in my stomach. Also, told me my port site might hurt longer than the other incisions.

Sometimes, I feel that I need to be pinched. I can't believe that I won. What a chance for a new life for me - not that my life now is anything but wonderful, but free from the fat that has held me back for a long, long time.

I sometimes sit and think about all this and feel so blessed and then I think wow, do I have alot of accountability built into winning this. People will be watching and I don't want to waste this chance.

Food and me will have a totally different relationship when this is all done. I will be full on a little food and won't have to think about it nearly as much. I am sure that there will be head hunger, but I will get past that and work my way to a healthy relationship with food.

I also got my surgery time. I need to be there at 7:15 and my surgery is 8:00; the first surgery of the day. I should be home by afternoon and out walking a little by evening. I need to keep moving to help move the gas from the laparoscopic surgery out of my body and also to avoid blood clots. The more you move the better off you are.

Time to go out and enjoy this cold, windy Florida weather - who would think that it is warmer in Illinois than it is here. It is supposed to be much warmer the next few days, so here to warmer weather and sunshine.

Talk to you soon.

Even more excited - is that possible?

I went for my consultation today with Dr. Rohrscheib. Everyone there is so nice, they couldn't be more helpful.

I met with Dr. R. and he explained the surgery to me and all the risks. He explained how the band worked and answered all my questions. I thought I knew most of it, but he really did a good job of explaining everything. He made me feel better when he told me that the odds of losing all the weight I need to without surgical intervention was quite small. Your body can only diet for so long and then it sort of stops on its own. Not that it can't be done, just really a challenge.

I met with the nutritionist and she explained my future eating to me, including the two week pre-op. I get a little food in the evening but it is mainly the protein shakes. I have my mind set that I can do this. I want to help the doctor be successful, so I will stick to the pre-op diet.

It won't be long now.

Tomorrow is my consultation.

My consultation date has finally arrived. Tomorrow at 2:15 I will find out more information and share it all with you.

It's hard to believe that my surgery is only 37 days away.