4/20/09 Countdown... 5! 4! 3! 2!...

Well, I told the boys Sunday that I'm having surgery. I told them it's a stomach issue and that I'll be having laproscopic surgery (explained all that), and I told them I'll be getting some internal stitches...then my white-lie...hiatal hernia. I HATE, HATE, HATE, lying, but I really don't want to tell anyone and with two big family events coming up there's no way it wouldn't have leaked out...if that happened the whole graduation party would be about me and not DD...I'm not willing to risk that, and I don't want to have to defend my position or talk about this now. The boys are comfortable that it's not a big deal and that I only have to stay in the hospital overnight because it's the law here (true). I explained the post-op expectations, soreness, liquid diet, etc. It went well.

I called my bariatric coordinator this morning because I noticed the post-op diet I received in class didn't jive with what the NUT gave me. Apparently they just revised it and took off fruit and vegetable juice. So, for the first 2-3 weeks post-op the only calories I'm allowed are broth (almost no cal...but the homemade stuff I made is probably got more nutrients than the canned, thank goodness...thank you Voiceomt2002 for the recipes!), and 3 8oz. glasses of skim milk (how many calories could possibly be in 3C of skim milk...I'll have to look that up). I was about to complain that I'll be fainting on only a few calories a day when she said I can add some very low cal SF powdered drink mix to the milk, like SF Carnation (we still can't find that one, so DH just found me another one). I know I won't be hungry the first week, but I'm going to be starving after that...I know...it's all pay-back for the no pre-op diet. Ahh well, I’m not complaining…yet (LOL).

DH and I are going out tonight for our 27th anniversary, since I certainly won't be up to anything but broth on our actual anniversary this Friday.

I've been wildly getting things ready today; called my insurance to make sure the home prescriptions are covered (apparently Nexium sometimes isn't covered, but it is on ours), I started packing for the hospital, made a list of info. for DH, scrubbed my body with anti-bacterial soap as instructed, shaved my stomach and I can't tell the difference...my tiny blonde hairs were almost invisible, but now I can say it’s already done when they come at me with the dull dry razor (thanks xavier for cluing me in that it's better to do this at home…and I’m coming after you if I sprout dark stomach hairs this summer), and I drew up my porthole (thanks Lena) picture on paper…those in-the-know will remember I have a choice on my port site, if not read (Spew Alert!!) HERE. I still haven’t come up with whether I need words or not, but I’m a little afraid he won’t get it or think it’s a badly done tattoo and avoid that area completely. I’ll have to do this upside down on myself as DH can’t trace a straight line to save his life. If it turns out badly I’ll scrap the idea, but if I go for it I’ll take a pic for you. Off to finish packing...

Countdown...5! 4! 3! 2!...Countdown to BG's Banding!!!

You nut. I want to see that porthole drawing. You know that, right? Hehehe!

You're welcome on the soups. Hugs and much love! I'll be waiting on the flip side, of course.

Lena

Good luck honey. I'm thinking of you!

Thanks gals for all your support all along the way!

Ahh, my BG friend, I'm so happy for you and just a little envious, that's ok, right? I'm in San Antonio for a work trip, lots of walking and eating out, it's killing me, I can't wait to be healthier so my feet and legs don't hurt when I walk! Best of luck on Wednesday and I'll be looking so forward to hearing all about it when you are BANDED!

Kathi

Ahhh...but what a better place for your feet and legs to hurt than on the Riverwalk!!!! Your turn is coming soon Kathi!! Thanks for all the support dear!!!