bugsy72

I've made it through DAY 1 of my ten day presurgery diet...and survived! LOL I think i can do this. Actually, it's hard to fit all five Protein shakes in (i'm allowed to use carnation instant Breakfast packets). I also eat 1 serving of fruit and 1 serving of veggies with each shake. A serving is small though. But that's okay; I get to chew! I also added some zero calorie flavoring into the french vanilla (added ice and put it in the blender) and it was yummy. So...NINE MORE DAYS......DECEMBER 1 is the big surgery day.

I had the isotope stress test, with a nuclear heart scan after that. http://www.heartsite.com/html/chemical_stress.html DJMOHR, I don't think they use the lidocaine on me--at least, not that I know of. I do have one vein in my lower arm that they often go to. But I had bloodwork Wednesday and then the stress test Friday, so I've been stuck quite a few times this week. But I'm kind of used to it at this point. It doesn't feel good though!

So I had my required stress test today. When the hospital called, they said to wear gym shoes and wear comfortable clothing. So I did. I went, prepared to walk long and hard on the treadmill, to get my heart rate up. That's about all I knew about stress tests. Well, when I got there, they told me my doctor had ordered a "chemical" stress test. I had never heard of such a thing. But it did mean I didn't have to do the treadmill...LOL. She explained I did have a heel spur, which might make it hard to do the regular test. I agreed. I also have arthritis and do weigh 300 pounds. So I was grateful, once i got used to the idea. I was not grateful, however, when they had to stick me FIVE times to get the IV in! I do provide a challenge, I realize ("delicate veins," they told me), but FIVE times is a new record. One nurse tried 3 times. The other tried once. Then they called someone from surgery to do it, and yes, she got it first time. They gave me the radioactive stuff, and i did feel weird, as they said, within a few seconds. I had to take a few deep breaths, and I felt a heaviness on my chest. But it all passed quickly, as they also said; within 2-4 minutes. Then I had to just sit and rest for awhile, so my heart could go back to resting rate. Then they took a picture of it with a special machine. In the end, they said I was normal. That was good news. RNY, here I come.... DECEMBER 1. TEN DAYS! The only test remaining is the "Type and screen" test, in case I need to receive blood during or after surgery. I'm thinking that probably won't happen. Please, Lord.... I can't believe it's finally here. I attended my first information session in JULY.

Thank you for those wise words! I had heard that dumping is not guaranteed but I so hope I have it! I did have sugar tonight, feeling very old about it, as if I had to have it, yet in a way not even wanting it. But it's over now. DONE. Tomorrow my new life begins. I'm excited...and ready.

I keep seeing "NSV." What does that mean?

I have mild sleep apnea too. It took a long time to get used to it but i must admit, i do sleep better, as many of you have already said. I have to take it to the hospital, they said; so i will. My question is; when will i know i don't need it anymore? I don't want to have to go through a whole new sleep study for them to tell me i don't need it! I'm only at the "6" level now so i know it will go away once i lose some weight. Your thoughts?

This may sound like a stupid question, or perhaps a vain question, but I'm concerned about the saggy skin under my chin on my neck. Will losing a lot of weight make it look better--or worse??? I'm thinking maybe removing the fat will make the sagging disappear? OR...maybe removing the fat will make it even saggier. I'm really not losing sleep at night over this but...I'm just curious. : )

What about no sugar added frozen yogurt? We have a summer home in a lovely resort that had an ice cream shop that people adore. I know I can't eat the ice cream, but they do offer the frozen yogurt (no sugar ADDED). I am two weeks pre-surgery. I suppose I'll have to ask for the nutrition label next summer when i get there....

My doctor talked about them and it seems like they just go in and enlarge the opening with a special type of balloon, and you'll be on your way again. I pray that's the case for you.

My doctor said that 1 in 4 will have gall bladder issues, but since 3 in 4 won't, he doesn't take it out during surgery. I'm praying I'm not the "1" in 4!

I bought one to try it out this past week as my surgery is coming up december 1. Loved it!

I've thought about this too. I haven't said anything on FB about it...and I'm a FB girl! But I don't think I want to say anything until it's all over and I'm on the way...IF THEN. I'm very transparent with my life, however, and I think I will post about it at that time. Probably. If people start complimenting me, i'm not going to evade the truth. But the surgery will be over and I will be on to my "new life" by that time. What I will NOT like, however, is if people watch what I eat, like at family gatherings, church events, etc. That will bug me. Obviously, I won't be eating much the first few months but I really don't want them talking about me, like, "Is THAT ALL you can EAT???" UGH.

Weigh to go, sassy! I'm glad you're reaching a point of peace with RNY. You are so right--you're going to be so much healthier than if you didn't have it! And there's no reason not to have children down the road when you're ready. I do worry about regain. I'm trying to get it in my head that this is NOT a silver bullet for the rest of my life (and I'm OLD now, 61!), but I'm going to have to work at it just like before, except I'll have a food buddy with me everywhere I go, helping me remember what a healthy portion size is and what healthy foods are. I need that buddy! I start pre-diet Saturday! Argh! Excited but nervous....can i do it? I WILL do it. I may be grouchy though! LOL p.s. I do pray that your insurance company will be cooperative!

Thanks for your ideas. I start my pre-diet next Saturday and I think it will be VERY CHALLENGING. I may be spending hours reading Bariatric Pal for encouragement! ????????????????

Congratulations! I'm December 1, too!

Congratulations! Your story makes me excited for my Dec 1 surgery--and beyond!

I'm two weeks pre-surgery. When you talk about making an omelette, a few weeks into normal food, do you just use one egg? Or do you make a "normal" size one and eat it for three days? Or ????

I will be on my ten day pre-surgery diet, but the surgeon and NUT said i could have a little lean turkey, nonstarchy veggies and a carb (fruit or potato). I'm happy with that. I thought I was going to eat NOTHING but my protein shake...

Hello, fellow December surgery peeps! So how are you feeling? I kind of feel like I'm in limbo...in denial...yes, I have a surgery date. Yes, I'm doing all of the procedures and tests and everything else. Support group. Psychologist ongoing meetings. But part of me feels like it's a dream, that it's not real. I'm not eating any differently yet, except stopping diet coke and all carbonated drinks. And I'm working toward going decaf completely with coffee, too. But I haven't lost weight. I've actually gained six pounds since my first weigh in at the bariatric center. I start the ten day prediet next saturday and i think THAT is when it will all become very, very real to me.... Is anyone else feeling this way?

Scary! I'm glad it's getting better for you now!

I was told to take chewable flintstones COMPLETE vitamins; 1 morning and 1 and night. I buy them at the local store. (I will be taking the b-12, calcium, and iron as well.)

Thanks, guys! I'm two weeks pre-surgery,and it really helps to hear other's viewpoints based on their experiences. Is hiccups a common thing post-surgery? (and burping a lot?)

Hi Sassyfrass...my surgery is DECEMBER 1! MERRY CHRISTMAS to ME! I am what I call a "mild diabetic." I still eat what I want, rarely take my blood sugar levels. My A1C was around 6.5 or so. I know the diabetes will be gone when i leave the hospital. In fact, my primary care physician said i could stop the metformin when i start the prediet, because I will be eating under 1000 calories a day, and i wil have low blood sugar if i take my two metformin tablets per day. So woooohooooo! I also have sleep apnea, and i can't wait to get rid of that stupid cpap machine! I just started on that a year ago. I hate it. But I must admit, it does help me sleep better. When I went to the meeting with the surgeon today, I was excited, and when i left, even more excited! I can't imagine losing 30-40 pounds in the first few weeks, and much more than that in the next few months. I can't even envision myself. I'm at 302 as of today. I will be thrilled to get into "one-der-land!" So I'm shooting for 185 or so. Wow. The last time I weighed that was in high school. Good luck! You're going to do fine!