Who'sThere

I ad to drink a 10 oz. bottle of Magnesium Citrate at noon, take four Dulcolax at 3, and now I'm supposed to drink 32 oz. of blue or clear Gatorade with 238g. of Miralax followed by 32 oz. of blue or clear Gatorade plain. To me, that seems excessive. I haven't had to take this much stuff for colonoscopies. I kept down almost all of the Mag. Cit. which ALWAYS makes me vomit. The dulcolax was no problem as it's a pill. Now it's time for the 14 doses of Miralax. I can't stomach it. I'm going to try it on ice with a straw. (I had to use a straw for the Mag. Cit.) I am trying to tell myself I HAVE to do this, but it's not helping. What have y'all had to do?

I love strawberry, but the only strawberry shake I tried was NASTY! When you find one you like, it's not so bad. I experimented before I actually had to be on them to find ones I like. I guess that's too late for you. Carnation Instant Breakfast (no added sugar) isn't bad. Maybe you would like that.

Congrats! Mine is tomorrow, and I can't wait!!! I got my date about a month ago, and it seemed like it would never get here, but now it seems like time has flown by....go figure.

I would get my records from my PCP and take them to the surgeon. The coordinator in the office should be able to tell you what your insurance would require. If they think you have a chance, I'd submit it. The worst that can happen is they can deny you and then you can self-pay. I'd at least try it though. My surgery was approved within minutes of being submitted. My BMI is over 40 (as you can see in my signature) and I had no comorbidities. However, I did have my 6 mo. weigh-ins and a letter from my PCP. Anyway...give it a shot! You could spend that money on new clothes when you get to your new size!!!

BTW...I hope you have a great trip!

That is AWESOME! I can't wait to be comfortable on airplanes!

You go, girl! My surgery is in two days, and if I'm thirty pounds lighter in six weeks, I'll be elated! Keep up the good work.

Geeze! As they say, "With friends like that,...?" I would want to be really snotty with a witty but cutting comeback, but I probably wouldn't be. I would just tell her that I'd cross that bridge when I got there, and that for now my focus was on getting healthy and taking things one step at a time. I know that if she is really that negative, that probably won't phase her, but that's probably how I'd approach it. Do you think she is just jealous or insecure herself? Most of the time that is where such bad attitudes come from. Congratulations for taking the steps to become a better healthier you! She won't be the last negative one you'll come across, but I'm sure it hurts more coming from a "friend." Keep you chin up, though. Success is the best revenge, so even if it's not revenge that you need, it won't hurt!

Congratulations and welcome to the site! I will be banded in two days, and I can't wait! There is a forum for those banded in July. Come visit. We have named ourselves the Freedom Fighters (with the July theme). Feel free to join in as we support each other.

Thanks. Yeah, I thought about asking for phenergan if nothing else. I actually have some of that already. My MIL is an RN, and she said they must think I need something really bad to prescribe Emend and not just phenergan in the first place. I suppose that is what has me worried the most. I will post on here after I talk to them tomorrow. In the meantime, if anyone else has experiences or advice to give, I'm all ears (or eyes on here, I suppose...lol).

I know I have a lot of questions today, but my surgery is Tuesday, and it seems to be creeping up so fast! I went to the pharmacy today to pick up some routine refills and get my bowel prep stuff, and the pharmacist found me in the aisle. He said he had bad news. The Emend which my surgeon prescribed for me to take the morning of my surgery to prevent nausea is on back order from the wholesalers. My pharmacist said he had called all the connections he had and couldn't get me the med from anywhere. Apparently it is a really potent anti-nausea med usually prescribed for chemo patients. He contacted the surgeon's office to ask if there was something else for me to take, and they said, "Oh, yeah, that is on back order. We forgot. I guess she'll just have to do without it." There strength ordered was 40 mg, and the pharmacist has 80 mg in stock, but the nurse said that wouldn't be needed. I'm nervous about going into surgery with nothing because I did get sick after my last surgery (gall bladder). I DO NOT want to throw up after this one. So, my question is (finally...lol) did you guys take anything before to prevent nausea, and if so, what did you take? I will be calling the surgeon's office myself tomorrow, but I thought I'd get some ideas here so that maybe I would know some alternatives to request. Thanks in advance!

I am a 4th and 5th grade English teacher at a very rural impoverished school in East Tennessee. I love my job, and I love my school! I will finish my Ed.S. degree in Administration and Supervision in three weeks, which will qualify me to be a principal or otherwise work in school administration, but I'm happy in the classroom for now. I went ahead with the degree now because the raise is great, and I wanted to get my last graduate degree before I have children. After my masters and this, I'm finished with research for life, so there will be no doctorate in my future!

1. Were You Named After Anyone?Yes, mom said the nicest person she ever knew was a girl she worked with named Amy. 2. When was the Last time You Cried? Friday watching Gran Torino 3. Do You like Your Handwriting? Yep, but I'm a teacher, so it's neat. 4. What Is Your Favorite Lunch meat? Ham, but it has to be thin sliced 5. Do You have Kids? unfortunately, not yet 6.If You were Another Person, Would You be Friends with You? of course 7. Do you use Sarcasm a lot? too much 8. Do You still have Your Tonsils?yeppers 9. Would You Bungee Jump?no way...I'm a chicken 10. What is Your Favorite Cereal? Special K with Red Berries 11. Do You untie Your Shoes when You take them off? no, but my tennis shoes are the only shoes I own that tie 12. Do You think You are Strong? sometimes 13. What is Your Favorite Ice Cream? Baskin Robbins Gold Medal Ribbon 14. What is the First thing You notice about People? unfortunatley, it is usually their size 15, Red or Pink? depends, I like both 16. What is The least thing You like about Yourself? right now, my hair 17. Who do You Miss the Most? my sister who lives in TX 18. What Color Pants and Shoes are Wearing now? beige shorts, no shoes 19. What was the Last thing You Ate? sugar-free Jello 20, What are You listening to now? Law & Order: Criminal Intent (and as I type, thunder!) 21 If You were a Crayon what Color would You be? maybe pink 22. Favorite Smells? a Johnson's Baby washed baby 23. Favorite Sports to Watch? cheerleading or gymnastics 24. Hair Color? Clairol Professional 4N (dark brown) to cover 75% gray at 31!!! 25. Do You Wear Contacts? during the summer so I can wear cute cheap sunglasses 26. Favorite Food? any kind of potato 27. Scary Movies, or Happy Endings? scary, but not horror 28. Last Movie You saw? Gran Torino 29, Color Shirt/Blouse You are Wearing? red 30. Summer or Winter? It's summer here, but I prefer winter. 31. Favorite Dessert? Oreo Mud Pie from Cheddars 32, Favorite Place ever Traveled?Las Vegas 33, Where would You like to Travel Next?New York City or Mt. Rushmore 34. What Book are Reading now? Law and Ethics in Education (I'm finishing grad school.) 35, Where were You Born? Marion, VA 36. Big Band or Rap? neither 37. Interesting Fact about Me? my eyes change color from blue to green (usually green) and my college biology professor was really amazed because he says this should be impossible because the blue and green genes are different...whatever, sometimes they are very blue, other times they are very green 38. What did You Watch on Televison Last Night? Law & Order: Special Victims Unit 39. Beatles or Rolling Stones? neither 40. Do You have a Special Talent? I'm really good at picking things up with my toes!

Okay, so today is day 9 of my ten day preop diet. I have been on BC pills continuously (the active pills) for six months to keep me from having a period because I had one non stop from before Halloween to after Christmas. Today, I have had some spotting. Do y'all think this has anything at all to do with the preop diet, either the sudden calorie restriction or the diarrhea that comes along with the all liquids? (I know that when I am on my period, I tend to have diarrhea.) Or do you think it is just a coincedece? Has anyone experienced anything similar?

Great story! Thanks for posting.:smile2:

I'm not great with directions, but I'll try. To add a signature, go to User CP (near the top of the page) and select "Edit Signature" from the menu on the left. To add a ticker, go to tickerfactory.com. Follow the directions to set up your ticker. When you get your code, two will show up. Use the one that says something like BB code. Copy the code (highlight it and hit ctrl and c) and paste it into your signature (ctrl and v). I hope this helps and good luck...mine is the 7th!

Yes, please do keep us posted. I hope all goes well for you!

Okay, so today is day 5 of my ten day preop liquid diet. At first it was really hard. Now, it is getting easier...I think too much so. I am supposed to keep it under 1000 calories. Each day, my intake gets less and less. Yesterday I only had 755 calories. Today, I'm only at 535, and it's close to bedtime. I am getting in all my Protein, I'm just not looking for things to stuff myself with. Also, I can't stomach broth! I have tried three different kinds, and it makes me nauseous. I used to really like it. Do you think it could be from the mix of that and all the milk-based things I've been drinking? My husband and MIL are worried I'm not getting enough calories, and now they have me worrying a little too. Should I worry if I'm getting all my protein in? Thanks in advance!

WTG! I am a teacher also, and I am really excited about having a July date. Be sure to check out the July 2009 forum.

What a great idea! Count me in, too! My surgery is on July 7 and I'll be starting as a pretty sedentary gal, but I'll do as much as I can. At least it will give me something to work for. Thanks for starting the challenge!

So interesting that I find this thread today... A girl I work with came by today to get something for her graduate class. I mentioned that I was on my preop liquid diet and explained to her what stages I will go through after surgery before I can eat relatively normally again. (My blender, Protein powder, etc. were still lying on the dining room table where I haven't unpacked from vacation.) She commented on how hard it must be and how she could never do it. I replied that this was what people called taking the easy way out. She totally got it that this still requires serious work. That made me feel really good! I just wish everyone understood.

Oh, no! I have some pretty big tatas, and I feel totally naked without an underwire bra. For me there is SUCH a big difference. I asked my surgeon about my bra getting in the way of my port. He showed me where my port would be, and he said is shouldn't be a problem at all. I never thought about it actually bothering my band!:rolleyes2:

Hello, y'all. I just got back from the beach, and let me tell ya, it was certainly a different vacation. We arrived on Thursday, and knowing that I had to start my pre-op diet on Saturday, all I could think about was FOOD! I wanted to be sure I ate all the things I wouldn't be able to eat for a long time. (I had to say my good-byes, you know.) That night, we went out to eat at Margaritaville. Well, there was a 2 1/2 hour wait. Who the heck has the patience to wait that long? Not me! So, we ended up eating at Planet Hollywood instead. I ordered a Steak and a loaded baked potato along with a strawberry daquari. Well, the daquari was great until I realized my glass was cracked. The crack didn't go all the way through the glass to either side, but the hubbs (overprotective, but in a loving way) didn't want me to drink any more of it for fear there may be glass in my drink. (As if I wouldn't have already found it...the drink was 2/3 gone!) He started squeezing the glass, and I was scared to death it was gonna break! Thankfully, he insisted the waiter bring me a new one since I couldn't finish that one. That was a nice perk! The steak was okay. I was disappointed that it was just okay. I really wanted a filet, but they only had sirloin on the menu. So, I ordered it medium well. It came out very well done. Did I eat it anyway? You're darn skippy. (We don't send our food back for fear of what might happen to it in the kitchen as a means of retaliation.) I didn't want to simply have it taken off the bill because, damnit, I wanted a steak! So, I ate most of it anyway. The only thing that was perfect was the potato. But, hey, how hard is that? You bake it, open it up, slap on some butter, sour cream, cheese, and bacon. Do that and I'm a happy girl! We didn't order dessert. I knew exactly what I wanted as my treat! Krispy Kreme, get ready! The hubbs and I ordered a dozen, 1/2 the way he likes them, and 1/2 the way I like them. As he says, "Doughnuts are evil." Yes, they are. From then until breakfast the next morning I ate all six of mine--two raspberry filled, two chocolate glazed, and two originals. TO BE CONTINUED

Hello, y'all. I just got back from the beach, and let me tell ya, it was certainly a different vacation. We arrived on Thursday, and knowing that I had to start my pre-op diet on Saturday, all I could think about was FOOD! I wanted to be sure I ate all the things I wouldn't be able to eat for a long time. (I had to say my good-byes, you know.) That night, we went out to eat at Margaritaville. Well, there was a 2 1/2 hour wait. Who the heck has the patience to wait that long? Not me! So, we ended up eating at Planet Hollywood instead. I ordered a Steak and a loaded baked potato along with a strawberry daquari. Well, the daquari was great until I realized my glass was cracked. The crack didn't go all the way through the glass to either side, but the hubbs (overprotective, but in a loving way) didn't want me to drink any more of it for fear there may be glass in my drink. (As if I wouldn't have already found it...the drink was 2/3 gone!) He started squeezing the glass, and I was scared to death it was gonna break! Thankfully, he insisted the waiter bring me a new one since I couldn't finish that one. That was a nice perk! The steak was okay. I was disappointed that it was just okay. I really wanted a filet, but they only had sirloin on the menu. So, I ordered it medium well. It came out very well done. Did I eat it anyway? You're darn skippy. (We don't send our food back for fear of what might happen to it in the kitchen as a means of retaliation.) I didn't want to simply have it taken off the bill because, damnit, I wanted a steak! So, I ate most of it anyway. The only thing that was perfect was the potato. But, hey, how hard is that? You bake it, open it up, slap on some butter, sour cream, cheese, and bacon. Do that and I'm a happy girl! We didn't order dessert. I knew exactly what I wanted as my treat! Krispy Kreme, get ready! The hubbs and I ordered a dozen, 1/2 the way he likes them, and 1/2 the way I like them. As he says, "Doughnuts are evil." Yes, they are. From then until breakfast the next morning I ate all six of mine--two raspberry filled, two chocolate glazed, and two originals. TO BE CONTINUED

Basically, here's the scoop. There were several threads started concerning what those being banded in July 2009 would be called. Several ideas were tossed around, and on this board, it was determined we would be July Jewels. However on the board that is broken down by years and months, someone had actually started a poll where we could vote on a name. Most folks, at least at first, didn't realize there were duplicate threads. So, on the other board where there was actually a poll, the name Freedome Fighters won over July Jewels but like 1 vote, I think. Apparently, some folks decided they wanted to keep with the name July Jewels, while others decided to go with the majority. Thus, there are two names floating out there. Personally, I was partial to (and voted for) July Jewels, but since I like to go with the flow, I consider myself a Freedom Fighter since that was a majority decision. (I thought the poll was a great idea!) I really don't think it matters, though. All that matters is that we support each other in this journey no matter what we call ourselves.