trina4ufl

Surgery is in 15 hours. Wish me luck!!!

Good Luck!!! Here we go!:thumbup:

Me too!! Me too!! December 1st!! I'll be at University of California at Irvine with Dr. Ninh Nguyen. I've had a total abdominal hysterectomy and arthroscopic knee surgery for a torn meniscus within the last few years so I'm not *too* worried about this one.

Best advice is to trust your surgeon and the nursing staff and ask lots of questions (I wrote mine down so I wouldn't forget!)

The problem I'm having is maintaining proper hydration. I just can't seem to stomach as much Clear liquids as prescribed. I've tried adding Crystal Light to Water but I'm just feeling resistant for some reason.

Other than that I'm really excited. I even went today and bought cute new jammies to wear in the hospital (even though my fiance says I'll just want to stay in the hospital gown...ummm...not likely!!)

Good luck...let's keep checking in with each other to make sure we stay on target!

Yay! Welcome! We're almost there. I can't wait until I'm no longer pre-op!

29 years old, female, being banded on Dec 1st (in 3 1/2 days). My highest weight was 347, my weight at initial consult was 320 and my current weight is 314. My goal weight is 175 (5'10") and I live in Gainesville, FL where i am being banded by Dr. Bruce Brient (who I love already).

Wow...you are a fast loser! Way to go. I don't use the scale because it just get's me discouraged. I felt like I was losing weight though as my stomach was shrinking. I've quit smoking and I am smoke free 4 days now but that is torture if you can't eat either. So while I was make the pumpkin pie I got stressed and ate the batter....yikes I think it was a preview of what may happen if you do it while you have the band. No vomiting as I'm not a vomiter but pain...after my stomach shrank so much. I've seen every doctors under the sun in the past few weeks. I'm on a low BMI study so maybe that's why? Anyway I'm learning that the medical community likes to err of the side of caution for sure. I'm not going to sweat over eating too much right now....I think it's more important I have smoke free lungs. I do enjoy the shakes and not too tired of them so I'll go back for the next couple of days....5 more days! Have a happy thanksgiving

Good for you! I quit smoking a little over 2 months ago, but fell off the wagon today due to family stress. I think most of my weight loss was Water weight. Also I gained some weight right before I went on the pre-op diet, so I really have only lost about 6 pounds since my initial consult. I am planning on not smoking anymore, especially before surgery. It is very difficult to not eat or smoke. I feel like I could do one or the other fine, but both is very tough. I hope your Thanksgiving was great!

Wow! I am on my second day of pre-op and my pre-op diet is way worse then yours. I can only have 30 gr of carbs and 60 gr. Protein a day. I looked at Healthy Choice dinners and they start at 35 gr of carb's. I 'm having a hard time finding a meal other than the shakes. Any ideas?

You might try the south beach diet dinners. They are high protein, low carb. I think eggs fit the bill as well. If you go to sparkpeople.com, you can put in what food it is and it will tell you how much protein, fat, and calories it has. It's pretty cool. Other than that, I'd try eating chicken breasts and veggies. Fish is good low cal, high proten. Shrimp too. I'm not sure how restricted your diet is.

Good for you,you have it in control ,and for me i seldom am in control of food.Food controls me .But at last I'm about to nip that one in the bud:thumbup:Istart my pre-op diet tomorrow.I like yours better:unsure:Ihave to drink at least 5 Protein drinks a day and my protein must be at least 65gr a day .My drinks EAS- HAS 17gr each so i should have no trouble getting it in .I can also have broth ,diet Jello, and Decaf tea or coffee:thumbdown:Like i said i like your pre-op better.My surgery is set for December the 8th if all goes well,with my insurance.Keep up the good work. Kerry

Thanks. I was really out of control eating up until my pre-op diet date, so I wasn't sure if I'd be able to stick to it. It's weird how food is addictive. Once you get a few days out, it' not as bad. Good luck and thanks for the support!!!

I'm doing well. As of this morning, I'm down 12 pounds since I started the pre-op diet 7 days ago. I am really getting excited and not really too nervous, just thinking about all the details now that it's so close. As for the mushies, I haven't tried anything yet. Stuff ground up does not appeal to me, so I thought I'd just drink Protein Shakes, but I'm sure I'll get sick of them. How long do you have to be on mushies? Also, what kind of stuff did you buy for your liquid stage? I've heard all the general rules, but my doctor hasn't given me the specific rules for me yet. I'm sure he will do that at my last appt on Tuesday. I plan to eat a small small piece of turkey and a veggie on Thanksgiving as my pre-op diet allows a meal for dinner as long as I don't go over my 1100 -1200 calories a day. I have been reading threads about the surgery day, and it sounds pretty simple--similar to when I had my gallbladder removed, which has been my only other surgery. I am going to end up with a month off work due to the sick leave running into my Christmas vacation and my boss being very awesome, so I will have time to adjust to eating before I go back to work. I'm really excited!! One week from tomorrow! Keep me updated on how things are going for you!

Okay, I'm on day 6 of the 2 week pre-op diet. 2 weeks of four Protein Shakes a day(must have 10g Protein for every 100cal) and a structured meal (i have a healthy choice meal) and no more than 1100-1200 cal a day total. I've lost 10 pounds in six days!!! I'm sure some of that is Water weight and I did gain weight right before I started the diet due to "last meals", but I'm proud of myself because I've been sticking with it. The first two days were horrendous. I really wanted to chew off my arm. After that, it's been smooth sailing. I really haven't even thought about food. I have to remind myself to drink the protein shakes. I did the upper GI and ekg and have to meet back with my Dr. on Tuesday to go over the results and get instructions for the surgery, but 8 days to go and I'll be banded!!!!

Okay, I'm on day 6 of the 2 week pre-op diet. 2 weeks of four Protein Shakes a day(must have 10g Protein for every 100cal) and a structured meal (i have a healthy choice meal) and no more than 1100-1200 cal a day total. I've lost 10 pounds in six days!!! I'm sure some of that is Water weight and I did gain weight right before I started the diet due to "last meals", but I'm proud of myself because I've been sticking with it. The first two days were horrendous. I really wanted to chew off my arm. After that, it's been smooth sailing. I really haven't even thought about food. I have to remind myself to drink the protein shakes. I did the upper GI and ekg and have to meet back with my Dr. on Tuesday to go over the results and get instructions for the surgery, but 8 days to go and I'll be banded!!!!

Hi Trina and congratulation on your decision ..you beat me by one day, I'm December 2nd. I feel the same way you do but from what I gleamed here we are very lucky to first know about this sophisticated miracle devise and be courageous enough to do something about this problem. I posted on "mourning food already"in this dec. thread and received some amazing advice and encouragement if you can to see.

Congrats!!! I'll definitely check it out! You have to keep me posted on how you're doing and I'll do the same.

Yay!!! Welcome to the early bird's club!

That is so funny! And here I was thinking we had found another person in Gville!

Was just wondering how many of us are from Gainesville or surrounding area. I'd like to maybe get a group of us together. I'm being banded on December 15 and could definately use some friends that are going through or have been through what I'm doing.

:cool:

I'm in Gainesville and am having surgery on December 1st with Dr. Brient at North FLorida. I have been communicating with someone else in Gainesville who is having hers on December 14th at Shands. I'd definitely be up to get a group going.

Most patients having any kind of abdominal surgery WILL get catheterized in OR. It may just be an in and out cath to drain your bladder or they may leave it in during surgery and remove it while your still asleep, or you may wake up with it. It is a safety measure to ensure your bladder doesnt get knicked during surgery. I would say it is done 90 to 95% of the time. Now HERE is something to worry about... Did you know they tape your boobs out of the way?????? Unless they are small of course...

Kathy

Yeah, I had gallbladder surgery and they made me get naked under my gown. Later, I had orange/yellow betadine looking stuff on my stomach and the underside of my boobs were sticky, like they had been duct taped out of the way..lol. I'm not comfortable getting naked in front of ANYONE, but they give you some happy drugs before you go in and then you're so knocked out before and after, you don't even think about it. THe worst is the anticipation. Once you get to the hospital and get in the gown, you can actually ask for something to calm you down. It worked for me!

Hi, I am new to this site.

I am scheduled for surgery on 12/18/08 and im very nervous and scared.

I can totally relate. I just got my surgery date today and it is December 1st! It seems like I've been waiting forever, and then when I got the call today, I was pretty shocked that it's only 16 days away! Luckily, my BC/BS is covering it and I'm going to Dr. Brient in Gainesville, FL. I'm nervous and scared as well!! Good luck!:cool:

Well, after a couple months of getting all my ducks in a row, it is now moving along very quickly! I got a call today stating my surgery would be on December 1st!!! I'm starting to get nervous now, but I'm also very excited. I've only had surgery once before, and that was to have my gallbladder removed a couple of years ago. I was pretty freaked out by the whole going under anesthesia and having someone cut into me then, and I'm starting to get nervous about that now. I"m also kind of scared that I will be unhappy after it's done. I guess it's kind of like pre-wedding jitters, although I've never been married, so maybe not! My mom is coming up for the surgery and I have almost a month off work to adjust to this, so I'm hoping for the best. It's actually been going pretty smoothly since I decided to go for this and I really do believe this was meant to be. I'm 29 years old, single female and I feel like I've been putting my life on hold until I lose weight. I'm looking forward to having more energy, being more comfortable in social situations, and not being a slave to food. I will share with you how it goes!!!:Dancing_sorry:

Good for you, Trina! And you are #1!!!! You will start off the week AND the month for us. 16 days for you, girl!

I got the call today at work and it just seems unreal! I am a whirlwind mix of excited and nervous! It seems so close now! I'm starting my pre-op diet, which is mostly Protein drinks (small dinner) on Monday!!!

I finally got my date!!! It's December 1st!!! I'm so happy I just made the cutoff to be a December bandster!!!!!!:Dancing_sorry:

This is a great idea. I've been very unmotivated to exercise. I think it has something to do with the fact that it's usually dark alread when I get off work. This should help me commit to it. I have a gym membership, so I plan on using it starting this week!

I've always wondered how much to tip too. I usually leave 20% but it does sometimes seem like a lot if the cut/color is expensive. I was a waitress during college, so I do tend to overtip. I feel like a few extra dollars out of my pocket can really make a difference to the person and you'd be surprised how far a good tip goes towards the way you are treated next time!:eek:

Hi all,

I just got my insurance approval and am hoping to be banded in December. I'm in Gainesville, FL.:eek:

Hi everyone. I'm pre-op, so no personal experience yet, but it was really funny because at my psychologist told me that after I lose weight, I might become promiscuous!:eek:

Thanks! Glad to meet other Floridians! I haven't actually gotten a surgery date yet, but the surgeon's office assured me it would be before the end of the year! I was hoping for November, but I just got approval on 11/5 and the scheduling person doesn't come back into the office until Monday. I know I'll need at least two weeks before surgery because they want a two week liver shrinking diet (like a slim fast diet, but with high Protein, low sugar drinks instead of slimfast and a small dinner). I still have to do the pre-surgery orders including EKG and upper GI and then meet back with the surgeon to go over the results and any other pre-op for the hospital. Does anyone think I'm being too optimistic thinking I'll have a December date? I've been researching this and jumping through hoops for the insurance company for several months and I am so excited to get approval. I'm now going between nervousness and impatience. The only surgery I've had is to have my gallbladder out two years ago, and they said it would be easier than that. I think the thing that most scares me is that I'll do all this and either 1. Be miserable because I'm sick or can't eat at all or get a proper fill or 2. It won't work or it will work and then I'll gain it al back.

I am optimistic though and I look forward to being part of this group!

Hi everyone! I just got approved by my insurance yesterday and am hoping for an early December surgery date. Is it too soon to post here? I'm a single pre-op bandster in Florida. Nice to meet everyone!