Doer

We really are in it together - that's pretty exciting! And we got through another day. I just had some sugar free jello, although I can't really call that something to chew on! Sleep tight!

Thanks, Abby! I don't generally have unrealistic expectations, but eight days of chewing only my TONGUE have gotten to me!! I bet you're as excited for your surgery as I am. I'm a teacher, too, everybody, but I'm hoping to be back at school for two days before the holiday break - fingers crossed. My surgery was supposed to be later, also, but my doctor had some kind of drama with his practice and left it - he couldn't do the surgery and we scuttled to find another doctor in a hurray. The new guy comes highly recommended, so no worries there.

Whew - thanks! I just drank my "breakfast" and needed a pick me up!

That's great news - glad you're doing so well. That's pretty much what I expect for me; I usually adapt pretty well and when my gallbladder was removed I was up and out within two days. Hope to hear more good news from everyone!

Thanks!! I will be busy today visiting a friend in NY with very serious cancer - that will certainly put the focus on something bigger than me - oops, I didn't even mean to be punny! I'm going to buy some liquid Protein stuff for the few clear days before Wednesday, too. I'm sure everyone here has gone through some version of what I'm feeling; I've dieted a million times and be so very successful, only to eventually gain most of it (and sometimes all of it) back again. I want so much to believe that this time I'll be able to sustain it. Not for a year or two, but until I'm a skinny old lady. I so desperately want to do all the fun things I've been avoiding in my fat skin! I think in the final minutes, I'm afraid to believe because, like my nickname says, I'm a Doer, not a Hoper. Ok, enough!

My surgery is Wednesday the 16th, and I'm a little more anxious than I had thought I would be. I went for a pre-op physical yesterday, as required by my hospital, and in the 8 days that I've eaten nothing but Optifast shakes, I have somehow lost only 5 pounds. I'm disappointed - I know how stupid that is, but I am. I had this idea that I'd take off like 10 or 15 pounds in the two weeks before surgery, and I've done everything I have committed to do, but only lost five (with four days to go). I guess the older we get the harder it is to just starve it off, but this is the least successful I've ever been on a diet. Hell, I've done far better every time on my first week of Weight Watchers (the twenty times I've had a first week!). I haven't put as much as a fingernail of solid food into my mouth. I just don't get it! Ok, enough complaining. The good news is I am finally able to sleep most of the night with my stomach on empty. I think that was the hardest thing about the shakes! Congratulations to everyone. I can't wait for my turn Wednesday.

My surgery date has changed, as has my surgeon. There was some mix-up - my doctor here in CT left his practice and I was told DURING my pre-op appointment. A bit disappointing, but in the end he recommended someone else whom I met the next day. The new guy, Dr. Tishler, is going to perform my lap-band two days earlier, so my date is now December 16! I am thrilled. I have started my pre-op diet and am starving. That's my own fault, I had been eating very recklessly in anticipation of giving up the binge (how nuts is that!?) ... so I'm sure I'm extra hungry because I had been extra full of late! I feel like I'm about to chew my insides out, that's how hungry I am feeling, and I haven't been able to sleep well at night because of it. This was day three, though, and I expect as with any other diet that I will adjust and feel more full as the week goes on. Congratulations to those who have had their surgery already! I can't wait until it's my turn!!

Whoever is keeping track of us forgot ME!! Today is my pre-op appointment and I will be banded on Friday December 18th. Like everyone else, I'm excited beyond belief. I was a little terrified about starting liquids tomorrow, but then read someone's post about it "not being so bad." Good - and thanks! I needed to hear that. When I first decided to do this I was full of hope - I really believed this was going to be the beginning of the end of food being my devil. But as the months have passed from an idea to surgery two weeks away I have grown less ... not hopeful, but I can't think of a good word for it. I'm not banking on this being the be-all-and-end-all. I'm too scared to believe it. But I sure hope it is! I am certainly going to DO my best! My doctor believes it is. You all probably believe it is. So I had better start believing again. Anyway, my two weeks starts tomorrow!

I have a December 18th band date. I am so excited it's hard to contain myself. My surgery is on a Friday and I'm hoping to be back to work Monday so I get a few days in before the Christmas break in our school.