Mel Mel

Banded on the 14th and home this morning. It was a rough night, and tough morning as well. I'm in a lot of pain and can't lay down in bed.I have to use the recliner and the pain pills are barely touching me. As I was being discharged the nurse said to me "You weren't that big, I don't think you needed to have surgery." I know that she meant it from a good place but I didn't appreciate it with all the pain I was in. I simply told her thank you for everything and explained that I had lost 20lbs. pre-op to have the procedure done.

That's what tomorrow is. Or maybe today depending on how you look at it. Today I am prepping for my lapband surgery tomorrow. I'm am taking in clear liquids and drank the magnesium citrate as the doctor ordered. Just waiting for that to kick in. I work overnights as a nurse. All night I was fine. I stopped at a girlfriends house on the way home and we were talking. A little about this and that and a little about my surgery. I asked "Am I doing the right thing?" And of course her response was "Yes!" One of the things that stinks about working overnights is that everyone is at work during the day. So while I'm awake and nervous and needing to talk to someone, everyone's busy. I wasn't and I still am not having a panic attack but I am nervous. And by 12:30 when sleep was no where in sight I unfortunately had to take something to help me relax and get some rest. I'm sure staying up for 36hrs straight wouldn't really help. My time for tomorrow is at 8:00. Thank goodness I'm an early case for the surgeon. I think I would go crazy wandering around my apartment waiting to get this started. My husband as been absolutely amazing to me. My friends and family have been very supportive.

I finished the magnesium citrate and I'm not really going... I hope I'm jsut kinda empty and that's why. And I have to be at the hospital at 8am. So many pre-op instructions to go over. Getting everything ready to make it an easy morning for me. Good luck to everyone!

May 14th... That's tomorrow! Yikes! I just came off the graveyard shift and stocked up on my clears, gasX and mag citrate(it's going to be a fun afternoon). I'm nervous and excited but right now a little bit more nervous and I can't sleep which I reallly should be doing!

My surgeon's nutritionist mentioned to me that if I wanted to continue the weight watchers that she would modify the points for me. Right now I'd be allowed 27 points. Did anyone else have to modify your points level? TIA

Hahaha my husband said I was going a little crazy with PMS and no carbs. I was in one of those moods and I said "I just want some chocolate!" But he's been really good with me.

How long postop does it take to return to working out. I know you are supposed to walk immediately which is no problem. How long did it take until it was OK to really push a cardio workout? Lifting weights? Doing ab work?

That stinks, I'm sorry. But they will still be able to do it! And if you lose weight on your own from now until then it will make the next surgery that much more safer!

I meet with my PCP again on tues morning, and that afternoon Imeet with the surgeon for the last time pre-op. I have to be careful at work with all my patients so I don't get sick before hand. But otherwise, everything is going according to schedule. The pre-op diet itself has been ok. I managed to make it through a communion with only have lemon chicken and salad. No sugar, cake or candy! The hardest part for me is the social aspect. My friend invited me over so we can plan a girls weekend getaway and said, "yeah come over, we're having tacos for dinner." Of course I didn't go and that's been hard locking myself up.

One day at a time.. I have to take it one craving at a time! I'm on day 3 of liquids and one light meal a day and doing well. I've lost a lot a weight this week so my surgeon should be happy. Last night we went to a communion. I didn't have any sugar, cake, or candy. It was buffet style to I had the lemon chicken and salad. I think I did pretty darn well.

I feel the same way. My husband and parents know and I told one friend whose mother is getting it. I only told her because she was a nervous wreck for her mother so I wanted to tell her more about the procedure. Im getting mine done on the 14th. and started the pre-op liquid diet. At least I get to eat some food! I've been dropping weight like crazy!

Great job! I'm sure you lost a lot of inches too!

I would imagine everyone is different and not just the doctors. Maybe people with higher BMIs have to do a special diet for longer, or the diet is switched around depending on current medical conditions. My starting BMI was 45 and I was a high protein/ low carb since my blood work and today I started my 2 week liquid diet. I drink 3 servings of protein drinks (I like isopure ready to drink but it can get pricey!) 2 servings of fruit (which is either an apple, pear, or orange) and then a salad with tomato, cucumber and 6-8oz. of lean protein. It's tough, I just want to eat so I really look forward to that salad with Ken's Lite Northern Italian dressing. 5g of fat and only 1g carb per serving. It makes my salad seem a little more substantial. Surgery is in two weeks! I'm excited and nervous all at the same time. Good luck to you!

Me too! I have a first communion to go to this weekend. My husband doesn't think it's a big deal, he says, just don't eat anything. :smile: To add insult to injury its at an italian restaurant. As long as I can have a grilled chicken salad I should be ok. I'll just have to drool of DHs meal. :smile:

There are a lot of changes happening around me. I have been preparing for a life changing surgery and to add to my journey my parents are moving from New York to North Carolina. To say I am close to my parents is an understatement. Part of me wanted to tell them about this surgery and the other was afraid of their reaction. Plus, I was afraid of stressing them out since we are at less then a week away of them leaving. The truth is I don't tolerate change well and this is alot of change at once. I'm cranky because of the carb restriction, struggling at the gym and frustrated that I'm not losing the way I think I should be. TTOTM is no where in site and I've had swelling in my ankles. Checked out OK with the cardiologist. Hopefully anyday now my liver will do what it's supposed to do... release the glycogen stores so I can think again. Well, this was their last weekend as New Yorkers. My DH and I had them over for dinner and I made DH tell them! I expected more shock but they were automatically supportive. And I explained that I hadn't told many people and he told me to keep it that way. And my parents said the words that every child wants to hear... "I'm proud of you."

There are a lot of changes happening around me. I have been preparing for a life changing surgery and to add to my journey my parents are moving from New York to North Carolina. To say I am close to my parents is an understatement. Part of me wanted to tell them about this surgery and the other was afraid of their reaction. Plus, I was afraid of stressing them out since we are at less then a week away of them leaving. The truth is I don't tolerate change well and this is alot of change at once. I'm cranky because of the carb restriction, struggling at the gym and frustrated that I'm not losing the way I think I should be. TTOTM is no where in site and I've had swelling in my ankles. Checked out OK with the cardiologist. Hopefully anyday now my liver will do what it's supposed to do... release the glycogen stores so I can think again. Well, this was their last weekend as New Yorkers. My DH and I had them over for dinner and I made DH tell them! I expected more shock but they were automatically supportive. And I explained that I hadn't told many people and he told me to keep it that way. And my parents said the words that every child wants to hear... "I'm proud of you."

Since the first day I thought about surgery I have had periods of being nervous. This is life changing! I think anxiety is normal but remember you are changing your life for the better.

Which isopure are you using? I am unsing the ready to drink because they taste good. They come in really good flavors like passion fruit and fruit punch. I want to get the powders but I'm afraid it won't taste as good. I was wondering if you use the isopure chocolate or vanilla powder. I think I'm definately going to pick up the unflavored one to add to broths post op.

Which isopure are you using? I am unsing the ready to drink because they taste good. They come in really good flavors like passion fruit and fruit punch. I want to get the powders but I'm afraid it won't taste as good. I was wondering if you use the isopure chocolate or vanilla powder. I think I'm definately going to pick up the unflavored one to add to broths post op.

May 14th is my date. I can't wait and can wait all at the same time! I've been having a hard time following the pre-op high Protein and low carb diet. For the liquid diet I am to drink 3 Protein drinks and eat one low carb high protein meal, plus two Snacks which is a fruit (preferably an apple). Since I've been having such a hard time with the low carb diet I am modifying the liquid diet for now until I do start it. So I'm having 2 protein drinks and 2 low carb/high protein meals with either fruit or a yogurt as a snack. I'll do this until 4/30 when I start the post op liquids diet. I've been using Isopure drinks. 100% whey protein, 40g protein, 160 calories, 0g carbs. I couldn't find shakes that I liked and was getting very frustrated. I bought the sample pack from bariatriceating.com, plus they also sell chewable Vitamins including multi, calcium+D, and omega-3s! Good luck everyone! Looking forward to sharing experiences and getting to know each other!

Daily I change my ming regarding this surgery. One day I'm 100% into it and then the next I'm scared of the surgery and want to try it on my own. I got my bloodwork back and was cleared to start the low carb diet. But since I work at the hospital where my bloodwork was done i took a peek. There's nothing. All my levels were fine, maybe slightly off but nothing of major concern. And at first, my husband was against me having this surgery and now he thinks I should. Not that he's making my decisions for me but I do value his opinion. I'm 26 and I feel like such a big fat failure. I'm afraid of making a decision and it being the wrong one. I'm supposed to go for an endoscopy this week and I'm about to cancel it because I'm afraid. But 110lbs is a lot for me to lose. Can I do it on my own? Is this surgery the best choice for me? I meet with the surgeon April 1, and I feel like I'm losing time to make a choice. I'm hoping that someone out there has been through what I'm going through. My husband just doesn't understand it's not just a choice to have surgery or not. Afterward there will be major changes in my eating habits and food tolerances. I've only told him and one friends whose mother is thinking of having the surgery. So I don't feel like I have anyone I can really open up to and really share my thoughts and concerns.

I have set my surgery date. DH came to the Drs. appt with me which is helping him feel a little bit better about the surgery. The surgeons wife is so involved and a great 'people' person. She explained to my DH that not only am I preventing health issues before they develop, I'm also entitled to look and feel good about myself. Thank you. DH is thinking that I'm all about the cosmetics, while important it's not the only reason I'm doing this. If it was I wouldn't opt for surgery. So when is the big day?!!?!?!? May 14. It's a friday and then I'll be home with DH all weekend for him to take care of me! lol. This means I start the pre-op liquid diet May 1. I already explained to the Dr. why I have such a hard time with the low carb. My workouts are still pretty intense and working overnights, there are times I stay awake for 24hours. If I allow an extra yogurt and take tylenol, Im ok. But between working as a nurse and driving home tired, it's not so safe to feel like that! :thumbup: Well I was told I dont have a fatty liver and I've lost most of my pre-op weight required. I was required 12 lbs and I lost 8 lbs. I explained where Im having difficulties and basically was told to keep doing what I'm doing. I hope for the month of April to lose another 8lbs and make it more than I was supposed to! :tt1: Then anything lost on the liquid portion will just be extra! I'm feeling pretty good about everything. It still feels surreal that I'm going ahead with this but I've been honest with the Drs. team. I guess everyone can feel the way I do at times. I still am having a hard time telling others about this surgery. So far DH is the only person who knows and two friends know I'm thinking about it. I'm worried to tell my parents because they are moving soon and I don't want them to worry about leaving me or anything like that. DH is doing a good job supporting me. I hate feeling like I'm lying since I talk to my parents all the time. "So what's new?" "...Nothing..." ARGH!

baptistthom, I swear you sound just like me! I'm a nurse too and I work right down the hall from where my surgeon admits his patients and people make comments about them all the time. It's terrible that nurse's do that. Well, I'm having surgery down the street at a different hospital for the same reason. Oh, and I told them I'm having a hernia repair.