I just recieved my package in the mail from the TLBC which included the tests I need to have done prior to the surgery. I need to have bloodwork done, a chest x-ray, and an ECG. I've never had a chest x-ray or ECG done. My question is, my surgery is Nov 2, will I have enough time to schedule these tests and get the results in time for the surgery? Also, how far in advance do they like you to have the tests done? a month? 2 weeks? Or does it not matter?

Thanks for your help,

Elizabeth

I just walked into labs off the street - they did my bloodwork and ECG at one (takes very little time at all), and I went to a different lab (as the first one didn't do xrays) for the xray - no appointments.

It takes about a week for the results to get to TLBC, they told me. I think you can have them done up to two weeks pre-op, just to be sure the results are in.

Getting excited? :peep:)

Hi there, just finished all those details the past month myself. The clinic I use does ECG's on specific days, once you have the order in place, just wait in line like everybody else. I was only a matter of an hour getting the chest x-ray and ECG done the same morning. The blood work is same thing, take a number. All you're paper work should arrive at the weight loss center around three weeks prior to you're surgery. The Optifast came within days of my order, so there's no worry there. Anyway, good luck with you're band, I'm being done this Friday, wish I could have made this decision when I was you're age, I think you're very brave. I've spent my life on the yo-yo, the weight doesn't just bring physical illness, the mental toll is worse. I've been beating myself up for as long as I can remember and although I don't expect to find happiness from losing weight, I know I'll feel better about myself.

Thanks for the advice!

Ginger, I'm getting excited and nervous at the same time. I'm more worried about not losing weight or something going wrong with the band than the surgery and food restriction itself. How are you doing with your band?

beau, good luck with your surgery!

Hi Lizzie!

I'm looking forward to mushies starting Friday. I'm like a tween with an incessant need for instant gratification. I am getting bored of not chewing anything.

I have a dinner party to go to on Saturday that I'm worried about, hopefully there will be a lot of peeps and no one will be watching me eat, or not eat, more likely.

It's going to be mid-October before I get my first fill - I'm going away and I don't want to deal with a first fill on vacation, so I'm putting it off. Not sure how I will react etc.

As for healing - that's pretty good, the chest cramps and shoulder pains are mostly gone now, and my energy has returned. Hurts to burp a bit. I get little twinges here and there in my gut, but I had that once before after major abdominal surgery, so this time it doesn't faze me.

I know what you mean about worried about not losing weight - this is it, what do I do if this doesn't work? I think we don't have to worry though, it's hard to screw it up. Worse case scenario - we lose slower then we want, and even that is healthier for our bodies.

Do you have to be back at school on the Monday after your surgery? You may still find yourself attched to your bed.

Cheers, take care,

Ginger

Hey Ginger!

Glad to hear your doing well, congrats. Hardest part is over for you, lucky. I bet those mushies are going to taste AMAZING compared to liquids 24/7. I'm dreading that liquid diet. Although I'm dreading the pre-op diet much more. I am only supposed to go on it for 1 week, but I decided to torture myself and go on it for 2. I'm close to the BMI cut off point of 1 week so I figured it can't hurt. Besdies, it'll be nice to quick start my weight loss.

What I meant by not losing weight is more in that initial phase before restriction is reached. I'm an all or nothing person and get discouraged easily if I do not meet the expectations I set for myself. I have heard many say that they didn't lose any weight before restriction was reached, and others who lost a ton. I am worried what not losing weight will do to my psyche and motivation.

My surgery is on a friday, and I'm back to class Monday. Luckily they are the type of courses that I can miss if I'm feeling horrible. I'm a nursing student so right now I only have classes on Mon and Tues, with clinical the rest of the week. I booked my surgery during my 1 month break from clinical so that I will have those days to recover.

I'm just trying to get everything in order at this point. My doctor won't do my fills (see other post) so that makes it a little more stressful right now trying to sort that out.

Keep me updated Ginger, and keep up the good work!

Elizabeth