Hey everyone, I saw a Jan. 12 group, so I thought I'd start a Jan. 13 group. Anyone out there getting banded on the 13th? I live in northern California and will be banded by Dr. Waldrep at Sutter Roseville. Send me a shout if you're scheduled for the 13th.

Hi! I am SO happy to meet so many people who are being banded on the 13th! I feel a little isolated. I am traveling to Denver (4hours) for my surgery. My pre-op is the night before. I appreciated the ideas of Gas-X etc. I have received all kinds of lists from the Dr.'s office about food - not about any other thing I might need.

I am doing my pre-op diet now which basically is Atkins. It is not horrible but I am nervous because my Dr is very strict about the diet. He had a patient in the OR and walked out because she had not followed the diet!

Welcome, Amymoe. Geez--your surgeon sounds tough! I am not on a pre-op diet, but I am experimenting with protein shakes for lunch so it won't be such a shock to the system when I have to have them. I purchased a single-serve blender made by Hamilton Beach. It's small enough for me to keep at work, and the jar has a lid so that it can be used as a cup to drink from. Our surgery is just over a week away. Yes, I am getting nervous!

Adamsmom - the single serve blender is a great idea. I am so ready for this to be done. My cousin lives in the Rosville area and my Grandfather is in Fort Bragg! How is your family dealing with all this? I have two boys 9 and 4. The 4 year old says he is scared but happy that Mommy might be able to stop shots (I am diabetic) the 9 year old is not happy at all.

Hi Amy moe--I have decided not to tell my children exactly what I'm having done. For one thing, I am having my procedure on an outpatient basis. My kids will know that mom has a doctor's appointment. When they get home from school, I'll be there and they'll be told that mom had a little hernia operation on her tummy and won't be able to eat the same for a while. I'm doing this because my kids are both on the autistic spectrum. Anything medical freaks them out and I don't want to burden them with having to remember not to tell anyone at school what I really had done. My oldest is going through a lot of anxiety issues at school--with trying to fit it, etc and layering the autism on top just complicates things. I don't want to upset my kids, so I'm keeping this all as low key as I can.

Adamsmom - I see your point with your kids. Although I am bothered that my oldest is upset, he is a very direct kid. I have had to be somewhat that way with him because of the diabetes. Pretty much everyone around me knows about the surgery and supports the reasons that I finally came to this decision. The people I haven't told are the ones that don't support me anyway. I have figured out that the choice to do this would require me to grow some thick skin. I am going to do some shopping today and that has me excited! I leave for Denver a week from today! I just can't believe it is almost here!!

Amymoe, I know it must worry you that your kids are scared. I guess I would advise that you reassure them that you're going to be just fine. Don't let them know you're scared too. It is a scary thing. I know how scared I have been when m kids have had surgery--they must feel the same way about thier mom, so I really try to protect them from it. Talk up all the good things that will happen because of this surgey--how you'll be able to do things with them that perhaps you haven't been able to do before--how you will live longer because you will definitely, not maybe get your diabetes under control. Let them know that you know they're afraid, but it will all be over before they know it and you'll be back home as quickly as you can be. This is probably the hardest decision I have ever made, and believe me, I am waking up at night questioning myself for dsoing this, but I know I have to do this. Just 8 more days!

I'm confused! Why liquid Tylenol? My doctor said I would be able to swallow a pill. Does anyone have a printable shopping list?

Perfectform - My doctor told me I would have to crush all of my pills and that if I was on any time released we would have to change the perscription since these can't be crushed

You may well be able to swallow pills; however, what if immediately after you get home from the hospital, when you're still on clear fluids, you try a pill and it gets stuck, or you choke it up? I can only imagine that it would be quite painful. I'm guessing that rght after surgery, I want to minimize pain not maximize it. :tongue2: I don't want to take any chances, so I got the liquid type. It was only when I bought it that I discovered that they have a liquid Tylenol for adults--it comes in a bottle that looks like Nyquil.

Adamsmom - I did some shopping last night. They were sold out of the personal blender but I was able to pick up a Magic Bullet blending machine. I wanted to tell you that you have the most nuturing tone, and I appreciate our conversations. It has only been a few and a couple of days but you have helped me greatly:tongue2:

Amymoe, you are very kind. Glad I could help.

Hello all my name is Theresa and you can add me on that list! My surgery is also January 13th at Lourdes Hospital in Willingboro NJ By the wonderful Dr Samuel Wasser.:thumbup: I get all my preops done tomorrow the 7th!

Hi Theresa0326! How is the pre op diet going? Mine is basically the first phase of Atkins. I am happy to say that I have already lost 3 pounds, but I am glad this is not the eating style I would have to maintain forever. I am suprised that it is not so much the sweets or bread I am missing but things like beans:confused_smile:

Hey Amymoe! The preop diet is getting old LOL! They have me basically on a liquid diet 3 shakes a day and all the zero calorie beverages I can Handle! I am not really hungery on this diet but its more of me getting tired of drinking shakes all day all sweet all day! The shakes aren't that good either the only flavor that doesnt make me gag is the vanilla. They have me taking 840 calories a day and 126g of protein. The day before the surgery i go on that all clear liquid phase. I will just be happy when iI dont have to drink my meals. :thumbup:

All in all I cant wait though I have been trying for this for a while now. I was so happy to see a thread started for people who are getting it done on the 13th to have so many people going thru what your going thru at the exact same time is comforting knowing you have people there you can talk to that knows what you are feeling. Hope we can all keep eachother updated on our progress:thumbup: Good luck we only have 6 days left guys!!!!!!!!!!

Thersa0326 - I am excited too! Like you, coming to this decision was long in the making. I beat myself up for too long. Once I decided and found a doctor (I have to travel 4 hours to Denver) it felt like the smartest thing I have done in a long time. My primary Dr. is a huge fan of the surgery but understood that I am private pay and it was not a choice that I could just make mentally or financially. One great thing is that with the pre op diet I have already seen my insulin levels declining!