Hey All. I had my pre-op testing on Friday. There's nothing like a barium shake for Breakfast. lol

I had to take these pop rock like crystals first they poured them into a little Water and i had to chug it. they inflate your stomach and stretch the lining so they can check for problems. You aren't allowed to burp because it'll let the air out - very odd feeling.

next I had a thick barium shake so they could do xrays

then I had a thin Barium shake - thank god they said i was done - because if I had to take any more I would have barfed on them. lol

Then I got to break and go to the cafeteria for some real breakfast.

next i had blood drawn and an ekg, followed with pre-op exam and questioning by the hospital.

next i had a diet class for before and after surgery

then met with a fitness advisor and got weighed and measured etc.

My liquid diet starts tomorrow - went shopping and stocked up on lots of ummm not so yummy stuff. lol

I'm getting closer each day I can't wait for the band.

I noticed you live in Bullitt County. I teach there but live in Louisville. Are you going through University Surgical Associates? I have Dr. Rodriguez. I just found out I was approved today so I should hear from the office soon. I think its going to be the first week of January if they can get me into pre-op testing soon.

Good luck!!! You can do it!

The second & thrid day is really really rough but once you get over that hump it's not bad.

I get really hungry when my family is eatting. I have to leave the room; just me and my shake! LOL It's not like they are eatting pizza and chips or anything. It's baked chicken and veggies. But that's my fav. LOL Maybe if they had cheeseburgers it wouldn't bother me as much. So my advice is don't be around when they are making it or eatting. It's really hard to not want to nibble on their food. When they aren't around it's really really easy not to graze in the fridge looking for food. I actually feel good about the shakes, but when others are eatting that's when I notice I'm really hungry. So it's all suggestive. You're getting your nutrients from the shakes. You'll be ok!

And just remind yourself, the shake only diet...it's just temporary. You can do this. And once you feel successful with this, you'll realize you can do just about anything you set your mind too!

And you'll feel good after a couple of days of detox. You really will. I had more energy today on day 7 then I have in months, seriously. I got a lot done today and that was with a sick kid playing hookey from school.

Keep telling yourself, one more day one more day one more day and the next thing you know you're almost there. I think we psych ourselves out that it's the hardest thing ever, but it's not. It's all in our heads.

YOU CAN DO THIS!!

That's exactly how I felt, one more sip and it was all coming up. They made me try to swallow as much of the crystals DRY, and then gave me a tablespoon of Water to try and chase it down, ugh.

I started my liquid diet that same day, so the barium buffet was pretty much it for me that day. I am Sooooo glad that part of it is over! I would gladly do another week or two or liquids over the barium/rock crystal/barium cuisine. >ack<

You guys are scaring me. I have to do my testing on the 23rd, while I am on my pre-op diet. The things we are willing to go through I guess.