Bev D.

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Creamy Lentil with Curry...  just about the best thing I've ever tasted in my life.

You think that 10 days of pre-op liquid diet is a long time to go without actual food????  Why that isn't bad at all.... try being on day 17 without any food!  Now we're talking downright torture here!!
Tomorrow is my followup visit after surgery - if all is ok, I'll get the thumbs up to move on to full liquids.  I've never been so excited about soup in all my life.  I've got my box of Campbell's Select Tomato with Basil - sitting out, just ready for me to indulge in 2 tablespoons of its delicious flavor.
I'm actually pretty proud of going this first part of the journey.  Been doing my best to keep the whining to a minimum - I mean tonight Joe and Cam had grilled chicken breasts that smelled so good.  Somehow the smell of the food seems to help me though.  Weird, huh?
Well after tomorrow I can have soup, yogurt and cream of wheat - - all things I like, so that should hold me for a while.
Feeling pretty good - very tired though and still getting a lot of sleep in.  Did some good walking today and since weather so nice, am sure plenty more tomorrow.  
So far, so good.

Surgery went well... a routine case, which I think is what we all want.  Surgery took just under 3 hours with no items of note.  Everyone was super at Methodist - attentive to your needs, quick with answers to questions and very caring about getting you back on your feet.  Dr. Svendsen stopped by each morning in the hospital to check in on me.
I think I've learned to like sugar-free jello - this is a good thing.  I've never cared for any artificially sweetened items, so if I can learn to like a few things - - the going will be much easier for me, now not being able to tolerate regular sugar anymore.
I weighed 365 on surgery day (which was down 20 lbs from the start of pre-op liquid diet).... unfortunately, I was back up to 385 when coming home.... after being pumped up of i.v. fluids and gas from the anesthia.  This is normal, I believe.  Anyway, today is third day after surgery day and I am down 6 of those lbs.... so I think I'll be getting rid of them quickly.
It is nice to be able to be home for a few weeks - will probably get bored, but I think it will really help me to solidify my new eating plan

Wow!  Are those great words to read, or what?  Surgery is tomorrow at 7:20 a.m.

The process to get WLS has gone quickly - and like so many others before me, I wonder why I didn't do it earlier.  But, there's plan and time for everything and now is finally my time.


THINGS I LOOK FORWARD TO AFTER TODAY:

*  Increasing my longevity by decades

*  Golf

*  No fear of lawn chairs

*  Taking stairs without effort

*  That I can do more for my husband than he currently has to do for me 

* Being able to climb bleachers, so I don't always have to sit on  the bottom row

* Walking through turnstiles

* Clothes shopping in the store of my choosing

* Not averting my eyes from the stares of people on the street

* Sitting on the ground to look up at 4th of July fireworks in the sky

*  Restaurant booths

*  Not having to base travel plans on my size

*  Getting out of bed in the a.m. without pain

*  Roller skating with my daughter

*  Gardening 

*  Caribbean cruise

*  Zip Lining or Cave Tubing in Belize

*  That I still have the best family and friends in the world

The liquid days are going by pretty fast.  On day 7 of it now and all good except yesterday.  Had a migraine and can't take Excedrin this week... took Tylenol to no avail... finally let up today.
Now I'm almost to surgery day.   Can hardly believe that it is going to be here in just a few days.
My coworkers gave me a wonderful basket of goodies for my weeks resting at home until I come back to work - - magazines, a novel, water from Iceland, beading stuff, puzzle book and more.  There have been a lot of supportive comments from them - which has really been helpful.  They are very excited.
I'm excited too, but still a bit reserved about showing it.  Staying calm seems important now.  My daughter is a bit scared, so I need to keep it light and calm for her.  We've had a few good laughs about how we are going to burn Mommy's wardrobe of black pants when they are too big for her.... they are like a uniform for me - the uniform of the overweight.  Can't wait until I can wear pants of some bright color.
Won't be long now..........

So far, not too bad on the liquid diet.  I'm not a big chocolate fan, so am mostly using the vanilla and strawberry Carnation with skim.  I also don't do artificial sweetener - so that really limits my other options.  I did have a sugar free cherry popsicle and it wasn't tooooo bad... just wish it didn't have that after taste.

Staying busy is really helping.  Keeping my mind on other things keeps it off food.  But, I still hope the week flies by.

Ahhh Liquidity time - 10 day pre-op liquids... not so bad... because I just started a couple hours ago!!
I don't care too much for milk and I like Carnation Instant Breakfast even less... so this should be pretty interesting.  But when you have light at the end of the tunnel, because it is only 10 days out of my life - - I am hoping it will not be too bad. Sip, sip , sip , sip

Our family's most favorite thing to do... road trip.  We are heading down to Iowa for spring break (no, not Mazatlan or Miami) just Iowa.  We're staying for a few days at a nice hotel with pool and slide (for the daughter, of course!) and visitng the Amana Colonies.  Never been before and we are nuts for history and learning about different culture.  Should be a wonderful time.....   Getting closer to surgery now - I'll bet this will be the last trip where I have to pace myself in order not to get tired from walking & back aching..... one more great thing to look forward to!!!!!!!

Since I got the surgery date earlier this week, I've had trouble sleeping.  Must be the excitement.  I find myself tossing and turning - and also having some very vivid, detailed dreams.  By the time morning rolls around - I am exhausted!!  This isn't really helpful for trying to find energy to walk.
I had my pre-surgery visit with Shareen at Park Nicollet today.  Was helpful to go through the book and more carefull learn what gets incorporated at each state of eating post-surgery.

My husband and I met with Dr Svendsen and nurse, Barb Johnson today.  They were both as fantastic as we had heard.  Barb is a nut - which is really what I need at this point.  I've been approaching this with all kinds of seriousness and trying to be studious about it all.... it was great to just laugh at some of it - I didn't realize how much I needed that release.  Dr. Svendsen - super nice, probably the most easy to talk with dr I've ever met.  I feel like I'm going to be in great hands.  
I am finally allowing myself to become happy and excited!