new here-scheldule for surgery Jan 12th

HI my name is Jenn and I am 31 yr old mother of 4 with a very loving hubby.  I am schelduled for surgery Jan 12th with Dr,.Dimarco. I am 450 lbs, I feel lately I am eating more than I ever have - I know its stress. I am all up in nerves and excited .. I have been reading post and am wondering I hear alot of people talking about a liquid diet before hand, I am not on any special diet just cant eat after midnight night before- did anyone else have this and has anyone had surgery with the Weight loss clinic? 
I am looking for any information helpful advice anything anyone can give me , to help me on my journey .. thank you all in advance for your help..

Hi Jenn, Welcome to the PA boards.  I did not have my surgery with the Weight loss clinic.  I did have to go on a liquid diet for two weeks prior to my surgery, which was Sept 14th of 2009.  My hubby had his surgery in 2006 and did not have to do a liquid diet like I did but he did have to use clear liquid the day prior to surgery and nothing after midnight.  He had his surgery @Temple Hospital in Philadelphia, I had my surgery @ Jeanes Hospital in Philadelphia both hospitals are owned by Temple.

Again welcome to the boards.

Ida

Hi Jenn, Welcome and congrats on your scheduled surgery. I had surgery with the Weight Loss Clinic  on Nov 16 my surgeon was Dr Currie, but Dr. Dimarco visited me in the hospital. I was not on a liquid diet, I too had asked that question prior to my surgery and was advised that every surgeon takes a different approach with post surgical diets. Jess advised that as long as I continued to eat as I was and not gain any weight back I was ok. It was hard, I felt as if I was walking the line of the last supper, I felt I wanted to eat all the things that I would not be able to eat again beccause I would miss them. I was able to hold out and when I was hungry I grabbed something along the lines of fruit or a healthy snack, I was scared to death, my nerves were shot, but at the same time I was so excited,  Surgery was all I could think about I hear to good and the bad, but new this was the right choice for me. I am almost 7 weeks out and I feel great, I have amazing energy, and have lost more weight in this time frame then I had in the year of other diets. This was the best choice for me and so glad I have had it done. Regardless of the nerves it is all natural, I believe everyone on this board had the nerves. You dont want to continue eating more, as it may be more harmful. You will do fine and you are in good hands. Good Luck to you and we will see you on the loosers bench.

thank you both for your responses. Patty I had decided last night that i was going to get back on track and try to only eat the things that were healthy and really watch - cause I had already gained weight when I had gone to my last appt. my mother passed away in oct after a year battle with cancer she was living with me and things have been tough . she is the reason I am able to have surgery she paid for it, and then passed away 4 days after I had my endoscopy . I belive I am so blessed she was giving me this gift to give me my life back and I have Angel watching over me and I know I will be ok. my goal now is to do everything I need to to make this surgery a success. so thank you too any information you are able to help me with things to know when I get home from the hospital or even before I go.. I fee like I am rambling. *L 

this place is great I hope to find greta friends and support..

thank you all,
Jenn

How do you get the weight counter on the bottom of your post- i know i have to add it in my sig just wondering where you find those

You can go to www.tickerfactory.com to make one.

A few hints though:

Tickerfactory will tell you to copy and paste the "code" they give you.  This will not work.  Highlight and copy/paste the actual ticker

Bookmark the website on your computer - it will be easier to go back to update it when you start losing weight!  You will also need to set up a pin number to access your ticker - so like everything else in this world...make sure it's something you can remember!

Hi Jenn, My name is Belinda. I went to the Weight Loss Clinic and Dr. Davidson did my surgery. I asked him about the pre-op liquid diet. He said it depends on the surgeon of course, but his reasoning was this. The liquid diet helps to shrink your liver imediately before surgery and thus makes it easier for the surgeon to move the instruments around and to perform the actual surgery. However it can also weaken your immune system. Dr. Davidson did not have me do a liquid diet. I suppose it might depend some on the individual patient as well. They are all wonderful people at the clinic. I had surgery in March 2009 and recieved excellent care. By the way Welcome to the PA Board. This is a fantastic place for support and education. We are an extended family here. Please ask any questions you might have. Good luck with your surgery.

I am scheduled for Feb 15Th and my surgeon requires a two week Atkins diet before. It's to shrink the liver so stomach is more accessible.

Thank you everyone for your answers I went back over my paperwork and re read things and they just want you to work on things before surgery but do not require anything special except don't eat after midnight the night before , so I am jsut trying to really cut back and watch everything I put in my mouth and am going to walk daily just to add to it and if I only lost a lb between now and then its once less pound that I have to lose.. I wil surely keep in touch.. my hubby is not good with interent so I wont be able to post until after I am home from the hospital to let you allknow how I am doing .. unless they have iternet access *LOL I will so miss my iternet I am a facebook junkie..

Happy New year all

That great Jen, exercise is a great tool for healing. My doctor always says people who exercise heal better!  

I am also not having to go on a liquid diet, but am required to lose weight before hand. I decided the best way to do this is to go on a liquid diet and prepare me for after sugery also. Good luck to you I will be getting my surgery 1 day before you :)