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So I went out yesterday and got some protien shakes to try prior to surgery. I picked up some Premier Protein (Vanilla) from Costco, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey (Double Rich Chocolate) from GNC, and some Body Fortress Whey Protein (Cookies and Cream) from Walmart. I also got some protien shots (drinkable, NOT a needle shot) from Walmart. They are: Six Star Protein Enery shot (Berry Blast), Six Star Instant Liquid Protein Shot 35 (Orange Burst and Berry Blast), and Body Fortress Super Whey Protein Shot (Fruit Punch). If the shots are anything like the disgusting 5-Hour Energy Shots....I'm porbably NOT going to like them.  I tried the Premein (Vanilla) this morning...and it wasn't bad. I'll try the others over the next few days so I know what to have on hand post-op. I don't plan on having too much, because with my luck my tastebuds will change.

I also picked up some exercise stuff from Walmart. I got a Pilates kit that includes a 65 cm ball, two resistance bands, two 2lb soft weight balls and a workout  guide and DVD. Along with the kit, I grabbed a set of ankle/wrist weights. They are adjustable up to 5lbs per ankle/wrist. Last week I bought a used eliptical, but the digital display doesn't work. I'll just have to track my duration, and guess at the rest. I also have a recumbent bike, which has a working digital display. Now I just need a treadmill!

I got some chewable multi vitamins from both CVS and GNC. They each have slightly different benefits, so I'll alternate them. Of course, I grabbed some Biotin, Miralax, Gas-X strips and Tylenol dissolvable tablets. The Tylenol is for ages 6-11, though. If I can find a dissolvable or liquid for adults...I'm getting it! I also got some CVS brand calcium chews (caramel and chocolate). They are pretty good. I especially like the caramel. I tried a vitamin C chew at GNC....OMG! I hope I need to increase my vitamin C. They were SO GOOD!

I think I need to start the multi vitamins, Biotin and calcium now, to sort of up my levels before my labs and surgery.  I'm probably still going to need more iron, because I am always too low for it to even register when I try to donate blood. No wonder I am always weak and tired!

I've already got my broths, Crystal light, SF mints, Burt's Bees lip balm, Palmers Body Butter, comfy loose sweatpants, Biotene...and a scale and measuring tape! I think I am almost ready for February 28th!!

And now I wait........

So I just had my psych eval today. She will be leaving on vacation soon, but HOPES to get the report to the surgeon before she leaves. I hope so too! She says that I am depressed, and will include that in her report. Hopefully that won't delay anything. I can just see my surgeon telling me I need 6 months of counseling before the VSG. I will NOT be a happy camper! I had to laugh when she said that I was depressed and that this was a big life change. My reply was "Uh...yeah. Hopefully for the better!" I am a single mom of a significantly disabled child and have been overweight for most of my life. A little depression.....hmm.....ya think!? I'd be more concerned if I wasn't!

Anyone else had their psych eval yet, and how did it go?

Here's some things to get ahead of time:

Fill all your prescriptions before you go to the hospital
soups/broth
strainer for chunky soup (can can drink the broth and blend the chunky stuff to freeze and eat when you have moved on to pureed/ mushy foods)
personal sized blender, especially the kind with many cups/ lids to blend directly into
vitamin E oil or body butter w/ vit. E (good for scars)
extra ice cube trays for freezing broth, mushies, crystal light, etc. (an ice cube is a meal size for a while)
baby spoons (help keep your bites very small)
Aleeve or some sort of pain management
loose pants to wear below incision points (or a robe for around the house)
crystal light, vitamin water, bottled water, etc.
sugar free mints for nausea (hope you don't need them!)
a good scale (some can track weight loss, BMI, hydration, weight until set goal, etc.)
protien shots/ mixes/ shakes, etc.
sugar free pudding, yogurt, etc. (for when you graduate to to something thicker than broth)
things you might like to turn to mush (tuna, chicken, etc.) (look up some recipes ahead of time by searching "Weight loss recipes", "blender recpies" or "blender recipes for weight loss")
cup/ candle warmer (so your mushies or broth can stay warm while you take your time eating)
inscents to burn while others are cooking (are you really going to want to smell yummy food while on liquids?)
GasX strips
prilosec (or something like it)

What else can you think of or have heard about?

I've been collecting ideas from others that I thought I would share.

Chap Stick
Meds
Loose pants that can be worn below incision points. (I would hate to wear tight jeans home. Ouch!)
Sugar free mints to help with nausea
Biotene mouth spray for the cotton mouth you will have (It's a mouth moisturizer found in the pharmacy)
Robe to walk around in (Unless you want to show off the granny panties one last time!)
Slip on shoes (You won't be able to bend over to put shoes on)
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Brush or comb and hair bands to pull your hair up (Some people have also mentioned shampoo and conditioner)
Wear you glasses instead of contacts (Your eyes will be dry)
MP3/iPod, Nook/Kindle, whatever you'll like to do during infomercial time (You may not be able to sleep very well)
Maybe a sleeping mask or earplugs to block the light and drown out the noise
Hand moisturizer
Don't wear your jewelry, except maybe a watch

What else can you think of or have heard about?

Just curious what everyone is doing to prepare for your big day. I've heard some pretty good ideas on the forums that I will jump on.

I bought a new scale that can track my weight, weight loss, hydration, BMI, and amout of weight until I reach my goal. It tracks a few other things that I'm not as concerned with...but still nice to know (bone mass, etc.) ("Health-o-Meter" Professional Body Fat Monitoring Scale. Walmart- $35)

I also bought one of those personal size blenders...the kind that blends right into the cup that you drink out of. I wanted to get a Magic Bullet, but the store doesn't carry them on site and I was just too impatient to order online. The one I bought is the same thing with all the same attachments, but the Bullet is $50, and the one I got was somewhere between $15-$18 at Walmart. ("GE" Single Serve Blender). I can't find any info about use in the microwave, but have read that the Bullet's drinking cups are not microwavable. I figure that the tiny amount in that I'll be able to consume should only take a few seconds...which should be fine no matter what brand of blender you use. I guess I'll know soon enough.

What have you done for pre-op planning?

I guess if I am starting this blog I should post my progress. I actually don't have a definitave date yet, but it's looking like mid-February for me. So far I have only gone to the informational seminar, and met with the surgeon. My psych eval is scheduled for Tuesday. I'm learning so much from others on OH, that I just felt I needed to start a group for those of us who haven't "been there" yet. I think it will be great to hear eachothers updates and progress, as well as help eachother out with advice and encouragement.

We've got a long road ahead of us....but what a ride it will be!