This is it. The day I have been worked so hard to prepare for. I'm not anxious or nervous, just ready for this part to be over. I'll post some surgery day before pics later.
Getting a massage before my 11:30am check-in and 1:30pm date with Dr. Khalil.
Toodle-oo for now.
Monday, October 12, 2015
Saturday, October 10, 2015
ONE More Day
One full day and counting. Any other time, the weekend would fly by. This weekend, noooooo. Heaven forbid. I feel every lingering second, as though time is actually fighting its natural pattern. One more day, until I get over the biggest hurdle. One more day of being grumpy and malnourished. One more day, until the arguably most important day of my life. I'm ready for this ...
Friday, October 9, 2015
All Clear Liquid
I have been on an all liquid diet since Sunday, September 27 (13 days). My doctor wants me on an all clear liquid diet two days pre-op, figured I'd start a day early, like I did with the all liquid diet. I'm also supposed to take 3T Milk of Magnesium on Sunday at noon. Figured I'd take a 2T today and tomorrow to get things moving (every pun intended). Sunday, it's fair to say, I will be chained to a bathroom. My all liquid diet consists of organic chick stock, low sodium beef stock, bone broth, sugar free Jello (great sale at Safeway - 86 cents for 4 pre-made containers). Looks like the next few days will be full of small walks, reading, Netflix and Hulu queues. This is the final trek.
Last night, I literally had an emotional breakdown while unloading the dishwasher. More than anything, I think it's just nerves and anxiety, along with some mild work stress. Plus, there's this stupid boy and well, boys are stupid. End of story :-)
Looking forward to Monday morning. I think I am more anxious than a kid on Christmas morning.
Thursday, October 8, 2015
5 Days Pre-Op
Yesterday was the very first time I had any sort of cold feet. I felt icky - heachache, backache, hangry (hungry and angry) and miserable in every sense of the word. For a split moment, I questioned my decision to have the surgery. The "what-ifs" fluttered my brain - What if it wasn't successful? What if I self sabotage? What if there is a major complication? What if they have to open me up? What if, what if, what if? Just as soon as those thoughts raced through my mind, most rationality returned and I determined my lack of solid food (11 days ago) and carbs caused these racing thoughts. Now 12 days into my all liquid diet, I am confident in my decision. I have a solid support system. I am nervous - sure, but I know this is the decision for me. I have worked so hard to make sure that I have set myself up for success. I have been so strong during this all liquid diet, I know I can conquer the entire journey. I have faith in me. That's all that matters.
Monday, October 5, 2015
One Week Pre-Op
It's almost here - the date I have been anxiously awaiting for MONTHS. I am so ready for the surgical portion of this journey to be over, so I can start sculpting my new body. The mind had been shaped, the body just has to catch up.
This is going to be a busy week between tying up loose ends at work, a couple interviews, and preparing my house for this big change. I almost feel like I am nesting; being completely anal about having things clean, easy to access for when my mom comes to help me post-surgery.
This surgery is more than a new lease on life, it's a new beginning, a new journey, a new way. I have literally been talking to just about anyone who will listen. I am proud of the decision I have made for myself and my life. I know there are a lot of "haters" out there who say some pretty mean things about deciding to have weight loss surgery. What many don't understand is that surgery is not a cure all. You don't wake up 100+ pounds light without putting the work in. Bariatric surgery is a tool. If you choose not the use the tool properly, it's not going to help you, right? People who are not fully on board with making lifestyle changes, putting down the ice cream and picking up some fat free greek yogurt or chowing down on french fries instead of some lean protein are NOT going to see any improvements in their health.
Many people can tell you of horror stories about people they know who have had weight loss surgery that didn't turn out well. Sure, they might have lost the weight initially, but down the road they gained the weight back plus some. I think in part this is an old way of thought. Doctors and insurance companies now make patients jump through hoops - labs, nutrition classes, psych evals, support groups and pre-op weight loss to prove they're making a lifetime commitment to the surgery and lifestyle change. How could you go through all these classes and work so hard, just to throw it all away? I know I can't. Will I have birthday cake - damn right I will, but it will be small and I won't eat all the frosting. Will I have a glass of wine on occasion, sure. I feel that I am strong enough to have some "cheat" foods here and there without launching myself back to the mess where I started.
Well folks, this will be an interesting week. The count down has officially started. 7 days and counting.
This is going to be a busy week between tying up loose ends at work, a couple interviews, and preparing my house for this big change. I almost feel like I am nesting; being completely anal about having things clean, easy to access for when my mom comes to help me post-surgery.
This surgery is more than a new lease on life, it's a new beginning, a new journey, a new way. I have literally been talking to just about anyone who will listen. I am proud of the decision I have made for myself and my life. I know there are a lot of "haters" out there who say some pretty mean things about deciding to have weight loss surgery. What many don't understand is that surgery is not a cure all. You don't wake up 100+ pounds light without putting the work in. Bariatric surgery is a tool. If you choose not the use the tool properly, it's not going to help you, right? People who are not fully on board with making lifestyle changes, putting down the ice cream and picking up some fat free greek yogurt or chowing down on french fries instead of some lean protein are NOT going to see any improvements in their health.
Many people can tell you of horror stories about people they know who have had weight loss surgery that didn't turn out well. Sure, they might have lost the weight initially, but down the road they gained the weight back plus some. I think in part this is an old way of thought. Doctors and insurance companies now make patients jump through hoops - labs, nutrition classes, psych evals, support groups and pre-op weight loss to prove they're making a lifetime commitment to the surgery and lifestyle change. How could you go through all these classes and work so hard, just to throw it all away? I know I can't. Will I have birthday cake - damn right I will, but it will be small and I won't eat all the frosting. Will I have a glass of wine on occasion, sure. I feel that I am strong enough to have some "cheat" foods here and there without launching myself back to the mess where I started.
Well folks, this will be an interesting week. The count down has officially started. 7 days and counting.
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Support - On and Offline
I am loving the online and offline communities for those on their bariatric surgery journey. Lately I have really taken to blogging (obviously), Bariatric Pal, and Pinterest as my main go-tos.
Bariatric Pal offers a global online community for bariatric patients who are both pre and post op. It has been great collecting information from all different kinds of folks, with different reasons for taking on this massive journey.
Pinterest is great. It's also very torturous when you've been on a restrictive all liquid diet for over a week. However, I am finding it to be a wonderful resource for finding post-op recipes - cupcake pans will be your best friend. It's perfect for portion control. Also, there are some fabulous people who have gone great lengths to make some awesome recipes which are bariatric friendly. Post surgery, this blog will follow my progress, but I will also share a lot of my favorite foods.
I found this great visual of the benefits (mostly for females). Of these different ailments, I am hoping for the following to be eliminated post surgery.
Bariatric Pal offers a global online community for bariatric patients who are both pre and post op. It has been great collecting information from all different kinds of folks, with different reasons for taking on this massive journey.
Pinterest is great. It's also very torturous when you've been on a restrictive all liquid diet for over a week. However, I am finding it to be a wonderful resource for finding post-op recipes - cupcake pans will be your best friend. It's perfect for portion control. Also, there are some fabulous people who have gone great lengths to make some awesome recipes which are bariatric friendly. Post surgery, this blog will follow my progress, but I will also share a lot of my favorite foods.
I found this great visual of the benefits (mostly for females). Of these different ailments, I am hoping for the following to be eliminated post surgery.
- Metabolic Syndrome
- excess belly fat
- elevated cholesterol
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
- hirsutism
- menstrual dysfunction
- Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
- I don't have Fatty Liver disease, but have fatty liver
- Venous Statis
- varicose veins
Before Pics
I wanted to post a couple of my before pictures so that there is some visual documentation from a start to finish. I will post some full body on the day of surgery. Stay tuned sleevers.
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| 3 weeks Pre-Op September 2015 |
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| MKTO Concert Summer 2014 |
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| Wine Tasting February 2014 |
Vitamins
Vitamins are important for anyone, but are absolutely crucial after bariatric surgery. There are plenty of brands including Bariatric Advantage and Opurtity that cater to the bariatric community. I, however, prefer the Wellesse brand. I purchase my vitamins through Amazon - I find this particularly convenient, especially with Prime.
Wellesse Multivitamin + B-Complex Wellesse Calcium + D3
16 servings 16 servings
2 pk - $15.98 2 pk - $13.58
Wellesse Iron Wellesse D3
16 servings 16 servings
2 pk - $20.49 3 pk - $17.97
Trace Minerals Magnesium
32 servings
$15.45
Wellesse Multivitamin + B-Complex Wellesse Calcium + D3
16 servings 16 servings
2 pk - $15.98 2 pk - $13.58
Wellesse Iron Wellesse D3
16 servings 16 servings
2 pk - $20.49 3 pk - $17.97
Trace Minerals Magnesium
32 servings
$15.45
Saturday, October 3, 2015
Pre- Op Liquid Diet - Week One
I started my liquid diet a day early to get a jump on it. Plus, I didn't want to start on a Monday, I felt that would be too overwhelming. The first four days were the most difficult. Thursday was definitely easier and it's progressively becoming less torturous to be around food. I know that I am more grumpy towards the end of the day (2pm on). I have little to no energy right now, my doctor says that will change after the surgery. I went out last night with friends for dinner. I had water and they ate actual food. It wasn't nearly as miserable as I thought it might be. Looking forward to Thanksgiving - that's when I should be able to start eating real food again.
Main stables for my all liquid diet...
Main stables for my all liquid diet...
- Water ... lots of water
- I also use the Crystal Light water flavors (sugar free of course)
- Imagine Brand (Safeway)
- Tomato
- Tomato and Red Pepper
- Cream of Broccoli
- Cream of Chicken (strained)
- Cream of Mushroom
- Anderson Split Pea Soup (without ham)
- Dr. McDougall's Right Foods Vegan Split Pea Soup (Amazon)
- Premier Protein Drinks
- Chocolate
- Strawberry Cream
- Sugar free Jell-o and Pudding
- Sugar free Ice Pops
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