Attention FIRST WEEKERS

As your team captain, I want to make sure that we get off to the best possible start. It is up to each person to follow their doctor's orders this week to the letter. In addition, to the extent allowed by your doctor, I expect each person to get in as much extra vitamins and protein as possible. This will make your body have the equipment to heal you as quickly as possible. Also, and this is serious, drink at least 64 oz of decaf, sugar free drink per day. And, on the day before surgery, drink at least 100 oz. Remember, you will get very little fluid by mouth the day of surgery. Also, an IV is very difficult to start unless you are very well hydrated--I don't know about you, but I don't want a fishing expedition for a vein! Are we ready team? Remember--plan now to post back! Also, get before pictures and measurements. You don't have to post them, but you will want them later to remind yourself of how far you have come. OK?? We are on the final waiting stretch!!!! Joy "Chief Canary in Charge" (3/1) (bossy thing, am I not?)

Ma'am Yes Ma'am!!! Yes! I have been following my Dr's orders, I'm adhering to my diet quite well. Yesterday was awful, I was hungry all day. But today I kept busy here and around the house and spaced my intake to about every 2.5 hours, that helped a lot. Your recommendations for extra fluid intake on the day before surgery are well placed. My surgeon doesn't allow ANY fluid intake the day of surgery, the next day they do the leak test. Then you get ICE that is SMURFF BLUE and tastes awful, then they watch for leaks from your drainage tube. If you pass that test then you get all liquids. So my doc makes you go 36 hours with no fluid via mouth. I now have two Angels Whitney and Lori they will keep you posted. I have found two different protein supplements that I like. Champion Stack Banana Scream - tastes just like a banana milk shake and Syntrax Carribean Cooler - tastes just like a Pina Colada. I added a teaspoon of SF Vanilla Pudding to each. YUMMY!!!! A word about protein supplements, 1st weekers really need to be experimenting with these. You can generally go to the company websites and get samples for just a few bucks. You need to know if you can tolerate the textures prior to surgery, as you will have no real appetite afterwards...but you have to get your protein or you won't lose weight. {climbing down off of my soap box}. Let's here it 1st weekers!!!!! Happy thoughts, Va 8 sunrises until my new life begins Offishal Paper Monkey and Secretary Extraordinaire Offishal Squirrel Wrangler (willing to share this title) My Angel ==> Whitney My Angelettes ==> Whitney H & Lori A

i don't know... i thought i was doing really good with the vitamin thing. turns out, apparently, i had a bit of an "overdose" of niacin (vitamin b3). there was some in my multi-vitamin, i was taking a b-complex, and there was loads of it in my hair, skin, and nail vits that i started a week or so ago. so, i'm paying for that with a bunch of ithcy, scratchy, red, swollen hands, arms, and feet. not fun. also, my surgeon told me no vitamin e. ??? there's so much conflicting information - it's making me nuts (along with all this itching!) so, i've quit all of my vitamins for the time being.

Can I be a part of your team? My surgery is March 2. Just took my before pictures. OHMY, YUCK I was in complete denial. I had NO IDEA I was this BIG!!!!! I can't believe my hubby can look at me. I'm a whale. Its really disgusting. If I wasn't one week from surgery I would be in deep depression. I'll get my measurements today. I have no problem drinking my water- I'm anemic and crave ice so I'm water logged. Can we agree to pray for each other? I plan on taking the list to the hosp to pray for other Marchers. Blessings, Robin R 5"2" 245 BMI 47

You are absolutely welcome, Robin! I should have mentioned prayer for each other is a must! My doctor also mentioned not to take Vitamin E this week. He said that it was ok in a multivitamin, but in large doses causes some blood thinning. Lets hear it for the FIRST WEEKERS: Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray! HIP HIP HOORAY! Joy "Captain of the first weekers" "chief Canary in Charge" (3/1)

Although, I have no diet to by prior to surgery (I know lucky me) I am trying to get in as much water or water products (crystal lite, juice, etc...) as possible. I am not allowed to have anything to drin****il the day after surgery! I am guessing this means ice chips too huh?? BLAH... So... a couple quick things...do not forget Lip Balm for the hospital! I also heard that taking some Chloraseptic Spray keeps your mouth from going dry. Of course I would ask the surgeon about that!! Good Luck ladies and gents!!!! Bethany 7 More days to go!!!

Good pointers Bethany. I had thought about taking some breath strips that dissolve in your mouth, but I had not considered Cholraseptic. That would feel good on the throat too! Joy (3/1)