March 20th surgery people... HI!!! Checking in...

I just wanted to check in with my fellow March 20th people. How are ya'll doing? I hope things are falling into place nicely for everyone. Do you have your bags packed yet? How about liquid diets... how many days do you have to do & are you geared up and ready for that? I have to do 5 & I still have to do my shopping for that & for the post-op weeks. I have still been sick. It started out as a sinus infection but then I could feel it in my chest. My doc called in antibiotics & a decongestant for me so it is starting to get a little better. I hope it is all clear by my pre-op Tuesday. I don't want any delays. I hope to hear back from everyone. Jenifer

Hi Jenifer and fellow March 20th people, I hope you feel better soon and there are no delays, Jenifer. I have had all pre-op testing done, I just have the ekg, history and physical to do on Weds. I have final consult with Doc and Nut appt. on Tuesday. I've bought most of what I think I will need. I'm waiting to hear what Nut recommends on Tues. I have not packed anything yet, but I don't think I will be taking all that much so, I can throw that together. I'm getting nervous (terrified) of the whole thing. I want so much for it to be six months from now and all this gloom and doom part behind me. Take care, Wanda

Hey Jenifer! I'm a fellow March 20th'er! Are you excited? I haven't packed a thing yet, but I'm being banded, and hope I won't be there long. I've been on liquids since last Tuesday, and I have to say it's horrible. I'm sure it will all be worth it in the end, but ick..2 weeks prior? I am told I will also be on liquids for 6 weeks post. I'm looking forward to being off work for a change, and can't wait to wake up after surgery to find myself on the other side of the battle for once. I'm most excited about the prospect of being able to reduce or eliminate some of my meds! Hope all goes well for you, and keep in touch! PS. My biggest challenge with the liquids is that i'm tired of sweet tasting things! Any ideas for high protein savory instead of sweet? Karrie

Hi Karie....I'm March 20th too...On the liquids..I am so sick of the sweet taste also...Although on this Opitfast they have cream of chicken soup and Garden Tomato (I took one sip and spit it back out) I got half of the chicken down...I told my nutrionist about the problem and she said that I could sub low sodium broth cooled down and put in protein powder..If it's too hot it will curdle....I haven't tried it yet cause I'm not that desperate...I figure I will get enough of the broth after the surgery. Right now I am just drinking 3 shakes, one cup of cottage cheese and a bar at night...It seems I am loosing a taste for food period on this liquid pre op diet I have a robe and slippers ready for the hospital. I will have a cathader in so no panties allowed. So it will be mainly toothbrush, hairbrush (no showers allowed either) lots of lotion and deodorant. I want hubby to bring the camera...One last photo of me FAT for prosperity! Debby

Hey March 20th-ers, I feel for you all having to do the liquid diets. I don't have any diet restrictions pre-op. I almost wish I did. I wanted to try to get at least ten pounds off before, but I keep having last meals. lol Now I just hoping not to gain. Doc said as long as I don't gain 30 he will be happy. Good luck with the pre-op diet. Wanda

I have talked to a lot of people over the course of the past week and each person's pre-diet is different. Amazing! Wanda I think you are the luckiest one so far. Most everyone is doing liquid something or other. Hope you don't gain 30 either...this darn FAT is so hard to get rid of!! I've done it so many times that this is the final time...That is why I am having the surgery! I'm tired of losing and then gaining...now diabetes and high blood pressure has caught up with me. I am tired of fighting the battle. It's time to WIN! Debby

How funny you should mention letting the soup cool! I had curdled protein powder mushroom soup tonight for dinner! I laughed so hard I thought I was gonna pee myself! Then again when I read your post. Got a call today, they forgot to schedule my stress test, and now I have to go in on Friday at 7 am. Yet another hoop to jump through....I was scheduled to work at 6 am Friday. I guess if I have to pay someone's overtime out of my own pocket it's going to happen! I think I'm going to put together my bag on Wednesday, my day off.Honestly I wish they'd keep me a day longer, so I can get some good rest, but should only be there overnight I guess. tick tick tick tick tick......gotta get ready girls!

Hi! Another March 20th person! I'm so excited. I'm not packed yet but I've decided what I'm going to pack. I'm going to do my grocery shopping in a couple of days as I have a busy weekend. I'm another lucky one with no major pre op dietary restrictions. I eat a normal breakfast the day before surgery, then for lunch I start on full liquids, then for dinner I start on clear liquids. I get sent home on full liquid for the first month. I'm so glad I don't have a long time on clear liquids. I have had a lot of concern about my psych evaluation. I have had to wait over 6 months to have the surgery because I failed my initial psych evaluation last summer. I had to see the staff psychologist a week ago for another evaluation and the doctor said "the team would have to meet and make a decision." I haven't heard anything yet, but so far everything seems to be falling into place. My psychologist told me today that if they cancelled my surgery because of the psych review to tell them I felt they were being discriminatory against mentally ill people and to please contact my personal psychologist who knows me and has deemed me stable. So it's on baby, this time next week I'll be a loser!!! Good luck everyone! Can't wait to compare experiences!