Last minute indulgences; emotionally ready
Next Tuesday is the big day.
I had my pre-op appointments on Wednesday this week; they uncovered a urinary tract infection. I've never had one before, but they said there was blood and bacteria in my urine sample. The nurse asked "any burning...pain...urgency...back pain?" to which I answered no, no, no, no. She called in a prescription for an antibiotic anyway, which I started last night. In the middle of the night I woke up, and just couldn't get comfortable; my back was aching and I felt like I'd pulled some muscles... duh! It's from the UTI, I'm finally getting some symptoms. I am so thankful they screened for that; I would hate to go in for major surgery with my immune system in an uproar and bacteria floating around inside my body. Way to go, medical team! 
While at the hospital, I decided to visit the floor where I will be housed, assuming there is space on that floor when I come out of the recovery room. It was remodeled a month ago, and everything is brand new, the rooms are sunny and open, nobody was moaning in pain, it smelled fresh and clean. All my senses told me that this will be a safe place to land. The rooms are shared; I'd rather have a private room of course, but if I can get the window side, I'll be pleased.
I have lost 12% of my body weight, going from a BMI of 43 to a BMI of 38. There is already so much to celebrate! They tell me I can expect to lose 60 to 80 percent of my excess body weight, which would put me at a BMI of 26 to 29. Now wouldn't that be something.
For many months, I questioned whether this was the right thing for me to do. It seemed too drastic: voluntarily agree to have someone sever my stomach from its rightful location, and restrict myself to liquid protein, and limited meals, for the rest of my life. Subject myself to the possibility of serious complications. But in conversing with some of you, I came to accept that I was overanalyzing the situation, and I eventually came to accept that this was the right decision for me. I feel so much more ready to move ahead, than I did a month ago.
The coming weeks and months even years will include times of feeling deprived. Is it healthy or unhealthy to indulge now, in these last few days? In reasonable quantities, I say, YES, healthy. Healthy to acknowledge that I'm embarking on a tremendous life change. Healthy to admit and accept the grieving that will be part of the process.
Some of my indulgences this week have included:
- A bag of caramel corn. Somehow I imagine that my new stomach won't deal with popcorn hulls very well, at least for a while. Not to mention the sugar.
- Dinner with my husband at a fine restaurant on Saturday, the last day I get to eat "real" food before going on a clear liquids restriction the two days prior to surgery.
- A glass of wine last night.
- A chocolate candy bar eaten with my three year old twins, from the bag of Halloween treats our neighbors secretly delivered to our doorstep.
I've heard some people say they ate so many "last meals", they gained weight. That isn't my intent, and I don't think I can eat enough in the next two days to do any damage.
What last minute indulgences have you enjoyed?
Sheryl
While at the hospital, I decided to visit the floor where I will be housed, assuming there is space on that floor when I come out of the recovery room. It was remodeled a month ago, and everything is brand new, the rooms are sunny and open, nobody was moaning in pain, it smelled fresh and clean. All my senses told me that this will be a safe place to land. The rooms are shared; I'd rather have a private room of course, but if I can get the window side, I'll be pleased.
I have lost 12% of my body weight, going from a BMI of 43 to a BMI of 38. There is already so much to celebrate! They tell me I can expect to lose 60 to 80 percent of my excess body weight, which would put me at a BMI of 26 to 29. Now wouldn't that be something.
For many months, I questioned whether this was the right thing for me to do. It seemed too drastic: voluntarily agree to have someone sever my stomach from its rightful location, and restrict myself to liquid protein, and limited meals, for the rest of my life. Subject myself to the possibility of serious complications. But in conversing with some of you, I came to accept that I was overanalyzing the situation, and I eventually came to accept that this was the right decision for me. I feel so much more ready to move ahead, than I did a month ago.
The coming weeks and months even years will include times of feeling deprived. Is it healthy or unhealthy to indulge now, in these last few days? In reasonable quantities, I say, YES, healthy. Healthy to acknowledge that I'm embarking on a tremendous life change. Healthy to admit and accept the grieving that will be part of the process.
Some of my indulgences this week have included:
- A bag of caramel corn. Somehow I imagine that my new stomach won't deal with popcorn hulls very well, at least for a while. Not to mention the sugar.
- Dinner with my husband at a fine restaurant on Saturday, the last day I get to eat "real" food before going on a clear liquids restriction the two days prior to surgery.
- A glass of wine last night.
- A chocolate candy bar eaten with my three year old twins, from the bag of Halloween treats our neighbors secretly delivered to our doorstep.
I've heard some people say they ate so many "last meals", they gained weight. That isn't my intent, and I don't think I can eat enough in the next two days to do any damage.
What last minute indulgences have you enjoyed?
Sheryl 
I had my favorite sandwich this afternoon from my favorite restaurant. I consider that my last supper. I don't have any other real cravings that I just have to do one more time before surgery.
My doctor told me just to be careful and not over-indulge on food these last few days as too much fatty foods can lead to a fatty liver and they wouldn't be able to complete the operation on Tuesday a.m. That was enough of a warning to put me on my guard. I've come too far to have them start the Lap RNY only to close me back up and have to wait for another day just because I stuffed my face during the last hours! Ugghhh!! The girls in my surgeon's office confirmed that this really did happen to one woman a few years ago.
Anyhow, enjoy your weekend. I know I will.
Peggy B. 
Hi, Peggy,
My date is also Tuesday. My surgeon said he biopsied the liver while he was in there but I never heard that could affect doing the surgery. He requires we go on a 4 day liquid diet before surgery. They all seem to have different requirements. That would be a big blow -- to get in there and not complete it.
p.s. I grew up in Lake Charles. But I haven't lived there since 1960.
Good luck. Denie
I really, really wanted Fettucini Alfredo from Olive Garden, but never did get it. My sweetie and kids took me to my favorite smokehouse the night before surgery and I got to have my alltime favorite peach iced tea one more time. I still want Fettucini, but I dont really regret having it. Maybe I'll have a bite in a year or so, we'll see...
Rebecca
GOD BLESS YOU, MS RACHELLE 
My surgeon requires a 2 week full liquid diet. Before I began that, I just didn't want anything special. My husband was working a lot, so we had a hard time finding time to go out one last time. We finally made it to IHOP for breakfast. I did have a very good belgian waffle. Now that I am on my 11th day of liquids, I really wish I could have one last meal. My surgeon threatens that if you eat during these two weeks, you run the risk of surgery being cancelled or switched to open. So, I will not cheat. Today was kind of a family day and the kids wanted DQ, so I told hubby to get me a sugar free star kiss, he came back with a sugar free dilly bar (apparently they don't have SF star kisses). I don't know if I was supposed to eat that chocolate coating, but I did and it was good. 
I really hope that doesn't cause any problems.
Marcia
I really hope that doesn't cause any problems.
Marcia Most Active
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