3 Days Away!!!

Surgery is scheduled for Wednesday Nov 8th!! I can't believe it is here already. I was anxious about the thought that tomorrow starts a few months of liquids and pureed goodies. But for some reason, today, I find myself very peaceful. The family was over this morning for a breakfast and to pick names for Christmas. It was a wonderful thing to have right before surgery. I have a great family, very supportive. They love me regardless of my weight. I just want to make sure I am around a long time to enjoy them. I hope to make some friends here on OH and at future meetings. Here's hoping I am the same cheerful gal in a few weeks. :-). Toni

Toni Liquids suck, but perservere. I'm doing the jello, clear broth today then tonite I have to do a bowel prep for my colonoscopy tomorrow. GROSS!! Try to stay focused & positive. Remember the chap stick for the hospital. Remember to walk, sip & breathe. Then do it again and again. Helps speed up the recovery. Have you found a protein powder yet? I found 2 good ones that worked for me and have stuck with them the past 2 plus yrs. I always have extras if you want to try it. I've got recipe's too. Course if you come to the meetings we all share there too. In fact there will be a Xmas party on Dec 16th. I'll get the details for you if you're interested. Candice can come too. Okay GF, TT you soon. Keep us posted on your journey. Hold on tight for you're about to start getting healthy. That'll make you happy. TT you soon. ((HUGS)) Elissa

I am so happy you replied! Thanks for the encouraging words. Everyone at the house is getting excited. I have tried a few of the Isopure mixes. I'm sure I will be reaching out for help and ideas of others. Kristin said you had an online site you buy from, I'd like to look into that as well. Do you have the meetings at PMRI? I was looking for some place not so far away from home, Middletown. I will keep you up dated on how things are going. Toni

Toni, there is a meeting on this Thursday night at Concordia Church on Silverside Rd. However you will possibly still be in the hospital. Next week in Bear there will be a mtg on Tuesday night at Victory Church, next to Walmart on Rt 40. That will be the closest mtg to you. You may not be able to drive yet, so have Candace drive you and she can stay for the mtg too. Lots of support people come to give their support for us looser's. PMRI's mtgs for Nov are Monday the 13th, 7-8pm & Saturday the 18th, 10-11am. I got the strawberry powdered Isopure & mixed it with soy milk. My favorite is: unflavored Unjury and mix it in red grapefruit crystal lite. Web site is WWW.unjury.com. They also have chocolate & vanilla flavors. I buy in bulk and don't pay shipping. I'll give Kristin a baggie of it so you can try it. It can also be mixed with yogurt and fruit juice and mixed in a magic bullet so it tastes like a smoothie. Ya gotta be creative so you will survive the liquid/pureed stage. ((HUGS)) Elissa ? PMRI (Preventive Medicine & Rehabilitation Institute) When: Varies (Usually the First Monday & Third Saturday of the Month) Affiliated with Christiana Institute of Advanced Surgery (CHRIAS) Location: PMRI-Christiana Care, Wilmington, Delaware 19807 Contact: 302.661.3000 ? ST. FRANCIS BARIATRIC SUPPORT GROUP When: The last Tuesday of the Month at 6 pm - 7:30 pm Affiliated with Christiana Institute of Advanced Surgery (CHRIAS) Location: Apex Med Ctr Suite #103 537 Stanton-Christiana Rd. Newark, Delaware Contact: Maryellen Sparks Phone: 302.421.4121 E-mail : [email protected] ? GREAT BEGINNINGS WITH GASTRIC BANDING (Lap Band) When: First Thursday of Every Month at 7:30 pm Location: Concordia Lutheran Church, 3003 Silverside Road, Wilmington, DE 19810 Contact: Sharon Hollis Phone: 302.545.4017 E-mail: [email protected] ? DOWNSTATE DOWNSIZERS (Lap Band) When: The fourth Wednesday of the Month at 7 pm Location: Jim ****er's Home, 56 Planters Run Court, Dover, DE 19901 Contact: Carrie Bronersky Phone: 302-659-5597 Email: [email protected] ? HEALTHY BEGINNINGS When: Second Thursday of Every Month at 7 pm Location: Concordia Lutheran Church, 3003 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19810 Contact: Rob Siers Email: [email protected] Contact: Elissa Hart Email: [email protected] ? NEW BEGINNINGS When: Second Thursday of Every Month at 7 pm - 9 pm Location: St Peter's Episcopal Church 22 Union Street, Smyrna, DE 19977 Contact: Ginger Barkley Phone: 302.653.5971 E-mail: [email protected] ? HEALTHY JOURNEY When: Third Tuesday of Every Month at 7pm - 8:30 pm Location: Victory Christian Fellowship 100 Wilton Blvd., New Castle, DE 19720 Phone: 302.324.5400 ext. 1211 Contact: Jim Simmons Email: [email protected] ? CHANGING LIVES When: Third Thursday of Every Month at 6:30 pm Location: VA Hospital, Elsmere, Delaware Contact: Jane Walker Phone: 443.907.2574 E-mail: [email protected] ? NEW LIFE WLS When: Third Thursday of the month at 7 - 9 pm Location: Harrington Volunteer Fire Company 20 Clark Street Harrington, Delaware Contact: Joanne Hammond Phone: 302.947.0417 Email: [email protected] ? REHOBOTH WLS When: First Tuesday of the month at 7--9 pm Location: St Mark's United Methodist Church 18 Olive Avenue Rehoboth, Delaware Contact: Jennifer Burton Phone: 302.227.0579 Email: [email protected]

You are on your way to Loserville. And what a neat place to travel to....you will see and feel lots of things along this journey so please be open to it all. Some are good and some are bad....most are learning experiences that we need to take with us. Its nice that you have a good support system in place now. It will make the journey much easier for you. I wish you success and lots of happiness. Remember the food phases are only phases so there is a begin date and an end....Take care. Debbie

Toni, Best Wishes on your upcoming surgery ! I'm 2 weeks out and feel great !!! I found a heating pad to be very soothing afterwards and it seemed to help with the gas pains as did walking around the house. The first couple days were tough but each day got better. My thoughts and prayers will be with you on Wednesday. Lisa

Toni, wishing you the very best!!!