SURGERY DAY AFTER TOMORROW!!

Aloha my Hawaii WLS family! Gulp....I am counting down hours now, not days! Last night at midnight I started my two days liquid diet and that makes this all seem very real. Some friends took me out for dinner for my "last supper" and I had Tahitian Prawns (delish), mashed potatoes and mixed veggies. It was fabulous. I came home and ate peanut butter haagendaaz. Then I brushed my teeth, and was DONE with solid food for several weeks to come. My son is flying over from Calif. tomorrow night and will be with me when I fly to Honolulu on Wed. morning. I am so thankful that he is coming...I was planning on doing this totally alone. My question for those of your who have been through this is.....why do they ask us to arrive at the hospital with no makeup, no lotion, no nail polish, no jewelry and no deoderant?? I have one ring that my mother gave me that I've had on for 35 years, and I cannot get it off. That worries me. I also can't imagine going out of the house, and on an airplane without deoderant!! I am always comforted when I read your posts about your experiences, and feel so blessed to have this room to come to for advice, love, and understanding. Aloha to you all!! Karen

KAREN!!!! I'm finally home - got home last night at 2am and I have internet again! I've been thinking about you! How did your pre-op go? I guess I should look and see if you posted about it! lol.. I am sooo happy your son is coming into town to help you out. What a relief. I was really worried about you. As far as makeup, deoderant etc.. they don't want ANY unknown chemicals on your body, because they can contaminate equiptment, or cause a reaction with any chemicals they might use (not that they're going to use stuff in your armpits!) but it's just a set rule for ALL surgeries. Unfortunately that rings gonna have to come off. If it won't on it's own they're going to use a ring cutter and cut it off (sorry!!!) it can cause a burn in surgery, amongst several other things. The good news?! It's not that difficult to have a cut ring fixed, AND!!!!! They were eventually gonna have to cut it to resize it smaaaaallller ;) anyways!!! lol.. I know it's sad, but it's all for such a good cause! My suggestion... shower RIGHT before you leave the house, and then don't let yourself get hurried at the airport. Take it slow, give yourself time.. then you won't be all sweaty and feeling gross when you get there. As far as how you look? Hate to say it, but give it a few more hours after all that, and you're really, really not going to care. Sooooo I suggest quoting this mantra through the airport and plane... "I'll never see these people in my life again.... Any thought of me they have will be fleeting and they really don't care if I'm pretty or disgustingly ugly, stinky, or smell like roses... Next time I come through this airport I will be on my way to a beautiful, healthy me. This is just part of the journey." I know it's not all that comforting, but Karen, you CAN do this!!! You're going to be healthier in just a few days! Lighter in just a few days... We're with you girl! Gosh, I can't wait to hear your stories. I am so excited about my journey right now. You will be too! Oh, lots of love and hugs to you girl, I'm so excited!!

hello friend!! im so excited about ur wls and as for ur son arriving that is such a comfort. the japanese orphans will be here thurs morning and were the first host family 2 pick them up from the airport. we will have them for 2 nights and three days and im excited yet nervous. so i hope 2 keep in touch during ur wls and the kids stay. they come from an orphan ig in japan.so it will be an expierience. and every doctor is diffrnt. i didnt care for make up at all because i was discusted with my self at 32o lbs. as far as jewlry thats a general rule of thumb for all surgeries. and deoderant? never heard that one. mine was caked on and in the over night bag. but always follow ur surgeans rules and advice! thats why he is in that position!! best of luck. teresa

Karen, how are you doing today??? Are you packed? When does your son get in? I bet you're super busy, but I wanted you to know I'm thinking of you and hoping all is falling into place. I'm so excited for you!! How long are you supposed to be in the hospital? And you're at Queens, yeah? Aloha, Tink

Aloha Tink......Thanks for thinking of me. I'm rushing around like a chicken with her head cut off today. So much to do. My son is coming in tonight around 8:30. I had to run into town and get him some sashimi and poki...he adores those and he is flying all this way to be with me. No, I won't be at Queens...I'm at Kaiser Moanaloa....probably spelled wrong. I have to check in by 10:00 and surgery is at 11:30. I'm on liquids for yesterday and today, and nothing after midnight tonight. I'm sure you remember how that goes. Thanks so much for your well wishes........they mean a lot to me. Til I'm on the "other side" Aloha nui loa, Karen