So glad  you  are  so  close.  I  have  to  be  in  Waterloo tomorrow  for  Dr.  app't.  Good  luck  and  will be  waiting  to  hear  from  you  after  surgery.  Hope you  have  good  help  when  you  get  home.   Karen

Sandy  Have  not  heard  anything  .  How  are  you doing?  Will be  thinking  of  you  Thur.  Karen

Cram and Aly do sew a pretty strong stitch ( it's gotta  be )  and one unbelievable perk with their circumferential belt lift is that you  somehow (even if you'd rather not)  keep living with everything all tight and unbending, No organ damage  per se. Still haven't cracked in two although it feels like I will a lot.  I used to be lots tighter it's taken 10 years of stretching and yoga to get as loose as I look in todays pic. Maybe things will get even  better another 10 years from now.

BTW..I sent you a friend request.

Hi! I'm doing okay. It's really hard for me to get in the full 1,000 calories a day. I just get tired of "drinking."
I get in my potassium by having 16 oz. of orange juice a day; the protein is a bit of a struggle. I put it in my broth and jello and the V-8 Fusion but I sometimes fall short of the required 30 grams. I've learned of a drink (IsoPure Plus) which has 15 grams of protein in one bottle (8 oz.) so I'm thinking that will definitely be something I'll get -- will be especially helpful post surgery. I believe GNC stores sell it or it's available on-line at a better rate. Seven more days of this phase and then the surgery on the 14th!

I've been exercising 20 minutes a day on my recumbent bike (I have a fused ankle, shortened leg and replaced knee, so things like "walking" are out for me. As it is, I have to "velcro" my foot to the pedal in order to make the rotations! I LOVE lap swimming, but it's hard to find a pool in this area). Eventually, I'll increase the exercise to 30 and then 45 minute sessions. But, for now, on under 1000 calories a day and at my current weight (339 -- down from 352!), it's enough. My heart rate is definitely staying at the target heart rate for 30 minutes total!

I'm re-reading some of my gastric bypass books, especially the ones that have to do with the emotional/psychological aspect of this surgery. I know that, eventually, hunger, especially "head hunger" returns and I know my struggle will be to not turn to food for comfort (boredom, stress). I really think this should be stressed more in the educational aspects of weight loss surgery: that you have to change your RELATIONSHIP with food, forever, or the old habits, and thus the weight, will come back on.

I have my pre-op visit this coming Monday. Excited to finally talk in person with Dr. G. and to meet the nurse, Mary, whom I've spoken with lots over the phone. I'll let you know how that whole process goes.

Hope things are going well for you and everyone! This is for LIFE guys! Stay the course!!
    ~Sandy~