Getting Nervous???

Kendra: I think I had one bottle, had to drink half of it and then 2 or 3 hours later drink the other half. Lord, it was some nasty stuff. I have had several c-scopes and had to drink the gallon jug of what is laughingly called "go-litely." After drinking that little bottle, I think I preferred the go-litely. Of course, my last c-scope was 4 years ago and I don't need another one till next year, so maybe my memory is faulty. I just wonder what I'll have to drink next year. I'm not really looking forward to either prep. When do you go for your pre-op appt? I did mine on a Friday for a Monday surgery. That's when I picked up the prep at the pharmacy. Bring some pads with you when you go to the hospital. My period started the evening I had my surgery, and I'm menopausal. I also brought my own pillow. They got me up that evening to move from the bed to the chair and started walking the next day. Don't be surprised by the water gain when you weigh in the hospital. I didn't start losing the water until I'd been home a few days. I had my surgery on Monday and didn't get anything to eat (actually just to drink****il Wednesday afternoon after he does a "leak" test in x-ray. My ng tube came out on its own Wednesday morning, so I had to drink the stuff for the test, but otherwise I think he puts it in your ng tube, but I don't know how that works. E-mail me if you have any other questions. Cathy

OH GAG, I'm really dreading the prep day. I did half of my pre-op already and Monday I go to have the blood test part done and pick up my "prep" prescription. Thanks for the heads up on the pads thing....lol, I'm 32 and it would figure that I'm due to start on Friday following the surgery...........I sure hope I don't have to drink the stuff for the lead test. I don't know how I will handle my first taste of anything being that crud!!! Oh well............small sacrifices for big gain, or loss...I hope. Lots of hope riding on this life decision. Thanks for all the advice. I appreciate it. Wednesday is flying at me!!!

After the prep, the leak test really wasn't that bad and it was kind of interesting to see the stuff go down my throat and into my stomach on the x-ray screen. Kind of like you see on commericals or in cartoons. But no one had ever told me about it in all the support group meetings I had gone to, so it was a surprise to me. I asked about it at my first meeting after surgery and found that most of the gals who had surgery before me hadn't had one and that's why no one had ever mentioned it. He checks for leaks before letting you have anything to drink. My first "meal" was watered down apple juice, chicken broth, and sugar free jello. The juice was the only good thing. The broth tasted like dish water and dumping the whole packet of salt in it didn't help. I like broth and was looking forward to it, but it was nasty. They brought me watermelon sf jello and that tasted awful too. My taste buds changed like almost immediately believe it or not. All of a sudden, I couldn't stand the taste of Equal and that's what the jello was sweetened with (not to mention I don't care for watermelon). I lived on iced tea and broth during the clear liquid stage at home. I got some sf popsicles and sf jello, but they were sweetened with equal and so I ate them sparingly. Not that I was all that hungry anyway. Cathy

Thanks Cathy, I really appreciate all the information that you are sharing. LOL, I really don't "do" artificial sweetners.........so I've been working with Cpt. Ryan, a nutritionist at BJACH to find alternatives. I have a few but I've also realized I'm going to have to suspend my no artificial sweetner rule for a while too. Thanks again for all your help. Kendra

Your feeling are very normal. We all have been where you are right now.The way I handled it was remembered how hard I had worked to reach this place. I also remembered the doctors *****commended that I have this surgery. They would not have suggested it if they had not thought it would be the best thing for me. I am so so happy I did this for myself now that I have lost 58 pounds, can play with my grandchildren and walk without pain and lack of breath. Just find peace in your own faith. I will be praying for you and your surgeon. Smiles, Jan Brown

Thanks Jan, I can't wait to play on the floor with my toddler and not have my back scream every time I put her in her carseat or lift her up. I appreciate the support!!! Kendra

Congrats on your approval!! I think nerves and anxiety is all part of the process, you jump through the hoops and now you made it and whats next?? SURGERY!! It game time!! I am scheduled for March 7 and although I know I am doing the right thing, it is the what if that will not go away!! Not to mention my parents are incredibly supportive, but are a nervous wreck!! That makes me nervous and anxious and it just snowballs....I look at my children 9 and 5 and I think what if they don't have a mom....but you know something.... this surgery I know will better our lives. Help us to be more capable of being that inner person, that great inner person that is disguised by weight and afraid to come out!! All you can do is pray that all goes and that the Lord be with you through it all!! I wish you the very best!!! Good Luck and remember he didn't bring you this far to not see you through it!! Many thoughts and prayers....let me know how you do and your journey thereafter!! I seem to be more nervous about post op then anything!! Wishing you all the best, Christy

No kidding on the "what if's", it's a huge issue for me too. I'm trying really hard to give it up to God, but man....it's so easy to try to take control sometimes. I have two daughter's...12 and 15 months and I can't wait to be a better mom. They need an active mom that can keep up with their very different stages and the constant Go-go. Not to mention, I'm to start Grad School in August and I need to keep up with those young 20'ish kids. Thanks for all the encouragement. MAN, it's already Friday...5 nights and a wake up till my new life begins. Racing to the finish line I guess.........Night all!!! Thanks for all the great tips! Kendra