Surgery Scheduled 9/11/06

Hi All, I have my approval and my surgery is scheduled for 9/11/06 which is exactly 1 month and 2 weeks from today (but hey who's counting). I am supposed to start a 2 week liquid diet on 8/28. The paperwork indicates that two weeks is a Minimum period. I am considering starting my diet earlier. I know most people think I am crazy but here is my reasoning... A month is a long time during which a lot of damage could be done. Between myself and my well meaning friends and family... if I have a month there are going to be a lot of one last times... I don't want to spend a month having "last meals" as horrible as that sounds I am just being honest. Any thoughts, advice, words of encouragement?

I can't give you advice, but I can tell you my experience...I gained about 20 pounds during the approval process...stress and 'last meals'...I don't regret it at all...I started my liquid diet at 282 and now I'm (happily stalled) at 199 18 weeks after surgery. I'm happy with everything and have no regrets...BUT if I'd have had to do that &^%$# liquid diet one day longer than I did before surgery I would have been positively miserable. I'm glad I kind of let go and enjoyed myself the couple of months before surgery. My life is completely different now...I don't even really think about eating...food is no longer an important part of my life...but then it was and I enjoyed it. You have a date now and you know your eating habits are going to change...don't put more pressure on yourself than is absolutely necessary...Six weeks will fly by and before you know it you'll be on the liquids.

My advice ( don't be mad at me OH post opers) EAT , EAT, do all the last suppers you can girlfriend, enjoy the food up until the day you start that liquid diet ( known by me as liquid hell on Earth ) I am sure if you did do the liquid for a longer time, it would be great, but sweetheart you will have a lifetime after GBS to live. Eat drink and be Merry while you wait. You will gain ,but you will lose it fast. Please let us know what you decide. Thinking of you YEA

I guess I am just worried that if I gained a bunch of weight between the initial consult and the pre-op apt that the doc will turn me away. I have gained 6lbs or so since I first started the Journey in January and 2 of those have been since May. But that is according to my scale, I know their scale weighs heavier. I'm just stressing and worried that this close to the finish line I am going to trip myself. Krista

I didn't have to be on a liquid diet preop. My surgeon did not require it. However, he did want us to cut way back and eat light the last 2 to 3 weeks before surgery so the liver would be flacid and easy to move over for the surgery. I had some stomach (nerve) problems anyway and wasn't wanting to eat much cause' it made me sick. I figured eating a bunch right before surgery would just make it harder to get used to my new life, so I started right away cutting back and getting ready for my big change. I got off carbonated drinks about 2 months prior to surgery and I have not started them back. I do not miss them at all. I feel like the 130 lbs I've lost are good, and I still hope to lose another 25 or 30 even though I've slowed way down. I feel great, just turned 55 Wednesday and am going to buy a bicycle to ride. I am excited that I can do this! I still work out at Curves 3 days per week and I swim in the summer every day in my pool. I love my new life and food is a thing of the past, I eat what is necessary and that's all I need. I think getting ready for this ahead of time is a smart move. But, do what is best for you and what your surgeon recommends. Good luck! Lynne

Congrats on the surgery. IT will be here before you know it. I didn't have to do the preop fasting and liquid diet, however, I didn't eat like this was the end of the world. I did go out to eat at my favorite places and got my favorites because I knew I couldn;t eat Chili's Chicken Cripsers again or dessert. I did wind up feeling sick of food and got a nasty migraine before surgery. I had given up soda's last year before my initial consult because I wasn't really hooked on them, I just bough****er for home and that's all I drink. My coworker did the two week liquid fast and she said it was hard because she still had to cook for her family but she couldn't eat what she cooked. I stopped cooking after surgery, I coo****asionally but my husband is home more then I so he takes care of cooking what he likes for him and my daughter. Ofcourse, I can eat cottage cheese or a piece of chicken so I'm fine with this set up. One other thing, Just stay positive. I had my surgery during flu season so I made sure I had a flu shot, I bought hand sanitizer, I was critical of what I touched and whom I went around ,especially if they were sick. Jennifer

Congrats, on your surgery I'm scheduled to have surgery 8/21/2006 so I start my 2 week liquid diet next Monday...I have already starting substituting a meal with a protein drink and eat a light dinner and a regular lunch to try and get used to having liquids...Stay strong, look how far you've come..you can't quit now. Here's wishing you a safe and speedy surgery and recovery Twinnytwin