Oh yea sign me up! here we go...

 Im finally happy to anounce that I have been approved and will have my DS on Dec 9th... Excited ... but the fear factor hasnt got to me yet. maybe when I get wheeled down the hall it will.  Ive been lurking and trying to gain as much info I can. My wife is an RNY veteran of 3yrs so far, so I have seen some of the bad sides but she feels and looks fantastic.I thank you all for sharing and helping me get to this point which is just the begining. Mary Vashon I hope to meet you someday. you were my first contact.I hope all is well with you.      Well this will  REALLY be a  last meal Thanksgiving of sorts well at least I will eat like a nornal person in the future. I wish all the best to all of the OH family out there on this Thanksgiving holiday....      Steve           need to get a ticker goin right?  

Congradulations! I hope everything works out perfectly for you and may you have many happy, healthy years!

What a great Christmas gift! Don't forget to take lots of photos! Start now so you can show everyone where you started! All the best!

Merrilou

good luck to you!



jeris

Ah, congratulations!  We have the same surgery day! 

Thank you for the holla backs ... Ive read about the "nesting" activities prior to Surg? well Im experiencing some of that, went crazy in the yard yesterday and straightened out the garage! Just thinking of all the heavy lifting stuff needed to be done cuz will be out of action for weeks after. I was pushing it a little with the turkey and all the other holiday foods.Told every one take all the pictures you can because history will not be repeated here...    

Ya,  better hope history won't be repeated here but at least a very good history lesson to us all, even to our friends and family. 

 Hey Steve - you did it - you went through the insurance maze and found your way to the starting line.  I think your fear is regulated by your wonder wife and her previous journey before you. It so helps when you have a guide right there.  I know I culled in as much info my my friends and face to face contacts as I could.  

This is not your last meal - but a new relationship with food.  My thanksgiving was not the same - it was in fact better since the food I did eat I really appreciated it for all that it was.  Protein first and I even had some sugar free pudding for my dessert.  Not feeling deprived but revived 

My boys said to me this morning that they have not seen me have so much energy in years.  In fact - I don't think they ever seen me with this much energy.  

This morning I was at my firefighting weight - it has been a good 10 years since I've been there.  Now- if I could figure out a way to knock 10 years off my age - I might re-up. :) 

You are in the home stretch - 
Here is what I recommend
 60 - 80 grams of protein a day
64 oz of water a day
800-1000 cal in total a day
Amp up on your Vit now

Your body will thank you on the other side Dec. 10th .  

Keep moving forward
Mary - Vashon

Hello Mary... I knew youde get back to my post.... You are 50 gone huh? wow thats great. I worry about the energy part as for as when I get back to work.I will be out the 4wks as standard dont wanna get gungho and return too early. It was kind of sureal when the wife  literally flew up those long stairs that you go up to the Pikes Market from the lower street. And I was there huffing it and needing to rest.Things like that stuck with me and made me realize I gotta do something to change this. 98% of my co workers and family dont know what the sugery is for. Its not that I want to keep it all a secret  , its just that I dont want to be a poster child to be gossiped about. As we all know some comments turn out to be simpathetic and not positive. All will know eventually....   steve   

 And another thing

Make a few blended meals this week - you don't need many but I have about 10 in my freezer ready to go.  I was glad I did - hate baby food.  I went and go a few of my fav meals and put them in a blender - came out great.  Good to have around after too in case you need to go back to soft food from time to time.  

Stock up on stool softners too.  I know TMI but it's the truth.

Heading to my first Vashon Support group meeting today in a few minutes.  Maybe someday you and your wife can float over - 

I will send good thoughts for Dec 9.  

Mary -
Vashon WA