And day 3 is in the books!

Finally. There is much peace about it all. There has been peace but, occasionally folks will tell you about someone they knew who almost died from weight loss surgery or they have heard really bad things about this or that. It's like when you prepare to have a baby and your friends tell you the horror stories... 

Today was my final appointments before surgery. I say appointments because there were 3! (That's not true- I go to therapy next week.) First appointment was nutrition. I love Anne - my nutritionist. We went reviewed the information again (You know I did this in Feb) and I felt excited.  We also discussed vitamins..  Then she told me when as I was leaving that she wanted to make sure I was using birth control and to double up as I might become very very fertile.  I assured her I had an IUD and such. She says just be careful. Can't say I wasn't warned!

Anyways, babies can wait...

-I found out I can have any Healthy Request Soup. Whoa. Broccoli and cheese please

-I need to be drinking 8 ounce of 100% juice everyday. Even better!

-Days 1 and 2 (post surgery) will be your sugar free liquids.. (I will be in the hospital then)

-Days 3-7 I get everything I get now (soups, oatmeal, pudding)

-weeks 2-5 I get tuna, chicken, peanut butter, scrambled eggs, cherrios, low fat cheese, soft fruit, pasta, rice, green beans, crackers!

-Week 6 (when school starts) I get lean meats and fish. 

of course there is major limits and such but, I feel like it's very doable. 

Then it was time to do blood work and respiratory test.. Then I met up with John and we went to see Dr. Fuller.

Dr. Fuller is no nonsense and full of facts! I had a whole page of questions and he answer them all. Several people had brought up concerns- We went through them all. Also, we talked through the exercise component. He was excited I was walking now and he says this part is why you will continued to have success. He says I will be expected to walk everyday and get some exercise including the day of surgery!!

Aetna required me to use to use Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. I now understand why.. When discussing risks and complications we learned it's rare. He says typically there are more problems than just weight loss surgery when complications happen. My eating choices at home are important too. So.. bottom line.. Being fat is more of a risk than this surgery. 

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TOday, I experienced hunger. I was behind all day. I did make my own coffee shake using the gladiator protein. It was yummy. I had caffeinated soda- that was not worth how I felt. And I cheated by eating a pickle. Back to the shake:

1 scoop of vanilla (or chocolate) protein powder

4 ounces of skim milk

6 ice cubs

4 ounces of coffee

2 splenda packets

Plus we exercised last night and walked all over BH and Sams. 

so all in all a good day. God's Thanks for support. xoxo

Pre op Day 2.. We did it!

I am sipping on my shake.. Realizing that I probably should blog early today because I am too tired at night!I had a 2 hour nap today.  

Today was more challenging. Not sure why.. Harder to drink and easy to fill up..  It's so weird how your body reacts to all this. I am sure I was tired from the lack of food.. They warn you about this. Maybe walking will help tonight! 

I am peeing a lot. I had to stop between home and Conway today. They had a subway in the gas station.. ahh the bread smelled so good. :) 

I went to smoothie king to talk with them about a protein powder they sell called Gladiator. They made me 2 shakes to try.. One was coffee. Um yeah, I will be making that every morning! Gladiator is low carb and high protein . (this is challenging to find!) It has 22 grams per scoop (and you can make a shake with 2 scoops). But, your body can only handle 20 grams of protein an hour they say. (I need to find the research on this) So, I bought the vanilla kind in hopes to use flavoring agents to make my own.. I will post recipes.. 

Emotionally I feel very vulnerable. I am not a sort of person who feels this way often. Anyways, the support from friends means a lot. I hope you guys all now that. Even typing Dora's "We did it" makes me miss Lauren and be sad for a short minute. Lauren is having more fun than anyone. :) 

My friend Sarah shared with me about "Jesus Calling". Today's verse is so important for me today. I hope it helps you too.. 

"I am continually at work in your life, even when you can see nothing happening. It’s easy for you to feel stuck in a situation you’d like to change because you can see only the present moment. But I look at the big picture—all the moments of your life—and I am doing more than you can imagine." -Jesus Today by Sarah Young,

Water 32 ounces (see not good)
Oatmeal for breakfast
1/2 cup of decaf tea
1/2 cup of coffee
1 EAS shake 
2 kid size shakes at Smoothie King
1/2 cup of chicken broth 

So, I have some work to do. 

Tomorrow I start pre op testing at the hospital. I start at 8 am meeting with nutrition. Then I have "tests". Then I meet with my Dr. All before noon!!!  

Lessons Learned:
Pack your lunch bag of sweet and non sweet items. 
Carbmaster Yogurts come in Carrot Cake, key lime pie, banana cream pie, Black forest cake

We are also traveling to Mena for my dad's Retirement Reception. 

Seriously your prayers and good thoughts mean a lot.  

Thanks for reading.