Houston, We Have A Plan!!!

This all began in July, 2008. Where has the time gone? I was told I was being referred to the Bariatric Surgery Team at Baylor College of Med (BCM) for Lap Band. After I got over the 'shock' of being told that (without hinting about it or asking for it) the wonder of it all began to penetrate my brain!
I am excited, shocked and somewhat anxious. It's not every day that anyone gets a 'second chance' to start over! It's been a while since I've heard from some folks, but I know there may be some curiosity over the coming weeks.
As I sat with my calendar before me yesterday afternoon, I made note of each date and time and place. The clock's ticking and the 'horses' are in the gate!
February 17th...
I take all medications with me to the 12th floor of the Baylor Clinic.
9:30 a.m. check in
To follow...Chest X-rays
10:00 a.m. Abdominal ultrasound
11:00 a.m. Upper GI YUCK, YUCK, YUCK, YUCK AND MOREEEEE YUCKKKKKKK (would someone do this for me? I hate these things!! YUCK
To Follow...Labs
Once I complete those appointments and SURVIVE UPPER GI, I walk over the Baylor Faculty Center. From 1:00 - 4:00 Preop Class with Nurse Practitioner and Dietician.

Are you fascinated yet? Bored? Tired? Go get a snack, and make it something really good...maybe a little gooey for moi!

February 24th...begin Preop Liquid Diet for 2 weeks prior to surgery. This diet is prescribed to shrink the size of the liver.
And, you say, what does this consist of?
No sugar added Nestle Carnation Instant Breakfast
Slim-Fast High Protein, Optima, Low Carb, Lactose Free
Boost Glucose Control, Muscle Milk "Light", Myoplex Lite Carb Shakes
Water, broth, sugar free jello/popsicles, fat free yogurt/pudding
Fat free cream soups, low sodium tomato soup (no chunky soups)
Diet fruit/veg juices (low sodium), Propel Fitness Water, sugar free Kool-Aid
Special K20, IsoPure protein drink, Crystal light
Other liquids: less than 200 calories, less that 5 g fat, less than 15 g sugar, greater than 10-15 g protein per serving
This provides 900-1000 calories per day!

March 4th...11:30 a.m.
Visit with anesthesia representative. O'Quinn Medical Tower @St. Luke's, 12th floor. That's nice, a little closer to Heaven that day! I'm told this appointment may take several hours. Who knew?
12:30 p.m. Pre-op appointment with Dr. Sherman, 14th floor, hello Heaven, I'm closer still!

March 9th...nothing after midnight!

March 10th...Report to O'Quinn Medical Tower, 9th floor Day Surgery Department at 8:00 a.m. And, the real deal begins!

Now you have the plan at hand. Now you can think about me on the 10th of March!

I have selected this date in order to give me two weeks off. Dr. Sherman likes for his patients to be still for a couple of weeks. My interns will have Spring break the next week, so, I'll join them! I just will be hangin' out around here though.

I will be on a liquid diet for a couple of weeks after surgery, progressing to soft foods, then regular. I'm not sure of the time frames, but I bet I learn quickly!!

It has been good to have this many months to think about and self talk about this new lifestyle. It is a permanent change...yes, the band can be removed, but who in their right mind would ever pursue this with that thought in mind? It's not a magic bullet, but helps me to limit (severly) the intake of foods. Can you go wrong? Certainly. There are some folks who have chosen to intake high caloric foods. Bad choice. But those who work the program to their advantage and do the right things, they are pounds lighter!
And, so, the days are falling away now at a fast pace. What's one thing I'm indulging in? Snickers. I gave in yesterday and had two, right out of the oven Shipley glazed donuts. Oh, my word. I'm not sure when the last time was for a donut!! No, I'm not packing on extra pounds. I can only fall over the edge slightly, my conscience has never allowed me the freedom of going full blast ahead!!
For dinner last night, we had sushi. Yes, I've grown to love it and, the taste for it runs in cycles. The California Roll is a fave and the Tempura Roll, second fave. What else, you say? We will enjoy and big 'ol pizza one night. Yep, ordered in here and just fall face down chompin'!!! lolol
Other than those things, just enjoying the little things anytime of the day I wish!!
Things I look forward to...sitting in any booth in any restaurant with space between my tummy and the table. Entering an establishment (classroom or other) without folks having the 'look' of whoa! She's a big gurl!! Fastening the seatbelt with ease and not having it rub my neck every mile!! Shopping for regular sized clothes anywhere I wish...or, Walmart!! lolol Traveling on a plane and having to pull the seatbelt snug!! And, fitting in my own chair!!!
You see, for the average person, those are nothing. For the big gurls and guys of the world...those are challenges. It's time for the challenge to cease and the living to begin!
In 1989, I lost 117 pounds with Weight Watchers. I was fitting into a size 6 pant/shorts. I was fascinated with that! My top half was still a 12-14...but, it was exhilerating to shop anywhere! We'll see what happens in the months to come.
Hang in here, keep reading, keep cheering and keep in touch! It's great to hear from the folks in the 'stands' who take time out to follow the thread here.
Have a super weekend...eat healthy and plan some fun Super Bowl Food! See, there ya go, life revolves around food, food and more food!!!

March 10th!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, folks, Aetna came through with flying colors. I was approved and received my surgery date for March 10th. I will go early morning, have surgery and return home late afternoon. I will have 5 entry wounds around the tummy and a one ounce pouch for liquids.
How do I feel? Great. It's time. I have an old friend from church who had the procedure done on January 2nd. He and his wife drove to Monterrey, Mexico for his surgery. I talked to him 8 days afterwards...they drove home that Sunday, he was in office on Monday, had sung in the choir that next Sunday morning and was talking to me. He was already 17 pounds lighter and happy as a gettin' skinny pig!!!
It's been a process, and choosing the March date allows me two weeks to 'lay low' and heal somewhat. My interns will have Spring break that next week, so I'll be carefree.
Thank you for cheering, for caring, for sharing and for thinking me worthy of your interest. This is a totally life changing experience I'm embarking upon and so ready by now. I've had lots of 'think' time and mental attitude adjustments. Yes, I've been enjoying some favorite foods in the past months and ready to surrender the play side of food.
Instead of living to eat now, I will eat to live. When I summon the 'nerve' I'll post picks now as I go. It will make the journey far more interesting for all who read here.
I observe far more than the teacher when I'm visiting their environment. I was in a Kindergarten teacher's room last week and saw this in a frame on her desk:

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
2 Cornthians 12:9

Am I fearful? No need to be. I weathered 10 strenuous days of powerful testing back in March, 2004 with death right on my heels. For some reason I still am trying to discover, He brought me through it all. As I go into a 45 minute procedure, I will trust that He is in charge and all doctors are under His watch care as well.
Keep me in heart and mind and send good thoughts my way. Friends are forever, family is my strength...this too shall be okay!