20 days and counting!

20 days from today I'll be banded.

I have been working so long towards this goal, and now that it's actually going to happen, I'm getting nervous.

I'm not scared of the surgery.
I'm not scared of the process.
I'm not scared of the work it's going to take.

I'm scared that this is my last chance.
I mean... I've tried everything else and it didn't last...
What if this doesn't work either?
What will I do then?

I've always knew surgery was an option...I always knew I could always resort to it if I couldn't do it on my own.
If this doesn't work..... I'm out of options.

I guess I could always be the Jolly Fat Lady of our town.
I could play Mrs. Clause at the Christmas fair.
I suppose I could make the lovely fat people clothes with horizontal stripes and BIG RED flowers on the front work for me.
I would find an assortment of Moo Moo's to wear.

But that isn't really what I had in mind for myself.

I'm sure this will work.
No... really! kinda.

One Step Closer (pre-op Diet)

As my surgery approaches, there are things I need to do to get ready.

• Travel arrangements.
• Find and stock-up on protein drinks that actually taste good.
• Arrange people to help with the farm & kids while I'm gone.
• Start my pre-op diet.

When you get surgery on or around your stomach, they have to hold up your liver because it sits on top of your stomach and hides it.

Your liver doesn't really like being "messed" with.
The fattier or thicker your liver is, the more they have to move it and hold it up to get to where they need to work.
So... you gotta try to de-fat or shrink your liver.

Every Dr. is different, some require a full 2 week liquid low fat diet.
Some require nothing at all before surgery.

Yesterday I got the specifics of my pre-op diet.
I was very nervous about it, but I think it'll be totally do-able!

Just try to remember I said that when I'm a raging animal during a week of liquids! ;)

After receiving many questions about my pre-op diet, I decided to show you exactly what I gotta do.

Wish me luck!
I CAN do this!

Here is what My Dr. requires before the Band is put in place.

1. Starting now: Go ahead and start a 1200calorie/day diet. Most of your food choices should come from lean protein (lean red meat, grilled/baked fish, grilled/baked chicken breast, low fat cottage cheese, low fat string cheese, turkey breast, etc…), at least 1 cup of non-starchy vegetables every meal (ex. Broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, zucchini, etc..), complex carbohydrates (beans, oatmeal, whole fruit, sweet potatoes, light popcorn), a small amount of healthy fats (olive oil, all natural peanut butter, plain almonds)…make sure and avoid any liquid calories and any foods high in sugar!

2.One week prior to surgery switch to the full liquid diet which consists of:

1. 2-3 high protein/low carbohydrate/high fiber meal replacement shakes per day (example…slim fast low carb or Myoplex Light)

2. One meal that consists of any liquid type food such as:
Cream Soup (i.e. cream of chicken, cream of potato, cream of broccoli, etc…) that has been starined
Hot Cereal (cream of wheat, oatmeal, grits) that has had extra skim milk added to it and been blended until it is pourable
Yogurt (sugar free and no chunks of fruit) that has had extra skim milk added to it and thinned out
Tomato soup
Any Clear Liquid (see below)

And obviously plenty of water

3. 2 days prior to surgery switch to clear liquids which consist of:

On Sunday morning switch to a Clear liquid diet which consists of:
White Grape Juice (no pulp)
White Apple Juice (no pulp)
Broth (beef, vegetable,chicken)
Plenty of Water
Crystal Liqht
Gatorade (the G2 version)
Coffee
Tea
High protein clear liquid supplement such as (Isopure or Designer Whey Protein Blitz) *can get both at GNC

***MAKE SURE AND AVOID ANYTHING RED OR PURPLE ON THE CLEAR LIQUID DIET

***NOTHING BY MOUTH AFTER MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE SURGERY. THIS INCLUDES: BREATH MINTS, GUM, HARD CANDY. YOU CAN BRUSH YOUR TEETH BUT ONLY USE A SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER AND A TINY SPECK OF TOOTHPASTE AND MAKE SURE AND SPIT EVERYTHING OUT!

Got a Date!!!

Finally got a date for my surgery!
I'll be on my way to a healthier & lighter life on October 20th!

I start my pre-op diet next week. (gotta shrink my liver because they have to move it to get the band in place)
Sunday Oct 18th = Fly to Dallas.
Monday Oct 19th = 4-hour education class, pre-op Dr visit, Hospital registration.
Tuesday Oct 20th = BANDED!
Wed Oct 21st = fly home!

I'm SO excited!
Now the nerves will start.
EEEK! It's really gonna happen!!

APPROVED!!!!

WOW! it only took 4 days and my insurance company approved my surgery!
I can't thank Kristina Marie and Angie at Lap-Band Solutions enough!

Tomorrow, I hope to have the date I'll meet my new boyfriend....
Dr. Scott Stowers in Dallas.

I'm SO excited!

Now I wait.

My journey to a healthier me is beginning.
My insurance (Aetna) company requires a 3-4 month pre-approval Diet/Dr visit/jumping though hoops thing.

• 4 visits to the Diet Dr.
• 2 visits with a nutritionist.
• Psych evaluation.
• and some various medical tests
  

I finished last week.
All of my paper work has been submitted to Aetna.

Now I wait....

Cross your fingers for a speedy approval!