I received THE call!!!

I finally got the call today that my surgery has been AUTHORIZED!  Nothing like cutting it close.  

So, I have been leaving comments all over the place saying that my surgery is May 9th - I might even have said May 7th on some.  My surgery is scheduled for May 1st.  Yes in 4 days.  This Friday.  Holy shit!  I have no clue what the hell I was thinking when I gave wrong dates.  Only thing I can think of is that my daughter's junior prom is on May 9th so maybe I was projecting myself to that happy event when I'll be a week out from surgery and watching my gorgeous daughter in her beautiful dress going with a cute boy who asked her per below.  (I put what the signs say in the caption in case you can't read.  He also brought a bunch of balls with "Prom?" written on them and also brought her roses.)  She was hoping this guy would ask her.  It's even more special because it's my daughter's first date.  

I finally got the the balls to ask you to Prom?

I'm not going to lie.  I am freaking out a bit.  I think a part of me didn't think it was going to happen since I hadn't received my auth.  Psych!

My pre-op diet is easy.  Clear liquids 48 hours before surgery with no liquids after midnight night before surgery.  I don't really feel like eating much anyway because I'm so nervous.  

My husband is out of town for the next 3 days which really sucks because he is one of only two people who knows about the surgery (besides my blog buddies - obviously).  My daughters know I am having surgery, but I've told them it's to have the band removed.  I may tell them down the road, but I don't want to put them in the position of having to lie if other people start asking questions.  I told everybody and their mother about my band and felt like I was under a microscope all the time.   This time I want to do the surgery on my terms.


I'm sure I'll post again this week since I don't have anybody to talk to and I'm a nervous wreck.  

Loving warmer days, but bringing back some negative memories

We're having some warmer weather so my daughters and I pulled out our summer clothes yesterday.  Even though I weigh around 20 lbs less than when I started with the band 5 years ago, I am back to wearing the same size I wore then - and the clothes are tight.  I think the weight I gained back went all to my waist (recap - I lost 40lbs with the band in about 2 years and proceeded to gain 20lbs back in last 3 years).  I remember getting my summer clothes out in April of 2010 and being so hopeful as I packed up my winter clothes that they would be way too big the following winter.  I hoped I'd be able to give all my clothes away and buy new cute clothes a lot smaller.  But that never happened.  I was able to buy 1 - maybe 2 depending on fit - smaller sizes the following year, but I stayed in that size and then went back up.  So it's hard not to be hopeful as I put my clothes away this year. I am praying that I'm not putting my body through another surgery for nothing. I've read so many success stories (like I did with the band) and think about how awesome it would be to be the success story for a change.  I still haven't gotten official word on my auth, but the hospital surgery center called me Friday night to confirm all my personal information.  I got a little flutter in my stomach thinking that I was only 2 weeks away from surgery.

My surgeon does not require a crazy 2 week pre-op diet like I've read some others had to do.  Just need to do clear liquid diet 48 hours before surgery than of course can't have anything after midnight night prior to surgery.   I am so glad my surgery is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. which means I need to be at hospital by 8:30 am.  For lap band I was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. and I had to be at hospital by 6:30 a.m. and hospital is about 30 minutes from where I live.  I am NOT a morning person.  I remember getting prepped to get the band and breaking down right before I went back.  My husband didn't know what to do.  The nurses were very nice and reassuring saying that I was going to do fine and be so happy afterwards when I lost the weight.  Well I guess 1 out of 2 isn't bad.  Lapband procedure itself went smoothly, recovery was very easy and at first I thought it was going to be the tool I had hoped for.  I went to my surgeon every month for the first 6 months to assure my fill was correct.  Most of the time I got a fill at my visit.  I was pretty much to the max of my band within the first 6 months.  I proceeded to go to my surgeon regularly for the next year, but after dealing with his judgement about my lack of weight loss, I gave up.  He's no longer with the hospital and I'm very happy about that.  

Anyway, I am trying to stay optimistic despite my failure with the band. My current surgeon says not being successful with the band doesn't mean I won't be with the sleeve so I am keeping my fingers crossed.  And I appreciate the support from you all as well.  

Nectar sample pack for good price

I found this deal and wanted to let you guys know about it- it's a 15 pack of the different nectar flavors for $15 plus $1.99 shipping.  It is offered by the manufacturer of Syntrax SI03.   Only one order allowed per household. I couldn't find how to order on internet - I had to call 1-866-333-7403 ext 803.  You need to give your credit card number over the phone which I know isn't the best, but it's a reputable company and I did receive the packets within a week.  Here is the website where offer is advertised.  http://www.si03.com/reg_index.htm.

So far I like the lemon tea and pink grapefruit the best.  The strawberry kiwi flavor would probably be good in jello - going to give you a try and will let you know.  Now, when I say "I like" I don't mean I love.  I LOVE drinking margaritas.  But in order to get fluid and protein in at the same time, it's not so bad.

I came across a couple of things in some of the weight loss surgery forums that I wanted to run by you.  First is dieter's tea (pic on left)I don't believe you can just drink tea and lose weight, but I've read this is a good natural laxative.  Has anybody tried?  Heard you need to make sure you are at home when you drink because you will be pooping...a lot.

Another product I saw is called Meta-Ignite by GNC Genetix - it's a thermogenic amplifier (pic below).  It wouldn't be something I would take right after surgery because it has caffeine, but quite a few people say they take before working out and feel like they have more energy and supposed to help burn more calories.

Still haven't received final authorization for my surgery from insurance company.  My surgery is scheduled 2 weeks from Friday.  They love to keep you hanging, don't they?  Insurance companies suck.