48 Hours Until My RNY Bypass Surgery... What I'm Doing Now

It's almost time! I cannot believe how quickly the days have passed since I got my date and insurance approval. On Thursday of this week, 3/14/13, I had my EGD. I made a video before I went back and after I went home, you can find it on my Youtube channel, under the Goodbye, Fat Kat! playlist. There is a link to the videos in that playlist in the right margin of this page. I recommend you subscribing to my channel! You can watch my progress and see the difference in me as well as reading along. I really appreciate you following my blog, and all of your support! I only wish I had more comments so I'd know you all are reading!
Back to the EGD:
It went well. I love anesthesia, what can I say? I slept good all day Thursday, I got up for a few hours, and was out again by around 9:30 that night, and slept like a baby! I had some minor pain in my lower throat and in the top part of my tummy, but that's only because he did a biopsy. Everything looked great, according to my surgeon. The only effects I'm still feeling two days later, are a weird hungry gassy feeling in the upper part of my tummy. The nurse told me they put a little air in there for the procedure, and that I'd probably experience something like that. I've tried burping, but to no avail. This too shall pass. Pun intended.
So what have I been doing to get ready?
My husband helped me yesterday, and we did a really good house cleaning! I put him on ceiling fans and air conditioner filters. He said, "don't you have a duster for the fans?" I said, "I'm looking at it!! Chop chop, Baby!" I thought it was funny. Him, not so much! So I scrubbed the bathroom, like a sailor, de-cluttered, dusted, swept and mopped, changed bed sheets, and all that other good stuff. I'll be at my mom's house for a week when I get out of the hospital on Thursday, and he's going back to work! Praise God!! He's been out for awhile, trying to get his meds adjusted so we can be seizure free for what we hope will be at least another three years! I've been pretty good on my pre-op diet. Yesterday I did have a payday candy bar. So. Good. Last night we got together with some friends an there were boxes on top of boxes of Papa  John's pizza. It smelled so good. I resisted! That's a big deal for me! It's hard when you know you'll probably not have it again for a very very long time! I had a huge salad, and my best friend's husband had a salad as well because he has a gluten allergy. I did, however, have two peanut butter cookies. Heaven on Earth. I had a good day yesterday, because that's really all I had was salad the two no no's, and protein shakes of course.
Today we are going to clean out the car, and hang out with my best friend and her hubs. We love these peeps to death. God sent them into our lives. I have no doubt about it. Tonight, I am going to cheat a little. I'm making smothered chicken- it's not as bad as it sounds. It's baked boneless skinless chicken breast topped with bacon and mushrooms, and queso cheese. I should be fine as long as I don't overdo the bacon or the queso. My homegirl is baking a cake for me, and I'll have a small piece. Hey! Sunday is nothing but clear liquids and bowel prep. I think it'll be okay.
I think worrying about my liver not shrinking has been what's kept me on the pre op diet the most. My surgeon won't postpone, he'll switch to open surgery if he can't stay with laproscopic because of not being able to move my liver around if it's too big and hard. Yeah. I don't want a big scar down my tummy.
I did a pedicure last week, I'll touch it up today, and I'm going to throw a few foils in my hair to ward off my roots from showing so badly. I don't feel like doing an entire color process, but I know it'll be awhile before I can stand in the bathroom and highlight my hair. I don't want to be looking AND feeling like crap!
Tomorrow I'll pack, and clean my CPAP, charge the iPod and ASUS, and poop poop poop!
And then hungry and starving, I shall arrive at the hospital at 10 am on Monday morning.

I said on my video blog the other day that now is the time to start following my progress. Up until now it's been jumping through hoops for insurance and all the fun pre operative stuff. Now is where the fun begins! If you have a blog and you'd like me to follow it, leave me a comment or send me an email! I will support you all the way!
I'll be back with another post after surgery, as soon as I'm comfy and clear headed enough to think!
While you are waiting here are some pages from my patient handbook, courtesy of my wonderful surgeon's team... read through them and see if there's anything that will benefit you! Consult a doctor before making any serious changes to diet or exercise!

Thanks for reading and go subscribe to the Youtube channel! Leave a comment!

Sixteen Days Until Surgery!

I got my official surgery date of March 18th! My pre op appointment is on Friday, 3/8, and my EGD is 3/14!  I was a little concerned about the EGD because I didn't know how I would swallow that thing, but I asked when I was there on Thursday, and they told me they'd be giving me anesthesia. Wheew.

I know I haven't been blogging regularly lately, and I'm so sorry. I could give you a ton of excuses, but it all just boils down to things being so hectic with Chuck being home from work and surgery getting so close.

We found out we have to pay $940 for our portion of the surgery fee. I'm sure there'll be other bills coming in after surgery for the 20% of everything else we owe. We are trying to get the money together, it's got to be turned in by 4 pm on March 14th. Our family and friends are helping, and with Chuck having been out of work for almost a month now, and no income for the last three weeks, we are definitely relying on God to provide. He's brought us this far, and through many hard times, I know He'll make a way this time as well.

I decided to jump start my pre op diet with a liquid only phase for as long as I can handle it. Today is day two, and I've already got a major headache! No caffeine! No sugar. Lord help me! I know He will.

My weight is hanging in right at 325. I hope to lose at least ten more pounds before surgery. We shall see. It's all coming home now.

Thanks for your support and for taking the time to visit the site. I'll try to put a video post on Youtube before the end of the weekend. I'll keep you posted.

Bariatric Pre-Op Diet

Here's the diet my surgeon gave me, word for word! I hope you find it useful.

Pre-operative (liver reduction) meal plan

At least two weeks prior to you surgical date, you must do the following to prepare your body for surgery and to shrink the size of your liver.  Depending on how much pre-operative weight you need to lose, the bariatric team may recommend you follow the pre-op diet for longer.

Everyday aim to have:

• 1-2 servings of low-fat or fat-free milk or dairy products
• 1-2 servings of fruit
• 1-2 servings of healthy fat
• Unlimited non-starchy vegetables
• One palm sized serving of lean protein (approximately 3 ounces)
• 2 protein supplements (at least 35 grams of protein each)

1-2 servings of fat-free milk or fat-free or 2% reduced fat dairy products

Allowed Dairy Products / Dairy Alternatives

• Skim milk or reduced fat milk
• Lactose-free milk
• Original or light soy milk or almond milk
• 1/2 cup 0% or 2% reduced fat cottage cheese or ricotta cheese
• Light, non-fat yogurt such as 0% fat Greek yogurt, dannon light n' fit, Yoplait light, Activia light, etc. 
• Note, if you are lactose intolerant, try unsweetened soy milk or light vanilla soy milk that is sweetened with an artificial sweetener, not sugar

Dairy Products to Avoid

• Full fat milk
• Heavy cream or half and half
• Full fat cheese
• Full fat sour cream, whipped cream, cream cheese, etc.

1-2 servings of fruit

Allowed Fruits

• Any fruit is acceptable (fresh or frozen fruit is preferred over canned fruit)
• If choosing canned fruit, make sure it is not sweetened with sugar or canned in syrup

Fruits to avoid

• Fruits with added sugar
• Canned fruit in syrup (heavy or light)
• Fruit juice (even if it says 100% fruit juice)
• 1 serving of fruit = 1/2 cup cut fruit or berries or a small apple, pear, or orange that is no larger than the size of a tennis ball.

Unlimited non-starchy vegetables

Allowed Vegetables

• Any non-starchy veggies are allowed such as asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, green beans, leafy greens, (i.e. spring mix, field greens, spinach, romaine lettuce, kale, collards, etc) tomatoes, mushrooms, bell peppers, radishes, etc. 

Vegetables to Avoid

• All starchy vegetables such as:
• Corn
• Peas
• Potatoes
• Legumes (kidney beans, Lima beans, chickpeas, pintos
• Winter squash (acorn, butternut, or spaghetti squash, pumpkin)

1 three-ounce portion of lean protein

Allowed lean proteins

• Chicken 
• Turkey 
• Lamb
• Eggs and egg whites
• Lean beef such as the cuts that end in loin (sirloin, tenderloin, etc)
• Lean pork such as pork loin
• Game meats such as bison and venison
• Seafood
• Tofu
• Fat-free dairy products such as cottage cheese and Greek yogurt

Meats to avoid

• Processed meats such as salami, bologna, sausage, bacon, hot dogs, Vienna sausage, spam, etc.
• Any poultry, meat, or seafood that is FRIED
• Meats high in saturated fat such as prime rib
• The skin on poultry
• At one of your three meals, eat one palm-sized portion of lean protein (the size of a deck of cards or approximately 3 ounces)
• At two of your three meals, eat one, 1-ounce serving of lean protein
• Remove the skin form poultry, all excess and visible fat from red meat.
• Foods should be baked, broiled, grilled, or poached in broth, NOT fried.

***Note: 1 serving of protein= 1oz of fish, poultry, lean red meat, or 2% reduced-fat cheese, 1/2 cup of reduced fat or fat free cottage cheese, 1 whole egg, 2 egg whites, 1 cup of skim milk, etc***

2 protein supplements

• Protein supplements include protein shakes, powders, and pre-made drinks 
• Find one you like- you MUST use it before and after surgery!
• Look for protein powders that contain "whey protein isolate" powder
• Supplements should have less than 7g of sugar per serving, and at least 20g of protein per serving
• Each shake should have a total of at least 35g of protein
• How do I get 35g of protein in one shake? Mix 1/2 scoops of whey protein (30g protein) + 8oz skim milk (7g protein) = 37g protein
• Some recommended brands include: Isopure, Jay Robb, Unjury, Prostat, Super Advanced Whey Protein (Body Fortress)
• Many protein supplements are available on line and in various vitamin shops. Jay Robb and Unjury is sold in our gift shop.

1-2 servings of healthy fat

Healthy Fat + Serving Size

• Light, trans fat free margarine (no hydrogenated oils): 1tbsp
• Canola or olive oil (try cooking spray): 1tsp
• Light salad dressing (45 calories or less per serving): 2tbsp
• Hummus: 2tbsp
• Natural peanut or almond butter (without added sugar or high fructose corn syrup): 2tbsp
• Nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pistachios, or seeds: 1oz.
• Avocado: 1/3 of an avocado

Sample Menu:

Morning:

1 of 2 dairy servings + 1 protein serving, 1 of 2 protein shakes, 1 of 2 fruit serving: 

• 8 oz. skim milk
• 1 to 1 1/2 scoops of whey protein isolate powder
• 1/2 cup of fruit

Snack

2 of 2 dairy servings & 1 protein serving, 2 of 2 fruit servings

• Light yogurt
• 1/2 cup fruit

Noon

1 protein serving, vegetable serving, 1 of 2 healthy fat servings

• 1 hard boiled egg on top of a...
• salad with non starch vegetables
• 1-2 tbsp of light salad dressing

Snack

2 of 2 protein shakes

• 8oz water mixed with 1 to 1 1/2 scoops of whey protein isolate powder

Evening:

1 palm sized portion of lean protein, vegetable serving, 2of 2 healthy fat servings

• 3oz baked chicken breast
• non starchy vegetables topped with...
• 1 tsp olive oil