Multitudes of Butterflies

I'm 14 days away from life changing surgery, and I must admit, the butterflies have arrived. And, I don't mean just a few....I mean hundreds or more!!

In March 2006, I had a surgery that resulted in 4 bloodclots, 2 which went through my heart and into my lungs. All the doctors said I should have died. After a rough week long ICU visit, hooked up to oxygen and monitors, and doctors skirting around my question, "Am I out of the woods - will I live?", I was released from the hospital and spent the next 6 months on blood thinner and weekly checkups. I swore I'd never have another elective surgery, and here I'm about to do it. I told this to my GYN doctor last week and he said, "Well I don't think this is elective...I think it's life saving!" I agree, but I'm still a little scared b/c this is my first surgery since the near death experience.

I had my farewell to "really good but bad for me food" yesterday. I spent the weekend eating spaghetti, garlic bread, apple crisp with cream cheese icing and vanilla ice cream, knowing that I may not be able to tolerate these foods again, even after weight loss. For lunch yesterday, my husband and I ate at Logans, chosen for the delicious yeast rolls. Last night, we had dinner with our children at Olive Garden. From what I've read, lapband patients have trouble tolerating steak, bread, and pasta and a few other foods even in small amounts, so I've spent the last few days enjoying those things. Now it's time to get serious.

In preparation for surgery, I've decided to do very low carb/high protein for the next week then clear liquids for the last week leading up to the surgery. I thought I was doing good today by bringing turkey, mustard and 1/4 cup shredded cheese in a wheat/flax/oat pita that was only 4 carbs. I got to work and consulted with a friend who had lapband in September and learned that I even need to avoid the low carb pita b/c of the liver shrinking that needs to take place before surgery. It will be hard avoding the carbs this week and doing clear liquids next week, but I'll do whatever it takes to get ready for the surgery. And, I think doing this ahead of time will better prepare me for the change after surgery. Maybe then the lifestyle change won't be such a shock. I sure don't want to see the doctor on March 12 and him tell me there's more liver shrinking to be done before surgery the following Tuesday. No setbacks allowed!! I've come way too far.

~14 Days Pre-Lapband~