Wow...time has flown!!!

[wannabeslim2014]

I am on day 13 of 14 of my pre op liquid diet and very happy to report that I am down 16.5lbs :-)

I will do one final weigh in tomorrow and then will be once a week for weighing in. I may even have to get my friend to hang onto my scales. Its silly weighing almost daily and would like the surprise at the end of the week to see the big losses.

Today is my last day at work now until the 11th August providing I am ok to go back to work after the 2weeks signed off after surgery.
I have taken tomorrow off so that I can go and have a pedicure, get my hair put up into a plait so I don't have to worry about it while I am at the hospital and have a last minute tidy up of my home so it stops me from trying to do it while I am recovering.

My surgery is on Saturday at St Anthony's Hospital in Cheam which is a private hospital - the NHS outsourced so should mean that I have my own room. I have to be there for 7am on Saturday and the doctor starts his rounds at 8. I don't know what time I am booked in for it all depends where I am on the list.

I have been quite calm and relaxed about it all but today (as its my last day in the office) it has finally hit me and I am really nervous, worried and excited - i've got constant butterflies. Its not the operation that's making me feel this way its what happens after......
I cannot remember what it was like to be slim i've been overweight for half my life which is nearly 15 years! Will I recognise myself when I walk past a shop window? What will my body look like?

It really is the unknown....and I cant wait to find out !

xxxxxx

[DebDeb]

The very best of luck for Saturday - the start of a wonderful new journey for you! I was sleeved last Thursday (in uk too) and the last week has been amazing! I'm amazed at how well I feel and how well my body seems to be adjusting to my new sleeve. You've done brilliantly on your pre op diet so I can't wait to hear how brilliantly you do in the next few weeks/months Don't worry about feeling nervous - it's natural (frankly, there'd be something wrong with you if you weren't) but trust me, you won't regret it

[wannabeslim2014]

Thanks so much Deb! Its just funny that its taken until 2 days before I start feeling it LOL
I am glad to hear you are recovering so well after just 7 days, that is great news :-) I look forward to joining you when i'm sleeved and look forward to receiving any tips/words of advice you have xx

[DebDeb]

My top 3 items that have really helped me are:
1. My recliner - I've slept in it every night since surgery and it's made life considerably easier to get up (if you don't have one, I'd suggest getting one of those v -shaped pillows to really prop yourself up in bed)
2. My pillow - just a regular pillow from off your bed. I got my partner to bring it with him when he took me home from hospital and put it over my stomach to protect it from the seatbelt - really worked a treat! Plus I've used it ever since to protect myself from dogs/cat jumping on me
3. I bought a 'Bobble' bottle - it's a 1litre clear plastic bottle with a filter (irrelevant) and a really strong sports top. It only let's out little sips of water at a time, so is perfect for all the sipping you need to do , plus I can see exactly how much water I've consumed (you can get them on Amazon ) It's my new best friend and comes everywhere with me.

(Just thought of another couple of helpful things:
1. Ramekins and teaspoons - I'd already got these but they're really useful for heating/eating soup
2. I bought a little plastic measuring jug from Tesco's that measures cups as well as fluid ounces (it was really cheap but I've found it really useful to see what size portion of things I'm having
3. Myfitnesspal - a brilliant app for phone or (much better) tablet that let's you keep track of what you've eaten /drunk.

Hope this gives you a few ideas (to take your mind off things) X x

[Rerun4u2]

U r doing great!

[julesdeck]

I agree with everything Deb said, especially the recliner or wedge to keep your upper half elevated. I brought my own slippers to walk around the hospital in so I didn't slide around in the things they give you. Headphones and a music ap or ipod with a sleeping mask saved me while in the hospital. I was able to sleep so much more and that really helped with immediate recovery. You will do great as you have already. You have the perfect mindset to succeed. Speedy recovery and keep us up to date on your progress.

[ximmia]

It's natural to be excited and a little nervous. I'm glad that you're in a private hospital (I was based in Milton Keynes for five years) and the level of care is much better. Best of luck for Saturday, healing for you and skill for your team.

[Sunny2]

Good luck for Saturday. Done great so far and here's hoping for successful op and speedy recovery x

[maddy1957]

Good luck for Saturday hope it all goes well for you. The start of great times ahead!

[DebDeb]

The very best of luck for tomorrow - you'll do great 8 days out, I already know this is the best thing I've ever done to sort out my weight/health x

[bikrchk]

That's fantastic! You may want to check with your medical team about nail polish. Some require you to remove it from fingers, toes or both. Some don't care one way or the other. Mine was okay with painted toes, but wanted to see the nail beds on my fingers. And there will be times you don't recognize yourself. I looked at a recent group picture that I was in the other day and thought, "who's legs are those?" Face looks familiar, but the rest... I don't know her anymore! People who didn't know me before call me "tiny li'l thing" now. It's... strange, and wonderful! Best of luck in your journey!

[alyson1975]

Good luck for tomorrow
Will be thinking of you x