Ups and Downs!

Let's start with the "ups".  I finally saw the scale move.  Down 8 lbs since starting the liquid diet.  I was beginning to think I was a failure a the liquid diet!  Another "up" is that I've really been faithful to the diet.  I don't know if I remember any diet that I've followed so closely.  I think it helps knowing I have a target...surgery next Monday.

Okay...now for the "downs".  Called home this afternoon and picked up on the fact that my family was planning on having hotdogs for supper.  Now, I'm a good southern girl and I REALLY enjoy my hotdogs.  I was obsessed with it all afternoon.  I had been doing so well not being hungry with this diet, but not today!  I could visualize eating a hotdog.  How sad is that!  They were kind enough to eat before I came home, but it really threw me off my game today.  Does this get better or will I find myself obsessing over food?  I never obsessed over food, overcourse I never denied myself food either.  Oh Lord...I hope this isn't a sign of what's to come!

Time for an update.

Its been a few days since I've posted an update.  I had a pleasant surprise when I went to the doctor last week.  The dietitian informed me that my liquid diet wasn't scheduled to start until Monday!  Who Hoo...I left immediately and found me some real food...and boy was it good!  I will say...that even though my liquid diet was delayed I tried to eat sensibly the rest of the week/weekend.  I was already down 11 lbs and I didn't want to gain any of that back because of a last minute splurge.

Now, I've officially been on the liquid diet since Monday.  I've been very proud of myself.  I have not cheated once...unless you consider the 1 cracker that my daughter gave me.  I couldn't turn her down.  She "fixed" it just for me!  I'm really struggling to find protein drinks that provide the nutritional value that my dietitian recommends.  I found some Pure Protein at GNC, but boy is that expensive!  Any tips on good protein shakes?? 

Here's another question...is it normal to be on the liquid diet for - now 4 days - and not lose a pound!!!  Could I really be screwing up a liquid diet????  I think I need to find a lap band mentor to give me some advice.  Any takers??

Liquid Diet eve...

So its the night before my liquid diet starts....I'm no more prepared than I was a week ago!  I think I have 6 chocolate protein drinks, 3 cans of soup, and some sugar free pudding/jello.  I have an appointment with the dietitian tomorrow so hopefully I'll leave there feeling a little more confident that I am right now! 

One of my biggest fears is "buyers remorse"!  Did you have it?  If so, how did you get over it?  My heart is racing just at the thought of what I'm about to do!  I know I'm doing the right thing and I truly believe I am ready...despite my last minute "cold feet" episodes!  I'll just continue to read other blogs and seek out much needed encouragement!

Panic is starting to set in...

My liquid diet officially starts on 1/12.  I went out tonight to start shopping for my supplies.  Walked into GNC....and I was completely lost.  I just stared at the shelves...one, not knowing what I was looking at and...two getting blown away at how expensive everything was.  This is the same dilemma that I always face.  I don't know how to find the right foods, supplements, etc.  And when I do...I hate paying so much for them!  I'm so afraid that if I don't have several weeks planned out that I will find surely flounder after my surgery!  I need help!!!

New Year....New Me

Ready or not....my life is about to change.  My surgery date is set for Jan. 31st.  I start my liquid diet in a few short weeks.  Its taken me a year or more to get this point.  I came close once before but chickened out.  I was fearful of losing the life that I had become accustomed to.  A unexpected trip to the ER for tingling in my arm was the "kick in the pants" that I needed to restart the process.  I could have had the surgery before Christmas, but I found out that I have a large cyst on my left ovary.  After MANY conversations with my doctors, I've decided to have the ovary removed at the same time as the band.  Needless to say that was a scary decision for me.  I don't want to add any complications to my lapband surgery, but I don't want the extra risk of double surgeries.  My OB assures me that the risk of infecting the band is small - really no more risk than is already there. Every doctor I asked all leaned toward combining the surgeries.  I hope I've made the right decision!