OMG...! Here it is...! I have my date!

2/27/08... Appointment to meet with Dr Thomas went wonderfully! He truly is a good doctor. I have been on the track to a healthier me, and have lost 4.4 lbs in the last month!

I have a unique situation. My job has given me (and everyone else) termination papers. I will no longer have a job after June 30, 2008. They are packing up and merging us with a company in Florida. Most people will be with out a job much earlier than I, so I am very thankful that I have a few months left. My dilema is that after April 30, 2008, there will not be enough people here to cover for me. There will only be 2 people left in my department by then. SO, to get the surgery while still covered by insurance (I do not know what coverage my next employer will have- don't know WHO my next employer will be), I have to have surgery and return to work by April 30. I know that my doctor likes to take his time and be sure that every test has been run and every criteria has been met before he schedules surgery. That's why I chose him. He's not into getting people in and out to make money. He is a surgeon, not just a weight loss surgeon. He is good and careful with what he does. So, I was not sure how he would respond to my request to speed things up.

I spoke to my coordinator first, and she said that as long as things are progressing in the right direction, they will do what they can. I have lost 4.4 lbs since 02/07 just by taking the advise of the dietitian. I have simply made better nutritional choices. I have met most of my requirements. I have been educated and am on my way!

I spoke to the doctor and he and my coordinator stepped out of the room for a minute. I was nervous. When they returned, he said, "well, how's April 9th for you?" I was floored! Was this really happening? Will I really be able to have my surgery in 6 weeks?? WOW! He said that since things are progressing so well, he feels comfortable getting me in asap... I simply need the time to begin the pre- op diet. !!! And so it begins...

I like that they start out so long before, so this is really a gradual thing! For the next 5 days, I will start with...
breakfast: protein shake make with 8 oz skim milk...
mid-morning snack: 1/2c ff, sf yogurt or pudding & a serving of fruit.
lunch: 3 oz lean meat, 1c non-starchy veggie, and 2c green salad w/ no more than 2 tbsp of reduced calorie dressing.
afternoon snack: a serving of fruit
Dinner: 3 oz lean meat, 1c non-starchy veggie, and 2c green salad w/ no more than 2 tbsp of reduced calorie dressing. **again**
bedtime snack: 1/2 cup of ff, sf yogurt or pudding.

After 5 days until 2 weeks pre-surgery
same as before except change lunch to
lunch:20 grams of protein supplement w/8 oz skim milk, and a serving of fruit.

Of course 2 weeks out, I switch to just YUMMY LIQUID!

Today, my husband wants to go eat out, since he feels this will be the last time we will be able to for a while. He doesn't know if I will want to go and be *tempted*while dieting. I will go and not watch my calories too closely for this last meal with him before I begin this pre-op diet tomorrow!