Information is power! (This is a bit of a long one)

The past three days have been a bit painful, encouraging and very informative. I know...quite the combo. Let me explain. On Monday, I had an appointment with an Internal Medicine doctor. Well, not doctor but a physician assistant, Matt Cobb. He was referred by the center that I am going to. I got there and had no idea what to expect. We had a great conversation and as we was getting my history, he asked when my last tetanus shot was. I told him never. I make it a point to not go to the doctor, especially if there may be a chance of needles involved in the visit. He wasn't about to let me go without a tetanus shot. I had heard that they hurt like crazy but I remember my dad getting them on a regular basis...but that could be just my memory going in my old age. I got the shot and have felt really good and just knew that the extra fat in my arm kept my muscle from aching. Well...I was wrong. It feels like someone hit me in the arm with a softball...at full speed. Loving it! He also took blood tests to make sure all is well and today I got the results and I am all good. Whew!

I was very excited for Tuesday. I had an appointment with my surgeon, Dr. Cottam. He just moved to this practice from Las Vegas and is the nicest guy. I feel very comfortable with him. He asked me why I chose the Lap-Band over gastric. I told him I had very few reasons. First, it was less evasive. Second, I had a gut feeling (no pun intended) that it would be the best for me. He said those were valid reasons. He talked about the basics of the surgery. Instead of me going into a bunch of detail, go here http://www.obesitylapbandsurgery.com/tecmain.html. He said I will start out on a clear liquid diet for a couple of weeks. Then on to a full liquid diet. Then the next step is soft mushy foods. The main thing I heard was that I will be eating 3 meals a day and each meal is 4 oz. I know, I know...4 oz. My non-4 oz thinking mind was blown. BUT, I will have a smaller place to hold food so I will be fuller faster and longer. We eat according the size we are because our bodies are trying to maintain these bodies. In the beginning, this surgery is basically forcing me to eat less. Overtime, it is going to have to be up to me on whether or not this works. I can't imagine going through this whole thing and going back to old habits. This is such a huge journey and I am getting more and more hits of the reality of it everyday.

Today was the required Nutrition After Surgery class. They reiterated in quite a bit more detail what Dr. Cottam said but the basics are lean cuts of meat, fruits and vegetables and water will be my life...for the rest of my life. I can't drink anything 30 minutes prior to eating, during my meal or 30 minutes after my meal. The rules to follow are good for anybody: Take your time when eating, follow stages of meal plan, Limit your portion size at meal times, avoid foods with simple sugars and adequate protein intake is essential.
Some of the side effect that could occur are (ready for this one?) nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, food can get stuck, stretching the pouch made by the lap band, some hairloss (but that doesn't last very long. Just have to get that protein in and it'll all be ok.)
I wish I could give all the the information that I have received. This is just a sample of it which looking at the lenth of this already, I'm sure ya'll will be ok without it.

I am so incredibly excited for this. I don't have a date yet. I have some other classes I have to go to as well as get a psychological evaluation, I have to talk to the dietician one on one and the chick that in charge of the exercise evaluation. Not too many steps but I am still shooting for the Friday before Thanksgiving. I'll let you know if that is a go soon. I love you all and please keep me in your prayers. I need all the help I can get these days. Things are moving along pretty quickly so, you should hear from me soon.