Supervised Weight Loss Classes

So, I had my first supervised weight loss class today. All in all, the class was very informative. One of the big things that I learned is that I start post-op diet... well, now. I do not start eating the 2 oz. meals, but, I do have to switch to a high protein, low carb diet that will be the same diet that I will have post op. I also learned that literally, bread, pasta, rice, and most of the grains that we normally eat are off limits. So are peas, and corn, and potatoes. Oh boy. My husband and I started talking about the diet, and it's a big change, which we were expecting, but we weren't expecting it quite this soon. It's ok, after tonight, which is kind of our last hurrah with carbs (We're ordering Chinese for dinner... and not healthy Chinese either), we start the diet tomorrow, and will stick to it.

I also learned that I don't have to do a liquid diet two weeks before surgery. Since I'll be on the same diet that I'll be on post-op, my liver will shrink anyways. I will have to start taking dietary supplements, since they want our bodies used to them. I was already taking calcium, but the calcium I was taking was calcium carbonate, and they say to take calcium citrate. I was also already taking a multivitamin, so, I was good there. My new addition is the Vitamin D3. I have to take 1000mg of calcium citrate a day, split into two doses, and 3000IU of D3. They also talked about the fact that we'll have to take protein supplements between meals for a while post-op, since we won't get enough protein in our 2 oz. meal. We're still supposed to be drinking 64 oz. of water, and post-op, we are not going to be allowed to have carbonated beverages or caffinated beverages, so, those stop now too. That's not a bad thing, since I didn't drink a whole lot of those to begin with.

They gave me my lab orders, which I can't do for two weeks, because of a breath test, which tests for a bacteria in the stomach that can cause ulcers. Why will it take me two weeks to take this test? Well, I'm on Prilosec for acid reflux, which can cause a false negative. So, I have to switch to a Zantec or Prevacid for two weeks. After the test, I can switch back.

The dietitian was very nice, and very down to earth. She didn't preach, but explained things in a concise and friendly manner.

I did learn tonight that I have another mandatory class that they didn't talk about at the seminar, which is a balance and exercise class, but it's only one. However, if I would like to go to subsequent programs, they're free up until surgery. After that, there is a fee to go to those classes. I don't know if I will, I'm not really a joiner. But then again, maybe I'll like it, I don't know. I do that class next Thursday.

Something kind of cool that the schedulers at the surgery office does is they schedule your next few appointments, for you. For example, I have my psychologist follow-up in June. They scheduled that for me, but I had to go ahead and reschedule it, since it conflicted with work.

I also learned tonight that they have no problem with pushing surgery back, they just can't move it forward. Which is good, since my classes will be over in October, and we go on our cruise in November. Couple that with the fact that Brandon can't take another vacation until January, and I'm looking the first of the year for surgery. That's ok. That gives us plenty of time to get our ducks in a row.

Sorry that this was kind of a long post, but I had a decent amount to cover. I'll write more when I have more. :)

~♥~
Lady D