Countdown

Today is my last day of eating normally before the pre-surgery clear liquids.  I’m not going crazy or anything, but I AM having a steak for dinner tonight since I think it’ll be a while before I have that again.  I’m stocked up on protein shakes, and I have a shopping list in my purse that includes sugar-free jello and juice and fat-free broth.  Oddly, tomorrow night my dad and step-mom are coming over to visit and bringing enchiladas.  We already have plans tonight, otherwise I’d try to reschedule.  But I guess I’ll just grit my teeth and drink my shake while everyone else scarfs some chicken & green chili enchiladas.  GRRRR.

I’m nervous and very excited about my surgery on Friday.  I just want to get it over with so I can start healing and be on my way.  It’s amazing the things I’ve learned about my body over the past few months.  I’m finally starting to battle the issues that have been giving me so much trouble.  My Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome makes it more difficult for me to lose weight, and I’ve started treating that.  And my efforts will be aided by any weight I lose, since (ironically) that’s the #1 thing you can do for PCOS.  I also never knew that poor sleep had such a connection with weight gain.  And now that I’m sleeping with my CPAP, there’s a noticeable difference in how well-rested I feel and the amount of energy I have. 

I know the Lap-Band won’t be a magic fix…I’ll need to work hard to keep myself motivated and stay honest about the stuff I’m putting in my body.  I need to commit to the promise I made to move more.  Parking further away from the grocery store, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, taking the long way to get to Point B instead of the straight line, etc.  The way I see it, my band is going to help level the playing field for me.  As long as I put the work in on my end, my band will be there to support me…along with all of my wonderful family members and friends who have been so compassionate and encouraging so far.  And all of YOU, my online cheerleaders, who will continue to be an awesome source of motivation, advice and commiseration.  :)

More than anything else, I want to take a second to say thank you to my mom, who is the reason I’m able to get my band.  This isn’t covered by my insurance and so my mom stood up (well, jumped up is more like it) and insisted on helping me financially, saying that there was no price in the universe you can put on your health.  And I must agree.  But I think that will be the biggest motivator for me, honestly.  Knowing that my mom invested SO MUCH in me, I’ll want to do everything I can to make it worth it. 

Thank you, mama…you’re saving my life!!

-Mon