April 19/11

So it is four weeks till I go for my P.A.T.T.S and just over a month until I start my Optifast!  I have it sitting  my shelf in my kitchen, and every day it reminds me of how close I am to my surgery!

 

Ive been reading and hearing for months and months now about how horrible Optifast is and how hard it is to take.  I'll admit it got to me and it almost makes me want to try a package now just so I know what Im getting into! 

The amazing part about the forums that I read is that for every post that says how awful Optifast is, there is another one with suggestions on how to make it taste better!

There was one particular post by Tracy112205 that was so helpful that I had to write it down and share with others for when they have to go through this stage as well!  I plan on trying as many of these as I can, and I will let you know which ones worked best for me!

OPTIFAST IDEAS
* always use extra liquid  and lots of ice (the colder the better)

VANILLA
~Root beer extract
~Cinnamon
~Cold Decaf Coffee
~Pineapple passion fruit Crystal Light, Rum extract, Coconut extract,   Banana extract (instant pina colada)
~a splash of Sugar Free caramel syrup
~one tsp of decaf instant coffee and Maple extract

CHOCOLATE
~Coconut extract
~Sugar Free caramel syrup
~Mint extract (Ive been advised to use a small amount as it is extra strong)
~Orange extract
~Banana extract
~strong decaf mint tea
~cold decaf coffee

I also read that the DaVinci Syrups are really good as well.

I know I seem to be preparing for the worst, and although Id LOVE to be the odd one that actually likes Optifast ... Im going to load up on this stuff.. just in case!  Having to take four packages a day for 3 weeks is too much of a gamble not too!!!

April 11/11

Today is a GREAT day!!!

My husband and I were an hour early for my final appointment with Dr. Hagen because I was so excited and nervous about being late lol... I hardly slept last night because I was so ready to hear what he had to say! 

He came out to grab another patient and saw me and stopped to say hello!  I love the fact that my tattoos make me unforgettable hahaha!!!!

Our appointment was very quick, which I love.. hes very straight to the point!  He looked over my chart and read what the dietitian and social worker had to say.. which were all good... and said, "Lets get you your date!"  My heart almost exploded!

So, my surgery with Dr. Hagen is scheduled to be June 14th at HRRH  :)  I know it may not be as soon as I wanted... but two months isn't really that much longer to wait considering the alternative lol

I go for my pre op appointment on May 19th.. also known as PATTS (Pre-admission Teaching and Testing Clinic which they say will take up to two hours.  This is when I will meet with the nurse, and anesthesiologist, and get some blood work done. Plus they will be going over the Optifast and what to expect surgery day etc... cant wait!!!!

I start my 3 weeks of Optifast on May 24th... (the day after the long weekend!  Good timing LOL) They didn't ask me what kind I wanted.. but gave me three shoebox size boxes of vanilla and 3 of chocolate.  That's what I was wanting.. but I'm sure I could have asked for more of one or the other if I wanted... I'm really glad I brought the heavy duty shopping bags from Metro to carry them ... the boxes are thin and aren't very sturdy... lol so I highly suggest bags if you are taking a bus there and back!!!

I am definitely excited... but I really don't think it has hit me yet.. LOL

So my whole pre-op journey from referral to Surgery date is 11 months minus one day lol... my referral was sent on July 15th, 2010