Allergy testing, and surgery day...take 2

The all important allergy testing finally arrived.  It suddenly sunk in that it was happening after arriving home from a fabulous mini break in Auckland with some awesome school friends who are both pregant at the moment.

I arrived at the hospital and I have to say the service was very prompt.  I got to see the specialist before the time I was due.  This is almost unheard of in the public system!

I was led down to the room for testing, walked through the door and saw this:

While I am not afraid of needles - this many and knowing they were going to be tested on me - just a little daunting.

Anyway after explaining what happened to cause the reaction and going through what would happen in the testing - it started.  The results were less than spectacular.  Below, you can see my back with each site circuled where a substance was tested - there were a lot!  The only one apparently showing a big reaction was the histamine control (which was meant to).  The suxamethonium only gave a small raise and a warm feeling, nothing else.  The tests were repeated twice more, and very little was seen.

So what did she get from that?  Well it confirmed what could be used, rather than what couldn't be used.  She also recommended instead of being injected through a line, the muscle relaxant should be put through an IV drip for more control. 

Result:  It is all go on Friday!   Got confirmation from the hospital, best wishes from the clinic, and all going well by about midday on Friday (today...just in NZ)  I will become a bandit!!!

I'm excited, a little nervous, but mainly over it and just want it down so I can get on with the post-op progress.  Thanks for all your support and comments, either here, facebook, texts, emails, or even in person.  All the support has made me feel very loved, and reading others blogs has been very insightful and inspiring.

I go into the op losing 25.2 kilos pre-op.  Apparently the surgeon is over the moon with the progress.  Yay!

So what weighs about 25 kilos?

 This rather large baby

This dog

This shark

The amount of weight Kelly Osbourne lost between these two pictures!

Next post should be brought to you POST OP  :)

Pre-op Diet Week 3

Week three saw the lowest point in this journey so far in terms of energy and general strength.  My will power was tested the most this week to stay on track.  Good news - I did!

My tiredness does show physically.  Ive started getting the comments of looking wiped out, bags under eyes and looking pale.  Can see why this preop diet and in general the optifast diet is not a long term thing.  Have had a little more red than white meat this week to keep my iron levels up (and hopefully reduce paleness!)

So anyway, had a day of on the Wednesday and slept most of it.  Felt a lot better for it to be honest, and now coping a lot better.  I think with school being hectic this week with the seniors leaving - energy levels were drained.

This week also saw the first signs of looking like I had lost some weight. I have now lost 10.5 kilos as at 7th November.   My jeans are a lot more comfortable, and have got a couple of comments saying Im looking a bit different.  A couple said they can see the 9 kilos from last week had gone.  It's nice to hear.  My efforts are working :) 

My dietitcian emailed and was pleased with the progress to date.  I was worried about the dramatic weight loss from the past two weeks, but she said it would have been a lot of fluid and it would slow down.  This week it had with 1.5 kilos lost.  While I do realise it is still a good weight loss, I couldn't help but hoping for more.  I know its silly.  I'm still losing and that's the main thing.  I did ask about cottage cheese (I love the stuff - light of course).  The dietician said as I was doing long term optifast, it would be ok but to restrict the meat more.  Sorry...I like the meat too much.  I look forward to it each day.  I will live without the cottage cheese for now.  Other thing - while gross have been 'blocked up'  - finally found alpine tea at the supermarket - wonderful stuff - now very regular :)

In the mail this week was a letter from my surgeon to my GP (I got a copy) stating the surgery was going ahead on November 26th and how I had chosen Lap Band surgery, and results of the consultation and his positive opinions about my commitment to the surgery and weight loss to date.  It was good to read it in print.

There were three main tests to my diet this week.  Two involved end of year treats with my two Year 13 classes. The first, taking one class to breakfast at McDonalds.  I passed with with having a trim mocha only :).  The second was a staff shout from the Teachers College at morning tea.  Chorizo sausage rolls, little salmon canopies, chcocolate brownies etc.   I did not move from my seat all interval nursing my coffee, surrounded by all the smells of this goodness but not taking a bite.  The last was fish and chips with my other Year 13 class, easy to miss this one.  The yellowness of the batter and fries put my off and since it cooled quickly - it gets gross.  Passed!

Highlight of week - winning $70 on the Melbourne Cup in the staff sweepstake - score!

Thoughtful note of the week - a student bought me Hershey Kisses as a thank you present.  She knows what is going on, but said "Miss, I checked the expiry date and it is Jan 2011.  By then you will be able to enjoy them, so don't give them to your husband!"  Cute :)

So how many pounds is 10.5 kilos? Well it is 22.1 lbs (1.65 stone for those old school folk) - Here are some other things that are 10.5 kilos

 This fish!

 This guy's hair

And this bag of flour plus a 500g block of butter!