Drop It Diet

So tomorrow I head back to UTSW for some more tests. Everything is moving and grooving, and so far my tests are coming back well.

But...

I'm 17 pounds away.

So, it's time for the big guns. The endocrinologist is super busy, and even though I'm on the wait list, so far I haven't had any luck getting my appointment moved up from the end of August. My pre-transplant coordinator is pulling all the strings she can find to get me in earlier, though.

I am doing my Weight Watchers thing, but it's slow. Really slow.

I was emailing with a few folks today: my pre-transplant coordinator, my nurse, and my renal dietitian. I had been wanting to try a variation of the pre-bariatric surgery diet. You know... The one that's like 700-800 calories, almost all liquid, that helps to shrink the liver and reduce weight quickly a few weeks before bariatric surgery? Yep. That one.

But I was nervous.

See, on dialysis, my blood levels are a finely tuned machine. One thing gets outta whack...too much salt...too much phosphorus...too little potassium...and the whole circus comes to a halt. I get nauseous. Or really sleepy. Or my legs start cramping. It's like trying to ride a Ferris wheel on an uneven foundation.

So tonight my dietitian helped me modify a common pre-bariatric diet for someone in renal failure. I'm calling it the "drop it diet."

It goes a little something like this...

7 am protein shake (low-phosphorus) and apple or strawberries

9 am v8 (low-sodium) and 1 hard-boiled egg

11 am 4 oz sugar free jello

Noon protein shake (low-phosphorus) + raw veggies

2 pm 4 oz cottage cheese

4 pm sugar-free jello

5 pm 3 oz. grilled chicken + steamed veggies

7 pm low-sodium v8

I know several people who did a diet like this before their bariatric surgery, and they dropped 10-20 pounds in a couple of weeks. I know, I know...but wait? Is that rate of weight loss sustainable? 

Frankly, my dear....I don't give a damn.

My pre-transplant coordinator told me today that she's going to get me in to see the surgeon soon. The surgeon will most likely be the one to issue the "green for go" or the "yellow for whoa" on this whole transplant thing, so I'm going to do my darndest to ensure that, when I have that appointment, the surgeon will not be able to tell me no because of 17 stupid pounds.

So, my faithful support team, cheerleaders, and prayer warriors.... I'm rallying the troops. This is my battle cry.  Please send me all the war whoops, prayers, good juju, and positive vibes you can in the next two weeks. Let's DO this!

#teamkidneyforthewin #firmupmable #putonyourbiggirlpanties

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