1-4-Many

Oh girl!! Raw chicken???? My whole last meal was bit of a waste. Maybe that was a sign. I can't wait until this is over and I'm back home. I havenow lost over 30 pounds with the pre-dieting stuff now so I can't wait until the other 50 are gone and I can start complaining about how my butt bones hurt from sitting on them. Because trust me, they have been padded for a long, long time!!!

Well, maybe my point was lost. Or maybe you really have tried it all. But I really wasn't talking about diet. Or losing weight. Or whether you eat a cookie instead of an apple. I was talking about how you think about it all. Breaking the habit of eating immediately. Breaking the habit of eating things you really don't like but it's in front of you. Breaking the habit of taking food because someone else is eating. I know I am different. I've said here before that in 2001-2002 I lost 165 pounds "on my own". Over 2005-2006ish I started gaining it back. I honestly will never know if I had had the insights I've learned over these past 18 months in this program and 2 weeks on this fast if I would have. If I had occasionally taken a window of a week to fast and remind myself of how/why/what I am doing with food, I don't know. I do know that I have gained less than half of my loss back so I do think I did one heck of a job, especially compared to some folks I know who have even had surgery. But I was in a very bad car accident years ago and will now be needing knee replacement so surgery is now important for me. I can't have knee replacement and be almost 80 pounds overweight. If you have honestly worked on the habits surrounding food, NOT THE FOOD ITSELF, if you have honestly faced why you eat, then you've done it all and should self pay. But I will also say this and I think it's the most important thing I can tell you and please understand that this speaks only to a portion of the people have WLS. Nothing is a universal rule...at least I don't think so. Not doing these things, not having these experiences, may very well be why people who have weight loss surgery end up gaining the weight back. Because it's really not about the food specifically. People who have had all of the WLS's can gain weight back and many do. Heck, there's even a term for it. I'm only suggesting that everyone needs to think of this as a bigger issue than being restricted from eating because, from what I understand, if you don't consider the other factors, you will find a way to work around the restriction and be right back in the same boat in 4 or 5 years. You are very wise to consider the complications but with a good surgeon and a good patient who follows the rules, it is pretty safe for someone who is not morbidly obese. (Actually pretty safe for all, but safer for you.) I'm guessing you will be able to get up and walk easily (my knee is the issue) and that in itself reduces risk. I'm not saying surgery isn't the right choice for you. In fact, in time they may learn doing it earlier is the smarter way to do. But I think everyone needs to be ready to think deeply about how they will need to change in their way of dealing with food. And from here on out, I will always eat only quality and send those bad foods back!

I can't imagine how difficult it would have been being around people who are eating the things I'd love to have. Even TV commercials fuel the 4 to 6 p.m. difficult time I have. But you can do it. Think of all the health issue you are saving yourself with this little bit of misery. Think about the open heart surgery you may very well be avoiding by taking the weight off now. You're in the home stretch. Personally I only wish my place, where they supplied my diet, would have let me pick the flavors. Or I wish I had tried some of them before. Because about 1/2 are okay, the other half terrible. I had some swill called a wild fruit mix and I don't know who in the world would have been able to have choked it down so that was a rough day. I find it almost disrespectful that this center of excellence didn't let people check off flavor suggestions on the sheet before out packages were packed up. But I guess they think it's not about helping in our success but in just seeing if we can meet the challenge. Good luck. Really, you are doing great and it will be over soon.

Hi all - I am scheduled for surgery Wednesday and have been doing the liquid fast. This may sound odd to some but this is an experience I wish I had done 18 months ago when I was first considering having this surgery. Every now and then I will read where someone who is about 50 or 60 pounds overweight and wanting the sleeve as their solution. Well, to those folks I would make a suggestion that they consider doing a few days pre-diet fast as a first step in evaluating their need. First, with the exception of about 2 or 3 hours a day this has not been that bad. I've been amazed at how not horrible having something like 680 liquid calories per day has been. My difficult time is 4 to 6 p.m. Otherwise, I can't explain it, but it's a challenge but not horrible. Secondly, this has forced me to really examine how I use food. Because in those first 2 or 3 days I realized that my eating was a combination of habit and fighting boredom. For instance, lunch is a way to get away from my desk for 30 to 45 minutes and away from my job. I think I always thought I was hungry when a least some of the time it was only because it was on schedule at the time to eat. And because I spend a lot of time in meetings where you just can't suddenly break out a turkey sandwich, I would eat at noon when in reality, if I had waited, real hunger might not have come until 2 in the afternoon. And the longer you push out when you eat, the fewer calories you eat in that day. And in some way, maybe utilizing liquid, I could have managed that better. I learned I ate things I maybe didn't even really like that well. That will stop. If I only have space for a few bites, it will be of what I want. You know my "last meal" was ribs with mashed potatoes and the potatoes were cold. And bad. Even with it being my "last meal", I didn't send them back. That will change. Now that I'm one day away from surgery, it makes me mad at myself that I accepted crappy potatoes at a pricey restaurant. Another growing experience which has very little to do with food. (And I don't mean I will be rude, but something like that will go back in the future.) And mostly, I now know that if I had learned to use distraction it might have made a big difference in my life. This week I've had to do other things to distract myself and it worked. A lot of the times when I was hungry I would do something and 30 minutes later realize I wasn't all that hungry anymore. I've never been a hobby or craft type person. I am going to be investigating and finding something for going forward. There are a lot of other things I've discovered. And mostly, I really do wish I had tried this at the beginning of my process. It's taught me that much. I really think this will be helpful for someone who's 350 pounds, I don't think it will impact whether or not you should have the surgery. Those of us with serious weigh issue simply can't change our lives as soon as we need to with behavior only. But for people who are moderately overweight, I think this would be an excellent learning experience. It could change some patterns, help you realize what's really driving your reach for food and help you learn new food skills that could be applied to where you are not "dieting" but just learning what food really means to you in your life. For those 50 pounds overweight, even I believe there are some who can avoid this not so easy surgical step by examining your relationship with food maybe from a different view. And the clearest way I've ever done that is to do this fast. So before you self pay and sleeve, I just wanted to put the suggestion out there. And now I'm going to ask that you send positive energy to the fat woman in Ohio on the afternoon of 4/27. I am so concerned that I am going to wig out. Surgery makes me so nervous giving up all my control. But now that I've starved all these days, if I'm ever going to do it, it will be Wednesday. Good luck to you all in this struggle. I have high hopes that in 3 months time I will have finally won the war and not just the occasional short term battle.

Regarding the bendy straws ( or any straws ) they are off limits in my program. They say that using straws takes air into your system and not only creates gas but fills space. Maybe a year from now they say we could try them again if needed but not for a good while. I like to use straws when driving so I'll test them down the road but I'm going to trust them in these first months on anything they say can create gas. From what I hear, I'll be generating enough of that all on my very own without help.

Full liquids: Rolls off the spoon as milk would. Has significant nutritional value (unlike broth). Has no chunks or pieces. So you can use a creamed Soup, add some unflavored Protein power for kick but you must strain it through a tight wire strainer so you get any pieces that could get stuck in your staple line. I plan a soup per day as I am not a sweets person and almost all of this preop diet is sweet stuff. Main thing I'd start researching is a quality unflavored Protein powder so that as you get creative not just with liquids but mushies and foods, you can make anything the protein quality you need. Or almost anything. Pre-surgery I was only taking an over the counter one a day. Now I need chewable prenatal. The one they gave me is orange flavored and tastes horrible. So that's something I'll have to find in the next couple of days. I think I could live with the brand but the orange actually gives me heartburn.

Hi again - I hope you get this message. I was interested in the Go Lean Cookies and Cream so I looked it up. According to the label it has 180 calories per serving. You need to be very, very careful as this is very high calorie for being in pre-op diet mode. I have 6 packets per day from my doctor and they are 80 calories per pack. That's all I am allowed along with sugar free Jello and popcicles if I want them. They want my daily intake to be 650 or less. I'm concerned that you have not been given clear guidelines on what this pre-op phase is supposed to be like. I really thought the Go Lean would be about 90 to 100 calories each, more along the lines of the EAS Low Carb drinks. Since you don't mention your weight or what your normal calories per day intake is, you may still be fine but based on my program's pre-op diet, I think you really need to call them and get some clarity on what your calorie/carb per day intake needs to be for your surgery to be successful. Good luck!

Everyone is so different. I can really understand your fear. While I am nervous about the surgery and my body liking being sleeved, I am not at all concerned about whether I will be successful with it or not. I know I will be. I found out that the nutritionist who worked with me most wrote in my records that she's afraid I will be "that patient who after healing and working the process of easing back into food, will frequently forget to eat." I actually lol'd. I do not see me as every being someone who will forget to eat. One of the things to remember is that you might end up down the road back into the "dieting" arena. But even if that happens if you have some rebound weight, think about how much easier it will be. One of my best friends is gastric by-passed and has been for years. She will occasionally (oddly in the summer because they do a lot of socializing) put on 15 or 20 pounds. But all she has to do is watch it for a couple of months and the weight comes back off so much easier than it ever did before. I guess it's that I know a lot of people through my support group who struggled with the lap band and have done so much better with either of the other choices. You'll be one of those too!

Don't be surprised if it does. My understanding is that a lot of unplanned pregnancies can happen after this surgery because your hormones get all excited and feel young again. And since you'll be happy and excited right along with them, welllll.......

My boyfriend is one of only 3 people who know. I'm glad I told him as he has been very supportive. And I thought he'd wonder what the heck was going on when I stopped ordering in restaurants and started eating the edges from his meals. I've lost so much weight over the years and then gained it back that everyone else will just think "there she goes again". And I'm fine with that.

My place supplied the stuff. A lot of people thought that was bad and gave me that feedback. Now I'm really glad. It's six boxes of 7 packets of powder that you add Water to. It's that simple. I've been very surprised. While there have been moments of hunger, I find that if I distract myself for a while it passes. Honestly, I have bought more eBay crap this week than I ever have in my life. My doctor requires 100% compliance to the program or he will not operate. They do a blood test and urine as well as ask you. If they open you up and can't do the surgery due to a fatty liver (which is the primary point of the diet), your costs will greatly increase as you will have to pay for a second go round. That said, I think you have the right idea about how you are "cheating". Using a low carb item will have the least impact on your body being in keotosis and burning off that liver fat. The true impact is very individualized. Where you carry your weight impacts the surgeon's ability to move around inside you, how much weight you have lost while in your program as you worked up to the pre-diet is a big factor. So it's really hard to tell. But we were told that one of 3 things would happen: If the blood/urine indicates you have not been compliant you will be sent home for a do over or 2) the surgery can be canceled after they have opened you and see that the liver is too fatty to safely work with or 3) your surgery will require larger incisions, possibly up to being open surgery. I do know a woman who was sent home for an additional week of fasting and I know one who was told her liver was very borderline and caused the surgeon trouble. But, interestingly enough, the second woman followed the pre-diet to the letter. I think it was more just a health issue with her. So do your very best, especially if your body has not been in losing mode up until now. I'd try especially to tighten down in those last 3 days before surgery. Good luck on your plan. It will be really nice to get to the place where minimal food this isn't a big deal anymore.

Yea, this old universe has a sense of humor. It can be a mean one, but there's no question in my mind now that it exists. I'm in my 50's, haven't had "that time of the month" in ages so what happens today? Yep. I know this whole thing can kick hormones into gear but I didn't think it would happen this fast or when they have been so dormant. So now I have something to be very grateful for. I can get over the cramps before surgery day. You other older women out there who are pretty much done with that phase of life but are going to be going through this.....um, might want to go buy some supplies just in case. Better to have them under the sink not needed than not to have them. Men are so lucky.

Hate you? That's my dream! I want to be posting the same thing in 15 or 16 days. I wondered if this hunger would continue post op. I assumed (and hoped) it might be less strong but I've also heard people who have said it takes a while for the lack of hunger to kick in. Nice to hear these success stories where it actually goes according to Hoyle!

I'm set for Wednesday. A short while ago I read a similar thread and one of the responders said "but you're also excited, right?", as if that's a prerequisite for having this surgery. And that simple little statement stuck with me because no, I am not excited. Don't get me wrong, the idea of looking forward to the fall and having a lot of this weight off and life being my new normal...that's all very exciting. But sitting here today looking at having this surgery which I am very fearful of, well, no I'm not excited. I am doing this because I have no choice. I can't do it "on my own" and keep it off. I've learned that lesson over and over. I personally think having this fear is normal. I think those who do not have any fear are very atypical. Oddly enough - and I can't emphasize this enough - I AM A BIG chicken -- I'm not much stressing over this. I wish I had done some things differently. But at this point I'm realizing there's no turning back for me. Time is going to march on. This is my chance to change my future so that it's not more of the same. My SO is also military and this is being done prior to his deployment next year. I know that added stress. But think about how wonderful it will be when he gets back home and you will be able to share a whole new side of life with him. Oh, and my sweetie just told me this morning that with all he has done during his military career -- propelling out of helicopters, deployments to the current war zones, trying to control riots, cleaning up absolute filth after a deadly flood -- he said that doing what I'm doing with this pre-op diet is something he could not do. He's proud of me. That helps. And I'd bet your husband is proud of you too! Good luck! If you can take a nice hot bath and soak while you talk to yourself with soothing thoughts of success and strength. It really does help. I think we'll do just fine.

I'm lucky. I live alone and work in a small office where the other people go out to lunch every day. I'm not even happy about seeing commercials on TV -- I can't imagine having to smell the food. This isn't impacting my energy level at all. I'm a lifelong insomniac and I was actually hoping I would wind down some and be able to sleep at night. That's not happening yet. I'm still hoping for it after surgery which I know would sound dumb to someone who's struggling for energy. But I'm hoping I have a few weeks between the surgery and mushies where I'm so deprived I need sleep. I know we can do this. Lots of people do. I'll just be very glad when it's over.

Right there with you. I'm only on day 4 but it's already very annoying. I have no intention of "cheating" because this way I'll know. I have lost almost 30 pounds, I did 2 days of ultra low carb eating prior to the liquid and now I'm on liquid until the day of surgery. If they get in there and I have a fatty liver, they need to close me up and start treating me for liver disease, not obesity. I'd be less bothered by this part if I felt it was necessary but I know so many people who have had this surgery who lost LESS weight during their time up to surgery and they didn't have to do this long liquid diet. I'm not diabetic, not even close. My program has very set rules. Frankly it's crossed my mind several times that I should have dieted a bit less and enjoyed food a bit more. Maybe a middle ground because at the end of the day, we are all sucking down liquid - the ones who lost 10 pounds to the ones who lost 50. Hang in there. In a month it'll all be in our rear view mirrors. And objects WON"T be larger than they appear!! lol

This is the sort of thing that drives me nuts. My place puts us on full liquids day 3. I hate that there is so much difference between programs. You'd really think there would be a consensus as to what generally works best by now. However, it's good to know that if I can only get a bit of the full liquids down in those early days it's not a big deal. And, by the way, my place tells us to get 60 grams of protein from the get. And if you try to pin them down on what an acceptable minimum would be they will not answer. They will only give the program's "standard" answer. It's annoying. You know there is a gray area.

My first NUT put in my records that she thought I would "test" my new stomach too soon and needed to be counciled about how dangerous that would be. I am a super chicken and that is one thing I KNOW I will never do. It takes me 3 days to work up the nerve to try a new med when it's been prescribed...like stuff for blood pressure. The first NUT left the practice and the second one, after my second visit with her, put in my records I was advised to buy a timer so I would remember when to eat. I am going to do that, it's on my list for next week's shopping, my last before surgery. Your comment reminded me of that whole episode. And it tell people who are reading here to know themselves and be honest with themselves while going through this process. Those who are giving advise and guidance are only guessing. Only you really know yourself.

My boyfriend is not the most insightful person. There's a salad bar I love. Actual salad. And I eat mine very close to dry. I love all those raw veggies, the tomatoes, even the onions and then dodge people for the rest of the day. But when I expressed a similar thought to him about how much I would miss those two plates of salad, he said "it's true you won't be able to have that as a whole meal, but you can have exactly that same food spread as your meals through the day and by living 15 extra years, the sum total of your food intake will be the same". Yes, he's a nerd. That's actually how he said it and he's right. That's why I'm being sleeved. I'm trying to think of it as just spreading the food out over time. Smaller quantities but more life between the meals.

Yep. Genetic heart issue here. It did impact where I could have the surgery along with all the pre-surgery tests. I actually would have liked to have gone to a different hospital but this place has the top cardiac care in town, so that's where I'll be. Since my issue is genetic (brother died from same issue) it's not yet reared it's ugly head but I have to be cautious. Glad to here there are others in this boat.

Narley trip dude. So glad it went surgically so well for you. Sounds like silencio would have been one word worth knowing. But if that's your biggest issue, you had a great trip!

My friend had hers at a center of excellence and she did have a great experience. Everything went smooth as silk. And their pre-diet was 1 opti for Breakfast was more for the Vitamins, any lean cuisine they wanted for breakfast or lunch (no desert ones) and 2 pieces of some fresh fruit (give a list, some were off limits). They have a great rep. My place does the 7 to 21 day fast depending on your health conditions. They will stand and argue me there is NO WAY this other place could do successful surgeries with letting their people eat that way right up until 48 hours before surgery. If they don't want to believe it, they won't. Surgeons are that way. You wonder if they people ever get together at a conference and review notes.

My place is crazy strict on all of their rules. This is one they are less tight on. Decaf immediately (as soon as you want it) and regular coffee at 3 months. They say caffeine irritates the stomach a bit but by 90 day you should be well past healing to where it would matter. My goal is to get back to the hot and ice tea. I have the decaf tea bags but they are just not the same. I might switch to coffee for a while. I don't mind decaf coffee.

If you do have to be sick from eating too much, is it the same as being sick because you are actually sick? Do you go through the sweats, shakes and all that working up to actually being sick? I was told dumping controls Gastric bypass folks. This would definitely control me! I hate throwing up and would probably become a hermit if it ever happened to me publicly. I've swallowed my pride and lived with be the fat one in the room. I will not be the one who pukes.

Help me to understand this. If you don't know when you are topped off, how do you learn your lesson? Do you just never eat to "full"? Is the idea that you always only eat a portion of what you could? So let's say you are supposed to be able to hold 8 ounces of food but you train yourself to stop at 6 ounces to avoid that one bite too many. At what point is this not healthy? Honest to goodness, I know this will just infuriate a lot of the people here, but there are so many times when I read here that it just sounds like this is an approved eating disorder. Fire away.....