So Cal Kurt

It is all very normal. Pre-op was the hardest thing for me. From here on out, it is all a mental game. If you weren't nervous, something would be wrong. Good luck, a new life is awaiting.

I have been following this post and wanted to add something else. Perhaps it's my age (50) and the fact that I am a man, I really didn't see any negativity towards my WLS. Most people my age are fighting age/weight related conditions and I think we tend to look at this for a different reason. I don't agree that obesity in itself is a desiese, it is a condition brought on by underlying issues and contributing factors. Looking back in retrospect, if I could have wad this surgery at 30, I would have been able to avoid Diabetes, High blood pressure, high cholesterol and all of the other obesity related issues that I developed by the time I was 40. I think every one of us has addictive personalities and our over the top behavior is what leads us to morbid obesity. Even if I haven't extended my life by a single minute, I have increased my quality of life ten fold. THe life of a morbidly obese person can't be understood by someone that hasn't ben there. I was fortunate, I am hoping I was able to save myself from me. I am a year into maintenainance, been sitting at between 185 and 190 lbs for the last 13 months. I have learned to live my life again and removed the unhealthy relationship with food that I had cultivated for 48 years. If people don't understand your struggle, surround yourself with supportive people that will. No person is an island and you need plenty of support. Seek face to face support of others in your area that know what you are going through and can share their experiences with you. We learn form each other as we are giving to each other.

Don't let their negativity or lack of understanding dissuade you. VSG is by no way an easy way out but speaking for myself, it is the only way I have been able to maintain a substantial weight loss. This is a tool and nothing more. Once your friends see the changes, hopefully they come around. You might be wise to keep it to yourself and people you know are going to be supportive. You are doing this for you and no one else.

You should be having a better time shortly. I remember wondering when I went to my 2 week post op visit and they were saying that I would work up to 1500 calories I thought no way. Keep up on your fluids and keep up on your protein and keep up on your vitamins. If you fall a little short on protein don't sweat it. It does get easier, I promise.

I see people all of the time that I am compelled to say, "there is a better way to live your life". Out of respect, I don't. I do share with anyone that askes though. A few months back at my support group, a woman came up to me and said I was the reason she had VSG. I talked in front of the information session and answered their questions about my journey and what to expect. I have to admit, it felt so good to be a positive inspiration.

I never had any physical problems due to my sleeve. The mental end was another story. It took me a few months to adjust to a totally new lifestyle. There are some dificulties with bread and other doughy things early on as well as veggies with a consitancy of anything harder than mush. Those all wane by 6 or 8 months though. After that, you are only limited by quantity and the self imposed restrictions.

Did your Dr give you a stool softener such as ducolax? If not, you might want to ask him for a prescription.

Get as much walking in as you can pre surgery then start up again as soon as possible post surgery. Good luck!

ONce again, Different Drs have differnt opinions. I was a shift worker so caffeine was a neccesary evil. I asked if I caould have coffee and was told as long as it isn't a high calorie Starbucks type of drink I was fine and to use it in moderation. BTW, in the UK, they count coffee as water. I think I will go by the UK rules to get my fluids in!

I don't think I have ever had dumping although I have had some ill effects from deep fried food early out. Sugars usually trigger dumping in VSG and even at that it is very rare. Dumping can occor in anyone WLS or not. I have always used half and half in my coffee, one of the things I always allowed myself even when I was in the "losing" stages. At this point in time, you will be struggling to get in 600 calories a day so I wouldn't worry about it. Every nut and every Dr have their own opinions. I have come to find that most of them just cut and paste an RNY diet and don't even bother to look at the VSG diet as anything different. I was lucky, my team did and taylored my eating and drinking plan to the VSG and everything worked. Good luck and welcome to the losers bench!

I would stay away from powdered or non dairy, usually has more carbs.

If you are on full liquids, I would say cream is fine. You can also cream your coffee with some mixed up vanilla protein. Clear liquids is another story.

Have you noticed, toss the bun is pretty much universal from everyone that has posted? If you want to have a bun, ask for it extra toasted (crispy) and still chuck most of it. Protein, protein, protein! I rode my motorcycle the Sturgis rally in 2010, 8 weeks after I was sleeved. I was miserable because I was so unprepared.I satyed 2 nights and came home (1300 miles each way). Good luck on your trip, you are going to do great!

I only use shakes as a supplement and only a few times a week if that. Are you tracking what you are eating(and drinking) and counting for all of the carbohydrates, total calories as well as the protein? You might be surprised by what you find.

Take a cooler and I would opt for hard boiled eggs, cottage cheese, ready to drink shakes, cheese, greek yogurt, meats and some crackers. You are too fresh out for things like protein bars. ALso try Fast food burgers(no bun), KFC grilled chicken and mashed potatoes, Grilled chicken and refreid beans from any mexican place. Wendy's chili or their grilled chicken wrap (ditch the tortilla) There are lots of choices. You should be able to find something almost anywhere. Also McDonalds will sell you scrambled eggs ala carte. That with a half of an english muffin (extra toasted) is a really good breakfast. Fruits and veggies probably still give you some problems so I would stay away from those. Also have some Gas-X (or the store brand equivalent) on hand for in the car when your stomach gets gurgley.