Nancy Rivers

Good luck tomorrow. You will do just great! Please let us know how you are doing when you are able to.

At this point, don't worry about getting all of your protein in. Concentrate on getting your fluids. It's much more important at this stage to be well hydrated. The protein will come eventually.

If you go into the Nutrition section, then the Protein section there is a post pinned that has information on where to get samples. There's another post there too with ratings for the protein powders.

If you have been drinking caffeine daily, then there's a very good chance that you are going through withdrawl - which means bad headaches. That's one reason I stopped drinking caffeine a couple of months before my surgery so I wouldn't have to deal with it too. You might also be going through carb withdrawl if you have been eating a lot of carbs and now are getting virtually no carbs. Hang in there - it will be relatively short lived and it will be worth it.

First - take a deep breath. What you are feeling is completely normal. Don't let the possibility of complications scare you into a different decision. If you do that, then you would never be able to make the changes necessary for a healthier you. Any change involves risk. Not changing your habits also has risk as you are starting to find out. Sure, it's easier to NOT make the changes - but is it really worth it in the long run - weighing the complications of obesity and your current habits with the complications that come from this surgery and changing of your habits to healthier habits? You will be fine. The chances of getting a really bad complication is really, really low. It's good to know about the possibilities, but do not overly obsess about them. As far as the hernia goes - your surgeon may end up repairing it while doing your surgery. I've seen a number of people say that they had hiatal hernias before surgery and the surgeon just repaired it while doing the VSG. So, no, it shouldn't affect your surgery. When you meet with your surgeon, ask him/her what they do to ensure there are no leaks. I asked my surgeon about that since I was concerned and he told me that they did a leak test while they had me under for surgery, and then a second one the next day. In addition, he over-stitches the staple line to ensure there are no leaks. As long as I follow his diet, I should have no leaks. I still have my gallbladder - the ultra sound showed no stones, and my surgeon doesn't seem real concerned about me getting gallstones as long as I stay hydrated. Of course I'm just a few days post-op and that may change, but I hope not. If it does, then I'll have to have it out and will deal with it then. Yes, the surgery is worth it! I have already lost over 15 pounds since surgery. I never would have been able to lose that much weight on my own without it taking MONTHS - and then I probably would have regained it. This way, I know I will never regain it. The sleeve is a tool that has helped me to learn a different and healthier way of eating. I am still learning, but the tool is helping me in that. I couldn't have made those changes without the help of this tool. Only you can determine if this is right for you. But I urge you to not change your mind about doing this surgery. Think carefully about ALL options and their consequences before making your decision.

I would stay away from the caffeinated beverages for at least 6 months - caffeine is a diuretic - so it will dehydrate you. My surgeon doesn't recommend coffee at all, but I know some drink the decaf almost immediately. To know for sure, check with your surgeon/dietician as they will know what is best for you.

Too cool! That is great! Congratulations!

Congratulations! You look great!

Welcome to the forums! Congratulations on making the decision. It will be one of the best decisions you will make.

Congratulations!

Has the surgeon definitely said no yet? The way I read your message is that it hasn't been determined for sure yet. I would talk to your surgeon and find out 1) is it definite that he won't do the surgery and 2) why he won't do it. It may have nothing to do at all with your depression - it may be because of something else entirely. Really, you need to talk to your surgeon to find out for sure (and not just the "girls in the office" because they can get things wrong). Don't panic yet until you have that conversation with the surgeon.

Congratulations on making the decision. The seminar is just an informational step. When I went to the seminar, they covered each of the surgeries and told what the qualifications were. However, it wasn't until I had my initial consultation with the surgeon that I found out for sure that I was a good candidate for the surgery. Part of that determination is the surgeon and psych talking to you to make sure you are really ready for the surgery and understand everything that it entails.

Get back to your pre-op diet and stick to it - that's the best advice. It looks like from your ticker you are very close to surgery - so get back to it 100% at this point. Once you have your new sleeve, that will help you with your cravings!

Congrats on making the decision. Yeah, the doctor could refuse to refer you - if that happens find a different doctor. Also, I would check to see if there is a "pre-existing condition" limitation since this is new insurance. I don't know if there would be with ones offered through the school, but when I switched from one insurance company to another, they had a pre-existing condition limitation - they would not cover treatment for pre-existing conditions for 6 months. So, my doctor visits for treating my diabetes and the meds for it were not covered for 6 months.

Congratulations! I too am no longer hungry. However, it seems at about 3 hours my brain says "it's time to eat" and I know I should at that point (I'm eating about 5-6 times a day). It's great that I don't feel hunger anymore. Head hunger on the other hand is such a pain. Thankfully, I'm able to identify it now and deal with it.

That's terrific news! Congratulations!

Welcome to the forums! Congratulations on starting down the road to a new you! This is a total lifestyle change - but the sleeve will help with that. You are doing the right things, and while it may be hard at first, it will definitely pay off in the end and you'll be so glad to have made the changes. Keep checking around the forums - you will find a LOT of information here.

Congratulations on getting through the surgery and back home! My surgeon will not allow me to put anything on the incisions. However, he did tell me that I could take benedryl for the itching. I would ask your surgeon though before doing it just to be sure.

Congrats! Glad you are doing so well.

Don't cancel your surgery. I had mine last Tuesday. Next Friday/Saturday I am moving into an apartment from the room I have been renting. It's not quite the same as moving the entire house, but darn close to it. You'll be healing and doing great by the time you need to move.

Congrats Jim - that's awesome!

Glad you are going home - that will help too. Focus on hydration and don't worry about protein yet - it will come. Keep sipping. If one type of liquid doesn't seem to want to go down, then try a different one or a different temperature. It will get better.

So sorry you aren't feeling better. Personally, I was allowed to go to full liquid & purees on day 3 post op - once I did that I started feeling 100% better. I hope you get feeling better soon.

You need to have Protein in order for your body to continue to function. If you drink just Water then your body will go into starvation mode instead of "fat burning mode". Did you get some sample packets of different types of protein powders? That would be a good way to find one that you can tolerate. Also, if it is milk that you don't like, maybe you have a lactose intolerance. Perhaps trying something like lactaid would help. Regardless - I would speak to your surgeon and dietician about this. They need to know and could probably make some other suggestions for things that you can do.