optasia

I haven't have the surgery yet, but I'm wondering if there are any people out there who used to drink a lot. I don't mean alcohal, but diet sodas and Water. I take huge gulps and will go through several glasses during a meal. Here's what I'm wondering...how much can you drink in a day, during a meal and at a time? I mean, could you sit down and drink an entire glass? I'm just a thirsty kind of person (not diabetic) and the job I do is very physical, so I sweat and gulp water. How much at one time can I get down in the first couple of months? I'm concerned I'm going to feel faint while working. Also, diet sodas....how did you give those up?! Can't imagine.

So I'm wondering....the problem is that the liquid moves the food quickly through, so you don't get that full feeling, right? I wonder if that's the same issue for people who haven't had the surgery like me. I'm so busy drinking and eating that maybe if I just slowed down the food could sit and I'd get a chance to feel full?

Jumping in on this real quick...I haven't had the surgery yet, but was wondering if during the puree stage, do people ever eat baby food?Ha! Sound ridiculous, but I wonder if that would be disgusting or not so bad and super convenient?

Thanks everyone! I'm thirsty just reading this post. Guess I'll have to work on this. I had a friend who had the surgery and I was asking her how she dealt with eating in front of people at first. She said she would take a small bite, then sip some water. Doesn't seem like she was following the rule, but I guess that worked for her.

I came back to this site this evening to do a little research. I've been thinking about getting the surgery for years and even went through the classes and met the surgeon. I backed out because I had actually lost a good amount of weight (through counting calories and walking, go figure) while in the class. I'm back up 20+pnds and have been thinking about moving forward with the surgery. Here are my concerns based on what I've read here and there (so you post-op people may be able to help): 1. I'm worried that I'll have very low energy. I have kids and an incredibly busy schedule (don't we all). Is there something to counteract this? Vitamins, etc? 2. I'm also worried about depression. I tend to be a little low anyway and I've seen a few people who experience this following surgery. Why is this? Is it a hormonal issue or regret or what? This is the biggest of my worries. 3. Is there any food I could never ever eat again? I will I eventually be able to eat most anything in moderation? I don't like the idea of life without chocolate. I'm sure there are a gazillion concerns I left out, but this is it for now. Thanks!

You're all making me teary. Thank you for the responses!! I'm also struggling with the fact that I did lose weight on my own before. I was working ym way to a half marathon even. The surgery is a tool...I get that. I'm going to have to get my head in that place to deal with stress, etc. anyway.....I wish I could do it now instead of after surgery. Hoping this makes sense. The other issue....Did you tell people?? I really wouldn't want my in-laws to know because they have strong opinions about everything. I'm guessing I'd get down small enough for it to be obvious that I was doing something. I just figured I'd tell them I'm eating less, but I worry they would know. And then they'd stare at me any time I did have something to eat. How did you handle this?

Im reconsidering surgery after going through most of the class a while back. I even went as far as seeing the surgeon, but I never really felt like it was for me. I'm still not sure. I had lost quite a bit of weight during the class through simply counting calories and walking almost every day. Of course, I realize that is still something I'll need to do,however, the smaller stomach would be helpful! I'm curious as to how some of you are doing now that it's been a year or more since the surgery? What do you eat? Do you have any regrets? My biggest thing (and I know I need to stop anyway) is Diet Coke. I see it says no carbonation after surgery. Not sure I can do that. Ha! Anyway....would love to know how you're all doing now. Physically, emotionally, etc. Thanks!

Hi, I"m new in the process and am trying to think ahead. What kind of Protein drinks do you drink? I have a chocolate whey Protein Drink that I like and I was wondering if that would work? Or is it a specific kind of protein drink? Also, I'm wondering, aren't Protein Drinks high in calories? I see there is a new protein drink about by Special K and wondered if that would work too. Their bars are pretty good. Anyway, thanks!

Hi Everyone! I'm half way through my required classes at Kaiser and received a phone call to meet the surgeon. For some reason, they are fast tracking me. Yikes! Not sure if I"m ready for this. Anyway, they have assigned me to Dr. Suh in Corona. Has anyone worked with him? If so, what is his pre-op diet like? I was hoping to choose a specific doctor in San Diego, for he (from what I've been told) is so realistic about your diet after the surgery. Anyway, would love to know your experiences with Dr. Suh. Thanks!

I have an appt. with the surgeon this week and there is a possibility that they can get me in for surgery by August. Problem is, I'm still undecided. I've been going through the motions , but still don't know what to do. What I know: I do know I simply don't want to have the surgery. I do know that I need to lose 100pnds. I do know that I have to lose the weight, count calories and exercise whether I do the surgery or not. I do know that I lost 80pnds before (ok, fine. And gained some back). I do know that I have currently lost 20+pnds with little effort. I do know I need to do this for myself and my family What I don't know: I don't know if I can be consistent and keep going (weight loss wise) on my own. I don't know that I can commit to such a stringent diet following the surgery (well, I would for fear of hurting my stomach, but I may not be a happy or nice person and that scares me). I don't know how to react to people who don't understand the surgery (if I had the surgery). I don't know how I'd handle eating in front of people. I don't know how I'd feel about myself if I did do it. I felt such great pride when I lost it on my own before. YES, I know wls is just a tool and it requires just as much work. I don't know how well I'll recover or if there will be complications (duh. no one knows, but I had to write this) I don't know how much of this weight loss thing is in my head. I CAN lose weight by eating in moderation. It's not a physical thing FOR ME. So, if it's more in my head (for whatever reason), then maybe I should go at it from that angle. I don't know. If I don't do it this Aug, and decide later I do want it, it would have to be the following summer. That's a long time to wait. I also have friends doing it (No, I don't want to do it because of them). I know when I see their rapid weight loss I'm going to feel bad that I'm not losing it as quickly (if I don't do the surgery). Completely undecided. Thanks for letting me vent.

Wheetsin and Becca, Thank you!! Wheet...it isn't physical in the sense that my problem isn't overeating due to a physical issue (whatever that may be). I must eat for a head reason. I just don't know what it is. I LIKE to eat! : ) This is certainly something I am not taking likely. I think about it (and pray) every single day. I'm confident people can be successful either way. Plenty have lost significant amounts of weight without the surgery and kept it off. It's going to take LOADS of work and commitment either way. I've never considered surgery until the last 5 mo or so. Obviously I'm going to have to continue with the process and give myself some time to decide and be at peace with it.

Thanks everyone! What I meant by 'I do not want to have the surgery' is.... I wish I could do it on my own. And of course I don't want to be cut open and risk my life (even more so). Who does?!? I don't want the surgery, but I need to do something that will stick and give me a shot at a long, healthy life. If nothing else works permanently, then maybe surgery is what I'll have to do. So, in re-wording my post....I do not WANT to have the surgery, but maybe I HAVE to. I started the process of going to Kaiser classes to get info and to force myself to think about my health every week (I do it daily, but checking in is nice). The surgeon's office contacted me first. I had no clue they would fast track me. Amanda....I love your thinking! I DO need to think ahead as to who I will be and how I'd think about doing something so risky. This is what I want if I had the surgery.... I want to have it, recover fairly easily (no guarantees, I know), and simply use the tool to eat in moderation. I don't care to pig out. I just want to eat the things I like in moderation (3 oz is even ok) and be satisfied. Period. I find the list of Do this and Don't do that overwhelming. How much Protein, how much Water, how many carbs, when to eat, when to drink, when to walk...I guess it all comes down to baby steps. One day at a time. Thanks again everyone!

After all the research and thinking this is what I need to know. Will I ever enjoy food again? Or will it forever be just for fuel and a struggle to eat? Is this why some people feel so blue? I don't want to mourn the loss of food. I want to know that one day I can truly enjoy it in moderation, just like a healthy-sized person would.

Forgot to say THANK YOU a gazillion times over for your opinions and for sharing your experiences. : )

Honestly, I picture myself walking around like an angry zombie. Strangely unfeeling, but REALLY cranky. I think it would be torture to WANT (in your head) to eat, but not be able to. On the other hand, it would be just as awful to dislike eating. Am I making sense? I don't want it to change who I am. I know I am not defined by my eating, but it is a big part of me. I dont' mind it changing. I need to change. I just don't want to be a bitter/bitchy (even bitchier, my family might think : ) person. I want to enjoy food when I eat it, but not crave it so much and be satisfied with just a bit. Don't know what to think.

I'm wondering at what point do you feel normal? I understand you feel different in the sense of eating, but when do you feel you have enough energy? When do you stop worrying about hurting your stomach? When do you simply eat and drink without thinking it through so much? Is there a day where you dont' think about the surgery and what you've done and just live and enjoy the day? For those of you who had the surgery done 1 or more years ago, why do you still come to the forum? Is it because you still need support or is it because you simply want to help others? If you still need the support, why? What is it? I guess I'm hoping after surgery I could just move onto my new normal life. Thanks so much!

At my Kaiser class I received a list of things to NOT have. The teacher didn't say one day we could have these things. It was NEVER. 1, Sugar 2. Caffeine 3. Salt 4. Carbonation, etc...... So....I have a problem with Never, Ever. Obviously. I know I've seen people on here who eat regular food and drinks, but in moderation. Why does the teacher at Kaiser say "never"? Is it because it will harm my stomach in some way (I have not yet had the surgery) or is it that it will keep me from losing weight? I can handle having it in moderation, but not ever. So, I need to know why I can't have these things on occasion? I have to be honest. I love Diet Coke. I think it's the carbonation more than anything. Not sure how to work through this. HELP! and THANKS! : )

Nannie, good to know I could have a bit. MLD...Now THAT is funny/a little sad. During my class I was surprised to see how many people didn't know how to count calories. Honestly, I feel like I KNOW what to do to lose weight. I lost 80pnds before just eating moderately (counting calories) and exercising. It's a head thing for me and I wish I could work this whole thing from simply that angle.

Thanks everyone! You mentioned sweets making you feel sick....do you still crave them though? That would be torture! One last thing.......Will I still enjoy eating? Will the experience last long enough to enjoy the smell and taste? Or will I always struggle to eat and do it just for fuel?

Thanks you two! So I will mourn food because I still crave it? I guess I was hoping I wouldn't feel hungry....so much so that I wouldn't crave food. I'm concerned about visiting in-laws for Christmas, for I will be 4 months out by then. I'm hoping I will feel a bit more normal and be able to eat in front of others comfortably.

Thanks so much everyone! I don't mind not having these things for a while. but I want to know I could indulge moderately on occasion.

Glad you brought this up. I will be traveling and seeing family during the holidays and I suspect I will be about 4months post-op. I'm hoping I'll be able to eat normal, healthy food at that point? I just want to blend in. Good luck to you!

Ok, the 6 inch tube thing sounds like a nightmare. I'm assuming that's the drain. And you took it out yourself?! Holy cow!!!

I'm thinking it's natural to be concerned about losing the one physical attribute that you like about yourself (Britney, I think this is what you said about liking your hair). I'm 40something, don't have great hair, but feel a bit apprehensive about it too. So, just because it's a concern, doesn't mean she's young and vain (and if you are young, that's ok too! : ). AND....don't tell me that some of you, in addition to simply being healthier, aren't excited about LOOKING good too. You're not vain are you? With all that said, good health and a long life are most important, so I'm certain Britney will make the best decision for her. Give her a chance to work this out in her head and on this forum without judging and labeling.

I'm thinking the outspoken poster must've lost some hair. ; )