Lila21

Hi folks, I am a week away from surgery and suddenly having doubts and fears. I am hoping/thinking that I am just having the jitters, so I am hoping this forum can lay a couple of my fears to rest. My first big fear: slider foods. I understand that slider foods "slide" easily and don't stay in the stomach long, but can you really eat nearly as much of them as before? I worry about this because slider foods are my biggest problem. I tend to overeat on sweets, and carbs, and while I want to work on controlling it myself, I obviously have a problem or I wouldn't be here! My other big fear: hunger! I understand that many people don't lose their hunger, and I am perfectly fine with that. But, I've read a couple of posts where people say they are hungry ALL THE TIME or hungry 1/2 hour after eating. This is not something that would help me at all. In fact, it would be much worse than what I currently experience. For example, I am on the pre-op diet right now (2 shakes plus 1 meal of meat and vegetable), and while I am hungry a lot, it comes and goes, and the longer I am on this diet, the less hungry I feel. So, for me, this would be considerably worse than what I am experiencing. Here's what I really hope for out of the sleeve: a leg up: I am hoping that the restriction will help me to eat less in general, and that when I do give in to my cravings and eat "slider" foods, it will be far less than I could eat before (for example, I can probably eat a half a box of Cookies without any discomfort, and a whole box of cookies with *some* discomfort now. I can eat a large burger with fries and a shake now, with no problem, etc, etc.). So, of those two things, weigh in if you can.... what is your hunger like, and what is your experience with slider foods? thanks from the freaked-out, jittery, pre-op :-)

Gives your body a chance to adjust... so your hair won't come out in handfuls!!!

Welcome! You'll find lots of support here!

Wow, I love little food tricks like that! thanks!

I'm glad you got past your worries, but don't feel like you can't ask questions here. We are all here to support you, so don't feel like it's not OK to ask. Believe me, I've got some doozies up my sleeve! :-) BTW, I've tried Phentermine, and it raised my blood pressure almost immediately. I had to stop taking it because I felt like I was going to have a heart attack! Blech.

Here's an example from eggface: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2009/10/party-time-confetti-bites.html

As someone who is into the second week of the pre-op diet, I tend to agree. It's not a lot of fun, and I am pretty much hungry all the time (not to be a downer, but that's been my experience). Now, that might be different for you, so I don't want to make you anticipate something that won't happen, but no sense in doing it until you know for sure....

omg, i am so sorry!!! I would be ripped! After spending the last 2 weeks STARVING, I think that hospital staff would have to watch out! I hope it gets sorted out soon :-(

Will you not be eating at all over the holidays (on the liquid phase)? If so, you can just say you are on a fast. I can't tell you the number of people I know who regularly fast for health reasons 9supposedly, it cleans out your system, gives your stomach and liver a break, clears up your skin etc, etc) . And usually when people fast, they really mean a liquid diet (like they will take in juice or that lemon juice/maple syrup concoction). Hey, if Beyonce did it, you know it's popular!! :-)

I think you can easily say that you AND your husband are on a low carb diet. I know what you mean about being defensive. I really feel the same way right now. I don't know if that might change post-op, but for now, I don't want to tell the world. I figure I will have enough challenges without worrying about being judged for having WLS. On the other hand, I don't want to feel like I have to hide what I think is a good and healthy choice. I think at least at first, it's not a bad idea to keep it close to the vest.

So, from what I see, your appetite seems to have spiked at the same time you stopped taking your PPI. It seems like that functions as somewhat of an appetite suppressant (from what I've read). Maybe before you try appetite suppressants, you should try the PPI and see how you feel... just a thought. :-)

Hey there! Glad it was helpful! My little 1.5 crock is this Proctor Silex one. I love it! I also have a larger crockpot that I use when I want to make a big batch of something and freeze some of it. That one is a CuisineArt, and it's a bit pricier. However, if you don't want to shell out the buxx, I think cheaper ones work just as well!!! The cookbook is called "Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker recipes" by Hensperger. It has some really great simple recipes that should be perfect for WLS. Hope that helps. Feel free to PM if you have any questions!

I was told by the coordinator that they have two weeks to respond. My response took about one business week. Hope that helps!

OMG, I am the exact same way!!! I HATE to touch raw meat!!! I am so squeamish about it!!!

Awesome, thanks for answering my silly question! That looks like the perfect post-op tool!

I OK, I'm going to sound silly here, but looking at the picture, I can't understand how you use it. :-) Do you kind of crush the meat with it? Would you use the same motion as when mashing potatoes with a ricer? Sorry, as you can see, I am *not* much of a chef, much less a pampered one :-))

Best of luck to you, Holly!!!! I hope it goes great!!

I have these protein "bullets" (they aren't too tasty, warning!) that I can mix with water to get in protein. You could also try Nectar, which is more like a juice. It comes in flavors like lemonade and peach. Hope one of those works for you.

I've heard a lot of people say this. What I wonder is whether your tastes return eventually....

I'm a bit late to the party, but I just wanted to pipe in and say you look AH-MAY-ZING! I think there are just different ways that people cope with change. I know that for my part, a friend of mine had the lap land, and when she lost weight really quickly, since I really didn't know anything about it, I was a little worried that she'd get too thin. But, of course, she looks great and is very healthy and fine. I wasn't rude enough to mention it to her, but scared me a bit since I didn't have any education on the subject. Once I saw that she stopped losing at a healthy weight, and looked and felt extremely healthy and happy, I stopped worrying. So, it might just be that people are under-educated like I was. I think people worry anytime they see a big change, so don't take it personally--I think they are just adjusting, and once they feel confident that you are healthy and fine, they will settle in. I think you look just amazing, and I, for one, take a lot of inspiration from how healthy and vibrant you appear!

Great info!!! Thanks Tiffy! I'll verify with my surgeon. Maybe it was in the pre-op instructions that they were being strict about it (I've read and re-read the instructions, so now they are getting boggled in my mind).

I think it's pretty normal, but try not to go overboard. You need to shrink your liver prior to surgery so that the surgeon is less likely to have a problem working around it.

Wow.You are looking so great! Thanks for sharing with us!! You look so radiant and healthy, too! Congrats for all your hard work and success!