Lila21

Hi Dayle, Feel free to message me anytime. I know how you feel. It's a bit lonely being the only person I know going through this, but you'll find lots of support on this forum. Welcome!!

Here's what I did, and it's not too bad. I have 2 shakes as meal replacements a day. And for the third meal, I have vegetables and protein (fish, chicken, or tofu). Usually for that meal, I have a big salad with grilled chicken. I think this is doable, will keep you on a low carb regime, and keep you from starving. Doing this, I have lost 9 lbs in two weeks, which is pretty much what my doctor thinks will prep me for surgery. I hope that helps. If I feel extra starving, I'll have a snack of a half cup of cottage cheese, as well.

Hey there! I am on the 14th! Feeling much the same way! I've lost 9 lbs on the pre-op diet, and I think I am in good shape for surgery. Please post when you are out. We are rooting for you!

Yay, thank you so much for sharing. It sounds like you are doing wonderfully! I am yet to be sleeved, so stories like this really make me feel like I made the right decision!!!

Good luck to you, Leesey!!! I hope you wake up feeling ready to start your new life (and not too sore!). Keep us posted!

I've sort of resigned myself to the fact that I will likely need implants, too! But, you know, for all we have gone through in our weight loss journeys, that seems like a small blip on the horizon :-)... I just pray I will look as great as you with my clothes ON! :-))

I really feel like it's an important part of the process, and it kind of bums me out that some doctors just have you fill out a questionnaire. For one thing, a big part of this is mental. You can find ways to overeat with the sleeve or any weight loss surgery, and you should be prepared for that. And there are people who have severe eating disorders who should get a handle on their issues before they attempt surgery (I am not saying they can't do it, but bingeing and purging can be life-threatening with the sleeve and you really want a support system in place if these are your issues), and that is a serious issue that should be looked at. I feel really lucky that the psych. I met with really tried to help prepare me mentally for the changes and what kind of "head" work would be required of me.

Awww... I feel you, Tiff! That was the state of my boobs the last time I lost a lot of weight, so I imagine it can only be worse now that I am older! But, I don't love their bras, anyway. Weight loss or not, I've never thought they were that comfortable, even when they fit. There have to be some other great places that make better bras.... Don't they have custom fitted places somewhere? I'll check with my friend who is petite and wears a size "E"--she can never find bras that fit in regular stores.

The reason we are all cutting back is that you cannot drink coffee right after the operation for a while. Maybe 6 weeks? So, if you are addicted like I am, they want you to be over the addiction at the time of the operation, so you aren't having severe caffeine headaches along with everything else you have to deal with. Your doc may not require you to quit now, but, it's probably a good idea.

Wow, I appreciate you sharing this story, as I didn't know you could actually get clots around the stomach. I think you usually get warned about clots in the legs. And Pancreatitus, I wasn't too aware of either. I hope you are feeling much better now!!! So sorry you are going through this!!!

Yay, 72 lbs, you should be SOOO proud! I vote for number 8 as well! Your puppy"children" are so sweet :-)

I know EXACTLY how you feel. The only time I don't drink coffee every morning is when I am deathly ill. And apparently when having WLS :-). So, my plan starting today is to gradually mix in greater proportions of decaf into my coffee. You might still have headaches, but they won't be as bad. Good luck!

I want to be in the single digits. Especially since there are sooooo many more cute clothes in the 6 -8 range! When I wore a 10/12 I would often not find as many cute clothes. I know... it sounds ridiculous, but it's one my motivations... I LOVE clothes! L.O.V.E.

Amazing! Congratulations to you!!!

Hm, I had to fill out a multiple choice questionairre that had a lot of questions. This part was kind of a blur. I think the basic gist was to make sure we wouldn't totally freak out or had severe eating disorders. The second part was an intereview, which was really kind of helpful. The interview seemed to basically be about what resources I had in place to support me, and whether my expectations of the surgery were realistic.

Thanks Myori! That makes me feel better!!!

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

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 :-)

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!! :-)