WillowsKnot

I have to do one bottle on Saturday and a second bottle on Sunday. My surgery is next Monday. I was told not to leave the house and be near a bathroom. Those two days I can only have Clear liquids as well and of course 12 hours before surgery, NPO. I am so not looking forward to this part. I did go out and get the TP with lotion/aloe in it though. LOL Oh, and thanks Misstxdiva for the reminder on your other post about the antibacterial soap. I'll stop and pick that up tonight. Just when I think I have it all covered. I got liquid children's Tylenol last night at Sam’s Club thanks to another poster on here yesterday! I totally forgot about getting that. I am so glad you all are here.

Are you all on Protein shakes only? Up until two days before the surgery I am allowed sugar free yogurt, sugar free pudding, sugar free popsicles, Protein shakes, strained cream Soups, chicken/beef/veg. broth., sugar free Jell-O. Four days before surgery I am not allowed to have anything with red, orange or purple dye in it though so there goes my popsicles and anything put lime or lemon Jell-O. Ok, so there are hardly any calories in all those sugar free things, but I have to admit it helps me feel like I am actually eating something. I have not found any no sugar added flavored yogurt, so I have stayed away from it, but I did bring some sugar free pudding for lunch today. I was not given Atkins induction as an option, just a list of things I could and could not have.

I know how you feel. I have had many of those same "conversations" with myself about this very thing. I am very lucky. I have a wonderful gal that I see who is actually a social worker. She has worked a lot with addiction, teens, etc. No, I am no teen, but she has a wonderful way of helping me work through things and giving me options to see what will work for me. She has never said "you need to do X". It is always, you can try this, or this might help, and there is this. Give those some thought, see what works for you and when you come back we will discuss how it went and what if anything helped and where we go from here. That is an approach I can work with. She has helped me out so much in the last 5 years. I know that I will probably end up going back to see her once I have the surgery. I have stopped beating myself up over my "failures" and started celebrating my accomplishments. She really helped me to see my successes in life and not get stuck focusing on this one aspect of my life. Not easy since it effects so many things in our lives, I know. You can do this. We all have so much negative self-talk that I don't think we give ourselves a chance. Remember that you are not alone. We are also here for you. You have support, so don't be afraid to ask for that support. Who better to understand than those who have gone before us. I know I will be here asking for support. My surgery is not until the 16th. I know I will have a lot to learn and it is a lifelong journey. It is not a diet. I think that is also what makes this different. If I can share one other thing with you that helped me get my head in the right place... a positive place for this procedure. When I had to do that 6 months of doctors’ visits, any time I got a food craving, I really sat and thought about it. What triggered it. How did I react to it (yes, I did still eat when I should not have at times). What would I change. How could I make it different in the future once I had the sleeve if it happened again. I kept notes so that I could refer back to them. I also read a saying in a weight loss surgery book that really helped me: "You can do anything afraid that you can do unafraid." and it is true. We may be afraid, but we should not let that fear stop of us from reaching our goals. Hang in there. Sleeve Guru - Congrats on your weight loss. Way to go. Seeing posts like yours really puts me in a positive frame of mind for my upcoming surgery. Thanks for sharing.

All my best to you. Can't wait to hear how you are doing. Hang in there!

Well, I am on my full pre-op diet now. I sort of eased into it before I had to be on it. I did have a grilled steak this past week and last night I had some Pasta, but now, I have gone full tilt on the liquid. I truly don't have to start it until April 11, but to be honest, I am afraid that if I don't start today, I will "fall off" and not do what I am supposed to do. So, I opted to make today, Monday, a clean break of all the old past and move on with the new. It was good read other's posts about the pre-op diet phase. I think I will get some sugar free candy and some sugar free gum in different flavors just to have that boost if I feel like I am going to stray. So far I have had a Protein Shake and now I am "enjoying" a cup of hot chicken broth. I was getting too hungry and feeling sick to my stomach. One week from today I will be in surgery and truly on my way to a new life. My congrats to all those that have been sleeved so far this month and my very best wishes to all those getting sleeved this week.

I will be anxious to see this as well. I don't need to lift on my job, but I do a lot of active gardening, and work around my own house.

I am also the 16th. I had my scope done this past Friday. Turns out I have ulcers and a small hiatal hernia. Surgeon also took a biopsy to test for H-pylori, but the results of that are not yet in. I asked if he found anything would it delay the surgery. He told me no, because there was still time to do medication. He did start me on 40 mg. of Prilosec and told me I would probably be on it for up to a year following the surgery. He said the ulcers were not "deep" that they were surface ulcers, so not really bad. I did get the pictures from my scan. Kind of neat, but yucky at the same time. LOL Today I started full liquids and will be on them from here on out. I truly don't have to start this until the 11th, but I did have a bit of a food funeral these past couple of days. Nothing really bad. I grilled a steak one night and last night I had some Pasta and some popcorn. That is the extent of it, but it is enough to make we want to get back on track a bit early and get things pointed in the right direction. I also have some fear about the surgery. Just like you cml, this is all voluntary. I am a single mom, so I keep thinking am I being selfish by taking this risk? I have talked to my kids about it and they both are ok with my decision. I have a health care directive in place as well as a will. My oldest daughter is 22 and my youngest is 14. I just keep telling myself that it is going to be ok. I will follow what they doctors tell me for my pre and post operative diet, Vitamins, not lifting anything too heavy, etc. and that is the best that I can do. Getting my health back I also feel is important for my family, so it is a catch 22. I have tried to diet on my own. Just a year and a half ago I lost 50 pounds, but I have since gained 33 of it back. I know I need this tool, so here I am with the same feelings that you have cml, but I am going to stay positive and know that I have a good surgeon, a plan for my children, and move forward. So.... Here is to all the April Sleevers (and to all those who have gone before us) and to those of us who are scheduled on April 16! Best of luck to all of us. We will do fine!!!

All my best to you.

Hi Lori. Welcome to the group. Hope you find a lot of support here. It sure has been wonderful for me. Take care and keep us posted on how things are going for you. I am in the pre-op liquid diet phase right now, counting down to April 16.

All my best to you. When you have the energy, let us know how you are doing.

PinkLyfe, I am also due to have surgery on April 16. I get my scope done tomorrow so I hope all goes well with that. I am also recovering from a sinus infection I got over the weekend, so I sent an email to the anesthesiologist to make sure that won't be a problem. I want my sleeve, but I want to wake up too! LOL So, here is hopeing that I will be on for the same day as you.

Thanks for all the updates. It has been very helpful. Glad the gas seems to be gone. That is the part that I am so not looking forward to. I sent an email to the anesthesiologist. I wanted to be sure that my recent sinus infection and cough was not going to delay my surgery. I have not heard back from her yet, but she may be in surgery. I hope I don't have any delays and can still be sleeved on April 16. Tomorrow is the ol' scope day so I hope they don't find anything there either. Keep up the healing and so glad to read the posts of those that are now sleeved. Congratulations. Hope to join you soon!

It was suggested to me by my nurse coordinator that I make some protein frozen pops for immediately following surgery when I get home. I have seen that on some of the whey proteins, it says it is not good to freeze it. Has anyone else made protein frozen pops for post-op nutrition? If so, what products did you use? I plan on using the bathroom size Dixie cups to make small frozen pops as that will be about the size they say I can eat for the first few days. Thank you in advance for any help on this.

I have not seen this product, but after watching that Dateline NBC program on dietary supplements and the bad lab testing - after what happened to that one gal when she got her product from what I recall was GNC (not knocking all their products or the store), and also know about mad cow disease, I would not want anything that came from a cow if I could not be sure exactly how it was made. Just too risky. Then one also has to consider the overuse of antibiotics in these feed lot raised animals, if this is where they get the "beef" from. Not putting down anyone’s decision to use this product, just stating my concerns and why I would not choose this. That said, I totally understand how you feel about the whey protein. It is no fan favorite of mine either but I figure it is better than losing my hair once I am sleeved here in April. I am on my liquid pre-op diet now so I am very limited, but after, when I can mix it up with some yogurt and fresh organic fruit as a real smoothie, I think I will be able to choke it down better. I ordered the unflavored to give it a try post-op in some fruit smoothies.

Destined_dva - Way to go on your surgery. Congratulations!!

Best of luck on your surgery today. Can't wait to hear how it all goes. All my best to you.

Hey Carly...Sorry I called you Cathy the other day. I really was not feeling well at all. So glad to see that you are home and are doing ok. Looking forward to all your updates and I wait in line for my turn.

Way to go Carly. So glad you are out of surgery and ok. I on the other hand managed to get sick yesterday. Went and got a Z-pack so now I hope I won't have any delays because of this. Sinus infection I think and hope that is all it is.

Way to go Cathy. So glad you are out of surgery and ok. I on the other hand managed to get sick yesterday. Went and got a Z-pack so now I hope I won't have any delays because of this. Sinus infection I think and hope that is all it is.

I just finished my pre-op appointment with my surgeon yesterday along with doing all the admissions paperwork and meeting with Anesthesiology. I still have my EGD to go. That will be April 6. I should be able to get a look at my blood work later today. So far, so good. Just getting a little nervous at this point. Well, ok, I wasn't until the doc started on all the "so I have to go over the list of risks and then you can sign the consent form". LOL That made me stop and take a deep breath! Oh well, on we go.

I was thinking the same thing about the ketones. It might be more the bile they are worried about. Bile has to do with the liver. No, I am not a nurse or doctor, I just know that it has to due with liver function and the bile duct. Best of luck, but look at it this way, they are looking out for your best health interest and at least it came up on the test. Once it is sorted out, I hope things move along again for you. Hang in there and keep us posted. All my best to you.

Sorry you are going through this. Are you having your surgery at a hospital or at a surgical center? If at a hospital, I have some things that might help you out. I work at one so pretty much know the in's and out's. Yes, believe me, I have had my fill of frustrations at times as well. Not too bad in this process, but in others, so I totally understand. Feel free to drop me a line or just respond here and I'll see if there is anything I can add that might help you out.

I have BC/BS of Kansas City and I had to do 6 months of supervised visitations with a physician. It could not be a nut. They also know exactly how much I lost each month because I had to fill out forms every month I went to see him and it included a starting and ending weight and BMI. The form also had to include what I was doing every month to improve. So I had to increase my exercise, or cut back on something new, etc. Those forms got sent to the insurance company along with the psych eval, the nut consult and a letter from the surgeon to get my final approval for my surgery. I did have a fear of losing too much (I know it seems counterproductive) because I know of several people who were denied their surgery due to this very reason. I am not diabetic, my blood pressure is only borderline and I have never needed meds for it. I have knee pain and back pain, but due to the lack of some of the other "standard" weight related issues.... I was worried they would deny me the surgery if I lost too much saying I could "do it on my own". So, each month I would lose about two to three pounds. Enough to show progress, but not enough to not need the surgery. My real weight loss has been since I got my final approval!! LOL I am no longer worried, so now I have lost a total of like 34 pounds. I also know though from experience that I won't keep it off without this surgery. I need this tool. I need this restriction, but I also know that with this tool, I can be successful.

Hi everyone. Glad to read the info on the Ninja. I don't have one or anything like it other than a standard blender, so I think I will have to check that out. I have my pre-op appointment today. I can't believe it is hear already and April 16 will be right around the corner. I am so excited. Hope all of you who are on your pre-surgical diets are doing well. Stay the course. My thoughts are with you!

April 16 is my surgery date. I am super excited. I am keeping a positive attitude. I have read about the signs of complications and am aware of them, but not I am prepared at this point for when I come home from the hospital. I have already started the pre-surgical diet, by easing into the full liquid phase. I thought it might be easier to do it this way. I made my last "big meal" a night out with my daughter. When we got to the restaurant, I found myself picking something totally healthy. Tasted wonderful, but was VERY healthy and I found myself very mindful of what I was eating and how I was eating it. It was then that I really realized that I had already made a huge shift in my way of thinking and knew I was really ready for this. Oh, I had broiled fish, steamed broccoli and a small side salad, light on the dressing. I do sugar free yogurt for breakfast, two protein shakes during the day and then eat a salad with some form of protein for dinner. At times I have some sugar free pudding for a snack. That has been my ease into the full liquid thing. I have to do the liquid phase for one week before surgery and then three weeks after surgery before moving to pureed foods. Best of luck to all of us! Happy loosing.