MinaT

DUPLICATE POST ... Correct thread located http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/39508-june-sleevers-compilation-good-luck-well-wishes/

Continue posting here on June dates, I have gone through every post in in June section and made a sheet with all the surgeries to this point and their dates, as well as a few tentative possible June Sleevers and will start a Compilation of June Sleevers dates in order for well wishes, thoughts, prayers, etc.

June 4th here. I made a list of all the June sleevers up to this point and if you all keep adding to this section, I'll post the list in a new section for Good Lucks, Well Wishes or Prayers. I will edit and add to it as people continuing posting their dates. If there any mistakes please feel to send me a note.

I have severe dry eyes and mouth due to medicines I must take for Glaucoma and Lupus. I take two flaxseed oil every day which helps with my eyes and I use Biotene Mouth Wash (can get at Walmart/Walgreens) at bed and if I wake up in the middle of the night, I use it, it's for dry mouth.

I know you are disappointed, but the pain will subside and and six weeks, you will be stronger and more importantly, healthier to be able to handle the surgery. You went this far for a purpose, and for your life and your health, in the long run putting your family through this again is worth it, you are worth it!

The first place fat gets stores is the liver. It has to do with how much fat and carbohydrates you are consuming prior to surgery. As you eliminate the carbohydrates and eat sensibly the fatty liver will disappear. Skinny people can have fatty liver, it's not about your bmi or your size.

This is definitely a wake-up call for those pre-op. You can take steps in advance to make the pre-op diet easier by boosting your Protein and cutting your carbs now before your shake pre-op. For those that don't have to do a special diet, it's surprising so many doctors expect it and require it, if your doctor doesn't at least take some steps yourself. It's your body and if all these doctors think a smaller liver is safer for surgery, then it's up to you to do your part. I understand last dance and last chance, I went out for steak hibachi and had a very small portion of fried rice 2 days before my pre-op shake diet. I ate sensible Soup & small skinny turkey sandwich the day before my pre-op shakes. We all have had last dance- last chance for food our entire life which got us here. Pick your last chance - last chance meals as though this surgery is important to you, count your carbs, throw in a Protein Shake once a day, cut all soda's, add more Water, and for those prone to headaches and addicted to caffeine, cut it out before surgery, after surgery going through caffeine withdrawal while healing would be madness! Still trying to motivate myself to make it through 14 days without cheating, it's rough, but I'm worth it. I have been gearing up for six months for surgery and though I have followed a healthy plan for six months, day two of fourteen days with only 3 shakes of day has been rough, but my doctor and liver will thank me later I hope.

So sorry to hear the news, I could understand being bummed, but wanting a full and alert team is for the best. My thoughts are with you and I hope they don't postpone too long. Saying prayers it happens soon.

Good luck to you and prayers being sent.

Great job, I am so happy for you. It has to be so nice to be satisfied and happy with the progress made. It's nice to see someone happy with their progress too, as my day approaches!

If you see what you are eating, and have to account for it on paper, it will also help you to get up and out of the house and walk, go find a show on netflix and stand in place and march, go brush your teeth instead of eating something that you would rather not put in your mouth. These are the things I did during my six months pre-diet. Lucky you, you have 5 more months to figure this out. If you don't have an account on myfitnesspal.com, perhaps make one. I HATE seeing what I ate on paper, but it has helped me tremendously because I have to account to myself. I can see where I went wrong, and I can fix triggers in advanced. This is my THIRD stint through a six month pre-op diet. First time I broke down when I found out I would have to wait six months and I didn't like the psych and then my husband lost his insurance. I went to healthy4life a few years later, and again freaked knowing I would have to do six months pre-op diet, but realized, had I stuck with the first program, I wouldn't have gained even more weight. That time I ended up less than a month later with pneumonia and I couldn't hang with the low carb because I was drinking a ton of orange juice (I cannot take cold medications due to glaucoma) and I was eating pretzels, so I quit after a month. I went back a year later thinking omg I can't believe I have to do this six months but I'm even heavier and I'm done. I am WORTH THIS. My family is worth it, my life is worth me following through and ending the dieting roller coaster. You can do it. You will find that you have days you may overdo it - but I would have never believed that I could have lost 60 pounds in the six months program before I was approved for surgery. Today I am on day 2 of the 14 day pre-op shakes and surgery is June 4th. You can do this, have faith in yourself, you are worth it.

Well to help you out, I'd at least get one of my meals in with a high Protein, low carb shake like Pure Protein 100% whey Protein Shake, or Muscle Man shakes. Start eliminating the temptation for high carbs. Eat more chicken, Turkey, cheese, eggs, broths, avoid bread, popcorn etc. and sign up for something like myfitnesspal.com so you can keep track of how much protein/carbs you are getting. Many of us have to do high Protein Shakes only for 2 weeks prior to surgery and we don't get any solid foods. Use this time to lower your carb intake. You need to lower carb to shrink your liver. Before you eat, look it up on myfitnesspal.com - which will help you also keep track of your Proteins & your Water intake. Starting pre-surgery will set you up for success after surgery. For help in checking our calories/carbohydrates you can also try http://www.calorieking.com/foods/ but I highly suggest signing up for myfitnesspal.com

Discuss with your hair dresser that you are having a reaction after surgery and you need your hair trimmed up to get the dead ends off, but to be careful on the sides not to layer it too much. Tell her you want it to look thicker and healthier. Hair grows at about 1/2 inch per month usually, for some people it grows faster, some slower. The damage at 5 months is probably 3 inches from your scalp. If you notice when you get really sick or change medicine sometimes your fingernails will get all weird and wavy a month or so down the road because the damage usually occurs before it grows out of your nail bed. Since I have been on lots of medicines and have had several surgeries and I get sick a lot, I find this hair loss to happen to me a lot and sometimes a trim will help slow down any breakage.

My doctor's office gave us some instruction in advanced. Please excuse any typos, I am going to retype what I was given. I will try to scan the Bypass/Sleeve Soft Diet sheets that I was given later if anyone needs. Here's a sample menu for pureed diet: PUREED DIET - SUGGESTIONS AND EXAMPLES Breakfast 1/4 cup high Protein cooked Cereal 1/4 cup pureed low sodium/low fat meat 1 chewable sugar-free complete Vitamin Snack 1/2 cup pureed fruit lunch 1/4 cup cottage cheese (lowfat) 1/4 cup pureed fruit snack 1 cup High Protein shake dinner 1/2 cup mashed potatoes with low fat gravy 1/2 cup broth 1 chewable sugar free complete vitamin snack 1 sugar-free fudgiscle This sample menu provides approximately 80 grams of protein and 885 caloires - SIP Water throughout the day ------ High Protein Pureed Diet recipes Cheeseburger 3 oz. lean chicken or turkey 1 slice fat-free cheese 2 tbs.p warm beef broth 1/2 hamburger bun Cook meat and drain fat. Add all ingredients except broth to blender and puree on high. Gradually add broth to desired consistency Yield 1 serving Calories 309 Protein 27.0 grams Chicken Stew 1 Cup Chicken, cooked and cubed 1/4 cup rice, cooked 1/4 cup mixed vegetables, cooked 1/4 cup chicken broth 1/4 cup skim milk 1/4 cup nonfat dry milk Blend together Yield 3 servings Calories (per serving) 120 Protein (per serving) 15.0 grams Fish 4oz. Whitefish fillet 4 tsp. nonfat tarter sauce Warm skim milk (as needed) Cook fish by baking or broiling. Place fish and nonfat tarter sauce in blender. Puree on high speed. Gradually add milk to make mashed potato consistency. Yield: 2 servings Calories (per serving) 116 Protein (per serving) 15.0 grams French Toast 1 slice frozen French Toast "I can't believe it's not butter!" spray 3 tbsp. warm sugar-free syrup Warm french toast according to package. Spray with I can't believe it's not butter. Cut into quarters. Place all ingredients in blender. Puree on high until smooth consistency is achieved. Yield 1 serving Calories: 171 Protein 4.0 grams Grilled Cheese 1 slice whole wheat/high Fiber bread 2 slices fat-free American cheese I can't believe its not butter spray 3 tbsp warm skim milk Heat non-stick pan over medium heat. Spray one side of bread with I can't believe it's not butter side down on pan, top with cheese and heat until cheese melts and bread is toasted brown. Fold sandwich in half and cut into four pieces. Place in blender and puree on high, adding milk until smooth. Adjust the amount of milk used for thicker or thinner consistency. Yield 1 serving Calories 146 Protein: 12.0 grams High Protein Breakfast Shake 1/2 cup fat-free plain yogurt 1/4 cup skim milk 1/2 small banana 1/4 cup non-fat dry milk Mix all ingredients together in blender Yield 1 serving Calories 125 per serving Protein 12.0 grams per serving High Protein Mashed Potatoes 2 tbsp mashed potato mix 1/2 cup hot skim milk 2 tbsp. nonfat dry milk Mix nonfat dry mil with skim milk and heat to a boil. Add mashed potato mix. Mix well with a wire wisk. Mix thickens as it stands Use Butter buds or fat-free gravy to add flavor Yield 1 serving Calories 148 Protein 10.0 grams Chicken/Fish/Turkey 4oz meat cooked 6 tbsp. low fat gravy Chop meat into small pieces, blend on high speed, gradually adding gravy until desired consistency Yield 2 servings Calories (per serving) 126 Protein (per serving) 16.0 grams Tuna salad 1 6 oz. can light tuna in spring water, drained 2 tbsp. fat-free Miracle Whip 1tsp mustard 1/2 tsp. onion powder 1/4 tsp. celery salt Add all ingredients to blender. Puree on high until smooth. Refrigerate Note: May substitute canned chicken for tuna Yield: 3 servings Calories (per serving): 60 Protein (per serving) 11.0 grams

I would definitely avoid pony tail holders, hair clips and hats, that is too stressful on the hair. Make sure get your Protein, drink your Water, and if you aren't worried about having your hair one length, get your hair trimmed with a few layers and it will look a little more full and it should slow down eventually. I'm sorry this is happening. I have baby fine hair down to my shoulders and if worse comes to worse, I'm going to go for a pixie.

So day 2 on the liquid pre-op shake diet. I did almost 2 hours on the gazelle yesterday - one hour in AM and hour at night and did about one and half mile walk yesterday at a fast paced. Last night in bed my tummy got a little funny and I turned over and my tummy rumbled and I just knew, I hopped out of bed and ran to bathroom and (gross- a shart happened) I haven't had that happen to me in forever. I had to shower and since my pj's bottoms are too big, I threw them out! I was so tired last night and was worried every time my stomach made a nose. This is weird for one day on the 3 shakes. These New Directions don't taste as good as the Pure Protein and my tummy isn't really liking them. Today I did an hour on the Gazelle, went through all my bills, went through coupons, worked on wls binder, and made sure everything I need to bring with me to the hospital is in there. Hard to keep busy, because of the countdown. Seems the only one that I really like is the strawberry. I have only two vanilla, which I'm not fond of vanilla anything so I had that for lunch to get it out of the way. I am not sure if I made the mistake by having the chocolate with Fiber for dinner last night, so I may do those only for Breakfast (as long as I don't have to go anywhere). I do have an intolerance of sugar-free products and I had one sugar-free popsicle last night besides the three shakes and all my Water, so I may avoid the SF popsicles and jellos and see how this evening goes. I decided to weigh myself (like I said I would not do) and this morning I was back to 237, down from 240. How I gained 3 pounds from Sunday to Monday in one day over a skinny turkey sandwich and Soup is still crazy. How is everyone else doing?

June 4th yay to the June Sleevers!

Are you allowed to take vitamins yet, like the Optisource Chewable ones and sublingual Vitamin B-12? You are still recovering from surgery, it takes a while to get your energy back, hopefully every day is better than the next one.

4th club here too! Today is my 2nd day of 14 day New direction shakes - 3 a day along with Water, sugar free popsicles & jellos & decaff teas. I'm having it done at St. Mary's Community Hospital in Indiana with Healthy4Life Program at 12:30 pm and I have to be to the hospital at 10:00 am. I have exercised both days and the countdown is really on.

I am so sorry to hear this. My doctor said that he has indeed stopped surgery and had the patient follow a strict diet to shrink the liver prior to surgery. I know it's not much consolation to you right now. When you are feeling better if you get a chance watch a video of the surgery so you can see why it's imperative the liver be shrunk prior to surgery. Your doctor would have done a disservice to you if he proceeded. Follow the doctor's orders and hopefully you will be back on schedule soon for surgery. Good luck.

Congrats and sleep well tonight and good luck tomorrow. I will say a prayer for you and keep us posted when you can!

Surgery is hell on the body, the heart, kidneys and organs. Being overweight we are already at a disadvantage. Losing weight prior to surgery is healthier for you in the long run. I have had several open surgeries and several laparascopies in my lifetime. I have had sepsis due to adhesions wrapping around the intestines and somehow it ended up into my cavity. I went in for a regular laparasocopy....outpatient and ended up in the hospital two weeks with a complete hysterectomy and bowel resection. I only had to do one day Clear liquids. I hemorrhaged after I got home and spent another few weeks in the hospital. I went home with a catheter, my kidneys for some reason couldn't be jump started and sorta forgot how to work properly. I had to take pills to numb my kidneys because it hurt. It makes sense not to have solids hanging out in your stomach or your intestines prior to surgery. When they split the stomach for the sleeve, if it's not empty and has food in it, the stomach they take out has to be put into a bag and pulled through your cavity. Shrinking your stomach in advance of surgery will cause for a smaller opening. I am grateful I am going to have to do the 14 days of hell with only pre-op shakes. I hope it's going to set me up for the best possible outcome. As far as leaks, imagine having food particles in your tummy and having a leak. Also the shake fasting will cause less stomach gastric juices to form, which also would be better during surgery. I'm not a surgeon but this stuff makes a whole lot of sense to me since I have been through surgeries that make you clean yourself out prior to surgery and some that didn't. After all the years of dieting, knowing what it is like when you shrink your tummy when you diet, and knowing when your tummy seems to be a bottomless pit. A shrunken stomach has to be a whole lot easier to deal with than one that has had no shrinkage in advance. I don't think 1 or 3 days is long enough to shrink your stomach, but I could be wrong. I know that I am one of those that get the 1-10000000 issue or complication, so I have to be ever so vigilant. I have had RSD, I have Lupus, Narrow Angle Glaucoma, Open Angle Glaucoma, Trigeminal Neuralgia caused by a 3mm tumor on the root entry of my trigeminal nerve, Lupus, Endometriosis, Diverticulitis, I get polyps, Raynauds, I worry about leaks the closer I get to surgery the more scared I am. Then again, someone that only has to fast one day may do better than me. Who knows. It's like smoking...there are people that can smoke daily and live to 90, there are people that get lung cancer from second hand smoke. Everyone is different, I guess following your doctor's advice is for the best.

New Directions, Hot Cocoa, it's okay, it's not gag me horrible. I have been used to taking the Pure Protein 100% Whey Protein for breakfast with skim milk and love the stuff. The hot cocoa wasn't horrible, it just wasn't mixed with skim milk and it was a bit thinner than I like. I'm not a hot chocolate drinker, so that could be the issue too. With healthy4life we pay $200.00 for the 14 days of Protein shakes, soup, pudding, cocoa. Each one has to be mixed with Water. I bought two boxes (7 each) of the variety pack. This is the shakes that we have to use. I am not huge on pudding, so I will try it, if I don't like it I'll probably switch out the meal that has the pudding for a regular Pure Protein shake mixed with water and take Multivitamins that day. I will do that sometime this week because I have to quit all Vitamins one week before surgery. I'm a bit worried about the cream of chicken soup, but I can do this.

Congrats and good luck to you.

Congrats and you will reach that goal in no time! My first goal was 275, 250 and now it's 220, 200 and the 199 and then every 10 pounds from there!