Look@meitsEmily

How did things go? I see Dr. Almanza in July!

I am on day 8 of my pre op diet and was instructed to consume protein/ meal replacement shakes for all meals except for 4 meals in the 2 weeks and I could have a lean protein and non starchy vegetable. Well shakes only all day hasn't worked and Ive grilled a small chicken breast every night for dinner... but I am starving! I am keeping busy and chewing gum and drinking the crap out of some water but nothing works. Just needed to vent I guess... Still contemplating having surgery but am 85% sure I'll go through with it. I have been over weight my entire life; why do I think I don't need the surgery now?! Wow so many emotions!

So Im having mixed emotions about surgery. I am pretty sure I dont want to have it at this point but I am going to continue my pre op diet just in case I do go ahead with it. I have been consistently losing at least a pound a day since Tuesday and got on the scale this morning and gained a pound.... How in the world do I gain a pound when all Im consuming is meal replacement shakes and chicken breast for dinner? I even did an intense 40 minute walk yesterday to try to up the loss of pounds. Anyway, I thought I had this in the bag but now I have no idea. There are too many unknowns and possible complications...

I have gone through the 6 month insurance requirements, nut visits, and psych eval. I am on day 5 of my pre op diet and have lost 6 pounds and cant help but think this is the dumbest thing I could do to myself. Surgery, out of work for at least 2 weeks and recovery dont seem worth it. Especially if I have to have my gallbladder removed or excess skin. I'm not going to do this! I can lose the weight on my own and keep it off. Whose to say people dont lose the weight and put it all back on eventually? There are not enough long term sleevers out there to know where we'll be in 10, 15, 20 years after our stomach is removed. I think this was a quick fix and I have realized that during this awful pre op diet. I will change my eating habits now as though it was after surgery. You can still make bad choices with the sleeve. Good luck everyone! I'm tired of reading about the leaks and life altering effects of this surgery.

My doc doesn't do one either. They told me he shines a light in my stomach after he performs the surgery. If your doc doesn't do one, I wouldn't sweat it. They have their own way of doing things; just like the difference of pre op diets and drains.

On day 3 of 13 day shake only pre op diet. I was wondering how to determine what is "head hunger" and really being hungry. I am starving and I know that I am hungry but I'm trying to tell myself its not real. I have an awful headache, my stomach is growling, and I am so so so sleepy (no energy). Any suggestions getting through this?

I am on the same shake only diet (5/ day) but I have been having meat throughout the day (2 slices of turkey at lunch and chicken breast at dinner) but I've also been doing my shakes. Its a lot to ask to only do shakes but I figure I'm getting the same nutritional value bu substituting one shake with the chicken breast at dinner... Anyway, it really surprises me how different doctors are in their pre op diets! I'm glad to hear you're doing well. I hope I can make it to surgery day!

I am sitting in my doctors office waiting on his P.A. for my pre op and cant help but think I am crazy!!! This is way too extreme! I can be fat and happy... but I have high cholesterol and am infertile and surgery will fix that but still ... They are cutting out my stomach! What am I doing?! OMG!!! I am freaking out!

I have no energy and an awful headache! I wonder when this will pass. I seriously cant believe that my doctor wants me to do 2 weeks worth of shakes ONLY... Im fat because I can't say no to food... how do they expect me to succeed? A guy I work with had this surgery and didnt even have a pre op diet (different doc) and weighs at least 100 pounds more than I do... Anyway enough complaining... I am so hungry...

Today is my day two. I am on shakes for 2 weeks. I seriously thought I was going to die yesterday. I ate a reduced fat string cheese stick and half of a chicken breast. I figured good protein was better than whatever else I would eat. Today has been better but its hard! Good luck to you and keep the faith. Its hard but just think of the results we are going to have.

Good luck to you!

Today is day one of my preop diet and I've had one shake and I'm hungry... I knew day three and four were days I would struggle but the morning of day one is not giving me much hope for success.

Thank you everyone... the P.A. actually made me feel so good and confident in my decision. I am at the hospital now for my blood work and ekg... its just so real. I look forward to the new me!

I got a single pack of all of them. I tried the chocolate and it was awful. I haven't tried any of the others yet... trying to build up the guts to try the others. It was so super sweet!

Me too Chris! I am so excited, nervous, anxious, scared, happy, and terrified! I am so nervous about 2 weeks worth of Protein shakes!

I have heard of people having their stomach stapled and wondered if the sleeve is what they are referring to or if it is a different procedure. I have heard of people having their stomach stapled for 20 years but only recently have heard of the sleeve...

I am scheduled for one week after you and keep wondering the same thing myself. I know it will be difficult but we can do it. In the scheme of life, 2 weeks is not that long of a time. Lets just hope I remember that in 11 days! Good luck!!

Good luck! Continue praying!

I wonder if sex will get better as I get smaller. Sometimes its a chore because I have to hold up my fat legs or be on my knees and feel my stomach flop up and down... has anyone experienced a better sex life?! (This question is not meant to offend anyone, I am happily married!)

Woo hoo! One more thing to look forward to! Good luck Chelle, you'll get your turn!

I have a question for the ladies... I have a problem with ovarian cysts so knowing Im getting ready to have surgery, my doctor took me off the pill and gave me the depo shot because the pill can cause blood clots. But today he told me I might have a problem because the depo shot bypasses is the liver and stomach... so what am I supposed to do?

Daniele, we are sleeve sisters! Well... kinda. I'm 29 too and my surgery is October 29th. Im in NW Georgia so not too far away I am very nervous and I actually try to keep my mind off of it because the more I think about it, the more I question my decision. I have found myself "okaying" very poor eating habits because I think I'll never get to have the things I love ever again, which I know is not true because people talk about having "treats" in moderation and not often. I keep thinking about my "final meal" and what I want it to be. I have 18 days left until I start my 2 week pre op diet. I look forward to having these next few weeks to prepare myself. I wish you luck in your journey and keep me in mind if you find yourself needing support, you can send me a message. Emily

I am pre op (October 29th!!!!!) and I've heard to it referred to as buyers remorse. My biggest piece of advice is to write down how you feel right now about having surgery and why you're having surgery and read it as you go through your times of doubt. I'm sure you'll do great! Good luck to you!

Congratulations! Now the real waiting begins (surgery date)!

This is becoming so real and I know it will only continue to get more real! I am exactly 5 weeks from my surgery date and 3 weeks from pre op visit where I get my 2 weeks worth of protein shakes! I cant help but think about how drastic this is but I have been over weight my entire life and drastic is what I obviously need! Good luck to everyone as your surgery date grows near! I feel honored to have you all as my fellow OctoSleevers!