DuranFan1969

I agree with everyone else, it's certainly normal to be scared of being put under. They will give you a little chill out sedation and you really won't care what happens next, which sounds strange I know, but it's true. I was extremely scared when I was going to be put under for another surgery and as soon as they gave me a mild sedative, I completely forgot why I was scared and just relaxed until they knocked me out. I have actually woken up during a surgery before which I know sounds kind of scary, but it really wasn't at all. If you happen to wake up (it doesn't happen often), you'll be in such a haze from the sedation and the anesthesia, it won't really phase you and they knock you right back out. You will be fine.

Well said and I couldn't agree more!

Another vote for Mio! I absolutely love their new Mio Energy Dark Cherry flavor - gives me a good energy boost without feeling weird.

My NUT has me on a plan that I'm essentially eating something every 2 hours from 7:00 am - 9:00 pm every day. I have soft options to choose from that are 80 calories or less, plus 2 high Protein shakes (Bariatric Advantage). I think it's important to make sure to have all these mini meals so you don't feel as hungry in between. Now granted, when something smells really good it's tougher, that's for sure but if your wife is eating that in front of you ... you might want to ask her to please not, as it makes it very tough on you and you need all the support you can get.

Congrats !!!

Welcome and good luck!! All I know is this is the best place I've found for support - I don't know what I'd do without all the advice and musings from our fellow sleevers!!

To a certain extent, we all brought it on ourselves. The important part though is realizing that you can get out of it and this is your chance to do so. I think many of us have those little voices in our heads telling us this is the easy way out - it's not - it's the only way out. I hope you stick with your decision. I'm pre-op too and quite a bit nervous about what I've got myself into but I know without a doubt it's the right choice. You can do it girl!!

Good luck!!

My doctor recommended Bariatric Advantage to me and I was skeptical at first (figured it might just be a partnership they had with the company). Turns out, it's really pretty yummy as far as protein shakes go. I got the strawberry and if I didn't know any better, I would swear I was drinking a strawberry milkshake. I've got some SF chocolate syrup and some frozen bananas to throw into it as well to give it a little variety. The big pouch with 35 servings is what I have and you can find some coupons online to make it a bit cheaper on various web sites.

It's been said many times before - "one meal at a time". That's the best advice I can give you. Don't beat yourself up for a slip up, it happens - I think it's more important to not make the habit. Something that is helping me on my pre-op plan is that I'm keeping a spreadsheet where I plan my next day's meals out in advance. It has helped me because I know what to take to work and I know exactly what I'm having when I get home. I have it spelling out exactly all the items I want to know (fat, Protein, calories, etc) so I know in advance where I'm at. My NUT wants me around 900 calories a day and 70g of protein, so this helps me a lot.

I think the idea is neat, but you may find you have a limited customer base that's local to you. I know I would totally do it though if it was available in my area.

You need a new family girl, yikes! I agree with whoever said it in this thread, we'll be your family now and you can be darn sure you'll get good support here. I am completely amused by the "easy way out" stigma and in fact, several years ago I thought that too. (Don't beat me!) However, after many (many!) years of trying every diet plan under the sun and failing, this isn't an easy way out - it's the ONLY way out. I realized that the older I got, the harder it was on my body (and length of life) if I continued to try various diet plans that I could not make work for me. At some point, you have to ask yourself what's riskier - leaving the weight on and keep trying or getting the weight off a way you know will work. Obviously all of us here have chosen option #2, not because it was the easy way out, but because we know it's the only thing we haven't tried.

I hope you had more to eat/drink today than just the protein shakes! My pre-op diet is a mix of 2 shakes a day, plus SF pudding, SF jello, SF applesauce, Gatorade, popsicles, broth and oatmeal (not over 80 calories though). Are you eating similar things or just doing the shakes?

My NUT told me that any beverage is fine as long as it's under 5 calories per serving.

I swear by the Mio drops when I'm at work and I keep a pitcher of Crystal Light handy at home. I just can never get my water in if it's not flavored. It helps if you keep an eye out at the grocery stores for when these items go on sale. Publix (here in Atlanta) frequently has Crystal Light BOGO so I can get 2 of the canisters for about $3.50.

I was the same way - at least 2 of my 3 meals a day tended to be fast food, simply because I was too tired/lazy/didn't have the energy to go to the grocery store or cook something healthy for myself to eat. At some point, I may have even convinced myself I wasn't worth the effort. This made me very nervous about committing to the pre-op and post-op diet. I was originally supposed to get my surgery in January but because of those apprehensions alone, I took a step back and really thought about it. What I realized was that when I lose my weight (or start to, I should say), my energy is going to come back (major bonus) so I won't be as tired to go to the store or cook. In addition, and my favorite thing about the sleeve, it forces you to eat right - if you go a week after surgery and try to eat a cheeseburger, you're going to find out real fast why that's a bad idea so it's a wonderful tool to keep me on track. For me, I knew how to diet, I knew how to lose weight but I needed that little something that kept me there. You can do it. I can see that skinny guy inside you already.

Awesome, that's what I was hoping to hear! My nerves just start ramping up when I hear people saying they are in pain (which is expected), but now I know it's something I can handle.

Who cares what other people think - this is for YOU. All I know is I've never known anyone overweight who wasn't scrutinized for being over weight so heck if you're going to be scrutinized, at least let it be for the healthier of the 2 options.

I'm not sure it's even possible to answer this question entirely, but it's something I've been wondering about as I approach my surgery date. We've all seen plenty of posts where people say they are in pain, etc ... I'm curious if a comparison can be made. I've had my gall bladder and my appendix removed. Is there anyone out there who has been sleeved that can indicate if the pain you feel after the sleeve is about the same, better, worse than having either of the other 2 surgeries (appendiex or gallbladder for example)? I think it will help my brain if I can compare it to an experience I've already had as I prepare. Thanks.

Has anyone tried out the Bariatric Advantage shakes? My NUT was very specific with me that they wanted me to either use unjury or Bariatric Advantage because of the amino acids contained in the product and the quality of ingredients. Personally, I was skeptical because I found several others that I thought would have been suitable (and cheaper!) but in the end I gave in and ordered the BA shakes. I'm starting my liquid diet on Weds May 30th with surgery Weds June 13th. I find it so odd at the difference doctors say not only in the types of shakes, but in what we can have daily in our pre-op mode. I'm only allowed 2 shakes a day, and have to fill the rest with light yogurt, SF applesauce, SF pudding, SF popsicles and as many no calorie beverages that I want. I can't drink any juice because it's not sugar free. I'm nervous about starting (more worried about being hungry) but I'm also anxious to get started and get on the losers bench!

I'm not sure which is more awesome - that you are in a bikini or that inside you is the confidence to show the world you're in a bikini and not be embarrassed. Woohoo, go go go girl !!!! I can't wait to be in your bikini styled shoes one day and see my own confidence shine too!!

I'm a June sleever, woohoo! June 13th in lovely Atlanta, GA

Any time I start to wonder if I'm taking the easy way out, I remind myself that it's not - it's the only way out, especially after trying WW, South Beach, Atkins, etc etc etc.

Hooray welcome home and to your new life

I'm soooo in this same boat too. That's the biggest reason I've tried talking myself out of it, but I'm not going to let it deter me! I had a surgery where I woke up in the middle (yeah, that was fun) so I'm extra, extra hyper about it but I plan to make sure to talk to my anesthesia person and let them know that. You'll be just fine, good luck !!