jazzyjay

Well, I'm a mother of 2 (6 and 2.5) and a wife. My husband has always been very supportive of me, and things I wanted to do. But he was quite hesitant of me having this surgery. We actually fought pretty bad about it once. He wanted to know WHY I wanted the surgery. He never specifically told me it was the easy way out, but he did say that that's what people (who don't research) tend to think.
After that I fight I thought long and hard about all the reasons WHY I wanted to have this surgery. I'd researched this procedure for over 3 years. I knew the ins and outs of it. I was comfortable with my decision to have it. So I wrote him a long letter explaining every detail of what I felt about myself without surgery, the reasons for the surgery, why I wanted to do the surgery, what I felt like my girls would learn from it, what I expected out of myself afterwards, and that I hoped he would still support me in my decision. It was about a 4 page letter by the end of it.
In the end - I came to realize that this surgery was about ME. No one else. And I had NEVER made anything just about ME. Everyone else always came first. And that was something that was a little eye opening for me (and I think for him).
I had surgery a week ago. He took the week off and stayed home with our girls while I was in the hospital (ended up staying an extra night). Today was his first day back at work, and he has checked on me throughout the day. After giving him that letter, he understood they reasons why, and he has been completely supportive ever since.
Sit down and really talk with him about how you feel. And hear how he feels and what he has to say. But in the end, it's your body and your decision.

1. Wrote down my list of whys. Things I hated about being fat, reasons I needed to lose weight and things I looked forward to when I lost the extra weight. This list helped me get through pre-op diet and came in handy post-op when I was not feeling great and questioning why I did this to myself.
2. Follow the pre-op diet closely. This shrinks your liver which makes your surgery easier and safer. Also, I was glad I got my sugar/carb withdrawal symptoms out of the way before surgey instead of after.
3. Shop ahead for the things I would need post surgery. broth, Protein powder, chewable Vitamins etc. Your NUT or surgeon will give you a list. You don't want to have to go shopping after you get home.
4. Arranged for help at home for the first week. My mom and dad drove the kids to their activities. My mom cooked a few meals. A friend cooked a meal for my family one night. It was nice not to have to worry about that stuff. If someone offers help, take them up on it! (this is a tough one for me, but I am glad I did not turn down offers for help)
5. Join this forum. I wish I had known about the forum pre-op. It would have helped me with my nerves before surgery. I discovered it when I googled a problem I was having post-op. I found this forum and also found out that what I was experiencing was completely normal. The people on here have been a wonderful source of information, inspiration and support!

Work out every day until surgery. Walk for at least 30 minutes at a moderate pace.
Lose 10-15 lbs or more on your own before surgery, even if it is not required by your program/surgeon.
Go on the clear, sugar-free, caffeine free liquid diet for at least 3 days leading into surgery, even if it is not required by your program/surgeon.
*If you haven't been working out steadily and haven't lost any weight before surgery, strongly consider the 14-day liver shrinking diet, which is basically two low-carb protein shakes and a low-carb dinner.
Strive to follow pre and post-guidance to the letter. You will probably screw up a little somewhere, but don't we all?
Choose the right program/surgeon, if you have a choice. That means someone you are comfortable with and that you have researched to your satisfaction.
Reduce your stress. Don't worry. I was honestly not worried about the surgery itself, at all. I had my tonsils out last year -- that's a tough recovery as an adult. The surgery isn't what you should worry about, you're in, you're out and you're done. Worry about preparing for surgery so you can have a quick and successful recovery.

Tracking everything in myfitnesspal. 600-700 calories a day, never less than 80g of Protein, no more than 30g carbs (usually under 20), and less than 20-30g of fat (I worry about this the least). All Vitamins without exception. Light exercise about 3x a week. Walking, swimming, or yoga. 5'7, started 250.4 surgery day (size 20-22). Not the fastest, not the slowest

Ok, I"m headed to the hospitall. The waiting is over. The pre-op diet is over. The shopping for "stuff" is over. What am i looking forward to now? ANESTHESIA! That's right! Get me in there and KNOCK ME OUT! Repair my hernia and slide me the sleeve! I'll deal with everything else when I wake up.
My prayers are with all the doctors, nurses, and anyone else that has anything to do with the hospital visit. I EXPECT YOUR BEST! Also praying for the same for everyone else that has made this powerful decision to reclaim the quality of life that we all deserve.
Be back shortly!

I found that I needed to have my grocery shopping list easily available AS WELL AS keep the recipes new, exciting and flavorful. I joined the FREE online site: Allrecipes.com
(They also offer a pay/subscriber membership but I haven't found the need for it).
After creating my account, I added recipes to my RECIPE BOX. You can add recipes from various websites and personalize/input your own recipes. I am now able to create shopping lists easily from these programs and access them from my smartphone via the app "Chef Tap" which links to the Allrecpies.com site.
I have found many recipes from these sites:
Linda's Low Carb Menus & Recipes
www.genaw.com/lowcarb/
Low Carb Luxury: Recipes
www.lowcarbluxury.com/lowcarb-recipes.html
Emily Bites - Weight Watchers Friendly Recipes
www.emilybites.com/
The World According to Eggface
theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/
Low Carb Recipes
lowcarb.betterrecipes.com/
Low Carb Recipes - Cooking Good food That Keeps Your Diet on ...
www.low-carb.great-recipes.tv/
Bariatric Surgery Recipes
www.froedtert.com/SpecialtyAreas/BariatricSurgeryProgram/Recipes/
Bariatric & Lap-band Surgery Shared Recipes
recipes.sparkpeople.com/cookbooks.asp?cookbook=47556
Bariatric Eating
www.bariatriceating.com/
Recipes, Cooking and Baking Forum - Weight Loss Surgery, Obesity
www.obesityhelp.com/forums/recipe/
Happy Cooking!

I know exactly what you're going through my friend. I just have my surgery last Tuesday at 505lbs. Nine months before that I weighed 570lbs and had to loose weight just to get the surgery done. It was hard, but I wouldn't change a thing. In the short time since my surgery I'm already down 15lbs. You'll be dropping the pounds in no time also, just keep at the liquid diet and don't get discouraged!

I only told family at first. After I had the surgery and lost 60 pounds,,I posted on facebook for everyone..not one negative comment. I think people compare wls to cosmetic surgery,,some easy way out to look good. It's so far from the truth, it's hard work,,I think it's been harder because it's forcing me to change and when you've been a certain way for 47 years,,it's not easy changing. I think people who are overweight that give negative opinions about wls aren't really jealous but maybe wish they had thought of it first and are too proud to admit it. Our loved ones and friends just worry when they hear surgery,,I know if my daughter came to me and said she had to have surgery (whatever type) I would be worried and want her to get a second opinion so sometimes negative comments are just some peoples way of saying,,I love and care about you,,I really hate to see you go through all of this..and because they think we can do it without surgery because they are skinny and have no clue what we are going through. Try to always keep this in mind when you tell someone and they don't respond the way you want them to. Even thank them for caring..I even told some that I would consider what they had to say and appreciate their opinion,,but I did what I wanted anyway.lol It hasn't been an easy road either,,it was difficult to tell those people I ended up with a leak then I felt like I had to convince them and myself that I did the right thing. It's like others have said, you will have to fight a good battle and show the proof to get the respect that wls deserves. Sorry I rambled on.

Most of my friends are supportive however my family would prefer that I not do it. My sister said there is no promise that I will wake up from surgery. I look at it as there is no promise I will arrive hone safely from driving my car too and from either...
It's been my experience that most people who aren't supportive have not had to endure the battle we have ask experienced.

Many of us, I for one, have lost the same 50 pounds over and over. I wonder how much I've lost all totalled! But I can't keep it off. Same with many others here. This forum is wonderful because we all have similar experiences and can understand and support each other.
Out there - some people will be supportive, others won't be. I know everyone has a different opinion on this, but I feel - don't tell someone unless you have reason to believe that they will be supportive. Just don't tell people who are inclined to be negative. Yes, as others have said, you don't have to listen to negativity. But why deal with it at all? Negative people don't have to know your business. That's what I think and that's how I handling it in my own life.

Thanks. I am glad that we do have this forum so that we can find like minded people who really understand what we are going through

Thanks. I am glad that we do have this forum so that we can find like minded people who really understand what we are going through

Everyone that I tell about having surgery seems to think I can lose weight on my own without "doing something so drastic". I have honestly tried before. I have lost before,but I always gain it back plus some. Did your family and friends support you in your journey to have the sleeve?

Congrats on ur upcoming surgery. Praying that all goes smoothly!

You can buy Isopure clear liquid Protein drink at GNC. They have 40 g of protein in 20 oz. Personally, I don't like the aftertaste from them, but I can tolerate it, so I mix 1/2 of it with Water and crystal light mix to lessen the aftertaste & sip it during part of the day.
The other thing I add to broth or crystal light is Beneprotein packets. Sometimes Walgreens carries it - or you can order it online through Amazon or nestlenutritionstore.com - there are 6 g of protein and 25 calories in each packet. It mixes clear.
The other option is

Im preop but making my way to the losers bench at a steady rate. So, reading everything here gave me ideas. Im headed to the bahamas for a week and wondered what to do with some foods in fridge since they would spoil. So I broke out the food processor. Using some low sodium beef broth and a partial jar of low fat beef gravy,I pureed and finely chopped some roast beef and peppered beef, stuck it in small portion freezer bags and froze it. We'll see how it holds up and it tasted really good to my preop taste buds..so if your bored with your pureed and mushies, this may be worth a try. Im sure other flavored meats would work as well with their coincided broths/liquids. Not so bland as baby foods. Just thought Id share for those who are sick of yogurt.

I usually have a Jimmy Dean turkey sausage link, an egg or cottage cheese, and some red grapefruit sections from the jar for breakfast. For lunch, rolled up turkey deli meat with muenster cheese and a bread and butter stacker pickle, or a pouch of Starkist Sandwich ready albacore turkey on a wasa cracker with muenster cheese on top under the broiler. For dinner 3 or 4 oz. of lean meat and green vegetable or salad. I am 5 1/2 months out. I snack on raw almonds or cheese sticks. No more junk food for me!

From 2 months on I ate whatever I wanted, but I stuck to a healthy, low carb, high Protein diet.
I've said this many times, but I'll say it again, I find that keeping foods interesting and full of flavors helps me feel like I am not missing out. Your diet doens't have to be all cottage cheese and grilled chicken. I am all about hot sauce and blackening chicken and fish. I eat pepperoncinis as a snack. I crave flavor. Garlic, spices, they work!
I made French onion soup. OMG. It was delicious and very much on my diet.
I love salad, so I eat that almost daily, but I often put some tuna, chicken or shrimp on it.
If I have a craving for chicken wings, I'll pan cook some shrimp and toss them in buffalo wing sauce, then dip them in greek yogurt or light blue cheese. This is so yummy, but still on my diet. There is some fat in the blue cheese, but I'm only using 1/2 T.
Hope this helps with ideas.

Here's the list I typed up directly from my Dr.'s office. I had to do a search for the word French Toast lol thank goodness not too many people used the word in their posts on all of the forums lol.
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 istoasted 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

animallover 77357
After my liquid phase and all that good stuff and still now, i was told by my NUT to measure 1/3 cup total for each meal. Since that is what is on my plate, thats what i eat.
don't give yourself any temptation putting more on your plate, saying hmmmm, maybe i should stop now. With everything measured, you can't question yourself to eat more, even if you think you might be able to eat more STOP
That way i'm full - also remember to eat very slowly, chew thoroghly (msp) and donl drink w/your meals. Rember all this, there will be a test
good luck
ps you didn't stretch your sleeve
kathy

When I saw my surgeon for my pre-op appointment, he gave me (among other things) a prescription for Omeprazole (Prilosec). After surgery, I didn't think I was having any problems with acid reflux and I couldn't understand why he prescribed 180 capsules for me. At the rate of 2 per day, that's 90 day's supply! When I started to move into mushies, and later to soft foods, I experienced mild discomfort, the kind you get when you're testing the limits of the sleeve. I usually stopped eating before that discomfort turned to real pain. A few days ago, I started feeling like I was getting slight discomfort between meals from acid, so I began to take the Omeprazole, 1 at morning and 1 at night. Surprise! I no longer get that discomfort when I eat and I'm much more comfortable after a meal. This doesn't mean I can eat whatever I want as fast as I want, but it took the tentative feeling out of eating that I was feeling before. So, if my story sounds like yours and you have Omeprazole, you might want to try it, even if you think you don't need it.

Everyone that I tell about having surgery seems to think I can lose weight on my own without "doing something so drastic". I have honestly tried before. I have lost before,but I always gain it back plus some. Did your family and friends support you in your journey to have the sleeve?

I go up and down with my capacity as my time of the month nears, too. I swear that darn sleeve relaxes when I have PMS!!
Look - half a sandwich and a hard boiled egg is NOTHING compared to what you would have eaten a year ago. I'm going to say something you might not like but I really want to help you. I think you're scared that you don't have the self control to eat "normally" and that you want the sleeve to do it all for you. On one hand, you're in luck. That sleeve might expand enough to fit a whole sandwich (sans crust, of course) but it's not going to fit a whole pizza or a value meal from McDonald's again. It's unlikely you're going to expand much at all from this point onward.
Part of this process is learning to eat normally. We need to view food as vital, as nourishing and as energy instead of as a source of comfort or something to feel guilty about. Around 18 months out I noticed an increased capacity (FINALLY!) and did the same thing - I freaked a little bit. But what was I freaked about? I was finally able to eat TWO eggs scrambled with cheese instead of only one. Big whoop!
You are not losing control. You are in control. There will come a point when you need to eat more in order to maintain your energy and your goal weight. Slowly learning how to do it without scaring yourself, losing control or seeing a gain on the scale is an important part of the process. This is what nobody talks about when they talk about surgery! Dealing with the mental aspect of the surgery is the most important thing you can do for yourself. Your stomach didn't make you overweight - something in your head did. Figure it out. Limiting yourself too severely because you're afraid eating will cause a gain is an eating disorder just as surely as overeating in the past was a disorder.
If you aren't already, track your calories. Sometimes I get a lot of comfort from seeing numbers in the same ballpark each day and knowing that I'm eating the right amount of food even when I feel like I'm overdoing things.
Good luck,
~Cheri

Going under in 5 hours! I'm sceeeeerrrrrred! Haha. All of your stories have helped me through this journey. Please think of me and send prayers to me here in ky