LzL

I agree... losing the 5 lbs should not me the issue. The main reason for the pre-op diet is to shrink your liver to prepare you for the surgery.
Hang in there. Sure hope it goes well for you.

it IS scary..
a perfect example is ANYTHING that uses Aspartame... like... Crystal light... sugar free chewing gum... diet soda pop.. etc...

source of image: http://galleryqui.wo...sume-aspartame/

image source: unknown (collected it a while back from a nutritional group on facebook)
that's just one ingredient.... there's countless others just like it... and the company that's behind most of the horrible things is Monsanto..... they own our food... y'know that saying "it's not paranoia if they really ARE out to get you"?.. that's how i feel about Monsanto. lol
Aspartame poisoning symptoms & side effects of Aspartame:
"I know it’s such strong news and seems to come out of left field, but it’s not. What is in left field is the publics awareness towards the sugar free killer that was FDA approved for dry goods in 1981 and for carbonated soda in 1983. There were 5 deaths attributed to Aspartame prior to 1987 and since then fatality figures have not been made public. Likely because it would leave a bad taste in the mouth of the consumers not to mention it may remind you about any one of the 92 common symptoms you complain about often enough:
A
Abdominal Pain
Anxiety attacks
arthritis
asthma
Asthmatic Reactions
B
Bloating, Edema (Fluid Retention)
Blood Sugar Control Problems (Hypoglycemia or Hyperglycemia)
Brain Cancer (Pre-approval studies in animals)
Breathing difficulties
burning eyes or throat
Burning Urination
C
can’t think straight
Chest Pains
chronic cough
Chronic Fatigue
Confusion
D
Death
Depression
Diarrhea
Dizziness
E
Excessive Thirst or Hunger
F
fatigue
feel unreal
flushing of face
H
hair Loss (Baldness) or Thinning of hair
Headaches/Migraines dizziness
Hearing Loss
Heart palpitations
Hives (Urticaria)
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
I
Impotency and Sexual Problems
inability to concentrate
Infection Susceptibility
Insomnia
Irritability
Itching
J
Joint Pains
L
laryngitis
“like thinking in a fog”
M
Marked Personality Changes
Memory loss
Menstrual Problems or Changes
Migraines and Severe Headaches (Trigger or Cause From Chronic Intake)
Muscle spasms
N
Nausea or Vomiting
Numbness or Tingling of Extremities
O
Other Allergic-Like Reactions
P
Panic Attacks
Phobias
poor memory
R
Rapid Heart Beat
Rashes
S
Seizures and Convulsions
Slurring of Speech
Swallowing Pain
T
Tachycardia
Tremors
Tinnitus
V
Vertigo
Vision Loss
This also applies to cases of fibromyalgia. If you are using ASPARTAME (Nutra Sweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc) you probably have ASPARTAME poisoning!"

I used to think it was easier for me as a single person to eat quickly prepared foods. But since my surgery, I found that to be exactly the oposite. I rarely eat out at a fast food place anymore. I prepare meals and Snacks with whole foods so much more often (at least 80% of the time). It's more of an awareness to keep sugar and fat out of my daily routine that keeps me eating 'clean' foods.

My fears were overwhelming before my surgery, But then I thought about the regret of staying at my current weight (or even worse, continually gaining). If you are anything like me, the weight issues were much more than just some extra baggage. It was also affecting my overall health.
Since my surgery, the weight loss has been a gift. It's only been 2 months and many of my medical issues are now reversing themselves (already). And it's only going to get better.
Everyone has a different story. Mine is that I had to choose between being physically unable to live a normal life and eventually be wheelchair bound, or get my life back in control and do something about it.
This was the best decision I could have made.
Keeping good thoughts for you... good luck.

My fears were overwhelming before my surgery, But then I thought about the regret of staying at my current weight (or even worse, continually gaining). If you are anything like me, the weight issues were much more than just some extra baggage. It was also affecting my overall health.
Since my surgery, the weight loss has been a gift. It's only been 2 months and many of my medical issues are now reversing themselves (already). And it's only going to get better.
Everyone has a different story. Mine is that I had to choose between being physically unable to live a normal life and eventually be wheelchair bound, or get my life back in control and do something about it.
This was the best decision I could have made.
Keeping good thoughts for you... good luck.

I had thoughts just like you. I could give myself a million reasons not to finally go through with WLS. Not sure if I could handle it. Not sure if it could handle me...
But it wasn't until I started having physical limitations that kept me from walking in a grocery store without crying from horrific back pain after only a 5 minute walk from the parking lot into the store. I got to the point where I was using a handi-capped plaquard in order to get close to the front door of the store, so I could ride around in one of those stupid go-cart to go grocery shopping.
On top of all of that, I had an extreme thyroid condition, hypertension and pre-diabetes, (none of which was getting any better either). I had lots of swelling in my legs daily that created permanent red marks circling my shins. I think it was either the beginnings of lymphedema or some kind of ulceration that was happening.
I went to a Chiropractor, an Orthopedic specialist and a Pain Management specialist with 3 years of medical care. The chronic pain I was experiencing was getting worse, not better. I finally had to do something.
I knew in my heart that if I lost weight, some of these issues would get better. So I finally made the commitment and I'm very happy to say that after all the hard work I went through these last three years, it pales in comparison of what has happened in only the last month since my post-op.
It took several months of planning, and along the way, I slowed down my eating habits before my pre-op and managed to lose 18 lbs before my pre-op. I lost 5 lbs during pre-op and an additional 20 lbs. post-op.
What more important is that some of the horrific and painful physical issues have gotten better. My diabetes issue is gone, my hypertension is just about gone and will be med free soon. My thyroid, well, that will always be an issue, but it is better under control and less dosage on the meds.
My back pain? WOW!... I haven't had to take a muscle relaxer or pain meds since the surgery. The swelling in my legs is gone. It's much easier to walk around. And even though I still park close to the store, I can now walk through the store with no problem. I still feel the stress, but it's not enough to stop me from walking.
If I had any doubts before the surgery, I must have been out of my mind, because the results have been more successful than 3 years of physical therapy without the surgery.
So... for me? This was a no brainer. Wheelchair bound, or freedom of walking. WLS was the best thing I could have ever done for myself and for my health.
Hope this is a help to you.

I had thoughts just like you. I could give myself a million reasons not to finally go through with WLS. Not sure if I could handle it. Not sure if it could handle me...
But it wasn't until I started having physical limitations that kept me from walking in a grocery store without crying from horrific back pain after only a 5 minute walk from the parking lot into the store. I got to the point where I was using a handi-capped plaquard in order to get close to the front door of the store, so I could ride around in one of those stupid go-cart to go grocery shopping.
On top of all of that, I had an extreme thyroid condition, hypertension and pre-diabetes, (none of which was getting any better either). I had lots of swelling in my legs daily that created permanent red marks circling my shins. I think it was either the beginnings of lymphedema or some kind of ulceration that was happening.
I went to a Chiropractor, an Orthopedic specialist and a Pain Management specialist with 3 years of medical care. The chronic pain I was experiencing was getting worse, not better. I finally had to do something.
I knew in my heart that if I lost weight, some of these issues would get better. So I finally made the commitment and I'm very happy to say that after all the hard work I went through these last three years, it pales in comparison of what has happened in only the last month since my post-op.
It took several months of planning, and along the way, I slowed down my eating habits before my pre-op and managed to lose 18 lbs before my pre-op. I lost 5 lbs during pre-op and an additional 20 lbs. post-op.
What more important is that some of the horrific and painful physical issues have gotten better. My diabetes issue is gone, my hypertension is just about gone and will be med free soon. My thyroid, well, that will always be an issue, but it is better under control and less dosage on the meds.
My back pain? WOW!... I haven't had to take a muscle relaxer or pain meds since the surgery. The swelling in my legs is gone. It's much easier to walk around. And even though I still park close to the store, I can now walk through the store with no problem. I still feel the stress, but it's not enough to stop me from walking.
If I had any doubts before the surgery, I must have been out of my mind, because the results have been more successful than 3 years of physical therapy without the surgery.
So... for me? This was a no brainer. Wheelchair bound, or freedom of walking. WLS was the best thing I could have ever done for myself and for my health.
Hope this is a help to you.

Swimming is also great for those who have spine issues. I have oestoarthritis in 2 vertebrae and one facet joint that is litterally frozen and does not flex much at all. I use Water weights in the deep end and do water jogging in place of normal laps. Basically that is running in place while I hold the waterweights down with my hand. I'm almost always vertical and try real hard not to hyper extend my spines. So regular lap swimming is out. I can acutally do more damage if I'm not careful. For those of you who have severe back pain, be sure your doctor or therapist knows what you are doing in the water. Water can really be your friend when you have physical limitations.

Swimming is also great for those who have spine issues. I have oestoarthritis in 2 vertebrae and one facet joint that is litterally frozen and does not flex much at all. I use Water weights in the deep end and do water jogging in place of normal laps. Basically that is running in place while I hold the waterweights down with my hand. I'm almost always vertical and try real hard not to hyper extend my spines. So regular lap swimming is out. I can acutally do more damage if I'm not careful. For those of you who have severe back pain, be sure your doctor or therapist knows what you are doing in the water. Water can really be your friend when you have physical limitations.

My surgery date is for July 7th. I'm on day 3 of my pre-op diet and sooooo hungry at time, but OK at other times. I'm excited and scared at the same time.
I'm brand new to this site, just signed up today. Hopefully I'll get some great feedback on my journey to a healthier me.