KS Fort Worth

Dr. Kim has a two-week liquid diet of Bari-Essentials or Optifast, patients' choice. You can also have 1 cup of low-sodium chicken broth a day, and no limits on sugar-free Jello, Crystal Light, and the like. (I don't like artificial sweeteners, so I've skipped all that.) They said the reasons were twofold; firstly, it helps jump-start the weight loss so you have an immediate sense of success; and secondly, it helps shrink the liver in order to make surgery safer. I have heard of some people being denied surgery on the day of because they cheated and their livers were too large. THAT is a powerful motivation to not cheat! (And I haven't!)

I, for one, am glad that Aetna requires a 90-day supervised weight loss period before they will grant approval. It gave me time to fix the bad habits, and the carrot-on-a-stick (surgery) to make sure I didn't cheat. I think that anybody who is still gaining weight and wants the surgery RIGHT NOW needs to ask themselves some very hard questions. ALL of us here know how to lose weight; the sleeve will be just a tool to help KEEP it off. I originally considered bypass precisely because of the malabsorptive potential, but decided the sleeve PLUS getting my head straight was a MUCH better path.

Awesome "celebration!" as a kid I learned to use food as a reward. I hope I have killed that notion for good.

I'm not post-sleeve yet, but high carbs is part of what got all of us into this mess in the first place. From what I understand, high Protein low fat AND low carb is the way to go. I've also heard (read) good things about Biotin helping, and it's not expensive. Exercise in ALL instances. #longhairforaguyandproudofit

I've been dieting since February anyway, and since the liquid diet my hair is falling out. I have long hair, but I'm going to have several inches cut tomorrow so the ones that do fall out won't be quite as noticeable. It also seems to tangle easier when it's full of loose hairs, so this should help. I've had it fall out before when I lost weight, but it DOES grow back. as for bald heads, I think they can be quite striking and beautiful on a woman. You DO have a pretty face, I'm sure you're gorgeous now!

My older brother is mostly supportive, but has said "if you simply ate less..." He has need complaining occasionally for about a year of wanting to lose 20-30 pounds. If HE can't lose a mere 20, what makes him think I can simply drop one HUNDRED and twenty?

I found just a SMALL handful of peanuts to work for me. High in Protein and some of the fats you actually need, so it satisfies. Just be mindful of the quantities and don't graze. I have lost 47 pounds since February, so mine's been a little slower than what you might be looking for, but I did look for opportunities at every meal. We have a little grill/cafe at work and one thing I did when I couldn't take something from home was order a grilled chicken breast with mushrooms and onions, and asked the chef to use only enough oil to actually sautee the veggies. No sides. I was trying to A) limit the size of my meals, get in plenty of protein, C) shrink my stomach, and D) get my mind used to the idea of smaller meals. Lifelong habits to unlearn: A) you do NOT have to clear your plate you do NOT have to eat anytime someone offers you food C) that blasted food pyramid we were taught as kids Other suggestions here were excellent as well. For Protein Bars, I prefer the Pure Protein versions (available at Wal-Mart) to the Adkins, but that's just a taste issue. I agree STRONGLY on the soda issue. Even diet sodas have been shown to screw with your blood sugar and appetite. I do not drink iced tea either, because I don't like it unsweet. I do thankfully like black coffee. I know that after surgery I cannot eat and drink at the same time, but for now Water is your friend. Drink plenty, because it helps you to feel fuller and will help flush the toxins out of your system as you burn the fat. Good luck, my friend, you (WE) can do this!

Doing great! I go in this Tuesday. VERY ready.

I found if you make yourself eat smaller meals before starting the liquid diet so your stomach shrinks a bit, it makes it easier to not feel starved on 800 calories a day. You CAN do this, just keep your eyes on the prize and remember this phase is only temporary. If you haven't already increased your protein intake and cut back on carbs, that will help a lot as well. Good luck!

As I understand it, our goal should be to get our proteins in first, so as long as oatmeal doesn't overshoot the calorie goal it should be OK. It is a complex carb, so it doesn't spike the blood sugar and cause a crash later. Never really knew until earlier this year exactly HOW HUNGRY I got so shortly after eating an all (bad) carb meal. Quite the revelation.

Pookeyism - this is one of the scenarios that made me finally decide to go through with surgery, even though I am losing weight pretty well this year. Did you find that the sleeve helped you cope with the overeating at all, or was it ineffective during your stressful period? Or did you simply eat the WRONG things?

You're about to GAIN control, friend! Good luck on your journey!!!

Same day as me! Are you in DFW?

Yeah, had a BUNCH in my brush this morning! I lost a bunch a few years ago when I lost weight, but thankfully it grew back.

I've seen references to breath strips in the "necessary supplies" posts, now I know why! I'll be getting myself some on the way home.

*********** APPLAUSE *********************

I learned (in response to a similar post I made just today!) that it is the result of ketosis. Unpleasant, but it means we are burning the fat, and that's the goal! http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-ketosis-side-effects.htm

@Wheetsin - Awesome! I did not know that! I'm sure that must be happening, as I've been active and have lost 9 pounds this last week. Can't ALL be water! @lowe1961 - I keep ice water handy and sip it through the day (good practice for after surgery anyway!)

On Day 8 of 14 pre-op, using Bari-Essentials 4 per day with skim milk. I am drinking at LEAST 48 ounces of water in addition to the 32 ounces with the shakes, but my mouth feels thirsty most of the time. My skin tone seems correct, my urine is not darker than normal and frequency seems the same, so I don't THINK I'm dehydrated. It's not unbearable, but curious anyway. Anyone else experience anything like this?

We all deserve a little self-absorption time. I feel like I've been doing so much for so many other people that it's MY turn. eventually we'll get to goal and life will get back to normal. Keep up the good work, you deserve to brag a little!

I mix mine in the Bullet and use a double-wall coffee travel mug I found at Wal-Mart, looks like a slender Bubba Keg and made by them. Has a nice seal so I can re-shake it before I drink it. I also use ice cubes if I'm going to drink it straight away, but I add a few ounces of water to the skim milk if I'm taking it with me, just for the illusion of more volume. I'm also working on sipping my water through the day to get ready for that, and am surprised that I am not gulping my shakes down, but taking 15 minutes to drink them. I guess my brain wants to savor these, since they're only 200 calories. I'm using the Bari-Essentials, really not too bad.

I've heard some stories of RNY being "taken down" (reversed) but only due to severe complications. I researched all three major procedures and for me, the risks of malabsorption were enough to steer me to the sleeve. If I had NO self-control, I might risk RNY or DS, but if I had no self-control those would ultimately fail as well. I've seen it with friends who've had RNY. I CAN lose weight, as I'm sure everybody on this forum can, but the sleeve will be the tool I need to help KEEP it off, while retaining the benefits of absorbing all my nutrients (just fewer of them!) I too thought about, "What if I really need the extra calories?" A) I seriously doubt I WILL, and it would be very easy to get in WAY too many calories with liquids or grazing. This surgery can ALSO be defeated by bad habits, but starvation is extremely unlikely. Best of luck on your journey. Whatever you decide, believe in yourself; that's the biggest key to success.

THAT'S inspiration!

Good for you! I'm fortunate in that I don't have to cook for others; that must be hard to overcome the temptation to sample. I'm on Day 7 of 14 and am also bound and determined to not cheat. WE CAN DO THIS!!!

Awesome!!! I crossed that barrier twice up and down, and was approaching it a third time when I finally said NO MORE! Keep us posted when you hit Onederland!