This Girl Is Losing It

Thank you for asking. Surprisingly pretty good. Quite sore in the belly but otherwise doing fine. Gas pains are not bad at all, knock on wood. Finding ways to get comfortable. Had some applesauce and half a pudding just 'cause I needed something to mix the crushed pain pills into. They really seem to be helping. My body sure told me when it had been 4 hours and I needed another.

I lost 26 pounds in 15 days of pre-op. I was on 3 daily Protein shakes only. Doc was impressed. The diet was tough, but totally worth it for safety and ease of surgery - as far as I'm concerned the weight loss is just a bonus. Got banded this morning.

Back home already! They said I did great. Sore and bloated but doing fine.

Leaving in about half an hour for the surgery center. Scheduled for 11 a.m. Thank you for all the support, encouragement and inspiration thus far. See you on the other side! -Becky

Wishing you success and fulfillment on your journey! I hope you are able to get banded if you decide that's what you want to do. The surgery is excluded by my insurance as well (discrimination, if you ask me) but luckily I have very supportive parents and we were both in the position where they could pay half, and I could pay half, and we're getting it done that way. My surgery consult was last May, and after all these months, my surgery is on Wednesday! I'm 29 and can't keep up with my boyfriend or friends. My therapist asked me last week what I want to achieve once the weight is off, and I said, "I don't want to be 'afraid' of physical exertion. I want to come up the subway stairs and not be winded. When I have 15 blocks to walk, I want to not want to take the bus instead. And I want to be able to hike with my brother" (he's an avid outdoorsman). All the best to you! -Becky

So, I know the answer to this ultimately is to ask my surgeon and/or nutritionist, but here goes. I'm getting banded on Wednesday (and getting nervous). Trying to get everything I need in the house, food-wise and otherwise, so I can just rest and heal. Story is, my doc requires a clear liquid diet "in the hospital only," and I'm outpatient, so it pretty much doesn't even apply to me. Then on to Stage II, which they describe as "Soft/Mushy and/or Pureed" for 4 to 6 weeks before solid foods. Along with the usual cottage cheese, yogurt, smooth/blended Soups, etc., my mushy stage includes things like scrambled eggs, tuna salad with light mayo, and even flaky white fish like tilapia and turkey burgers (!) chew, chew, chew... lol. I will talk to my doc to confirm this, and will be sensible by having the softer, easier stuff for a bit (will get his recc on how long) before I move to the more challenging stuff, since this stage seems pretty wide-reaching. But I'm wondering if anyone else has been spared post-op liquids phase. Thoughts? P.S. I am finishing (what I see as) a reasonably strict 2-week pre-op diet of Protein shakes only (and it was no walk in the park). Lost 24 pounds on it though! -Becky

Congrats to you! Wishing you tons of success. I'll be on the bandwagon in 48 hours.

A patient's satisfaction and experience, as well as their success - however you want to quantify it (and I don't just mean the number on the scale) - all reflect on the doctor and the practice overall. The PA ought to know better than the be discouraging and negative and to upset you. We all know that weight loss is individual and that "results may vary," and that your success also encompasses how you feel emotionally and physically and your personal "non-scale victories" too. All that said, they also work FOR YOU. You and/or your insurance company are paying big bucks so you can get the utmost in care and compassion. I reiterate what everyone has said: Talk to your doctor. It is your RIGHT to be seen by someone who acts professionally, kindly and who has your best interests in mind. If you feel that way about your doctor, ask to see him for fills. Have the receptionist make a note in your record that you will not see the PA, and confirm before every fill appointment that you'll be seeing the doc (or someone else) but not her. If you're really feeling brave, now or in the future, you might even ask for an apology. You deserve one. Don't let her derail you. You're doing great. Stay above "the noise" and keep your chin up.

It is hard. Actually, it's been harder than I expected. I am on Day 11, 4 days to go. I've had great days and somewhat miserable ones. Such a roller coaster in such a short time! But it's reminded me that I do not NEED food, and that is something I'll have to draw on once I'm banded. I wish you well and hope the pre-op phase is enlightening for you! Keep in touch - we're here for you.

Hi guys! I'm on Day 11 of a 15-day pre-op and I'm down 28 pounds - 6 before the start of the diet and 22 on the diet. I've exceeded my own expectations. Just realized today that I got my BMI down under 50, so now I'm "only" morbidly obese, not SUPER morbidly obese - LOL. I'm at 306 this morning and hoping, praying, to get to "twoderland" before surgery day, next Wednesday. I think I can, I think I can!

Absolutely AWESOME! I'm so happy for you and proud of you, and I don't even know you. Maybe because I can relate. One of the motivations in my mind is a thin me on my wedding day. No matter that I'm not quite engaged yet, haha. Anyway, GO YOU!!!

I used to be literally afraid to be hungry. I had an irrational fear that something bad would happen to me if I didn't eat. For the most part, I overcame this about 5 years ago (with some help from a therapist) and was able to lose almost 60 pounds on my own. Kept it off for 4 years, then gained it all back over the last year. I'm on Day 9 of my pre-op liquid diet now, and it's certainly reinforcing my revelation from 2007.

I'm rebeccaoliver31 - I'll add all of you.

Thanks, everyone. I did call my doc today and he OK'd these things for my diet. The chicken broth is nice as it's the one non-sweet thing allowed! Wrapping up Day 7 here and down 16 pounds.

I've been experiencing this too, especially when exerting myself a bit (I visited a museum for a few hours with a friend this weekend, and really wore myself out just being on my feet and walking around for a 3 hours or so). My doc has me on 3 protein shakes/drinks a day, totaling 81g protein and 450 calories. I found out just today, after calling his office, that it was OK to have chicken broth, and sugar-free Jell-O and Popsicles. They didn't tell me this previously! Today is Day 7 for me, and I've lost 16 pounds. It's at least as hard as I thought it would be. We'll make it!