SParkle

I had to do 1 week but only Optifast shakes and fluids (no booze, fizzy drinks or caffeine). No Snacks. The important thing to get into your head is the fact this is not a test for how you will cope after the diet - this is what the operation depends on - shrinking your liver. I put a sticky note on the fridge at eye level saying DO NOT EAT! - that worked for me - every time I dove into the fridge for something I saw it. I went thru all my kitchen and chucked out any foods which might have tempted me, or got hubby to eat them!! If necessary don't let anyone eat in front of you... have your shakes at a quiet time and sip them slowly to enjoy and savour them. I didn't mind the challenge of people eating in front of me so they did and I sat there with my shake. That wasn't easy but I knew I was in for the same post op and wanted to try and nail it. Good luck.... if you get tempted then get out the house and go for a walk.... or have a shower or bath, anything but eat something. Kathy

A very good point as I am one that buries my head in the sand rather than deal with stuff like this. Luckily I had no complications... but it did occur to me before the surgery what if.... but I didn't act upon those worries. I'm not good at all on dealing with the life/death issues, prefering to side track talk rather than turn into a blubbering wreck (this has got worse since losing my mother a year ago). Maybe I should have done something. I do have a will. But nothing about what I want done if something went wrong.....

Firstly, congrats on your surgery..... I didn't get hiccups, but I was very gassy - both up and down and inbetween! lol If you can sip Water than try drinking from the wrong side of the glass, upside down, if not too painful..... it always works for me. Kathy

What a lovely post....you're doing a great job and are reaping the benefits from being sleeved. Keep up the great work and you'll be reporting more losses soon I expect. Kathy

Thats great news - well done!!

What a great moment for you!! Keep up the good work. Kathy

Its very hard not to try your own things when we have such a great thing as this forum to use and so many fellow sleevers to gain experience from, but it sounds like your nut was right esp regarding the Snacks. Is it worth getting your bloods done early just to double check and allay any fears in a lack of something? Hope it shifts soon for you! Kathy

Sorry to read about your torment.... maybe this is the way you are coping with the fact you can't turn to food anymore. They say people that give up smoking (for eg) become irritable and emotional.... so as you can't turn to food now you're finding another way to vent your frustration....also if you were on the anti depressants before hand possibly this is another side effect of not hiding your depression with food intake. I can only give ideas - and possibly another view on things, I'm not qualified at all.... but its worth chatting things thru with your therapist to find the root cause. Good luck Kathy

I had to wear them during the op and post op while I was in hospital - which was 2 days. My surgeon was very cautious about thrombosis - and I'd much rather play on the side of caution than risk a DVT. Hope you get the all clear to take them off soon. Kathy

Thats great news - well done!! Congrats on your weight loss too... you must be very pleased with that. Kathy

HI Jen and welcome I was in the same boat regarding other people - having yoyo'd for 20 yrs I felt like a magic wand was waved when I found out about this surgery. I only told 2 people - my husband and my best friend. My friend was sceptical to start wondering how this could help mend my bad relationship with food. I've not told family as i feel that they love me for who I am and don't understand the huge emotional battle I have had with my weight over the years. Having had several comments about my weight loss recently from friends and my dieting techniques ( I told them I was on a liquid diet for a month to boost the 18lbs I had already shed pre deciding to have the op) their reactions were so diverse i chose not to tell people as it opens up a can of worms in my experience. It works for me - others spread the word loud and clear which I wish I could - maybe long term I will tell people I feel it may benefit. Workwise I am luckily enough not to work, but I would say take the first 2 weeks off....I feel 'normal' now having gone past my 2nd week. Before that I felt tired and lacking energy. If you can get someone to help with your kids for a bit then that'd help as well no doubt. You'll find this site great for help and information - I can't help regarding the insurance side or which surgeon as was self pay here in Spain ( I am an English ex pat). But I certainly will say I don't regret this surgery at all. Good luck with it all and keep us informed how you get on. Kathy

I can only echo the other posts by saying that you are giving your family and yourself a wonderful gift by doing this. Good luck

Congrats and welcome to the losers bench. Great start with your weight loss.... but can I ask if your ticker is right that you only have 26lbs to go?

Just to update.... the evening passed without too many comments luckily. She did keep apologising for the fact I wasn't eating.... to which I replied well done.. as its my choice. If she chose to give up smoking I'd not apologise for her or feel sorry for her....to which I just want you to be happy.... (she doesn't actually know me!) to which I replied that I willbe - I wasn't and I wasn't healthy, but I will be and I'll also be healthy with it - as well as hubby who said he'll give up smoking if I get to 147lbs. So all in all a good result I think!!

I'm so sorry you didn't get it!! Al that build up and then not going in... must suck bigtime. But congrats on the sushi front - I bet it never tasted so good.....!!! Good luck!

Likewise to others posters I can only say that I don't get to read all the posts... and try and answer as many as I can in the time that I am online. I'm sorry you felt that way, but hope the response you have had since has in a small way made up for it. Its sounds like hell.... and I cannot begin to imagine going thru it myself... I wish you all the best from here on in and hope its smoother than your journey has been so far. Kathy

I had a drain which was removed before i left hospital. I have had a couple of twinges which I think was from scar tissue inside but it was literally a twinge, not pain and not long lasting. Regarding liquids - I was more scared to start with about drinking - so built up my Fluid intake slowly but have no issues getting mine in. I keep a drink with me at all times and log what i am drinking during the day to make sure I'm drinking enough. I felt 'normal' again at 2 weeks regarding ability to do stuff. Before that I did feel weak and more tired doing everyday things so too kit very easy during that time and didn't push myself too far. Everyone heals differently, so it'll be interesting to see how others reply as well for you to gauge how you can expect to feel. Good luck

LOL - thanks for the replies - they made me smile.... I was just so incensed when I posted the original post, but have calmed a little now... although tomorrow night is looming so we'll see what else she has to say. Globetrotter - thanks very much..... I have to say maybe she has issues with the fact she just had her 60th birthday.... so my being 18yrs younger must sting a little!!

Hi and welcome Fabulous weight loss... well done!!

Hello and welcome I wish you luck with your surgery - it will be a most wonderful gift for you and your family and I think your health will improve greatly after it.

Excellent weight loss - and well done you for rockin' that pre op diet!! Good luck with your surgery - let us know how it goes.

Monica - forget the shame and take the glory for the fact you stopped yourself in your tracks and made the decision for the surgery - a wonderful gift to yourself and those that love you. I know if we could all turn the clocks back then I'd certainly have stopped myself becoming overweight all those years ago ..... but we can't look backwards - we can only look forwards. So take the positive route and be proud that you have saved yourself from any future anguish from weight problems.

I keep my car keys in mine!! Saves rooting around in my bottomless pit of a bag for them.

Congratulations! How inspirational.... you must be so pleased with this achievement..... well done Deedee.

Such a lovely positive post - I wish you all the happiness in your journey - and thank you for opening our eyes a little to a side we don't always acknowledge.