Patrick Curl

I'm self-pay, so don't have a pre-op diet, and my doctor doesn't even require one to lower liver size BUT - I'm on a self-imposed preop cause A: I'm obsessing, lol and B: I want to be as prepared as possible and losing 40+ pounds BEFORE surgery would be a nice boost to my success post-op.

Wow your doctor actually prescribed that much Water? I read somewhere that too much water can be bad - it messes up your electrolytes I believe, and that seems a bit obsessive.. I don't think I could handle it -- i have trouble making 70 which is my goal.

Wow, amazing transformation. The new you looks so happy, sexy, and full of life-ready to conquer the worls. You are an inspiration. Congrats!

Congrats you're very inspiring, I'm 660 right now - and going to do the same diet you're doing pre-op. Started it today - my surgery is in a month or so - no date yet, but should be soon.

This is exactly how I felt like 3 or 4 days ago - I even posted about it -- http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/39749-nervous-and-worried-i-wont-be-able-to-commit/page__p__352984#entry352984
Then a lot of people made me realize 3 things:
1. - Everyone who has done this was scared. There are no exceptions. We are at a precipice, at my current life path - I'll be dead in 10 years either through co-morbidities, or self-inflicted from the pain. Yeah - I've thought of taking the easy way out - -I figure even if I die doing this - at least I'll be done with the pain one way or another and then I'm not so afraid.
2. That there is a lot of support in this group and people will reach out to help you through this- you are not alone - not at all. We are all here for you.
3. Post-surgery - it won't be as much psychological as you think - for one foods you used to love may now make you super sick- at least that's what I've heard, -- and you won't be able to eat more than a few ounces at a time anyhow so even if you did cheat - you'll still lose.
Yes we all need to learn to improve our habits.. that's maybe our whole purpose in this life. Once you see the weight dropping off you'll also receive increased Serotinin which will increase your motivation to keep doing it, plus if you exercise along with it- which you definitely should - then you'll also get endorphines - Seratonin plus endorphins are two of the biggest best drugs out there- in fact Serotonin I believe is released when you eat sweets - so you'll get the same effect from your new lifestyle - by doing good things.
Gist: Everyone's scared, There's lots of Support here, You won't be as hungry/craving of sweets as you think you will be.

Ok, thanks for all the comments.. still not excited about that part lol but.. I'll make it through I guess.

Absolutely - thanks for re-iterating. I know food got us into this, but to never ever again enjoy certain foods because of dumping syndrome, or something - well.. that just sucks. I plan on getting down to 200, working out like a dog - joining some competitive athletic activities like Mixed Martial Arts, or maybe an Adult Hockey or Basketball league - something fun that is exercise but that doesn't feel like it. -- When I'm that active I'll be able to enjoy a good mexican meal, or something (only 1/5th as much at a time lol)..
It so a no-brainer to me. I am so excited about the surgery, and pumped to get it done, over with, and get past the 6-8 week post op diet, and just get this weight behind me.. Next year is the beginning of something I've never experienced before.. Being Thin'ish (300 would be thin for me lol) - just want to fit into a damn roller coaster again - and I'm going to Cedar Point and Kings Island every weekend for a whole freaking year!

Patrick Curl nailed every single reason for me as to why I chose the sleeve over gastric bypass. I work in an ER and have seen several complications for Gastric Bypass and the Band, but have only seen 1 complication of the sleeve and that was a truly non compliant patient who didn't feel you had to be accountable for the amount you can eat after the surgery.
Another HUGE factor for me was again exactly what Patrick said: I want to be able to enjoy my favorite foods in smaller amounts of course. I'm not one that can handle the "you can never have that again" mentality. I know some nutritionalists are telling people that there are certain foods you can never have again, but I belong to a group of Nutritionalists and they all same the same thing.......moderation!
Second: the mortality rate is much higher with gastric bypass
Third: The weight loss was the pretty close to the same as Gastric bypass
And last but not least.....recovery time (bypass is 6 weeks...I was back to work in 10 days after my sleeve)
Do your research...write down all the pros and cons to both surgeries and see what you feel is best for you!
Keep coming back here for any support you need, this is a great site. God Bless and good luck to you!

For one - I don't want to not ever be able to eat the food I like again in my entire life. When I hit goal, I would like to enjoy my food - but just in much smaller portions.
Also - I don't want dumping syndrome - doesn't sound like much fun.
Also - Sleeve has less mortality rate, and the complications that do arise are generally less severe.
Also - Sleeve gets rid of Ghrellin part of stomach the hormone that creates cravings.
Also - Most importantly though - The sleeve doesn't have the mal-absorption that bypass has - think of being 60 - and needing heart medicine, or diabetes, or whatever else elderly folks take lol My grandma has a whole cabinet full of medicine - and Not being able to absorb the medicine may mean needing to take twice as much as a normal person would - which could also lead to error's in prescribed amounts which could lead to death - not to mention Prescriptions can be costly, and the Vitamin dosage alone for bypass is huge and costly and will be for the rest of your life.
Sleeve does require a couple extra Vitamins, but not nearly as bad as Bypass patients.
And Lastly: According to studies the Sleeve works just about at the same rate as Bypass, and with less complications - it's a good alternative.
Those are just a few of my reasons.

For one - I don't want to not ever be able to eat the food I like again in my entire life. When I hit goal, I would like to enjoy my food - but just in much smaller portions.
Also - I don't want dumping syndrome - doesn't sound like much fun.
Also - Sleeve has less mortality rate, and the complications that do arise are generally less severe.
Also - Sleeve gets rid of Ghrellin part of stomach the hormone that creates cravings.
Also - Most importantly though - The sleeve doesn't have the mal-absorption that bypass has - think of being 60 - and needing heart medicine, or diabetes, or whatever else elderly folks take lol My grandma has a whole cabinet full of medicine - and Not being able to absorb the medicine may mean needing to take twice as much as a normal person would - which could also lead to error's in prescribed amounts which could lead to death - not to mention Prescriptions can be costly, and the Vitamin dosage alone for bypass is huge and costly and will be for the rest of your life.
Sleeve does require a couple extra Vitamins, but not nearly as bad as Bypass patients.
And Lastly: According to studies the Sleeve works just about at the same rate as Bypass, and with less complications - it's a good alternative.
Those are just a few of my reasons.

Wow sounds like a rollercoaster ride..
Yeah.. i looked at the scale today and it was a bit.. unfriendly ...
I've decided no scales till my last pre-op doctor's visit (June 20th). Instead I'm just gonna push it and workout, lift weights, etc.. keep to my 800 calorie diet.

For one - I don't want to not ever be able to eat the food I like again in my entire life. When I hit goal, I would like to enjoy my food - but just in much smaller portions.
Also - I don't want dumping syndrome - doesn't sound like much fun.
Also - Sleeve has less mortality rate, and the complications that do arise are generally less severe.
Also - Sleeve gets rid of Ghrellin part of stomach the hormone that creates cravings.
Also - Most importantly though - The sleeve doesn't have the mal-absorption that bypass has - think of being 60 - and needing heart medicine, or diabetes, or whatever else elderly folks take lol My grandma has a whole cabinet full of medicine - and Not being able to absorb the medicine may mean needing to take twice as much as a normal person would - which could also lead to error's in prescribed amounts which could lead to death - not to mention Prescriptions can be costly, and the Vitamin dosage alone for bypass is huge and costly and will be for the rest of your life.
Sleeve does require a couple extra Vitamins, but not nearly as bad as Bypass patients.
And Lastly: According to studies the Sleeve works just about at the same rate as Bypass, and with less complications - it's a good alternative.
Those are just a few of my reasons.

Ok so today is day 3, and the diarrhea is finally gone.
I just entered yesterday's meals into MyFitnessPal and it said - if everyday were like today you'd weigh: 617 pounds in 5 weeks! (starting: 660)
Well if I add in some extra workouts and really push it, I think I can make it to 600 by my surgery - which would be totally cool!
I'm so excited so far, I really need to get started exercising - that's my most dreaded thing though lol.
Day two was a little rough, but today I do feel better, and more focused and less weak.

The easy way out isnt this surgery, it's much worse-, and something I'm sure a lot of people have contemplated, this is just one way out of the pain and misery of obesity.
It's not the way for everybody, but for many of us it may be the only way. Normal people dont get it, nobody can understand what a day in our life is like.

The easy way out isnt this surgery, it's much worse-, and something I'm sure a lot of people have contemplated, this is just one way out of the pain and misery of obesity.
It's not the way for everybody, but for many of us it may be the only way. Normal people dont get it, nobody can understand what a day in our life is like.

Yeah, I saw that but - frankly... I'm practically dead already.. I'm not afraid of dieing from surgery - i'm afraid of being bed-ridden and taking my own life out of despair... If I don't change by 35 I might just give up.. and I'm not quite ready to give up because I have always had hope that someday things will change and someday was always some long lengthy distance now it's like 5 weeks lol .. which is scary because I could fail at this too.. but if I succeed, well.. I'll be the happiest I've ever been in my life.. all my depression/anxiety/ etc is weight related. Everything negative in my life is because of my weight. -- I'd rather die from the surgery any day than go on living like this. At least I would die knowing I've exhausted all my options.

I thought I was anxious before, just got off phone with the scheduling lady.
I've got to get clearance from Cardiologist and Pulmonologist - which I don't think will be a problem, my Primary did and EKG and my cholesterol / triglycerides are all perfect.
I do have some lung issues - but most of that is weight and sleep apnea related. I'm hoping there's no problem there as well.
My date is July 2nd, and my final pre-op appointment is on the 20th of June!
I'm going to be on all liquid diet till July 2nd to prepare myself for the surgery. By my Birthday I'm hoping to be under 500 - that's 150 pounds in 5 months.
Wish me luck!

This is exactly how I felt like 3 or 4 days ago - I even posted about it -- http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/39749-nervous-and-worried-i-wont-be-able-to-commit/page__p__352984#entry352984
Then a lot of people made me realize 3 things:
1. - Everyone who has done this was scared. There are no exceptions. We are at a precipice, at my current life path - I'll be dead in 10 years either through co-morbidities, or self-inflicted from the pain. Yeah - I've thought of taking the easy way out - -I figure even if I die doing this - at least I'll be done with the pain one way or another and then I'm not so afraid.
2. That there is a lot of support in this group and people will reach out to help you through this- you are not alone - not at all. We are all here for you.
3. Post-surgery - it won't be as much psychological as you think - for one foods you used to love may now make you super sick- at least that's what I've heard, -- and you won't be able to eat more than a few ounces at a time anyhow so even if you did cheat - you'll still lose.
Yes we all need to learn to improve our habits.. that's maybe our whole purpose in this life. Once you see the weight dropping off you'll also receive increased Serotinin which will increase your motivation to keep doing it, plus if you exercise along with it- which you definitely should - then you'll also get endorphines - Seratonin plus endorphins are two of the biggest best drugs out there- in fact Serotonin I believe is released when you eat sweets - so you'll get the same effect from your new lifestyle - by doing good things.
Gist: Everyone's scared, There's lots of Support here, You won't be as hungry/craving of sweets as you think you will be.

I can't wait for...
- Solve some of our fertility issues.
- Being able to ride a roller coaster.
- Being able to simply shower without throwing my shoulder out trying to get clean.
- Being able to ride a bike again.
- Being able to join some type of competitive sport league to keep me physically fit -- I'd love to do competitive dodge ball, or Mixed Martial Arts..
- Being able to shop in a normal store (not since I was 10-11).
- Being able to "suit up" as Barney Stinson (how i met your mother) would say, and look sleek and professional.
- Being able to go to the theatre - My wife and I really want to see Wicked - but the seats aren't accomodating. Told her to go without me, but she refuses. It's coming to Dayton for a 1-2 week engagement this month. -- I won't make it to this one, but next big production that comes through - we will be there.
- My weight presses up on some nerves in my arm - and I get numbness/tingling in my arm because of it .. I think it's Thoracic Outlet syndrome - yeah - to not have that anymore..
- To be able to walk/stand and talk with someone without excruciating back pain and constant thought of "will this conversation ever end? I need a freaking CHAIR now!"
- Being able to travel again - I haven't even attempted to get on an airplane since I was 18.
- and much much more...

I thought I was anxious before, just got off phone with the scheduling lady.
I've got to get clearance from Cardiologist and Pulmonologist - which I don't think will be a problem, my Primary did and EKG and my cholesterol / triglycerides are all perfect.
I do have some lung issues - but most of that is weight and sleep apnea related. I'm hoping there's no problem there as well.
My date is July 2nd, and my final pre-op appointment is on the 20th of June!
I'm going to be on all liquid diet till July 2nd to prepare myself for the surgery. By my Birthday I'm hoping to be under 500 - that's 150 pounds in 5 months.
Wish me luck!

I say go for it - never hurts to get a head start - plus I hear that the less you weigh when you get the surgery, the less you will lose when all is said and done.. ie someone 500 might get down to 225, while someone 450 might get down to 190, not sure how true that is though. But it is safer the more you lose - liklihood of complications goes down with size - which is my motivation for trying to lose 50 pounds in the next month or so.. (I weigh 660, I can sweat 50 pounds of Water in a week- i have before on other diets.. so I know I can do it if I just put my mind to it).

Thanks -I kinda just try to ignore their comments and move on. I blame the parents more then them though for not teaching good manners lol. I also think hey.. I'm getting surgery soon, I'm already losing weight on my liquid diet, and before long I wont' be the fattest person these kids have ever seen.. Just gotta be a little bit patient I guess.

oh, I forgot the biggest reason - so little kids stop staring at me and saying 'Mom, that guy is so Fat'... that really hurts, and ticks me off. On the one hand I know they're just kids but on the other I feel like their parent should apologize for not teaching them manners...

oh, I forgot the biggest reason - so little kids stop staring at me and saying 'Mom, that guy is so Fat'... that really hurts, and ticks me off. On the one hand I know they're just kids but on the other I feel like their parent should apologize for not teaching them manners...

Thanks. My doctor does not have any pre op diets, but I want to be sure I can do the liquid diet after the surgery, plus being 650, every pound I lose before lessens chances of complications, and will make recovery easier.