JerseyGirl68

Best of luck!! Congratulations!

Hi Pat and welcome! On my own, I started Weight watchers a few months before I went to the surgeon. It got me in the right frame of mind. You are doing great, and I'm sure you'll get responses of folks with similar pre-op instructions. Everyone is different, your doc just wants you in the best possible shape for your surgery, especially if you're fast tracked. Best of luck to you!

Awesome Wendy! Thanks so much for sharing!

Try Vitamin Water zero, the flavors are good and the carbs are very low. Regular Gatorade has so much sugar, really no good for us. If nothing else is available you could dilute the Gatorade 1/2 with water. Do a search for G2 powder on Amazon, they have it.

The first few weeks it will feel like you are eating and drinking all the time....and you will be. You'll have to just pace yourself and do your best. I tried to focus on getting the most bang for my buck. A Protein shake high in good quality protein ( I use Pure Protein) with SMart Balance skim milk 35 grams of protein per cup. Half my daily requirement. If you blend your shakes, know that you will be incorporating air into them. That might be harder initially. I sipped all day on my fluids. Water didnt' go down too easy for me, but Vitamin water zero did. Still a staple for me. As you heal and the swelling goes down, you'll be able to take in more and get in to a pattern. Measure and track everything. Good luck!! Check out the websites emilybites.com and theworldaccordingtoeggface.com both full of high protein meals for post op.

I've been using my Ninja for over a year. Love it!

I think at one point or another most of us have been plagued by thoughts of this not working. Why should it, nothing else has ever worked. We all lose at different paces, but we lose. You do your best, follow what your doctor/nut tells you and you can't fail. I have not regretted one moment. Its a process and work and it will take time. Commit to eating right and exercising.. you can't fail this time, you are armed with a great tool to help you.

HI Amanda: I'll echo what others have said, it will get better. Are you on Clear Liquids? Have you tried unjury chicken soup or Syntrax nectar to get in some additiona Protein? Being dehydrated can absolutely make you feel hungry. Also, stomach acid will also mimic hungry pains. Do you best, everyone says it will get better because it will. Warm liquids went down easier for me initially so I drank herbal tea. Good luck!

Congratulations!!!

I measure once a month, sometimes the scale doesn't move but I lose inches. Make small goal for yourself and Celebrate every one of them! Collect recipes... Take pictures of yourself all throughout this journey. I can rarely see a difference in a mirror but pictures never lie. Congratulations on your surgery! Good luck!!

Hi, I have BCBS NJ and my surgery was just over a year ago. It was less than two weeks to get the approval. As long as you have all their requirements done it should be no problem. I know when I first inquired in June of 2012 you had to have a BMI of 40 or above or 35 and at least 2 co-morbidities. Good luck!

I agree and took the same approach leading up to my surgery. That was a huge part of my being able to start strong and stay on top of things. Everyone has their own process, but I don't' think anyone can really argue a down side to knowing all we can. Congratulations on your success!

You raised one hell of a young woman. You are both right, you got this. Congratulations on your upcoming surgery and for being the mom of a wonderful young lady.

Kathy, Happy, Happy Birthday!! We should all have the energy and love of life as you do! You are an inspiration and mentor to all. Thank you so much for giving of yourself so willingly. So glad we "met" here!! Chris

Hi there, Can you manage on your own when you get home? probably, I was lucky to have lots of support, but I did manage at my home on my own for the most part. I might be a good idea to let someone close to you know what is going on, just in case you do need something and just to check up on you in general. You won't be able to lift anything over 10 lbs for about 6 weeks, it amazed me how many day to day tasks included lifting and bending. My hospital would not let a patient leave in a cab. You can find out their policy on that online most likely. I'm sorry that most of your family is out of state,and I completely understand not wanting to share your business with just anyone. I have found that even the busiest of friends can make a little time if we are in need. I think the physical aspect of recovery is really an individual experience. So many have different reactions to surgery. I was very fortunate to have a very smooth recovery. You may not need any real help, but having someone "on call" could prove to be useful. I'm not assuming to know the history with you and your sister, but maybe try talking with her again. Our sisters and family in general, can be toughest on us, but they are usually coming from a place of concern and love and oftentimes lack of knowledge about a procedure can intensify that concern. financing a healthier future, isn't a bad investment. You are investing in you.. Surely she will think you are worth it. If she never struggled with weight issues, it may be hard for her to really understand. I wish you the best of luck on your upcoming surgery and welcome to the forum. The folks here are a wealth of information and support. And thankfully it seems someone is always here.

What about unsweetened ice tea? We're not supposed to eat and drink at the same times anyway, I've found this helps a great deal, especially when going out to eat.

Ahhh the subconscious mind... Try not to focus on what you think you "can't" have. There are a bunch of things you can have after being sleeved that will help with sweet cravings. Jello makes a sugar free double chocolate pudding that hits the spot for me. I debated weather the fat free was better, but the carb count on the sugar free works better for me. Check out theworldaccordingtoeggface.com and emilybites.com Tons of great recipes that you and your SIL can try next time. You may find some new favorites!

I likened the discomfort ( It really was not bad) to what it feels like after doing a ton of sit-ups. Tylenol and using a heating pad helped most with this for me. Nope, no undies. I had a cathedar until the day after surgery, but lots of folks don't... they will help you up if you need. A small pillow helped greatly. I slept in a recliner for the first few nights. The hardest position for me to get up from initially was laying flat.

Try getting in a little more Protein with your soft foods, The cauliflower is good, but not nutritionally filling. Some Greek yogurt maybe?? Dehydration will mimic hunger , Ms. Skininess is right on, as usual :-) Stomach acid also mimics hunger pains, are you taking a PPI? Good luck!!

It's not always easy, but you're doing it. If you find yourself really struggling with loss of energy call your doctor and see if you can add a shake or some veggies to your pre-op. I don't know your specific situation, but if you had not been dieting or restricting foods prior to your pre-op, your body is definitely going to go through withdrawals. Caffeine, sugar, carbs, all take a few days to get out of our systems. Every day on your pre-op is a victory. Best of luck!! You can get through it!!

You should be asking yourself the hard questions. No one should go into this without serious thought. Though I still don't feel traditional hunger at over a year out, I do at times fall victim to head hunger. The best part about it, I can't overindulge. I do my very best to not surround myself with foods that I can pick on. I have a life long weight issue, I'm simply managing it better now. Coming to grips with what triggers my emotional eating was challenging. But this time around in my life-long career as a professional dieter, I have a tool that makes it a little easier. The physical restriction is uncompromising and permanent. Yes, there may be a time where you could indulge in slider foods and thing that are high fat/calories/carbs, but you just might not. Our emotional demons, unfortunately are not removed during surgery. It's a process. You are doing what you need to, and that is such a positive decision. Believe in yourself. I am able to appreciate getting physically satisfied after eating thanks to the restriction of the sleeve. And I'm able to do it with a few ounces. Follow your doctors advise, weigh and measure your food so you don't eat too much early on. Enjoy that it won't be as hard to lose the weight this time around. You can do it!! Best of luck to you!!

Too funny and so true Janet! I don't fear folding clothes in front of others anymore either.

You sound like you are getting in the right frame of mind to start this journey. Dehydration also can make you "feel hungry" when you're not. Keep liquids at the ready. Every day closer to surgery is a victory for you. You are making the choices you need to succeed. I love that when your trainer told you to eat something you consulted your doctor first. Trusting our doctors is critical. We all had / have different pre-ops for different reasons. No one else's advise should trump the advise of the person we trust to take out a chunk of our stomachs. Butter knows his stuff regarding the exercise aspect. Support from your hubby is awesome. Best of luck to you!! You got this!!

Unfortunately, losing weight will not guarantee easier relationships, some may say it will bring about the opposite. It might make starting one "easier" in the sense that we are more confident and put ourselves out there than before we were heavier. If you think it's insecurities and what you deem flaws than maybe take some you time. Focus on what you want to change. And, I agree with Kate here, when you are happier with yourself you will find that you will be more content in life. We can't be a good partner to anyone if we are not happy with ourselves. Just because you may be getting more attention now, doesn't mean that it's the perfect time for you to dive into a full blown relationship. Iv'e always found that the best relationships I've been in started when I wasn't actively looking for them. It also could be you are less willing to accept major flaws in others and will move on a little quicker. In the meantime, enjoy getting out there, it will happen. Good luck .

I had surgery on Wednesday and returned to my office on Monday. I do work close to home so I was comfortable to drive.