DanaInNewOrleans

I forgot to ask, where are you from? I'm in New Orleans..

I see you just joined VST yesterday... this is such a great place for information and support. VST rocks!

I'm wondering the same thing. My surgery is the 21st. I have to stay on Clear Liquids for 7 days after surgery. What the heck to you "eat" for 7 days that is clear liquid? It's so strange how everybody has different instructions/guidelines. I've seen some people here be allowed Protein shakes the day or two after surgery. Do you mind sharing how you're getting in so much protein so soon after surgery? I need ideas because I cannot fathom only taking in clear liquids for 7 days.... ~Dana

Hi, I have MS and am on Avonex ( 1x weeky interferon injections). All my docs gave their ok for the surgery. But I did not think to ask about Avonex specifically. Hmmm, you raised a good point. I am also on Plaquenil, which is also a immunosuppressant, for Lupus. My surgery is 12/21. And your post made me remember another thing that I forgot to ask my surgeon when I saw him last week---what about all the other medication I take? No one has discussed anything relating to my medication with me. I've read many people here are instructed NOT to take pills for a period after surgery. I MUST take my meds... guess I'll have to call my surgeon to find out his instructions.... Good luck on the 17th!! ~Dana

Wow. What a harrowing story. I'm so sorry you had to endure this. I had my final appointment before surgery with my surgeon last Thursday...he said my surgery should be a breeze because I haven't had any type of previous WLS or abdominal surgery....I assumed it was the scar tissue reason ( which I had read about here on VST...VST is awesome!) ..and based on your experience it certainly can be a potential complication. I'm happy you are home and on the road to recovery.... and the by the way, your kids do sound like awesome people!! ~Dana

Great idea!

I thought I was a November but it turns out I'm a December. The Novembers are a great group who really stuck together to give each other support. They mostly stick to one continuous thread so it's easy to stick together and keep up with everyone. Maybe we can do the same? What do ya'll think? By the way, I'm December 21st. ~Dana

Hi Cami....good luck tomorrow! Just said my prayer for you!! ~Dana

Good Luck ...prayer said! ~Dana

I'm the 21st too!!

Thanks for sharing! So the I guess the moral of the story is don't take big bites?? It's funny because I haven't seen anyone say they a "little sliming" ...it's always a full blown major reaction.

Good luck!

Anybody know the actual physiological reason for sliming? I keep hearing about it and it seems there's not a lot of consistency between people for when/why it happens. Seems so odd....I want to avoid it! Thanks! Dana

Monday December 10 11:30am 11 Days Before Surgery Day I decided to start this blog to document this entire life changing experience. And if it will help others contemplating this survery or already in the process that will be great too. I probably should have started the blog months ago because my process began in August. I'll just give a brief overview.... I began looking into Gastric Sleeve in July when I realized I was never going to be happy unless I lost weight and I was never going to lead a full life unless I lost weight. I've dieted my entire life, with some success but mostly disappointment. I did manage to lose 160 pounds 11 years ago (doing low carb) --- at that point I was still 200 pounds but I was very happy. I was a size 16, which for me was a huge accomplishment. I managed to keep the 160lbs off for about 5 years. I was then diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and Thyroid Cancer in the same month. I had my thyroid removed and had radiation. It seemed to get harder and harder to keep the weight off, although I have still followed a mostly low carb lifestyle. It was so demoralizing. I have slowly regained 60 pounds back over the 6 years. I tried Weight Watchers, thinking that my body was so used to low carb that it needed something different. I GAINED weight on WW. I went back to low carb -- no success. I was despondent. I'm thankful I've still managed to keep the other 100 pounds off but I really believe I was on the road to gaining it all back. I came to the conclusion that I MUST do something drastic, NOW. I'm 49, with Multiple Sclerosis and Lupus and I want to make the most of my life NOW because I do not know what the future holds. Like I said, I started looking into this in July 2012. By the end of July my mind was pretty much made up. I was going to do this! I had my first appointment with my surgeon August 16 and that is when my journey "officially" began. Aetna required a 3 month medically supervised diet program, which I completed in November. So here I am, finally! 11 days before my surgery. I don't have an official diet to follow before surgery... my doc just said "don't gain". However I have been supplementing meals with protein shakes for a while. I finally found a couple protein powders that are actually GOOD and that I ENJOY! Nectar Chocolate Truffle and About Time Birthday Cake. Both are high quality whey protein isolate. I haven't lost any weight though but he said that is ok. And I do plan on having a few Last Meals with my hubby. He is a little bummed out that I won't be able to go out and eat for a while ( he is not overweight). I'm excited and apprehensive at the same time. I know I will miss real food. I'm a native New Orleanian --- food is basically a religion here and it really is a huge part of normal life. EVERYTHING revolves around food. I wonder if I'll ever be able to eat normal things ( of course in much smaller portions)......but deep down I know that this is what I NEED to do.....

Hi! Congratulations! Your doc's instructions sound almost the same as mine. My surgery is 12/21. Wash night before and in am with hibiclens. Wash hair ( I don't think they mentioned conditioner though). I do not have a pre-op diet other than "don't gain". I've been doing the 3 month regular diet thing but nothing special the next 10 days like some people have. I'm thankful for that because I'm hoping to enjoy a few last meals with the hubby. I'm praying I won't gain. Basically I'm going to do my protein shakes during the day and eat a "cheat" meal in the evening without going completely crazy. I was thinking about doing a blog to document this experience. Reading your first entry really was comforting ....I'll be following you every step of the way I think I will do one of my own as well. Mostly just to remember everything and help the newbies with their fears and questions. Good luck! ~Dana

Would you mind sharing a little bit of what you 're eating ...like what would be a typical day for you?

I was thinking the same thing-- gorgeous smile!

Hi Sannah, How long after you took the med did you experience the vision loss? And how after you took the med did you begin to notice the vision problem. Glad you're better! wow.... Dana

I had my last visit with my surgeon yesterday-- I don't have a pre-op diet either. I asked because he did not mention it and he nope. It is kind of a relief ..... I plan on having a few last favorite meals with my husband....my surgery is 12/21. Good luck!

Hi Everyone-- Abdominal Binders -- Where to buy and what type... reviews would be most welcome! My surgery is two weeks from today and I want to have one for when I get home. Thanks! ~Dana

I LOVE the Melon Apple!

Hi Hi, looks like we're on the same day--the 21st. I had my last appointment with the doc yesterday and I don't have any special diet to follow-- other than the same one I've bee on for a few months. He said the hospital will go over the 48 hours before surgery diet when I go for my pre-op testing and anesthesia consult 3 days before surgery. Speaking of food funerals and eating too much....I came home from my appointment yesterday and baked brownies and made biscuits. These are two food that I normally really don't give a rat's behind about...but for some reason I was bent on having them. Had two biscuits as my dinner and ate a couple of brownies and it was very anticlimatic! LOL.... I don't think I'll do a full blown food funeral but I'll probably eat a few things with the hubby since I know it will be long time before I'll be able to have it again... I do worry about not be able to actually "eat" food for a long time...I imagine it must be a strange feeling....probably not actually hungry but wanting to actually EAT ( as in chew) something that actually has an aroma..... if ya'll have some tips on how to combat that please chime in....I'd like to be ready because I do think it may be an issue for me. Yeah for all of us getting ready for our big days!!

Brickhouse, you must must must concentrate on beating your cancer! Forget the Sleeve for now. Put all your energy to getting well. Then just think how indestructible you'll be once you get sleeved... Take care..... Dana

Hi Karen, Trust me, I love the food too! (obviously) My husband, who is a New Yorker keeps saying that it's cruel for someone from New Orleans to have this surgery. Food is a religion here....it won't be easy....hope down the road that I will be able to enjoy all our great food with everyone but just with lots of moderation..... our surgeries are close so I'm sure we'll be sharing experiences..... ~Dana