Joisey01

It is an incredible fete. I really understand the in-law trauma. I'm not an emotional eater, but it would have been a success if I didn't dump food in their laps! WAY TO GO!!!!! No one knows but my husband, children and one friend at work who is having the sleeve on October 23. I intend to keep it that way.

I started my liquid pre-op diet yesterday. The Protein shakes are a brand that the surgeon requires us to use. That way everyone has expected results with shrinking the liver prior to surgery. Well, I gave it the good ole college try. The smell of the protein triggered the gag reflex. I didn't give up, tho. I gave it 5 tries. Five failures. Since this morning was my pre-op testing, I had to fast for the blood work. It was not a problem. Came home and failed again with another shake. I called the surgeon's office to talk to the nurse. After a short chat, she advised that I could switch to the Protein Shakes I already had. I was finally able to have one. I'd almost go so far as saying that I was thrilled. I even swear it tasted like STEAK! Not really, but I wasn't giving up. SUCCESS!! Since my husband and I are newly empty nesters and working opposite shifts, I've had to learn how to cook for just 2. I went grocery shopping, came home and started cooking. It didn't occur to me that It wasn't effecting me until I was done. I was like WOW!! I just cooked two complete meals, didn't take a taste of anything!!! SUCCESS!!! Crazy, strange day. I know now that I WILL make it the two weeks. It's only 2 weeks!!

Awesome!!!!! You go girl!

After yesterday being my first day on the pre-op liquid diet, I lost 4 pounds!!! Is that for real? Is it this easy????

Congratulations!!!

Dr. Kim will sleeve me on the 20th. I started my pre-op liquid diet today. How did you survive the BariEssentials?

Oh no. I am so sorry!!!

It also can lead to your stomach stretching. Don't want to stretch your sleeve.

Awesome!! Glad the pain will pass soon for you.

Today is my first day on liquids, too. Have had my 2nd shake so far today with 4-20oz glasses of liquids. Still hungry. I have jello in the fridge I forgot about. I'll have to grab a spoon and go after that. I'm ok, though. My willpower is stronger.

I have a wicked intolerance for artificial sweeteners. I always have. I have learned that artificial sweeteners are sweeter than sugar by 600 times. I have learned how I can tolerate them. I dilute by half or more than half. I don't like sweets to begin with. I'm ok with the diluted portions. I am happy with it. As long as the water has a slight flavor, I am cool with it. It's a learning process. One day at a time.

Thank you, Sue! Please keep me posted on your progress!

WOOO HOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! CONGRATS!!!!!!!!

Regardless....you need to be seen! Just remember, nothing lasts forever. You will be ok. Just do what you can to be seen! Will be saying prayers!

Once I made the decision to have surgery (I didn't know which one at the time), I did nothing but research. I researched and read and asked and talked about it. I decided to be sleeved when I talked to the surgeon. Since then I have done nothing but research, ask and read. Now that I start my liquid diet tomorrow, I'm comfortable with the knowledge I have. No question is stupid if you don't know the answer. Ask. Good luck!

I have begun this process what seems like a lifetime ago. I'm sure you all know the deal. I start the two week liquid pre-op tomorrow morning. I'm not even dreading it. Anyone can do anything for 2 weeks, right? It's not like it's forever. The ultimate goal is within my reach for the first time. I can do it! I posted last week, I think about a bit of anxiety over the reality of it all. I'm not anxious anymore. I am so ready for this, my friends! I tolerate Protein shakes pretty well. I've figured out how to be able to drink the artificially sweetened drinks so I'm not stuck just drinking Water all the time. I've got my meds and Vitamins all good to go. Not that I'm OCD or anything! I've relied heavily on this forum for answers to my way out questions and have found a couple of pretty good friends. I really feel pretty ready for this surgery. I'll weigh myself in the morning prior to the first shake and start the countdown from there. I hope you all have a great evening!

No, I don't think you're seeing things differently. It happens that way. It's like when you buy a new car. Once you buy it, you start noticing the same make and model but never noticed that many on the road before. It's always like that. Especially when you can't have something. You want it more! Hang in there. It's only for a little while. You can do it!

That is WONDERFUL!!! I will be sleeved by Dr. Kim on the 20th. Starting my liquid diet on Thursday! 20 pounds is awesome! Keep up the good work!

AWESOME!!! Congratulations!

AWESOME!!!!!!!

Congratulations! Isn't that encouragement enough to keep it going!?!?!?! Very happy for you!

Congratulations!!!!!!!!

That's very true, Lynneo@ Regardless, I am able to drink it diluted by half. That breaks up the monotony for me! I don't intend on using packets of splenda or any other artificial sweeteners to anything. I just wanted to be able to tolerate the artificial sweetened drinks for the liquid diet!

Good morning everyone! I hope you're all doing well! I have never liked the aftertaste of artificial sweeteners. Lord knows I've tried over and over to just get over it and drink it anyway. Now that I'm faced with the liquid diet for pre-op, (I start Thursday the 6th) I have dreaded the Water part of it a little. Although 2 weeks isn't forever, I know that drinking that much water all of the time would get b-o-r-i-n-g. I came across an article somewhere and read that artificial sweeteners are 600 times sweeter than sugar! 600 times! No wonder I don't like them! I don't like sweets at all! This bit of trivia got me thinking. If artificial sweeteners are THAT sweet, what can I do to be able to tolerate them? Yesterday, I did an experiment. I made a pitcher of cherry limeade Crystal Light. I just had to try! I diluted the Crystal Light by 1/2 with water. I took a sip not expecting a good result.....GUESS WHAT? That horrific aftertaste was so minimal that I drank 3 20 oz glasses of it!!! SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!! I can knock out this 2 week liquid diet out with my eyes closed now!