Joisey01

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!

Congratulations!!!!!!! Saying some prayers!

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!

I had a hysterectomy 18 years ago. I keep seeing period issues as well as hormone issues. I don't get periods or have those wickedly hormonal moments. What will happen (if anything) when I have surgery? Will I still have hormonal issues? Can I expect to be blissfully happy?

Sleeve name suggestion? Sleevie Wonder?

I will be sleeved by Dr. Kim on the 20th.

Oh Lord! You will be on my prayer list! I am so sorry to hear. Keep us posted, please!

Congratulations! I have a bit of anxiety because of my size and the risks as well. I have been able to alleviate some of the anxiety because I know that the pros outweigh the cons. I know this to be true. You will do just fine! Hang in there and good luck!

That is truly a wonderful post! CONGRATULATIONS!

I am pre-op (9-20-12). I've done some taste-testing and ordering to get ready for when I go to the liquid diet and for post-op. I've found unjury @ www.unjury.com. I got the unflavored and chicken broth. They have bariatric Vitamins as well. Just this weekend, I went to GNC to get some pre-made ISOPURE. They have several flavors; grape frost, apple melon, alpine punch, blue raspberry and pineapple orange banana. I have had one just to see how it would go. I tried the pineapple, orange, banana. I found that it wasn't horrible. But like I said, I'm pre-op. Who knows how my tastebuds will change post-op. I also tolerate the Protein shakes very well. Good luck!

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!! I have purchased Unjury unflavored protein as well as the chicken broth. I have it ready to go! I even purchased my post-op vitamins there!

WOW! IrishEyes, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me (and us on VST). We all have our stories. We've all had our struggles. I appreciate you and all you have been through. One day at a time is all we can do at one step at a time. You have come so far! Looking at another Journey in the face has to be ridden with anxiety. My anxiety only lasts a few minutes and then I get my thoughts back on track. One foot in front of the other. Keep in touch throughout your journey!

BEAUTIFEROUS!!!!!!

YOU GO GIRL!!!! Let them stare! Let them wonder! AWESOME!!!!

It has got to be hard to be a sleever and OTR. If you prepare ahead of time, I can see it would be easier.

LOL! It's not the candy, cake or sweets. It's the carbs. Bad carbs. I have set the kitchen up for when I get home from the hospital. All of my go-to stuff is gone since I'm starting my liquid pre-op on Thursday. The hardest part will be while I'm on the liquid and full liquid portion. We'll still have to cook for my husband. Once I'm on real food again, he can eat the same things as me just in slightly larger portions. I CAN DO THIS!!!!

I hate it that society has made us feel inadequate and unappealing! I hate it! What? Because I'm not thin and gorgeous that I have nothing to contribute? That's crap! It took me a very long time to realize that it's crap. I'm in my mid-40's now and realize that for me it isn't an image I'm after. Everyone is different in this journey of WLS. My goal is to get off the meds. Fit in an airline seat and travel. For whatever our reasons, we should be supported for doing the hardest thing most of us have ever done.....to admit we need help, support and all the tools we can to become who we want and need to become. I hope with your newfound weight loss you will find a sense of peace that comes from within. When the peace and self-esteem are on board, it shines through into every aspect of your life. You've made the hardest part come true. The surgery. I hope you keep us posted on how you are doing. You will succeed! Good luck!

I get sleeved on 9-20-2012. I get moments of anxiety where I question whether I've made the right decision or not. I know that I have. I guess I'm faced with this same anxiety when it comes to any big decision in my life. I start my liquid diet this Thursday the 6th for two weeks. Friday is Pre-Op. Friday the 14th is my EGD and then the 20th is D-Day! I went through a whole month of waiting for the appointments to get here and now they are here and the anxiety is sneaking in! I guess I'm excited AND scared at the same time . I am looking forward to being healthy. It's not a size or a look that is my goal. It is to be off medications and living healthy. I want to have the ability to go for a walk with my husband and not worry about passing out 1/2 way through the adventure. I want to go to the zoo without passing out or having to sit every 5 minutes because of back and knee pain. I want to fly without infringing upon my neighbor's space. It's been too long coming for me. Early on when I made my decision to get sleeved, I went out and purchased some protein powder and a few other things 'just to see' how horrific it was going to be. Honestly, it isn't going to be that bad for me. Since I HATE chocolate and sweets for the most part, it's going to be hard for that reason. I don't think the protein shakes are that horrible especially since I'll be using Vanilla flavored and you can add just about anything to that to make it palatable and versatile. My husband and grown sons are amazing with their support. Only one other person knows and he is a co-worker. The only reason I told him is because he's getting sleeved on 10-23-2012. We'll be sleeve partners at work. I'm lucky in that respect. The only thing that I worry about is when the pounds start dropping off that I don't sabotage myself. I see a bit of success and then I have to go and ruin it by overeating to celebrate. Crazy, I know. I can do this. I will succeed. This forum has really been a source of comfort and knowledge. I thank you all!

I will be sleeved on the 20th. I'm going through some anxiety as well. It's such a huge and drastic step that will be for the rest of our lives. I talk myself out of the anxiety knowing that I will succeed and be off all of the meds that I hate taking every single day. I am looking forward to not having to pay the monthly cost of the prescriptions. I'd rather take that money and put it into a savings account for a vacation (a real honeymoon for my husband and me!) This isn't and easy choice or decision. It's just that our brains like to try to talk us out of doing what is hard. Why not take the easy road? YOU CAN DO THIS!!! You will be successful! We don't have to become our parents! Good luck and keep us up to date on your progress!

I suggest you go back to square 1. If you need to, go back to the liquid diet or at least the full liquid diet. Weigh and measure everything that goes into your mouth. Get that Water in. Get the Protein in first. Keep a food and exercise diary! Walking is better than anything to get started! YOU CAN DO IT!

Having the sleeve isn't an easy answer for anyone. However, if you choose to do it, you have to make that decision based on YOU. It is impossible to get through this journey without support! This forum has answered a lot of questions for me. I had already made my decision to sleeve before I found this forum. The closer I am to my surgery date (September 20, 2012) the more I am finding myself visiting to get ideas, support and self-confidence. Of course, too, as the date comes closer, I get anxious. I know I have made the best decision for ME. I am fortunate enough to have a husband and two sons that do support me. I haven't told anyone else but one person at work. The only reason I shared it with him is because he is having the sleeve in October. He and I will have each other to lean on while we're at work. I haven't said anything to those that I even suspected wouldn't support me and that includes 4 siblings. Take as long as you need to make a decision. Do as much research as you need to do. This is a lifetime decision. Hang in there.

I am originally from the Cherry Hill area of Jersey. I've been gone for many years. Good luck!

I start pre-op liquid diet on Thursday 6th. I cannot wait. I do believe a positive attitude is the most important thing. It's only 2 weeks!

This is, in fact, the best place to do some research. There are a lot of people here to help you decide. Ultimately this decision is yours. No one can make it for you. If you choose the sleeve, please remember it is a lifetime decision!

September 20th! Start liquid diet on Thursday.