MrsM

My friend turned me on to Total Lean Lean Shakes sold at GNC. 25 gms of protein, 170 cals, and lactose free. They are actually not bad!!! They are already made too...just refrigerate!

This is cool...I love the support! Yes, we def can do this! I have actually been in a good mood today, even with the lack of food, because I am on my way to doing something positive for myself! Finally! I usually put myself last so this is a great feeling, and I know getting pounds off my body is going to make me feel so much better!!

I think I am gonna have to get creative with how I cook the chicken....and 4 to 6 oz of protein...how many ounces is an egg? I am guessing I can mix it up occasionally and have an egg instead of the shake for breakfast..but no way does an egg have as much protein as the shake and I will be starving I'm sure! haha

Hi all! My surgery is scheduled for November 12th so today I have started the 2 week pre op. The directions I was given was to have 2 high protein low carb shakes and an evening meal that consists of a high protein food choice (4 to 6 oz) or 3 high protein meals (4 to 6 oz servings protein) per day. I can have 1/2 to 1 cup of non starchy vegetables with the protein too. So I have already figured out that I will have the shake for am and lunch, and tonight for dinner will be a salad with a boneless skinless chicken breast but I need some other ideas?!?! I am not a good cook or creative! haha Please if anyone knows some good dinners that fit the bill I am all ears! And did anyone else get this same diet plan? What did you eat? Thanks!

I just got word today...November 12th too! I am scared but excited!!!!! I don't even know what to do first! Hi everyone!!!

Def what I am looking for....thank you Jesser!!

Oh wow...really? Advil is an Nsaid right? I live off that stuff right now! (lots of aches and pains from being fat!)

You are my twin Sparky! It is def scary to think of...not having food for so many reasons. Makes tv shows better, makes me feel better about any problem going on, fun to go out to eat...It is SUCH a crutch!!! The thing is, I really really HATE how the weight makes me feel...I feel so much older than I am..and I avoid so many things I used to do when I was skinnier. I remember that saying "nothing tastes as good as thin feels" and I believe that is very true. I will focus on that saying!!

I am actually quite aware of my "issues" which I think makes me so scared of going through with it...I have used food for everything under the sun! Boredom, tired, hungry, lonely, blah blah blah. I think this "tool" is my only chance though..as it will prevent me from doing any of the crazy eating patterns I get into. I am def going to work on my head issues regarding it. Thanks all.

What am I looking for? a guarantee of course that I won't fail and that this is going to work for me! haha Sadly, I know no one can guarantee this.

Thanks for the encouragement! I would think many of us have addiction issues that are overweight...I like your answer and what you recommend. Just wondering if there's anything else we can do? I just refuse to fail after this...it's too important!

That's scary cuz some of those traits sound familiar... I know I def need to look at this much differently than any "diet" I have ever done and try to get a handle on it before I get sleeved. Any suggestions besides a shrink? And thanks for responding everyone.

Yes, I agree it's just a tool def...I was just curious if there were certain traits...such as certain ages, married or unmarried, but especially psychologically speaking...like people with poor impulse control I would guess would struggle more. Interesting about the people with other medical conditions. Like diabetics for example? Or any other condition in particular?

I'm just curious if anyone has come across any articles or info regarding people who should NOT have the surgery or fail miserably at it? Like personality traits, etc. Anyone?

Scary stuff! I couldn't even read every page!!! Wow, do I feel for how difficult it was for you! Happy you are ok now but man..how long did that take? And you said you would do surgery but not the sleeve...what would you do different? Band?

You know I LOVE this site and I so appreciate all of you taking the time to answer this for me. It really does help to hear from people who have been there done that so thank you!!! I liked many of your ideas and I'm quite sure I will be utilizing lots of them!!!

I'm married and have a teenage daughter. I do all the cooking at home and just wondering, is it difficult to cook for your family after the surgery? I would guess after a long time when you are able to eat regular food, it's not as bad, but how did you deal with it during pre op, and then the lst few months after surgery? And it DOES get easier later...RiGHT? haha I sure hope so! And same question for going out..either to dinner with your significant other or friends...did you just completely avoid it for several months? I'm just wondering how to deal with all of this post op! Thanks for anyone who responds!

That was a great question Teri because that's me too...now that I've finally decided to be sleeved, I wanna be totally prepared! But I have heard this with many..that ones they liked before and stocked up on got tossed. Hmmm...Maybe we should just buy one of every single flavor and brand out there?! haha

I'm doing the sleeve...my doctor told me straight up that even though he's done alot of bands, he see's way more success with the sleeve.

I think I may need to get that book Pookeyism just mentioned too!

I like what PdxMan had to say, however, I'm not convinced this means you will fail later because you are having so much trouble with the pre op diet. You hit the nail on the head about hunger...you ARE hungry! And because you aren't sleeved yet, it's probably feeling a bit like one of the thousands of diets you tried before and failed at. I haven't even been sleeved yet but I can totally understand where you're at. Read what PdxMan said again and again about the liver needing to shrink...that is def scary. I read somewhere about a girl who thought she was having surgery and woke up the next morning after they had cut her open and her doctor did not even do the surgery because her liver was too big. Imagine the disappointment! And being cut open for nothing! It will get much easier it appears once you are sleeved as far as hunger goes so don't think you are going to fail afterwards. Print some stuff out about why the liver needs to shrink, why the pre-op diet is so important, etc and then look at it whenever you wanna cheat. Only six more days of the pre-op diet! You can do anything for six days right?! Remember, you're worth it!!!! Good luck!!

Well what a journey just deciding to have this surgery has been! My insurance made me go to seven consecutive doctor appts to discuss weight and I'm so glad they did because I FINALLY feel good about my decision to get sleeved! I really really REALLY went back and forth with this and thought I would never decide, but one day it just finally hit me. I am 48 years old. I am exactly like my dad (personality, build, etc) and he had SO many health problems in his later years before he died, many of which were related to his weight. Plus I already suffer from various ailments already which he did NOT at this age. So I'm done thinking about it, I finished the 7 appts, they submitted the paperwork (but are very sure I will get approved) and now I just wait for the next step. They seem to think I will be able to have surgery by the end of THIS month! What a TRIP it will be to be skinny again! I'm so looking forward to getting off all meds, having way more energy, and just feeling the way I'm supposed to feel...and not like an 80 year old! Good luck to everyone else struggling with the decision..it will just hit you one day what to do I think cuz it sure did me!

Wow...so many responses on this...I thank each of you for your support, insights, opinions, and knowledge. Initially, I was bothered that my insurance is making me wait to have surgery until 7 months of seeing my doctor to discuss weight loss, however, now, I am so glad they did. Next month will be the 7th month finally. Honestly, each month, I have changed my mind about going through with it. Last month I was all for it, this month I was really against it. I think it's really because I'm afraid of giving up "my buddy"...food! I have really noticed how I use food for so much more than fuel since contemplating this surgery. As soon as I feel stressed...I eat. Tired? Eat...etc....so what happens after the surgery when you cant plop in front of the tv to watch a favorite show and eat?! I know it sounds so silly really...but wow, so much of my life involves food! Cooking shows, going out to restaurants, etc. I am guessing after the beginning months are over, you stop missing all those favorite snacks because of the worry that you will throw up? I would guess that's certainly a deterrent! My other problem is my husband is overweight as well and all he talks about is food! Anyways, I am beginning to lean more towards having the surgery again (must be almost a new month! lol) because I really have tried every diet out there, my back hurts, my feet hurt, no energy, and several other health problems going on...seems these are all very good reasons to do it for sure...thanks everyone

Wow...good for you for being honest about how painful it was! Sorry you are in so much pain though! Don't they give you alot of pain meds in the beginning? Did you have any complications? Hope you feel better soon!!!

I am the same in that I have read alot and have found some negatives with the sleeve...of course mostly it is if you don't use it as it's intended to be used, and I will say there are more positives posted than negative ones for sure. I don't want to add to your anxiety cuz you are feeling good about it so just check with your doctor on all your questions since they will be the most accurate! My reg. doctor is really conservative and she's added to my angst about the surgery (lol) so I just keep going back and forth with it. I wish you the best and I'm sure it will go great for you! Stay positive like you are...I know that's probably half the battle! Best wishes!