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I'm here! I'm in TJ, actually :-) My flight got in about 2-1/2 hours ago and it took about an hour to get to the hotel because it was rush hour. After checking in, I took a bunch of pictures of the room (it's nice)--can't post them from my iPad, but I will when I get back then called room service for complimentary broth and popsicle. Now that I've eaten (well, sort of), I'm settling in and catching up on VST. I'll try to get a good night's sleep, but I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to sleep. I found out I'm the only surgery with Dr. Ortiz tomorrow, so I'm pretty happy.

I'm here! I'm in TJ, actually :-) My flight got in about 2-1/2 hours ago and it took about an hour to get to the hotel because it was rush hour. After checking in, I took a bunch of pictures of the room (it's nice)--can't post them from my iPad, but I will when I get back then called room service for complimentary broth and popsicle. Now that I've eaten (well, sort of), I'm settling in and catching up on VST. I'll try to get a good night's sleep, but I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to sleep. I found out I'm the only surgery with Dr. Ortiz tomorrow, so I'm pretty happy.

I flew to TJ today. I'm currently on only Clear Liquids, surgery tomorrow. My saving grace to get through the clear liquid stage has been Isopure, btw. I bought the ready-to-drink 20 oz bottles, which have 40 grams of Protein each. They keep me sated for about 4 hours (for me, every 10 grams of whey protein seems to keep me satisfied for an hour). They are expensive and I know a lot of people don't like the taste, but I have found that some flavors are better than others. The cheapest place that I have found them is luckyvitamin.com and they sell a flavor assortment--a dozen bottles, 6 flavors. Anyway, I went to school before I went to the airport, so it had been more than 4 hours since my Isopure by the time I got to the airport and I was STARVING, especially as I started to pass all the restaurants. And, of course, my departing gate was directly across from a Burger King. It turns out I was prepared, though. I actually bought Unjury chicken Soup flavor in packets for this very purpose. I brought 4 with me so that I would have enough for the airport coming and going. I also brought a food thermometer so that I could make sure that the Water is the proper temperature for the Unjury. I went to Starbucks and bought a 16 oz cup of hot water (they charged me 30 cents), which is enough for 2 packets of Unjury--like I said, I was STARVING--then I went to a table and pulled out the thermometer and the Unjury. The water was way too hot, but luckily, I had also bought a bottle of cold water before I got to Starbucks and, also luckily, they gave me 2 cups. I was too impatient to wait for the water to cool down on its own, so I poured half of the hot water into one of the cups then added cold until it got to the right temp (then poured some back so that it was back to 8 oz), added the Unjury and I was in heaven. I then repeated the process for the rest of the water and consumed the 2nd packet, for a total of 42 grams of protein. It helped me to survive the temptations at the airport and on the airplane (they came around with pretzels and they were selling food) and make the hour long car trip from the airport to the hotel. So, if you think that you might be hungry at the airport or during your flight or soon after and you're on clear liquids, I highly suggest bringing something like the Unjury chicken soup packets with you.

I'm here! I'm in TJ, actually :-) My flight got in about 2-1/2 hours ago and it took about an hour to get to the hotel because it was rush hour. After checking in, I took a bunch of pictures of the room (it's nice)--can't post them from my iPad, but I will when I get back then called room service for complimentary broth and popsicle. Now that I've eaten (well, sort of), I'm settling in and catching up on VST. I'll try to get a good night's sleep, but I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to sleep. I found out I'm the only surgery with Dr. Ortiz tomorrow, so I'm pretty happy.

I flew to TJ today. I'm currently on only Clear Liquids, surgery tomorrow. My saving grace to get through the clear liquid stage has been Isopure, btw. I bought the ready-to-drink 20 oz bottles, which have 40 grams of Protein each. They keep me sated for about 4 hours (for me, every 10 grams of whey protein seems to keep me satisfied for an hour). They are expensive and I know a lot of people don't like the taste, but I have found that some flavors are better than others. The cheapest place that I have found them is luckyvitamin.com and they sell a flavor assortment--a dozen bottles, 6 flavors. Anyway, I went to school before I went to the airport, so it had been more than 4 hours since my Isopure by the time I got to the airport and I was STARVING, especially as I started to pass all the restaurants. And, of course, my departing gate was directly across from a Burger King. It turns out I was prepared, though. I actually bought Unjury chicken Soup flavor in packets for this very purpose. I brought 4 with me so that I would have enough for the airport coming and going. I also brought a food thermometer so that I could make sure that the Water is the proper temperature for the Unjury. I went to Starbucks and bought a 16 oz cup of hot water (they charged me 30 cents), which is enough for 2 packets of Unjury--like I said, I was STARVING--then I went to a table and pulled out the thermometer and the Unjury. The water was way too hot, but luckily, I had also bought a bottle of cold water before I got to Starbucks and, also luckily, they gave me 2 cups. I was too impatient to wait for the water to cool down on its own, so I poured half of the hot water into one of the cups then added cold until it got to the right temp (then poured some back so that it was back to 8 oz), added the Unjury and I was in heaven. I then repeated the process for the rest of the water and consumed the 2nd packet, for a total of 42 grams of protein. It helped me to survive the temptations at the airport and on the airplane (they came around with pretzels and they were selling food) and make the hour long car trip from the airport to the hotel. So, if you think that you might be hungry at the airport or during your flight or soon after and you're on clear liquids, I highly suggest bringing something like the Unjury chicken soup packets with you.

Tomorrow is the big day for me! Wish me luck!

Tomorrow is the big day for me! Wish me luck!

I'm here! I'm in TJ, actually :-) My flight got in about 2-1/2 hours ago and it took about an hour to get to the hotel because it was rush hour. After checking in, I took a bunch of pictures of the room (it's nice)--can't post them from my iPad, but I will when I get back then called room service for complimentary broth and popsicle. Now that I've eaten (well, sort of), I'm settling in and catching up on VST. I'll try to get a good night's sleep, but I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to sleep. I found out I'm the only surgery with Dr. Ortiz tomorrow, so I'm pretty happy.

I have eaten lacto/ovo vegetarian through out my whole sleeve experience. I am moving a little bit towards Vegan meal by meal.My advice is get enough Protein while you are losing. Eating dairy and eggs help a LOT in getting to this goal. I became milk intolerant the first three months after my surgery so went without at that time. You can use whey if you are milk intolerant. If you do not get enough protein while losing, the loss will come from muscle hair and organs... don't want that! I eat/ate soy, gluten, Beans, cheese/yog/cottage cheese...whey, nuts and seeds...I missed veggies,(no room) but started making veg Soup and getting them in that way. Could not eat raw for quite a few months. I fully support vegetarian and vegan lifestyle, but you need to eat protein for the first year or so.

I do plan to take lots of pics and to post about the experience as soon as possible after surgery

The difference between a 36 and a 32 is so small, hardly noticeable really, so I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. Go with your first choice.
I'm attaching a picture of the equivalent sizes to give you an idea.

Thanks very much!

The difference between a 36 and a 32 is so small, hardly noticeable really, so I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. Go with your first choice.
I'm attaching a picture of the equivalent sizes to give you an idea.

I do plan to take lots of pics and to post about the experience as soon as possible after surgery

I was originally planning on March 22, but now it looks like I get to move my date up to Jan. 17--so exciting! 30 days!

Thanks for doing this--it's very helpful to see everyone sorted by date. I will definitely post my experience as soon as I'm able to after surgery. Only 3 more days!

Point and flex your toes ( I mean really get into it so you can feel it in your calf muscles) as often as you can remember to do it. Every time you think of it do it 10 times.... This will help prevent the blood clots, but walking is best and will also help with gas.
Also you don't have to walk for an extended period of time.. you just need to do short walks frequently.

Thanks for doing this--it's very helpful to see everyone sorted by date. I will definitely post my experience as soon as I'm able to after surgery. Only 3 more days!

and can i just say that i am OUT OF THIS WORLD excitd for you! are you going to take lots of pics, to document your trip for us?

It's kind of amazing that despite the overwhelming failure of dieting for America at large, how everyone from people on the street to doctors to celebrities can just act like it's the only answer to obesity.
First and foremost, if dieting were as simple as willpower and a 1,200 calorie diet we'd see a lot more success with Weight Watchers. I had willpower like a madwoman...in four month stints. But after four months of restricting myself, not losing weight and not seeing results it's awfully hard to keep going.
Beyond that, I'm sure you've dieted before. All of us have. We don't get up one morning twenty pounds overweight and opt for the sleeve as our first way to lose weight! We're all here as obese and morbidly obese adults that have spent a good portion of our lives dieting. I know more about eating a healthy diet than any of my friends that have never had a weight problem, for sure!
This is about you, your body and living your life the way you want to live it. Make this choice for yourself, not for anyone else.
That said, the pre op diet will be hard, but I encourage you to give it your best. Because pre op, your diet stumbles will only make you feel guilty. Post op, they can cause complications. Knowing that you can stick to a restricted diet simply because your doctor ordered it is important. I think that the pre op diet and your ability to stick to it can really show how mentally ready you are for the post op phase. Because yes, your stomach will be smaller and you're not likely to have any real hunger after surgery. But the mental game you'll play is the same one you'd play on the pre op diet. You'll want food, even if you aren't hungry. At some point, you'll be tired of tiny sips of shakes and warm drinks and you'll wish you could chew. And you won't be able to. And you'll be risking your health if you break the doctor's ordered diet. So try to think of this as an extra tool to have under your belt before the surgery. You'll know you can hack the post op diet if you can make it through the pre op one.
Good luck to you. We all have naysayers or unsupportive people somewhere in our lives. They'll come around once they see your success in most cases. But otherwise, try to ignore it. This isn't about anyone but you.
~Cheri

My surgery is 4 days away--so excited!

It sounds like you're on clear liquids--have you tried the clear Isopure Protein Drinks? I bought the pre-made 20 oz bottle and each one has 40 grams of Protein, which is pretty filling for me. I'm experimenting with flavors, but so far they aren't the greatest tasting, but I'm viewing them as fuel for my body. I know it's not substance like something to chew, but it should help you to not feel starving.

So far I've only tried Premier Protein in chocolate and vanilla and Syntrax Matrix in Cookies & cream, strawberry creme, and bananas & cream (although I think maybe the Syntrax Nectars are supposed to be better for you) and those are all pretty good. I recently learned about the About Time brand and I am extremely interested in them because they are sweetened with Stevia, a natural 0-carb sweetener. If you go to http://tryabouttime.com/, you can get a sample pack of 2 flavors of your choice for $3.99 and free shipping (I picked birthday cake and chocolate Peanut Butter as my flavors).