Arts137

There is no relationship between GB removal and weight gain. The gall bladder stores bile which helps in digestion. When removed, bile is still produced (in the liver), just the storage (and the place where stones are formed) is gone. There is a LOT of good web info on GB function and disease!

Please see your MDs NOW, If not treated and the GB is blocked by a stone (which causes the pain in an attack) the worst that could happen is a burst GB wich is a VERY bad thing. I do not believe that there are many viable alternatives other than removal... The 'yellow eyes' described above is jaundice because the bilirubin is not being mixed in the intestines and is backing up in the blood.

You can watch the surgery on you tube (and other places). Really interesting and straightforward process. Makes me sure all will be AOK.

Dreams just allow us to process stuff... I've recently drempt of a bagel. Go figure. But you'll be post surgery and you'll know about your stomach 24/7 for a few weeks at least. Gum and Straws, Lipstick, you ARE a rebel!

Fingers AND toes are crossed...

OK. I go to surgery 6-4 (as I already said). Am over a week into the 2 week 'Optifast' which is going well. Not body hungry at all; that ended after the 3rd or 4th day. Some head hunger, but so what, just will muddle through that!? Have participated in family & social activities without much 'food longing'. Am a bit more tired than before and "quiet". Not 'crabby', just quiet. Talked to nurses yesterday. One from the hospital going over meds and supplements, medical history, experience with anesthesia, what to bring to hospital, who will be taking me home, etc. Other from surgeon's office confirming after discharge Rx . Will continue Prilosec for 6 months and need to take Lovenox shots for a month. Both nurses were very nice. As of now I report to the hospital at 8:00AM, but that might change and the final time will be confirmed on Monday, June 3rd. Will keep calm and carry on!

You have a LOT of medical reasons to get rid of that 100+ pounds... but only you can decide about the surgery. Most of your questions otherwise are well documented on the board... You will eat differently later... but that "differently" might be more normal than what we do now!

Hahaha, I sure HOPE so! At least I can say with confidence that it's normal for you!

Work closely with your NUT to ensure you get the protein in!!

scared is normal, little friend... You'll do great!!!

Three points. The "no water" rule is there so that the food fills your small stomach up AND food will take a lot longer to move on if it is not liquified. This technique leats to an increase of satiety, which helps keep you in control. When I heard this it didn't make sense till I researched it a bit. Makes sense now, so you have a new habit to develop! The food diary is to help the NUT work with you on YOUR eating habits. It is not a trick to bump you from the process. Once I was into my "prep" phase, I realized that it would be wise to change my eating ways as best I could, and now I am glad that I did. And three... No easy way to say this. The Sleeve is not magical, and while 'restriction' is a major outcome of the weight loss after surgery, remember that about 20% DO NOT succeed at long term weight loss. The only way to succeed is to change your eating habits and activity habits... for a long time (like always). Yes you have anything as a treat... but not a routine life of 'sliders' foods.

No, the diet reduces the glycogen stores in the liver and then the FAT has to be burned for fuel. So it does reduce the liver (fat) by from 8 to 15% in size.

It sounds as if you are 'mourning' food, which is common. I am halfway though my two-week pre-surgical liquid diet. It's hard to get started, but if you CAN be strict with yourself for 3 or 4 days, it gets easier... If you can't, you'll have to restart the 3/4 day 'detox' period over and over again!

Consider the Big Book of the Gastric Sleeve (It's on this webpage, it has a LOT of information about EVERYTHING sleeve related.

Keep distracted for 3/4 days and you'll be fine -- all those carbs and sugars are getting out of your system. I'm a week in, and really not hungry ('cept in my head). Remember, if you slip, get back on the program (AND those first hard days start over)!!!

It's good to be a little scared. Not of the surgery, that'll be easy, but of staying on your life-long program through "thick and thin" (pun intended). The body is easy. We are all also working on our heads! Best of luck, and we are all here for you!

Me too, I loves me my CPAP!!! Sleep good, wake good, am good (lucky me, fer sure).

Hey guys, IT HAS to work... The Math makes it impossible to NOT work. Give up the scale and watch inches for a bit. Relax and practice your new life. All is well. Frustrating, but well!

Great work!!

P.S. I wholeheartedly agree that the more you research and understand the better it will go!!!

Protein-rich Diet (Liver-Shrinking-Diet) Every patient who is preparing for surgical treatment of overweight should maintain a protein-rich diet. The diet should be started two weeks before the operation. Such a diet is characterized by a high Protein content, low fat content and reduced carbohydrate content. Reducing the glycogen stores in the liver leads to a considerable reduction in the size of this organ, which makes the surgical procedure easier for the surgeon. This makes the procedure safer and reduces the risk of complications during surgery. The protein-rich diet also leads to a reduction in body weight, mainly of fatty tissue, which improves the general conditions for a laparoscopic procedure to a great extent.

Scroll down, Roz. There is an entire tab entitled "research and statistics". Also the "Big Book of the Vertical Sleeze..." is very detailed.

We all wonder just like you. It would be just soooo easy to just go on doing like we've always done... (Oh, but then we'll get what we've always got, ) Never mind. Scared on not, as Winston Churchill said... "When you find yourself in Hell, keep going!"

Super normal after abdominal surgery. Squeeze a pillow tight to your belly... it helps.

Wonderful work!