madeformore

I'm 5 days out and my dietitician just called to check and see how I'm doing. I'm not getting all the Protein in yet but she said that is pretty normal with alot of pts. It's increasing each day but has been 15-23 g/day. May hit 43 today if I'm lucky since liquids are going down much easier today.

I urge you to follow your doctor's timeline, they really do know what is best. Maybe you should talk to your surgeon and be honest about how you feel. They just might give you the green light, but I wouldnt go making your own rules at this point. Sorry :-( I hope you feel better real soon!

The doctors have more experience with our altered stomachs than we do. Do you really want to risk popping a staple and having a leak? IMO, you should follow the guidelines your doctor gave you.

I'm not yelling I just don't want you to do something and then end up with major problems and think to myself that I should have said something. I was worried about the same things that you are as far as my hair falling out. People know me by my hair. I've always had really pretty hair, it has always been one of my favorite and best attributes. I've been extrememly worried about losing it. I wasn't allowed any major protein, not even Protein shakes, until 2 weeks out. If I got a little in some greek yogurt or the Soup I could eat it was okay but otherwise none (and that was only after a full week of clears). Like I said before I am only 8 weeks out but as of yet I haven't noticed any thinning of my hair or any extra hair in my brushes/shower drain. Since I got to start on soft foods at two weeks out I haven't had one day that I didn't get at least 60 grams of protein and most days I get 80-100+ grams in. If your doc wants you to be getting protein in, get it. If he doesn't yet, then don't. You won't go wrong following his guidelines. Trust me, I know it is hard. My doc has a MUCH slower advancement than most do out there but I just keep chugging along. I know how much of a pain waiting can be and how long it makes the weeks seem when you are so looking forward to putting something actually tasty in your mouth. You've got this though!

Hi cerenatee,
I just wanted to come back and post my progress.
For me, deciding to have surgery in the first place was a roller coaster. I finally got off that rollercoaster when I decided to have the surgery - but that just meant getting onto a different rollercoaster!
I went trhough a couple of weeks where I was very fearlful and undecided, but I kept moving forward - stayed on my pre-op diet and continue going to all the appointments. I'm doing better now. I have started to focus on the things that weight loss will allow me to do, that I can't do now.
Also, I struggled with the question if I was changing the journey that maybe I needed to take without surgery. Now I'm looking at surgery as closing the door on a life that has become unacceptable to me. (I of course I know the results are still up to me, but I'm taking permanent action to not live this way anymore.)
My limited obese life had been acceptable to me for far too long. When I look at the progress I've made to this point, I feel sorry for my old self, that I could not have climbed out of the hole that trapped me into thinking it was OK to live like that sooner. BUT! I'm thanksful I'm not trapped there anymore! And I am proud of myself for working my way out of that hole and facing a new, unknown future.
Thank you again for starting this thread. I needed it, right when you posted it.
My surgery is less than 1 week away, and I'm as ready as I will ever be.
Dawn

Tink 12/26,
I'm glad you are able to put workds to the pain you are felling. I am sorry you are in theis pain, but being able to voice it and experience it is the best place to start. If you are like me, the pain you are talking about now, is the poain that has been there for so long... but you have avoided feeling it by eating a lot of food.
I'm pre-Op, but I have tried to do as much work as I can to try to understand how and why I got to the place that I need surgery. For me, it all has to do with pain - emotional pain - that I have avoided dealing with and very low self esteem.
All of my life I have turned to food for comfort - it worked in the short term, but hurt me more in the long run. I thought I could find comfort in my marriage, and while my marriage isn't the same as yours, it has not brought the nurture and comfort I longed and hoped for. FINALLY, I'm learning that I started down the wrong path looking for comfort. The only place I can find the comfort I so long for is in God and His amazing love for me.
Along with counseling, 3 books that have helped me on my road to emotional recovery have been Changes That Heal, Hiding From Love, and How We Love.
If there is anything here that you would like to chat more about, please feel free to send me a personal message.
Hugs to you!

I only offer advice based on observation, not some sort of diagnosis, and I'm always perfectly fine with it being taken or not, as applicable. As others here will tell you, I certainly don't believe that everyone needs therapy.
Had you simply said you didn't think it applied in this case and moved on, I would have thought nothing of it. I don't always have to be right, and the only winning I see is someone being successful.
I agree that in the case of your line, we will agree to disagree. Some form of counseling is a common suggestion here because so many here have addiction and other issues that impact behaviors. It is only meant as a suggestion of one form of helpful support, but if you find that to be troublesome (and fair enough of you do - we all have our lines about something), I wanted to give you a heads up.
Oh, and on a lighter note, I have almost never failed at dieting. I'm a pro at that. It is the maintaining has me stymied
Good luck!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using VST

I don't think you're doomed but I agree with SpaceDust and don't think you are ready for surgery. You really need get a handle on the reasons why you may be sabotaging yourself. Insurance companies look for reasons not to approve the surgery and are really not expecting people to succeed. Think of your pre-op diet as a dry run for things to come. You need to be able to stick to the diet now, so you can succeed later. It is not an easy thing not eating unhealthy things in large quantities as many of have but that is how your life will be post-op if you want to lose weight.
Do you really want to go through through the process and then regret like some others have voiced on various threads? Speak to a therapist to help deal with your food issues before you have surgery. This is a lifelong change and should not be taken lightly.
This may not be what you want to hear but it's the truth. I wish you well and hope you make the right decision for yourself.

Doomed? Of course not! However, I don't think you're truly ready for this, and you may continue to struggle after the surgery if you don't fully commit to what it's going to mean in the short term and long term.
What I would be concerned about is the inability to stick to the diet at all. I know it's tough. I struggle with the modified version of the pre op diet that I've put myself on right now. But seriously, it does sound as if you haven't fully committed to the surgery if you can't find it in you to get through even one day.
I urge you to consider postponing and think this through. It would probably be helpful to work with a counselor to focus your commitment.
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Hi,
Sorry to be Debbie Downer but if you cant follow the 2 week diet your not ready for surgery. It has been 10 weeks for me now and i am definetly happy my process took a year. I had 6 month program required that i drug out for a year. Not eating is hard it was 5-6 weeks before i got anything to chew on. Im hoping to be released for all foods tomarrow at 2 month post op. i have lost 40 lbs 10 inches on my waist alone... Good luck to you. Be ready it will make it so much easier ...
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Wow! Amazing difference!
So glad things are going well for you! I hope they go as well for me!
Congrats to you! You must be thrilled!

Kellylynn, I wish you the best on your journey. I agree you need to let your surgeon know about your eating habits. I had a long fight with my insurance company and had some time to deal with my food issues. I went to a therapist weekly to come to terms with my feelings about having surgery, and how my life would change. It worked for me but may not be for everyone. Once I knew my surgery date, I used those 6 weeks to follow a modified post-op diet. I took my stance from my experience with two people who had surgery ( I know a total of 5) and failed because they could not stick to the plan. Maybe that is not you and hopefully you won't become one of the wls failures. I know we have all had issues with food. Whether it is because we have a sweet tooth, snack or eat constantly, or just eat too much food at a sitting. I am fairly new at 10 weeks post-op, but in the time leading up to my surgery and the time after, I have not cheated or have a desire to do so. I want all of us to succeed so much that I get passionate in my responses. This forum is one where you will get honesty, and tough love. You may or may not like or agree with what we say but it is meant to come from a good space. None or most of us know each other personally but we think of each other as part of our extended surgery and want to offer advice.
It is up to you to determine which is most helpful to you.
Good luck on your new lifelong journey to be thin.

Today marks my first week of being sleeved. It has been a roller coaster ride but I can see light at the end of the tunnel - and, finally, it doesn't feel as if the light is coming from a train heading towards me :-)
What has made the difference is this site and all of you. With every new issue that has arisen, I have come here and found answers to my questions because you have taken the time to share your experiences. From nausea to sleeping positions, I have found reassurance, advice and, most important, learned that we all experience this life changing event differently. But we are all on the same road. And that helps big time.
I may be doing this my way but I feel I am not alone whatever lies ahead. Thank you :-)
Jacqui x

Down 46 pounds !!!! Couldn't be happier so far , life is good , I thank god everyday for such an amazing blessing.
& without struggle ; there is no progress .

you know the saying. "fool me once, shame on you. fool me twice, shame on me"
this is a "poor me " rant at 4 months post op. And yes, i am in therapy for these issues. I just need some empathy from others who are facing the same challenges to their self-esteem
Shame on me for marrying a man who didnt love me just as I was- 100 lbs overweight.
Shame on me for thinking the sleeve would miraculously improve my marriage.
Shame on me for thinking that losing 50 lbs would make a difference in those feelings of what I can only describe as distain.
Shame on me for getting all dressed up and then getting disappointed when I get nothing but negativity in return.
Shame on me for needing outside approval, acceptance and self-confidence.
Shame on me for wrapping my self-esteem up in a man who is emotionally unavailable.
Shame on me for marrying a VERY controlling man, when I knew going in that I could never be good enough.
And FINALLY (for now) shame on me for looking outside myself for what I will only find within myself--God's love for me as a child of
His, and a love of myself.
Anyone else in the same boat with a controlling, disapproving, jealous, a*****e of a spouse (or significant other)?
How to deal with the SHAME of never feeling like my best is ever good enough?
Is there a secret that Im missing out on? Please share and be kind

WARNING
If you are exercising vigorously, feeling strong, lost almost half your excess weight and decide you can do a hand-stand like your 4-year old - DON'T TRY IT! Your arms might buckle - landing you square on your head.
This Public Service Announcement was brought to you by the pudgey girl with the icepack on her neck.

Mine is 1 day behind yours, the 8th, and I'm still struggling somewhat. I took my hubby to a WLS seminar so he could learn about some of the health risks of obesity. He left there wishing I could have that surgeon operate on me. Uggghhh. Then my son doesn't understand why I don't save $2000 and have continuity of care by waiting 6 months and letting the VA surgeon perform my surgery. Uggghhhh. And my finals are this week. And I have to move by June 30th. And I just got a cold sore in the middle of my bottom lip. I FREAKING DON'T NEED THIS!
~breathe~
I've done my research, I've made my plans, and I'm having this surgery. You couldn't pay a thin person $2,000 to be fat for 6-8 months so there is no way I'm saving $2,000 and staying fat for another 6-8 months. The VA doctor will get to operate on me if I have any complications. Yipee for him. I've decided I don't want to be a paralegal anyway so freak a grade. There are a 100 apartment complexes in this city, I'll find another one. And full bottom lips are juicy.
Life is too short for this.

Hi cerenatee,
I just wanted to come back and post my progress.
For me, deciding to have surgery in the first place was a roller coaster. I finally got off that rollercoaster when I decided to have the surgery - but that just meant getting onto a different rollercoaster!
I went trhough a couple of weeks where I was very fearlful and undecided, but I kept moving forward - stayed on my pre-op diet and continue going to all the appointments. I'm doing better now. I have started to focus on the things that weight loss will allow me to do, that I can't do now.
Also, I struggled with the question if I was changing the journey that maybe I needed to take without surgery. Now I'm looking at surgery as closing the door on a life that has become unacceptable to me. (I of course I know the results are still up to me, but I'm taking permanent action to not live this way anymore.)
My limited obese life had been acceptable to me for far too long. When I look at the progress I've made to this point, I feel sorry for my old self, that I could not have climbed out of the hole that trapped me into thinking it was OK to live like that sooner. BUT! I'm thanksful I'm not trapped there anymore! And I am proud of myself for working my way out of that hole and facing a new, unknown future.
Thank you again for starting this thread. I needed it, right when you posted it.
My surgery is less than 1 week away, and I'm as ready as I will ever be.
Dawn

Hi cerenatee,
I just wanted to come back and post my progress.
For me, deciding to have surgery in the first place was a roller coaster. I finally got off that rollercoaster when I decided to have the surgery - but that just meant getting onto a different rollercoaster!
I went trhough a couple of weeks where I was very fearlful and undecided, but I kept moving forward - stayed on my pre-op diet and continue going to all the appointments. I'm doing better now. I have started to focus on the things that weight loss will allow me to do, that I can't do now.
Also, I struggled with the question if I was changing the journey that maybe I needed to take without surgery. Now I'm looking at surgery as closing the door on a life that has become unacceptable to me. (I of course I know the results are still up to me, but I'm taking permanent action to not live this way anymore.)
My limited obese life had been acceptable to me for far too long. When I look at the progress I've made to this point, I feel sorry for my old self, that I could not have climbed out of the hole that trapped me into thinking it was OK to live like that sooner. BUT! I'm thanksful I'm not trapped there anymore! And I am proud of myself for working my way out of that hole and facing a new, unknown future.
Thank you again for starting this thread. I needed it, right when you posted it.
My surgery is less than 1 week away, and I'm as ready as I will ever be.
Dawn

Oh! Wow... incredible! Your must be so thrilled! Congratulations!
THANK YOU SO MUCH for posting this!
My surgery date is coming up and I have been struggling with fear and doubt! I'm planning to push through and go ahead with the surgery - but your post, your pictures, and your testimony are all such an encouragement to me! You hit on some of the exact issues that I have been struggling with spiritually!
You and I don't know each other, but God just used you to touch my heart and encourage me.
I so appreciate you sharing!

I am scheduled for the same surgery date - May 7th. I'm nervous about it too, but excited and hopeful, too!

The roller coaster of emotions BEFORE the has been amazing to me!
I've been doing better the past few days, calming down somewhat as the day gets closer and closer.
Maybe all of this is to prepare us for the roller coaster of emotions that will probably happen AFTER the surgery!
Best wishes to everyone!

I am there..I fly out May 2 for surgery on May 3 by myself to Mexico..leaving a 9yr old and 1yr old at home with my husband...my family doesn't know because I don't want them to worry..so only a couple of friends and my husband have any idea what major change I am about to undergo. I am thrilled most days..terrified on others..just reminding myself of all the things that I will be happy about when its over...