Ms.Yvette

Howdy Sleevers! This is my 1st post as a lady with a surgery date on liquids... I'm on Day 5, and I am having a HARD time! I'm pretty sure I could be described as "hangry" (something another poster created as hungry+angry). Yesterday, we had skills competencies at work, and I'm lucky I got out with my dignity intact! I was SO hungry, shaky, dizzy, and FRUSTRATED that I wanted to punch innocent people in the throat. Like Godzilla terrorizing the city, I was lumbering through the delicate art of nursing, growling and sniping, while trying not to land in jail for accosting innocent bystanders who were drinking my beloved Dr Pepper. It has NOT gotten easier day by day for me. I know this is supposed to be a "lifestyle change" for us continuing after surgery, and I know it a mindset we are supposed to be learning. Therefore, am I a failure? Is this not something I can do?? IS THERE ANYONE ELSE OUT THERE THAT ARE HAVING GODZILLA-LIKE HANGRY ISSUES???

Hey girl! I had the same pre-op diet, only mine was 7 days. I failed on the first day, the second day, and the third day of my pre-op diet. On my Day 3 failure, I ate a pastry crisp. Then another. Then another. Then another. Then a PB&J with milk. Truly thought about cancelling my surgery because I felt so pathetic. I've posted on here ad nauseum about my struggle. Bottom line: On day 4, I stuck with it. I was MISERABLE. On day 5, I stuck with it and I was miserable again and foggy and cranky and headachy and hungry. On day 6 (today), I've stuck with it and I feel great! I swear I think it is getting detoxed from carbs. Before my pre-op, I was eating sugar like a maniac. Literally. Til I was in a food coma from sugar. The detox was HELL. But now that I'm a few days from my last sugar/carb, I don't have the cravings. I'm still hungry, but the intense cravings are completely gone.
I know it sucks that you have a lot longer on the pre-op than I do, but I can promise you that it will get easier if you can just suck it up and get a day or two under your belt.
A couple of things that helped me: I promised myself that before I broke the diet, I would (1) post a cry for help on here; (2) drink something and wait 30 minutes for responses; and (3) write down 3 reasons I decided to have the surgery. That helped.
HANG IN THERE - you're experience is similar to many of us and, like the rest of us, you'll make it through!
P.S. I refuse to believe that my struggle with the pre-op makes me less likely to succeed post-op. I may be wrong and, if I am, I will come back on here and be honest about it.
P.P.S. I don't like the Premier shakes or the Muscle Milk ones. I really like the vanilla Lean shakes from GNC. Also, you might try Isopure (also sold by the bottle at GNC so you can try one).
Good luck and let us know how you do going forward! There is NO SHAME in struggling! The only shame is in giving up. And it does NOT sound like you are giving up!
-Angela

Do it now. Mine was abnormal 2 weeks pre op and it was a very stressful rush to get all of the follow up tests that showed all was normal. Just my 2 cents as I have been there!

Everyone knows these are not healthy. Cook your own meat and slice it up. I know lunch meats and Jerky are easy and I get why they are allowed (the assumption that none of us can eat correctly and to re-educate out habits) but the chemicals and nitrates in this stuff is terrible.
Boars head all natural turkey is fine. Also Perky Jerky is ok, no nitrates or fillers at all.
Get healthy, not just skinny! Stay healthy, not just thin.

try the Premier shakes. I think the vanilla has an after taste of ice cream. And who doesn't want ice cream!!! My uncle who is an advid runner said the Sams Club brand is even creamier. But I like the Premier Shakes. I use one for Breakfast and lunch. Drink crystal light in between. Then dinner is a little tougher. But try to do lean meat and LOTS AND LOTS of salad.< /p>

Don't worry about those nah sayers. You did this for yourself and the end result is your reward. Can't wait for my surgery.

Haaa who goes on a cruise and comes out weighing less? Congrats and I hope you have an amazing time.

OMG! No Protein or Vitamins the first week?! This is SO crucial in recovery, especially for maintaining muscle. I am seriously blown away by this and would be interested to know if anyone else is. You should def make sure that you get in at least 80 grams of Protein a day according to most bariatric post-op diets (80-120 grams) AND take a multi-Vitamin. You should be able to regain your muscle deficit within a few weeks, especially if you have started short walks yet; just don't overdo it. I've been using 1lb dumbells for my arms while I lie in bed watching TV, the doc said it was fine.
Please let us know the outcome, I hope you get the muscle back quickly!

Tomorrow we leave for alaska and will be going on our first cruise. This is my dream vacation! When I told people I was having this surgery some thought I was crazy for doing it before we went. They said " you won't be able to eat on the cruise!" My reply was that I just want to be more comfortable and hoped to lose 25 or 30 pounds before we leave. I am 7 weeks out and as of this morning am down 38 pounds! I had lost over 30 in about 3 weeks, including preop. Then a 2 1/2 week stall. Now am losing a little again.
My plan is to be the only person who leaves a cruise actually weighing less! Hoping to be in onederland when I get home! So close.

I just signed up with Bariatric Choice and placed a order with them . If the order is over $30.00 you will get $20.00 off .
https://www.bariatricchoice.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/108909
I cant wait to get my stuff from them

For walking I love love love Sketchrr DLites. I have neuropathy anf these are the only sneakers that give me comfort. Running???? My knees aren't having it lol.

For walking I love love love Sketchrr DLites. I have neuropathy anf these are the only sneakers that give me comfort. Running???? My knees aren't having it lol.

I like the Nike Free shoes for running, cross fit and at home workouts:
http://m.nike.com/us/en_us/pw/mens-running-shoes/7puZbrkZ8yz
I used to run 20 miles a week with these. Now I run about 6 miles a week with the shoes in addition to working out with them.
I am going to look for a good lifting shoe myself that has a thick hard plastic heel, yet is still a light shoe. Any ideas?
Spent 100 on the Nike Free and fitted to it at a running store. Best shoe ever for running! 5k and 10k several times a week. I like it so much, I bought a second pair after 6 months of constantly running on the first pair.

Ok, so its not exactly how it sounds but Friday I will finally become a mom... and it's a boy! I have been trying to adopt for over a year and he is coming to live with me this weekend. After four months of rushed evening visits and having to take him back after a weekend stay, he is finally coming home for good. This was one of the reasons I had the surgery--so that I could be a healthy and active mom. I still have a ways to go, but I feel better than I have in many many years. These last months have been life changing, and the surgery was the best thing I could have ever done for myself!

I would do the liquid diet for at least 5 days regardless of what he says. Unless it imposes a danger for a condition that you may have. Why does he not want you to do it?

All doctors are different, but I am so glad my doctor required a pre-op diet--it helps you get into the groove of what it is like eating right after surgery, and it is safer for your body because your liver shrinks and Proteins help your body heal better after surgery. I was on the New Direction Protein diet 2 weeks before surgery. I had to eat or drink 4 New Direction Protein supplements a day and one meal with lean meat protein and any and as many green vegetables you want. I lost over 5 pounds that first week. Look online for New Direction supplements--they have things like Soups, puddings, hot chocolate, choclate Fiber drink, Protein Bars, etc. You have to eat or drink 4 of these a day, any comination, and again the one meal a day. The supplements are pretty good and I didn't feel like I was starved or hungry. The bars and drinks are very filling. Cut out all breads and all soft drinks during this time, too. You can't have them anyway after the surgery, so you might as well stop them now to prepare yourself. Below is a link to New Direction's website. Click on Bariatrics on the left hand side of the webpage, and it will lead you to Products to buy.
http://www.robard.com/Programs/New-Direction/
Best wishes to you!!!

I'll tell you what my 2 week diet consisted of.....3 Protein shakes and 2 cups of yogurt....and at least 8 cups of Water.....hope that helps......the Protein powder had 160 calories, 2g fat, 8g carbs, 27g protein.....I mixed it with unsweetened vanilla almond milk.
The yogurt had to be plain, non fat, and no more than 100 calories per cup....danon all natural plain nonfat yogurt did the trick....I bought the 32 ounce container, and it had 4 servings in it.
good luck

Yep' date=' those are the babies...

Ooohhhh I have black and white labs too! How cute! Oh wait.....I mean--- YOU LOOK GREAT!!

Did you go to a psychologist referred by your surgeon? I ask because I was able to go to any psychologist I wanted, but my surgeon's office worked with someone who knew the requirements, what was needed for clearance, etc. I chose to go with that doctor and I had no problems. He mainly focussed on making sure I understood the surgery risks and that I had realistic expectations. Sometimes these doctors don't really know what they are doing unless they have experience with WLS evaluations. If you decide to get a second opinion, check if your surgeon's office recommends someone. Otherwise, I would look online in your area and make some calls to ask specifically if they have experience with WLS evaluations.
I don't think it is fair for her to not clear you for surgery, even if she recommends therapy/medication. I take anitdepressants and I go to therapy, but that doesn't mean that I didn't qualify for surgery.

When I started my doc told me cardio cardio cardio...it burns the fat to allow for the muscle growth. I started with small time ont he elliptical and worked up to 30 mins after about 2 or 3 weeks. Now I am at 55 mins ont he elliptical and I do a Tae Bo video on days between. My NUT has a special scale that measure body fat and muscle mass and I have lost 35 lbs of fat and gained 1 lb of muscle. NO weights yet, but elliptical and Tae Bo (which gives a little resistance training). I think weights will help with loose skin, but you have to burn the fat to replace it with muscle so that is why cardio is so important. Some gyms offer a personal trainer for like the 1st visit or something. Maybe you could talk to them about how to get started. If you do a lot of weights at 1st you will build muscle but there will be fat on top of it....that doesn't sound pretty.
I was sleeved 4/15/13 and down 56 lbs since surgery.
Good luck!

I have "Before" and "Almost Halfway" pics....

Wow mine was for about 45 minutes
I was able to pick my own psychiatrist. Basic questions about me knowing the dangers, if I've ever been depressed or under therapy before. I lied. And passed. Lol. Don't worry about that evaluation. You'll do fine. It's really easy. Keep your eyes on the doctor and never look down when answering questions. Never let them know you're intimidated.

Honestly, I'd just get a new PCP. For me, my WLS is such a major aspect of my healthcare right now, I need a doctor who understands the procedure and is supportive.