jsurles

My surgery is 3/18 also. I don't have a real pre-op diet, just 24 hrs before. What I wanted to say is regarding the Protein Shakes. try mixing different flavors in with your vanilla Protein Powder, orange crystal light powder to vanilla Protein powder makes a pretty good orange Julius flavor. and pumpkin makes a good shake also. try different amounts of different flavoring. my sister had her sleeve surgery 5 weeks ago, and says she really has to remember to eat. I guess you get a hollow feeling when your hungry which isn't often. She has also started buying Vitamin waters at Wal-Mart ($1) she adds crystal light, clear protein powder and Miralax to the bottle. gets her protein, liquids, some Vitamins and her stool softener all in one. Just play around with what you can have. create your own recipes. for Clear Liquids, go get you some chicken taco Soup, strain it, or wonton soup, strain it. add a little clear protein powder to everything you can. Unjury has a really good clear protein powder, hope this helps. now I just have to take my own advice!!! good luck and stay in touch, maybe we can help walk each other thru this!!

My surgery is 3/18 also. I don't have a real pre-op diet, just 24 hrs before. What I wanted to say is regarding the Protein Shakes. try mixing different flavors in with your vanilla Protein Powder, orange crystal light powder to vanilla Protein powder makes a pretty good orange Julius flavor. and pumpkin makes a good shake also. try different amounts of different flavoring. my sister had her sleeve surgery 5 weeks ago, and says she really has to remember to eat. I guess you get a hollow feeling when your hungry which isn't often. She has also started buying Vitamin waters at Wal-Mart ($1) she adds crystal light, clear protein powder and Miralax to the bottle. gets her protein, liquids, some Vitamins and her stool softener all in one. Just play around with what you can have. create your own recipes. for Clear Liquids, go get you some chicken taco Soup, strain it, or wonton soup, strain it. add a little clear protein powder to everything you can. Unjury has a really good clear protein powder, hope this helps. now I just have to take my own advice!!! good luck and stay in touch, maybe we can help walk each other thru this!!

Hey everyone,
I'm set for surgery on Tuesday, 3/18. I started my liquid diet on Monday, the day before my scope procedure - they checked for a hietal hernia by taking a Fiber optic camera down my esophagus. What that means is that a second surgeon will assist during my surgery, fix the hernia, and knock about $3,000 off the price tag. Apparently 99% of obese people/those having this surgery do have this hernia, so it might be worth asking your doctor about.
Anyways, I'm day five on my diet and it's getting hard. I'm not worried about caving, but I can't imagine having to go through all of today (Friday), Saturday, Sunday, then Clear liquids on Monday. I'm so tired of the Protein shakes that basically only comes in chocolate and vanilla + everything else on the diet that happens to be sweet (Jell-o, popsicles, Gatorade G2, etc.). chicken broth is a nice change because it's "salty," but even that has its limits. Milk has been good too.
I just need some motivation - it's hard to know that I won't be having anything remotely solid for another two-and-a-half weeks. I know I've heard that I won't be hungry once the surgery hits, but that's so hard to see right now. Has anyone else felt this way?
Alyssa

While most of us knew all about the physical side of Weight Loss Surgery, many people have no idea about the emotional ride they're about to face. This article discusses all aspects of the "emotional roller coaster" from the moment you first decide on having bariatric surgery all the way up to the maintenance phase of your weight loss. It's a wild ride baby!


When was the last time you were on a roller coaster? If you’re like me, it’s been a while. In fact, the last time I was on a roller coaster I was 310 lbs and could barely fit into the seat. The restraint almost didn't go around my tummy. I was squeezed in like Cinderella’s step-sister’s foot must have tried to squeeze into that tiny shoe. Yep. I was Drizella’s foot and the coaster seat was the glass slipper. I’m sure it was a comical, if not sad and pathetic site, for those around me. It was embarrassing to me, to say the very least. But I laughed it off and went on, as I tended to do.
That roller coaster was a wild ride. It had huge climbs, steep drops, loop-de-loops, sharp turns, and at one point it feels like you’re lying on your side. Honestly, it’s a wonder I stayed in the coaster even with the restraint!! The end of the ride was abrupt - it felt like my insides were coming out of my mouth when it stopped short back at the beginning of the track. When it was over, I felt accomplished, in a way. I’d survived that coaster ride, wild and uncomfortable as it was.
Many people don’t realize that life before, during, and after weight loss surgery becomes a roller-coaster ride of it’s own. It has the huge climbs of elation and joy and excitement, the steep drops into anxiety and depression, and the loop-de-loops, sharp turns, and lying on your side moments of uncertainty, worry, and fear. Here are some of the emotional dealings that will occur before, during, and after surgery that you might not know.
1. Pre-Surgery Elation. This happens when you are finally approved for surgery. It’s going to be a reality! You are going to get a brand new lease on life! The period of life where you are having to go through diet after diet is finally coming to an end! You might tell everyone you know or you might decide to keep your secret to yourself. Regardless, you are excited and ready to go!
2. Pre-Surgery Blues. This is when you realize that you are going to have to say good-bye to one of your best friends ... food. You come to the realization that there are some favorites that you are just not going to be able to eat anymore. Depression sets in slightly, and you might even go on a food bender - similar to what an addict might do. At this point you might even question your decision to go through surgery.
3. Day of Surgery. You’re going to be going through a myriad of emotions during this time. You’ll feel excitement, anxiety, apprehension, and impatience all at the same time. You’ll be worried because, after all, it is a major surgery you’re about to go through. But at the same time, you’ll be excited at what’s about to happen. When you wake up from anesthesia, you might be scared, especially if you’re having a rough transition out of anesthesia. You might be a little confused, wondering where you are. When your body settles down a bit and you remember where you are and what just happened, you might feel a little concerned. "Did everything go okay?" "Is this going to work?" "Did I just make the biggest mistake in my life?" On the other hand, you might wake up beautifully, singing the praises of your surgeon and his/her team, excited to begin your new life. These feelings and emotions will likely cycle throughout the day as you’re getting used to the idea of what just happened and your body relaxes and comes out of shock from surgery.
4. Going Home. When you’re finally released to go home, you’ll either be excited or scared. Thoughts might rush your brain like “will I be able to do this on my own?” and anxiety might set in again. You might, again, question your decision to undergo surgery, especially once the monotony of the liquid diet phases set in. The first few days might be easy, and the next might be excruciating. You’ll be in some discomfort because of incisions and if the surgeon inflated your abdomen with gas prior to surgery (commonly done in laparoscopic surgeries), and this might heighten your doubts and anxieties. You might begin to worry about issues such as leaks, slippage, or staples coming loose.
5.The first few months. You will be going through a mourning period at some point, and for some that occurs during the first few months after surgery. You no longer are able to lean on food for emotional support, so you might feel sad. You might even go through a type of “withdraw” from food, similar to what an addict might be going through their first few days in rehab. You’ll be able to eat more some days than others, and that will lead you to worry if your surgery is working or if there’s something wrong. Some days you’ll be jealous of watching everyone around you eat foods that you once loved. Others, you’ll be glad you can’t/don’t eat those things anymore. By the time you've finished all of your phases and are on to real food, you’ll be relieved and excited, and likely worried and anxious as well. Whereas before, you were relying on liquids for sustenance, now you’re on your own and have to rely on figuring your food choices out for yourself.
6. The losing phase. From the moment you leave the hospital until you reach your goal you are considered to be in the losing phase of surgery. For the purposes of this article, we’re going to call the losing phase the time period from month 3 (about the time you transition into full solids) to the point where you reach your goal. There will be many frustrations, joys, and concerns in the months ahead. Some days you’ll forget everything you were taught about nutrition and make yourself sick on something you shouldn't have eaten. Other days you’ll be 100% on track. You’ll have moments of pride and joy, and moments of shame and weakness. You’ll revel in finding out you can eat something as simple as asparagus and despair over not being able to eat rice pilaf. You’ll finally reach your “groove” point sometime during month four or five, and things begin to go well. You’ll reach a stall or two (or five ...) and wonder if you’re doing something wrong or if you've messed up your new tummy. You’ll marvel over losing 10 lbs in one week. You’ll wonder why you only lost 2 lbs the next week. When your loss starts to slow down, you’ll worry that you’re not exercising enough, that you’re eating too much or too little, or worry that your surgery is beginning to fail. You’ll relax more when you are consistently losing, even if it has gone down to 1-2 lbs a week.
7. The maintenance phase. When you reach your goal weight, you will have reached what is called “maintenance”. This is the final stage that you will likely be in for the rest of your life. Here, you will change your diet slightly in order to not lose or gain any more weight. You will get frustrated a time or two - especially the first time you gain a few pounds. You will marvel at what you've lost, but are concerned with the way your body looks now. You will have loose skin, which may cause body image issues. If you’re single, you might notice more possible suitors paying more attention to you. You might fall from one addiction (food) into another (sex). You might also be tempted into other addictive substances or habits such as alcohol, cigarettes, shopping, or pornography. Alternatively, you may look back at your loss, as meaningful and inspirational. You might revel in the way your life has changed and be happier than you have ever been and be ready to branch out and help others succeed in their bariatric surgery journeys.
Tips on Riding the Roller Coaster
Knowing that these emotions are possible doesn't mean they will happen for everyone, and doesn't mean you can’t get through them. The following tips will help you stay on the road to success and prevent you from falling off the wagon and into an abyss of self-doubt and depression:
1. Support. This is the number one most important thing for WLS patients. Even more important than food is support. Support can be found at home, through friends and family, in a hospital or surgery center support group, or even online forums such as Bariatric Pal.
2. Stick to the plan. As tempting as it might be to veer off and eat something you’re not supposed to, stick with your doctor or nutritionist’s eating plan as closely as possible. This will ensure that you continue to lose steadily, decrease the length and amount of stalls you’ll experience, and will speed up the healing process.
3. Vitamins.< /strong> It sounds very cliche, but remember to take your vitamins! Focus on Iron and B Complex vitamins especially.A Vitamin deficiency can result in depression, physical weakness, and poor sleep habits.
4. Speaking of sleep ... Make sure you’re getting plenty of it! At least 8 hours a day for an adult! Lack of sleep can lead to fatigue, weight gain, and (you guessed it!) depression!
5. Remember that “this too shall pass” ... These stages of emotional turmoil certainly won’t last forever. You’ll get over them as quickly as they overcame you. And keep in mind that each stage after surgery only lasts a short time in the grand scheme of things. Most eating phases last, at most, a month. After which you’re on to the next phase.
6. Keep a plan handy. Know that you will likely feel some unpleasant emotions or feelings and plan for them. Know what you’re going to do when you get upset, depressed, feel head hunger, or even feel physical pain from surgery. Have a list of friends to call at the drop of a hat, have a bottle of Water ready to sip on at all times, or have your doctor’s phone number on speed dial. Know that these feelings will likely happen at some point in time, and be ready to deal with them when they do.
7. Remember that everything you’re going through is completely normal and OKAY. It’s important and helpful to know that everyone goes through a stall at some point. Everyone has pain during the first couple of weeks after surgery. Everyone eats something they shouldn't at some point. Whatever it is you’re going through - someone else has likely gone through it!
8. Finally, DON’T GIVE UP! Remember that this is a journey. As the old saying goes, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.” There will be ups and downs on this wild roller-coaster ride. There will be twists and turns and loop-de-loops and there will be many moments when you feel like you’re laying over on your side. But, in the end, it will all be worth it. Your health, your life, and YOU ARE WORTH IT!!

Hi. I waited over a year for my insurance to even have doctors for their bariatric program. Then another 6 mos to talk hubby into paying for 6 mos of nutrition appts needed to get approval. Plus told by nutritionist I also needed to lose 20 lbs b4 I could have surgery. I was set for no surgery till at least May so imagine my surprise when I get a call to schedule my surgery because the process changed to 3 mos of nutrition appts and no wait loss other than 1 lb required by surgeon to proceed. My surgery is scheduled for March 10, 2014. Super nervous but super excited too.

Hello everyone, My nickname is Izzy and I am happy to have found support as my WLS journey begins. I am 36 years old and have dealt with weight gain since i reached puberty. I have PCOS and hypothyroidism, metabolic syndrome, asthma and pre-diabetis. And with all these disorders I never thought I would have WLS. I was naive and thought it was an easy way out. Boy was I wrong! this takes a lot of courage, letting go, allowing support from others and I am sure I will find out what else it requires.
Well after battle-ling with severe lower back pain,for 1 1/2 years, that made it hard to enjoy my life as before and gaining 30lbs that took me 4 years to loose, i finally listened to my doctors and decided to do this surgery.
Its was a scary and hard road just to get all the tests. Now 6 days post surgery I am so happy and looking forward to a new life. I look forward to learning from others here.
-Izzy

After my surgery I will not miss:
Sitting in airline seats that don't fit
Shopping for clothes that don't cost a fortune
Having pain in knees and back
Having low self esteem

Does anyone know of any lotions, potions, pills, drinks, etc that will help bring the elastic (?) back in the skin. I have a couple of months before surgery and I figure if any thing helps even slightly I should start now. please respond.

I was sleeved on July 11 2013. I am a little over 5 months and I feel great. I thought it was time to post some photos. I know it helped me when I was thinking of getting sleeved. So hope it can help others too. I now have no sleep apnea and my blood pressure is normal. No more aching feet is a plus too.