McButterpants

I collect and analyze data for a living, so I'm almost as neurotic as a lawyer! :-) Fear is completely understandable. I'll tell you part of my story...My husband and I traveled out of our area for surgery because I was self pay. When we got to Las Vegas 2 days prior to surgery we got a convertible. We drove around Las Vegas with the top down and I didn't enjoy it - not one minute. I kept thinking about my surgery- if it was the right thing for me to do and having those 2nd thoughts. Not only was I scared, but I was pissed off. I was angry because I let myself get to this point - how did it get this bad that I need to remove most of my stomach in order to lose weight and get healthy? Day 2 in Las Vegas I was going to call it all off. I was going to cancel the surgery and just have a nice vacation in Las Vegas, probably hitting every all you can eat buffet in town. Then I went to the mandatory meeting for patients having surgery the next day. Being surrounded by others in my same situation helped - I was still scared, but I felt better. Then on the day of surgery, while I was in admitting, I thought, "I could walk out of here right now and only be out $500." I was scared to death - I wanted to flee. Then I looked at my husband, who was scared too and I thought about my son back at home. I thought about all the reasons I decided to go down this path. And then I thought about my mom who has been obese her entire adult life and the medical issues she has because of it - that will be me. At that moment I CHOSE to go thru with it. I was still scared - I think that's perfectly normal. But recommitting myself in that admitting room, made everything else easier for me. Once I started walking down that hallway to start the process, I didn't have any more 2nd thoughts - it was determination that kept me walking. After surgery - for about 2 days, I had some buyer's remorse. I attribute it to feeling bad directly after surgery. Since day 3 I have had no 2nd thoughts or regrets about getting this done. At 4+ weeks out I can tell you this was the best decision of my life, barring marrying my husband and having my son. I already have a better life. I feel better, my blood pressure is already down and I'm not on any diabetes medicine any more. Only you can decide if this is the path you want to take. For me, I'm glad I didn't back out. I learned that I was stronger than I thought I was - I suspect the same thing will happen to you. I wish you luck. Please keep us posted!

Do you have a kitchen scale? You can measure out your food before eating, then measure it again if you don't finish. When I started out eating solids, I got spun up on trying to track every morsel that went into my mouth and you're right, it will drive you crazy. I figure if I capture most things, it's going to be as accurate as I need it to be.

I agree with the above - call the doctor and let them know. They are the professionals that will make the decision on best course of action.

A new NSV!!!!!!

Yes - a lot of people experience that. Some will find that the sweet in Protein shakes really bothers them. The other day I ate something and had my husband take a bite to see if he thought it tasted like it was spoiled. Can't explain why it happens, but it does.

Mine have changed since surgery. Trial and error is right. I pulled something out of the refrigerator the other day and made my husband take a bite because I thought for sure it had gone bad. Artificial sweeteners are bad for me now, too. Some of your shakes might taste bad when you get home - keep trying them. It may get better. Good luck!

Congrats! Wishing you continued success.

Oh no! Sending positive vibes your way!

This is an exciting time for you guys! You'll do great. Stick with your plan - and like another posted above me said, stay busy. Green tea (and lots of it) helped me a lot during the pre-op diet. It helped curb the hunger and helped pass the time.

Right now, at 4 weeks out, the "want" lasts a few seconds. I looked at something my son was eating the other day and I thought "that looks pretty good", then the thought went away. I really have no desire for breads or sweets right now and I would love for that to continue. Right after surgery you're consumed with drinking Water, drinking shakes. The, once allowed by the doc or NUT, you're allowed some food and then it's working to try to fit that in.

I read one of your posts right before surgery - it detailed your issues and complications (that sounds trite - it's not meant to). I then read it to my husband. I admit, he freaked out and asked if I wanted to back out. I did think about it, because I'm not sure I'm strong like you. I certainly could not handle things with the grace you have. Sending you much love and support and thanks for all you do for us here on this forum!

For you pre-oppers and newly post-oppers worried about what post op life will be like, I wanted to share a couple of meals I've had recently - I'm 4 weeks post op and these are on my doc approved plan and sleeve friendly. pizza - Oh how I miss Pizza Night with the family. But I think we have found a great work-around in my house. Take a Carb Balance tortilla shell (I used the fajita size) and spread some pizza sauce it. Then get creative with your doc-approved toppings. I used turkey pepperoni and low-fat mozzarella cheese on one. I also made one with BBQ sauce (instead of the pizza sauce), shredded chicken and the mozzarella. OMG, delish. At 4 weeks out, I can eat about 1/2 of one pizza. What a great treat. (And my son and husband love these!) Last night the family wanted Mexican food, so we went to Cafe Rio. I ordered a taco meal which comes with one taco and rice and Beans. I told them to hold the rice and no lettuce in my taco, just the meat and cheese. This is what my bite looked like...a little piece of the chicken and cheese, one bean, and a smidge of sour cream. Then I chewed, chewed and chewed some more. It was wonderful and it made me feel like I was back in the land of the living - enjoying a meal with my family.

OMG! So, will this continue to happen or will it get better once you're able to exercise again?!?! I think they could use you for an entire case study or studies! Good grief, girlfriend. I'm praying for you!

When I went to my pre-op classes the day before surgery and after 2 weeks of pre-op diet (2 shakes per day and one meal w/ 4-6 ounces of meat), the doctor said, "Go out and have dinner tonight. Have a good time and eat. The only restrictions are, no buffets and don't go crazy with red meat." My husband and I looked at each other quizzically, like he was joking. I said, "Are you sure? This is for real?" He laughed and said, "Eat what you want." So, we went to macaroni Grill and had a wonderful dinner - we had two small appetizers, bread (which I had not had in 4 weeks), our Entrees and two Desserts. BUT, I didn't stuff myself. It was interesting...I took a few bites of each thing and I was completely satisfied. The only thing we finished was the goat cheese stuffed mini peppers. I thought I would gorge myself, but I didn't - that night really felt like the beginning of something really exciting! Even though I'm only 4 weeks post-op, I can tell you - you will be able to eat some of your favorites again - I've already had pizza. But it's sleeve friendly pizza and it's awesome (take a carb control tortilla shell and pizza sauce, turkey pepperoni and low fat mozzarella and you have a thin crust pizza - even my son likes it). Last night we ate out at a Mexican place - I had the shredded chicken and cheese from the insides of a taco. It was wonderful. You guys are going to do great on the pre-op diet - just keep your eye on the prize and keep working hard. It is so worth it. Best of luck!

I went thru a lot of food funerals before I started my 2 week pre-op diet. I had Italian dinners. I made my homemade chili. I ate ice cream. You name it, I ate it. Then it got old. It consumed me. I ended up starting my 2 week pre-op diet a day early because I was done eating this or that one last time. With 4 weeks to go before surgery, I'd like to make a couple of suggestions...practice eating slowly (set your fork down between bites), chew your food (chew 20-25 times), and start incorporating a shake into your day. These are things that helped me with the pre-op diet and really help post-op. From my perspective, you're normal or at least like me in some respects! :-) Best of luck to you!

You're doing great. "Only" 9 pounds - are you kidding me!?!? Just stick with the plan your doctor and/or NUT gave you - the weight and inches will come off. I have a love/hate relationship with my scale, so it only comes out once per week. Best of luck to you!

I started mine a day early because I was sick and tired of thinking about it and having food funerals. But, like indecision says above, it was a victory in my book - I lived thru the pre-op diet and got an extra day. I won! You will win this, too - congrats on your loss so far, don't derail it because you're close to your pre-op goal. Stick with your plan and you'll do great! Good luck!

I had the same issue - here's what my NUT had me do...Take some Metamucil and a good quality pro-biotic. The pro-biotic, while not a laxative, will have a laxative effect and should help get things going. About an hour after I took both, I was moving right along. I was at the 5 day mark when I called her and said I hadn't poo'd since before surgery - she was a little alarmed. You gotta get that poo out! :-) I'm 4 weeks out and I still need assistance with the Metamucil. Good luck!

Sacrifice: to surrender or give up, or permit injury or disadvantage to, for the sake of something else. One thing you'll find about this journey - it's a series of gives and takes. Another thing you will find out about this journey - you are stronger than you know. I was two weeks post-op at Thanksgiving - I knew I wasn't ready to be around a bunch of people eating food and I didn't want a lot of questions about why I wasn't eating (not everyone at the get together knew I had surgery). So, I went to the party before dinner and had a great time visiting with my family, then I went home right before dinner was served. I went home and had a protein shake. It sucked, but I'm still alive to tell the story. You'll do just fine with your broth as long as you have the right frame of mind - you have this great opportunity ahead of you. Not everyone is given this chance to change their lives. It is truly an opportunity for your life - something that eating for 30 minutes cannot overshadow. You'll do just fine - just stick to your plan and enjoy your time with friend and family.

Wow - great post! Congrats to you on your loss, but better yet, congrats on getting your smile back. Wishing you continued success.

Congrats on your success. I weighed this morning and I'm down 2.2 pounds. I'll take it. Slow and steady...I know! :-) Best of luck to you!

Wow - true success. Thanks for sharing!

Wow - congrats!!!!!!!

Only you know that for sure if you're doing the right thing... I was scared to death - signing the consent forms the day before surgery actually made me feel better because they put in the rate of incidence of the particular complications and I thought, "OK - that's not such a bad average." I had second thoughts the days and weeks leading up to surgery. The day before surgery I almost backed out. The day of surgery, sitting in admitting, I almost backed out. But what kept bringing back were the reasons I searched out this surgery n the first place. I saw a future of unhappiness, unhealthiness, and misery - I chose have the surgery and not let my fear get in the way. I had a little buyer's remorse the couple of days after surgery thinking, "Oh my god, what did you do?" Then I started to feel better and my attitude changed. I haven't looked back since - I'll be 4 weeks post-op tomorrow. I'm feeling great, I'm losing weight, I'm off all meds except for 1, I'm exercising and I can actually see my jawline forming (I haven't seen said jawline in probably 15 years). You will know deep in your heart what the best thing for you is - you have to listen to that inner voice. Best of luck to you!

Oops, i didn't realize this was on Vet's forum - I thought it wouldn't allow us to. Sorry!