Noor1969

What a fantastic milestone after all you've been through! Please keep us posted with your progress!

Hello Everyone, So, I'm halfway through my third week of the preop diet (I was only supposed to do 2 weeks, but insurance is dragging their feet on my authorization, so my surgeon wants me to stay on it), and so far I've lost 13 pounds. Pretty good, huh? But now some strange thoughts are running through my mind. Because I'm doing so well on the preop diet, I've been fooling myself into thinking that if I just continue with what I've been doing, I won't need to have the surgery in the first place. Never mind that I lost 60 pounds with HCG last year and have gained it all back. Never mind that I have ALWAYS gained my weight back (plus more) whenever I've been on a diet. Never mind that I'm a hardcore compulsive overeater that can eat enough for 3 people. Never mind that I can't live on Protein shakes, green veggies, and egg whites forever. I'm still trying to kid myself into thinking that I can "do it on my own." My insurance has paid for all of the preop tests, so besides a few copays, I wouldn't even be losing any money by not having the surgery. I KNOW this makes no sense and I'm being completely unrealistic. I KNOW that I am setting myself up for failure as proven by my past "success" with dieting. I KNOW that the sleeve will have numerous benefits for me, both emotionally and physically. But there's still a little voice in the back of my head saying, "What if?" It's not about being "ready" to have the surgery. I have a great surgeon, have educated myself thoroughly on the procedure, and am comfortable with any risks or complications that I may or may not have. I just hate feeling this way when I know it's just an exercise in futility.

Yes, I realize how serious this is. And I realize complications can happen. I have been to the psych eval and passed with flying colors. I was only stating a concern as to whether or not I would/would not be able to lose weight "on my own." Thanks for your opinion.

Salaams Shadi-Dadi, I was supposed to have my surgery on the 22nd but I didn't get my insurance authorization in time. So it's been postponed indefinitely. I'm feeling impatient to get this over with but Allah knows best. Good to hear from you!

I am halfway through my 3rd week of the preop diet. I was only supposed to do 2 weeks, but my insurance company is taking forever to give me an authorization so my surgery was postponed. My surgeon wants me to stay on the preop diet until my surgery date. If you had told me that 2 1/2 weeks ago I would have had a heart attack. I was so worried and upset about the preop diet but it's turning out to not really be that bad. The first 4 days were awful with brain fog and headaches from the carb detox. But after the 4th day I began to feel better and my hunger went away. I am allowed Protein shakes, calorie free beverages, sugar free jello/ice pops, and green veggies, but I admit that I've been cheating a bit by eating egg whites. I figure since they're pure protein without any carbs or fat that they should be OK. I have lost 13 pounds so far so something must be going right. You can do this!

I'm also in Central Jersey, Hamilton Township (right outside of Trenton.) I'm going to be sleeved by Dr. Dobruskin at Princeton Hospital @ Plainsboro. Insurance company is dragging their feet so I don't have a surgery date, hopefully soon!!!

Glad to hear you're doing well. Please keep us posted on your progress!

My head hunger is the worst at night. Right now I'm on the preop diet and am allowing myself sugar free jello as a treat. I'm glad someone else is having the same problem as I know it's going to be really hard to kick the habit after my surgery.

A Squatty Potty is a small stool that you place your feet on when you have to pass a bowel movement. It positions your legs in such a way that it allows the colon to open up and make it easier to pass the waste. It's modeled after the "squatter" toilets in third world countries where people squat to use the toilet rather than sit on a seat. The squatting position is supposed to be healthier for you as you're not straining to have a bowel movement--it kind of falls out by itself. Hope this helps!

I've been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder, so I know how you're feeling. I haven't had my surgery yet and am worrying like crazy about how I'm going to cope. I am a long time binge eater and food addict and I don't know how in the world I'm going to handle things without food. The only advice I can give you is stay on your meds if they are helping you. If you're still having issues I'd recommend that you see a psychiatrist instead of a PCP for your mental health concerns. PCP's really don't have the background or training for the more complicated mental health stuff. You may benefit from seeing a specialist. Have you considered therapy? I know that's a big step but it may help. I have already promised myself that if the emotions get too overwhelming post-surgery that I will see one. If you need any more motivation, look at your ticker. You have lost ONE HUNDRED POUNDS! You will make it!

I'm already mourning food and I'm only on the preop diet. My surgery date has been delayed so I'm going to be on it for a while longer. I had a lot of "food funerals" before I went on the preop and I'm glad that they're over, but I hear what you're saying. I made two eggs and toast for hubby this morning and I was sad thinking that it's going to be a long, long time before I'll ever be able to eat bread again, if ever. One of things that's really bothering me is that I will never be able to eat at buffet restaurants again. I used to love filling my plate and enjoying all that food. That's not going to happen anymore. I'm also a big Cereal person and used to have huge bowls when I didn't feel like cooking too. Who knows when I'll ever be able to eat it again. I KNOW that the sleeve is going to be so beneficial for me and I'm set in my decision, but I'm really going to miss pigging out on food. I hope I get over it soon and find a "new normal" for me. Unlike you I do have comorbidities and need to remember that my health is so much more important than pigging out at a buffet. But it's not going to be easy.

Well folks I was all set to have my surgery tomorrow but the insurance company is dragging their feet, so I wasn't able to get authorization in time. Now I'm actually grateful that I'm not having it tomorrow because the snow is falling here like crazy! Tomorrow is going to be spent digging out our driveway. Our snowblower is broken (I kept reminding my husband to have it fixed but he never did it!) so we're going to have a huge chore on our hands. Since it's supposed to snow into the night I don't know how we would have been able to dig out in time to get to the hospital at the crack of dawn tomorrow. So I guess it's a good thing that my surgery was canceled. Sigh...my surgeon expects me to stay on the preop diet until my surgery date, so I'll just keep chugging away...

I'm not sure at this point. I'm having some issues with my insurance eligibility so it may take awhile. I woke up this morning and thought, "I was SUPPOSED to have surgery today!" But eventually I will get a date...just unsure when.

Hi there, I was afraid of the diet as well--I wrote a long post about it and got some fantastic support here. I started my preop diet exactly 2 weeks ago and have lost 13 pounds. I'm not going to sugar coat it, the first 4 days were horrible. Detoxing from carbs are a very real thing. I had terrible headaches and was constantly hungry. But by the 5th day, I was feeling much better. Now I'm no longer hungry and I'm actually consuming fewer calories in a day than what my surgeon requires. I am drinking Protein shakes and sugar free beverages, plus green veggies. The funny part is, I was supposed to have surgery tomorrow but I'm still waiting on my insurance authorization, so that has delayed things. So I'm going to stay on the preop diet until my surgery date. If I had known that I would have had to be on the diet even LONGER than the required 2 weeks, I probably wouldn't have had the guts to start it at all! So yeah it's hard, especially in the beginning, but I wouldn't call it the worst thing ever. You'll be just fine!

I have had the opposite problem. I'm preop and have spent quite a bit of money on Protein products that I'm using now for the preop diet and also for afterwards--I certainly hope that my tastes don't change that much after surgery! I've also spent a chunk of change on post-surgery liquid Vitamins. Hopefully my grocery bills will go down after the surgery's done.

Hey, at least the DOG is losing! Glad to see that you have a sense of humor. I'm sure your stall will end at some point--it HAS to!

I would like to participate, but I have a couple of questions. Is this email exchange oriented towards bypass folks or sleevers? Or does it not matter? Also, what would be some appropriate items to put in a box? I suppose Snacks are out of the question, LOL!

I'm on day #12 of my preop diet. I am so grateful that the fatigue and detox headaches have gone away. Now I barely feel hungry. My original surgery date of 1/22 had to be canceled so with my surgeon's permission I will be staying on the preop diet for another 1-2 weeks. The more weight I can take off before the surgery, the better.

What's your position on eating carbs and eating plan in general? Do you "diet" strictly, or are you more of an "everything OK in moderation" person? Do you allow yourself to eat bread, rice, or Pasta?

I'm from Hamilton Township (right outside of Trenton in Mercer County)

"A maroon colored bag of agony" MY SIDES!

I also have a Blendtec, which is comparable in price to a Vitamix. I got mine at costco and they have a 7 year warranty. It's great for crushing ice. I would recommend them.

Sorry I can't help you on the acid reflux, but I wanted to comment on your surgeon. It looks like you got a great one! Here in the US I've been watching episodes of "Fat Doctor" and it looks like he's helped a lot of people, very kind and considerate with a lot of experience. From what I've seen of his other patients I am sure you will reach your weight loss goals. Good luck and I hope you feel better!

Congratulations! We'll see you on the loser's bench soon!

Well, this is the 8th day of my preop diet and so far I've only lost 5 pounds. My surgeon wants me to lose at least 10 pounds before surgery. I'm stressing out because I see her on Thursday morning and I doubt that I will lose another 5 pounds by then. This is shaking my confidence to the point where I'm worried that I'll fail at surgery. I'm not hungry and have only been drinking 3 out of the 5 Protein shakes I'm allowed per day plus a fair amount of green veggies which have practically no calories or carbs. I'd be surprised if I get anywhere close to 700 calories a day. If I'm not losing on the preop diet on so few calories, how am I supposed to lose any weight after surgery? I'm really concerned. Could I already be in some kind of a stall? Help!