Jen40

I am happy to say my surgery is scheduled for March 11!
I have done two years worth of research on types of WLS, different surgeons, countries, etc. After deciding on a surgeon, I have my plane tickets, my shopping lists, care for my children, hubby's time off work, support from my PCP, my best friend, my father...
Everything is falling nicely into place. But I am SCARED. No matter how much research I do, I am still afraid of what will happen AFTER surgery. I mean, I didn't get to 360 pounds because I overeat once in a while.
I am a serious food addict! I binge. I crave. I lose focus. I lose control.
I am afraid to fail. Did anyone else feel this way? Is the sleeve really going to be a tool that can help me? Can I really learn to change my "lifestyle" after my loving husband works so hard to pay out of pocket for this? After I've put my body through a major surgery? After I've altered my body's design... forever?
Am I going to be able to do this?

You're doing great! I know we all want the weight off right away. But, remember, the weight didn't come on overnight so you won't be losing it all overnight. Although, you will lose it fairly quickly, all things considered.
Sounds like you're getting enough Protein & eating a good amount of calories so you're doing just fine. If you're not already exercising, try a little walking. Between what you're doing, walking "and" drinking your fluids, you'll see that weight fly right off.
Good luck!

I am 8 weeks post op and have pretty much those same goals/numbers. Lately I am getting the Protein by still drinking two Premier Protein shakes per day. I also eat small meals... Cottage cheese, eggs, turkey, chicken, fish, yogurt, cheese sticks, veggies, etc. but those Protein Shakes are still really helpful since I can't eat much real food at a time. Another help is Quest bars. 20g of protein and I really like the taste of most of them. Don't have them everyday, but at least a couple per week.

Probably half the stuff I eat is from TJ's . . . frozen shrimp, jumbo scallops, and turkey meatballs are my favorite from their frozen meats. Frozen veggies: artichoke hearts, grilled asparagus, brussels sprouts, mixed cauliflower & romanesco. Favorite sauces/condiments include garlic aioli mustard and garlic marinara sauce (great with those turkey meatballs!). Their shredded Swiss & Gruyere cheese blend is awesome. They have the best prices on Babybel cheeses in town by far. Their turkey Jerky, turkey bacon, and turkey hot dogs are staples! The chicken jalapeno sausage is excellent. If you use egg whites, they have the best prices on those little cartons of egg whites. Refried black Beans and fat free refried pinto beans are terrific. Love the half-salt canned tuna and the smoked sardines. I have the fully cooked organic sirloin for Breakfast almost every morning, and use the chicken strips for lunch -- today I had the grilled chil lime chicken breast strips. So much sleeve friendly food there! I do stay away from their fresh produce (for the most part -- avocados are an exception) because they sell in big portions and I just can't eat much of it before it goes bad, as I live alone.
Also, if you have a dog, their dog biscuits get the stamp of approval from both my dog and my neighbor's dog.

Their frozen prepped foods are great! Lots of high protein/low carb options and the appetizer section is great for a sleeved person. I can pop a few coconut shrimp or a chicken skewer into the toaster oven and have a meal in minutes. Love TJs.

I am going to see my nutritionist next week. I will be asking about this for down the road. I'll let you know what she says :-)

pizza. Fried chicken. Soda. Burgers. Doritos. Basically, all the stuff that made me fat in the first place.

pizza. Fried chicken. Soda. Burgers. Doritos. Basically, all the stuff that made me fat in the first place.

pizza. Fried chicken. Soda. Burgers. Doritos. Basically, all the stuff that made me fat in the first place.

I take Bariatric Fusion. 3x daily. Dr. Says that's all I need.

What's on your surgeon's approved list for your stage? I was allowed refried Beans fairly early. We eat out Mexican every week and I order a side of Beans and cheese. Yummy!!

If you are tolerating things well try a chicken taco and some Beans. Whatever you like! You can bring home what you can't eat.

My Mum's boyfriend had a stomach resection for bleeding ulcers and always ate like a sleever. He was nearly 90 when he died, and healthy up to the end.

My Dad had it done in the early 1970's due to ulcers. And did fantastic lived to reach 94 ate small meals throughout the day.

Congratulations! That's exciting! Can't wait to get there myself!

I am scheduled for March 11th!! I'm going to start my pre-op diet on Monday. So far I've only tried Premier Protein from costco. I'll be trying to get some samples and see what's out there! Exciting!

Depends where their starting point was Hun.

I'll tell you how I felt the day before surgery - S C A R E D. I almost backed out the day before surgery and the day of surgery. I think it's perfectly normal. Oh and I was mad the night before - like angry. Angry at myself for letting my weight get out of control. It was weird - that emotion came from no where! I can laugh about it now, but it scared me when I was going thru it. (My surgeon gave me a pass for dinner the night before surgery - No restrictions, go out and have a great time. What the heck - after a two week liquid diet? So the hubs and I had an awesome dinner together and celebrated - it will go down as one of my favorite meals and it had nothing to do with the food.)
Here's what I did - I kept thinking about the reasons I wanted the surgery in the first place. I thought about my husband and son and how I wanted things to be different at home. I wanted to be an active participant in my own life. I wanted my husband to have a true partner in life, not someone he had to take care of. I wanted my son to have a fun mom that was full of life, not someone that watched everything from the sidelines.
I also spent a lot of time on this forum - it's helpful to read what others are going thru.
So, best of luck to you tomorrow - you'll do great. It will be over before you know it. Walk as much as you can - I paced around the condo until I felt like I could walk outside. Walking will help you recover quicker and will help dispel that gas they pump into you during surgery.
You got this!!!!!

I bought this book! So far, seems to have a lot of great information!

Thank you SO MUCH for posting this!! I am having surgery with Dr. Aceves on March 11! This is a great list and great information!

I am trying to buy the vitamins/supplements from the list that Nina sent me before I go for surgery... Did you all start in your Vitamins right away when you got home? I'm looking at some liquid ones, but there are SO MANY out there!! Can you guys tell me what brands worked for you?
Multivitamin (2x day)
Zinc Lozenge Gel Caps (50mg every 3rd day)
Iron (100mg everyday while fasting???)
calcium citrate (600 mg every 12 hr)
B Complex (1 pill every week)

Can you make and freeze stuff ahead? Lasagna (or just buy a Stouffers!), chicken spaghetti, chili, enchiladas, etc. That way he just has to pull something out of the freezer and pop it in the oven. Easy! Leftovers would make quick and easy lunches too.

Hi Jen, I was sleeved by Dr. Aceves 7-15-13 I'm down about 110 lbs and couldn't be happier with the whole experience. To help you with you're questions
1. In regards to how much money to carry what I can tell you is the PPI and pain med we're told to purchase cost me around 150 US $. Everything else varies on your travel situation.
2. You've probably been working with Nina regarding all pre - op info, well she has a counterpart named Gaby who handles all post - op inquiries so any question you ever have you contact her and if she can't help she forwards your email to the Dr.'s. Who in turn reply to you in a very timely manner, so you don't ever go clueless about anything these ladies are on the ball.
3. I forgot the question lol

3. OK got it. Yes definitely, Dr. Campos will facilitate all that info. I personally live in Palm Springs Ca an easy 2 hour drive to Mexicali so I just plan on going to him for blood work.
All in all I know you'll be soo happy with the whole experience just as I am they really know what their doing the hospital and staff are great and as an added bonus nobody ever mentions on here while at the hospital you will meet 2 amazingly sweet ladies Yolanda and Karen they are part of the coordinating team as well as Nina and Gaby. They are at the hospital till late in the afternoon every day, remember they are not nurses or hospital employees they but these ladies will assist in ANYTHING making sure you receive nothing but the best care possible. Any other questions you might have send me a message I'd be happy to help.

I am scheduled for March 11th!! I'm going to start my pre-op diet on Monday. So far I've only tried Premier Protein from costco. I'll be trying to get some samples and see what's out there! Exciting!