Valerie Mercer-Spencer

Well I hear you. I too am dietetic. I was undecided untill I went for my pe op visit. After going through that and speaking with everyone I knew bypass was what I needed to do for me. I have been on the opti for 6 days and have already cut out one pill and over half my insulin has been dialed back so far. For me its the only way to go to save my life because if I keep going heart attack or stroke is imminent. This is seriously the biggest decision of my life. My surgery date is April 22nd and it cant come soon enough for me. Good luck

Hey Glo your new broth sounds yummy. Im having the RNY done. I also have hypertension and I am diebtic. Since I have been on the Opti I have cut out 2 pills for my diebetes and reduced my insulin from 96 units to 22units so far. My Dr. Is very pleased. I am down 22lbs in 2 weeks. I cant wait for the 22nd. Glad to hear from you. Val :-)

Wow thats great! I also have diabetes. I am having RNY done on April 22nd and presenly I am on the Optifast liquid diet. I had to do it for 4 weeks and I am now on week 3. My insulin has dropped from 96 units at bedtime to 12 units already. I am off one of my pills for my diabetes and I think by time my surgery is here I may be off all of my diabetes meds. I have lost 25lbs and I am so excited to have this done. Good luck :-) Val

I am on day 13 of the Optifast liquid diet. I have to be on it for 4 wks. My surgery is April 22nd. My first 3 days were hard but I stuck it out. Today day 13 I'm a prostar!! Once I hit ketosis my hunger was gone and I can honestly say I don't feel hungry at all. It is a big mind game and you just have to get your head around that. Stay the course you got this. We are all here for you :-) Val

Ya I know I have been on Optifast for 3 weeks now with one more week to go. RNY on April 22nd. Good luck to you :-)

Perhaps the word "fight" should be removed from this description?
Gripe, complain, moan, debate, rant and rave might work?

Mmmm ranting. Human nature. We have become some what spoiled I guess never getting passed the need for imidiacy. When we want something we want it now possibly yesterday? In our minds we say ya I got this, no problem. Im going to breeze through this. Even with all we have read or heard others tell us about what to expect we still are in silent denial. Oh that happened to her or him but I will be ok. Im tough I got this. Well then its now your day and guess what? This sucks big time! But we all will get through it and move on. I will be there on April 22nd and I will probably be whining like a little baby but I know I'll be glad. Glad that I did this for me and glad that I am strong enough to see it through. Thanks :-) Val

Hi Valarie best wishes for your upcoming surgery. Even though I'm ranting about something I find annoying I'm usually a very supportive person. We all have things that we just have to get off our chest.

Hmmm ... wow. Please come back to this thread when you are a year out.

I Know this is not supportive and will make a few people upset. But it's My Rant & Rave.

This is not aimed at those experiencing complications from surgery. It's about people that REGRET surgery after a few days or weeks of the going getting tough. Did they research WLS?! Or how how read the many stories on this site about others experiences after surgery? No one said it was going to be easy. Feeling nauseous, vomiting, no energy, not being able to get in all your liquids and Proteins is pretty common. That is no true reason to REGRET this life saving procedure!

Yes I do understand the emotional effects surgery can have on you with your hormones being out of whack. Still not a excuse. I was prepared for all these things. In the hospital I had a few issues with the nursing staff where my pain medication was withheld from me. I was in pain for hours crying, had to call my sister to come to the hospital in the middle of the night. Not ONCE did I wish I didn't have the surgery. I knew soon or later my pain would be managed! And that's the whole point. It will get better. You can't whine and regret things because your experiencing a rough time. Life is like that too.

So UNLESS your have a serious life altering complication SUCK IT UP!!! You knew the possible side effects...

Rant Over

Uh maybe to breath lol you are very ready my surgery is April 22nd and I think I will use your lists :-) good work! Also Goodluck. Val

I am on day 13 of the Optifast liquid diet. I have to be on it for 4 wks. My surgery is April 22nd. My first 3 days were hard but I stuck it out. Today day 13 I'm a prostar!! Once I hit ketosis my hunger was gone and I can honestly say I don't feel hungry at all. It is a big mind game and you just have to get your head around that. Stay the course you got this. We are all here for you :-) Val

My NUT started my 2 wk pre-op liquid diet with 5 shakes a day and Clear liquids (broth, Decaf tea, s/f caffeine free drinks) and Jello.
By the evening of 2nd day I was throwing up, couldn't stand to take a shower and my husband noticed I was pretty confused (more so than normal ).
I had drank 64 oz of Water each day and didn't have trouble with the flavor/consistency of the shakes but couldn't figure the problem. It was clear to me I couldn't sustain this and still drive, let alone take care of my daughter. So a call in to my surgeon & NUT today, realized I was only taking in about 700 calories a day and am dehydrated....I was supposed to be mixing my shakes with Skim Milk (90 cal=80z) instead of Water (as per the pkg directions). And if I had kept all the information straight, I would have noticed the pre-op water requirements are much more than post-of 64 oz of water. I was supposed to be drinking half my body weight in ounces - let me tell you, I wish was 128 ounces.
They moved me to four shakes (w/skim) a day and a 300 calorie meal with 150 oz of water a day. My sweet kind doctor assured me he will still do my operation even though I've messed this up...he encouraged me to do the best I could once I am back on my feet to try the 4 shakes a day but if I have to add a low fat snack in then do it - he is still willing to help me. I can't tell you how relieved I am because I feel today like I have swine flu and can barely get out of bed. Please if you're reading this, count your calories & double check your water. It feels awful & its slow bouncing back.
My husband made me a scrambled egg and I've got 32 oz of water in me this morning and I'm starting to feel human again.
Back on the horse tomorrow.....

My daughter puts Protein Powder in her yogurt also in her Soups. I have my surgery April 22nd. It will get easier. She is going to be 6 months on my surgery date. Doing amazing! :-) Val

Hey Glo your new broth sounds yummy. Im having the RNY done. I also have hypertension and I am diebtic. Since I have been on the Opti I have cut out 2 pills for my diebetes and reduced my insulin from 96 units to 22units so far. My Dr. Is very pleased. I am down 22lbs in 2 weeks. I cant wait for the 22nd. Glad to hear from you. Val :-)

Guess what you are 100% normal!!!!!! Your body is in the what the hell did you do to me stage! It wants to hold onto everything and it will relax and shed the pounds. Just stick with the program and this will work!

Your body is still adjusting and trying to shed all the IV Fluid they pumped into you. No worries, stick to the plan and it will happen...

Shannon,
"Hold the vision and trust the process."

I am on day 13 of the Optifast liquid diet. I have to be on it for 4 wks. My surgery is April 22nd. My first 3 days were hard but I stuck it out. Today day 13 I'm a prostar!! Once I hit ketosis my hunger was gone and I can honestly say I don't feel hungry at all. It is a big mind game and you just have to get your head around that. Stay the course you got this. We are all here for you :-) Val

Hey im the queen of dumb so thanks for the heads up sounds like something I would do. Surgery in 15 days so I will chew chew chew and then chew again. Thanks. Val :-)

I am starting week 3 tomorrow of Optifast liquid shakes. I can also have the broth and sf jelly. But my Dr says the broth and the jelly are optional if I feel hunger which I never do. I am only having the
opti shakes and my Water. The first 3 days is when I had the broth and jelly but none since because im not hungry. Once you are in ketosis your hunger usually leaves you. Are you permitted any vegies ie lettuce peppers cucumbers etc. Hang in there it will get better. :-) Val

I am on day 13 of the Optifast liquid diet. I have to be on it for 4 wks. My surgery is April 22nd. My first 3 days were hard but I stuck it out. Today day 13 I'm a prostar!! Once I hit ketosis my hunger was gone and I can honestly say I don't feel hungry at all. It is a big mind game and you just have to get your head around that. Stay the course you got this. We are all here for you :-) Val

wayne- great advice! I am sadly still pre-op, preparing for June surgery. however, I have read book after book and watched ALL the episodes of Fat Doctor on youtube so I feel like I am well informed. my surgeon will not allow gummies of any sort, including Viactiv Calcium (BOO!!) so in my case, liquid Vitamins...
the only other thing I can add is to prep some of your 'blended' foods and freeze. I watched a lot of patients do that on Fat Doctor. They made things like a meat sauce (without pasta), Soups, shepards pie, etc and froze them in ice cube trays which worked really well!

Yes you are right "change is hard" but we will be soooo happy with the new us! :-) Have a great day! Val

Wow it amazes me how people feel they have the right to pass judgment on others. Obesity I believe is one form of predgidism the world can certainly do without. Your decision to become healthy is yours to make. However you chose to do it is also yours as well.. you are starting a new journey don't take negative people on your journey with you. Keep smiling :-) Val