Last Hurrah

Howdy folks. I hope you are all doing well.

I will officially join your ranks in a few months when I have my bypass.

Until then I'm trying to get ready as much as I can.

I didn't want to intrude into anyone's thread so I figured I'd ask here and hope people joined in.

I've been warned not to stock up too much on powders, bars and such as things may taste different later. I'll just have a variety of stuff here but not big quantities of anything. Some Chike Protein, Oikos Triple Greek Yogurt and Quest bars for starters. We always have chicken breast and tuna on hand. Anything else that you recommend having around those first several weeks?

I'm concerned about comments concerning difficulty drinking the required amounts of Water. I've always just gulped down what I needed.....when convenient. I suppose now I need to get used to having a water bottle close by all day long for sipping.

Kinda freaked about this because I enjoy drinking Water and maintaining that good well-hydrated feeling.

I'm planning on taking two weeks off work for the surgery. Interested to hear what your experience was on time off and how you did going back.

I can minimize or maximize the amount of walking I do on the job.

I already keep packs of tuna, powder & shaker bottles, sugar-free drink mix and Quest bars in my desk.

I only have a couple meeting-lunches at work each month. I'll deal with those as they arise. No control over the menu. I can always just say I've already eaten and sit there sipping my water.

Clothes? Did you already have clothes ready for the shrinking new you?

I have some smaller sized stuff that will most likely see me through until surgery, but then it's going to be hard to gauge what to do.

What has your level of exercise been post-op compared to the months before?

What's been the biggest surprise to you after having the surgery?

What do you wish you'd done differently in the months leading up to it?

I've got a ton of random questions. Hope you don't mind chiming in.

Thank you !!!

I had that experience if not liking a Protein Powder after surgery that I like before. I couldn't even tolerate the smell of it. I like sugar free Jello during the clear liquid stage. And for Soup, I went to au bon pain and they sold be just broth... Much tastier than canned broth. I stored/froze them in small 4oz container and microwaved one when time to eat. The unflavored Protein Powder the hospital gave me was my best friend initially, made it easy to add to stuff. Some folks like crystal light, I never cared for it.

Drinking slow wasn't an issue for me because I feared throwing up. Using the little medicine cups to drink from also forced you to sip. I never got incredibly dehydratedto need iv Fluid, but my pee did look orange some days.

I planned for two weeks off of work, needed 3.

The clothes thing was most surprising to me. First, I realized how tight what I was wearing must have been, so they just started fitting better. I had clothes ranging from 26-20, so no *need* to shop yet, except for under garments. But of course I have shopped:-), but not a lot. I buy something, tag it with the date and weight I was when I bought out and try it on again in 3 weeks, if it's lose it goes back.

Biggest surprise... How much my mindset changed. Last night I went out with the family. They ordered a large pizza with topping and onion rings. I watched them eat, not the least but phased by the fact that I couldn't have any. No longing for it, just feeding that this is how my life is now. Then I wanted ice cream-- but after reading label in the market for 20 minutes... I decided it wasn't worth it and bought sugar free Jello.

I would not change anything I did leading up to surgery.

Exercise... Pre op it was almost nothing... My goal was to make 6,000 steps a day--with no real plan-- that's it. Post-op I'm not doing anything crazy... Couch to 5k, and twice a week circuit training. My steps still don't always make it to 6k, but I'm happy with what I'm doing right now and it seems livable for me.

Day 14 of my liquid diet!! I made it and didn't cheat once. Kind of proud of myself. Surgery is tomorrow morning and I have to be at hospital at 5:30. Good thing I'll get to sleep some tomorrow as I'm sure I'll not sleep much tonight. Not anxious or afraid, just excited.!!

Hello I'm a 66 r old and I'm jumping back and forth in my head over this I've been to two classes have two more to go the hard part is trying to figure out everything it's alot to take in I hope I find someone to talk to about everything cause I'm a worrier

I am also 66 and my bypass is scheduled for 4/14, just 3 more days. I am very excited and up to this point I have not had any hesitation with my decision. I have done alot of research since my decision in January to go forward with this and I feel quite prepared for my new life. I made the decision that I don't like living with my current body and all my pain that the extra weight on me causes. So I have decided that I will live out my remaining years by becoming as healthy as possible and be able to enjoy the things I would still like to do. I'll be happy to talk with you anytime.

April 14th! Started my liquid diet yesterday..so far not too bad once I gag the Protein Shake down.