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I didn't feel much like stopping at the store on the way home from work this morning.....but Biotin and Gas-X strips are high priority items for me to get and stash in my "hospital bag". I was thinking that best thing for me to do would be atay as busy as possible prior to the surgery. Woke up early today and wanted some java and relax for an hour or two watching some college football. I wasn't prepared for what HD TV had offer........one Hooters, Hardees, Zaxby's commercial after another. GRGRRRRRR !!! On the positive side of things, a box arrived from Bariatric Advantage with some sample chewable Multivitamins (berry is much better than orange I found out) and some bottles of Protein powder (chocolate, Mocha and Banana). I like the convenience if nothing else.....it comes in single serve bottles with just the Protein Powder.....you fill to top of label with Water and shake it up. Super convenient and lightweight portability. I'll test run them tonight and report back on my flavor impressions. I was caught off guard at work last night by what I did on my final day of work last week...... I'd removed all the stuff from my desk and locker that wouldn't be permissible for my future diet. No packs of tuna. No Quest bars. No ibuprofen or Aleve....etc. I did this in anticipation of knowing I'd be returning to work on the pre-op restrictiveness. No problems with the foods. I am toting in my protein powders daily. What I forgot was to bring some Tylenol. Not too wise. Temperature drops, rain........first day back at work and trying to achieve my fitbit step goal all combined with the arthritis wasn't fun. I'd forgotten how much i rely on the use of Advil.....too much of the stuff. 800mg at least twice a day. It was a good reminder and I suspect the need for this stuff will seriously decline as the weight keeps falling off.....certainly a great incentive to reach goal and maintain it. It also helped reaffirm the sleeve for me as I can use Advil and the like on days where it's absolutely necessary. I'm looking forward to the days where my aches and pains come mainly from self inflicted punishment from gym work and other active adventures.

Nightshift working right now. It's going to suck without coffee. My plan is to get up and walk more......especially when drowsy.

Yeti cups are some of the best money I've ever spent. I finally gave them a try and wished I'd done so sooner.

There seems to be a range of instructions on the pre-op diets. Surgeon to surgeon variation as well as individual patient needs. I started this process with a different surgeon that I'm using for my sleeve. The first surgeon was 4 weeks pre-op liquids. Current surgeon wanted me to loose steadily with early use of liquid diet or other effective measures and then do the 2-week pre-op liquid. I can't begin to tell you how much I miss the tuna, salmon and salad I was eating the last few weeks. Looking forward to tuna and salmon again in due time. Gonna fire up my grill and smoke a nice fillet for that first meal.

Awesome!!!! Long process, but you've made it. The 19th will be here in no time at all.

Ha. Not just fat guy issues. Fat girl issues, too! I used to hang dry my clothes because that darn "dryer" used to shrink them all the time! It was such a huge NSV the day I realized I was drying EVERYTHING all of the sudden. And sometimes in hopes that they would shrink because the were too big! Ah, the little things that make us happy through this journey. So true. The little things make us stop and think.......and smile. I had a monthly lunch meeting in a conference room at work last week. I usually try to remember to leave my wallet in my desk drawer prior to this meeting due to the chairs in n this particular conference room. These chairs are tight between the arms. I literally have to wedge my arse in them. I was pleasantly surprised last week when I didn't have to force it. The thought crossed my mind that it would be two months until I next attend this monthly meeting due to my surgery date. I'm really looking forward to that next meeting. It'll be one of those secret victories if I can stand up naturally and I'm not wearing the chair.

That is going be my strategy. Cinco strips !!!

THANK YOU !!!!! I'll be grabbing these items next. I can't believe I forgot the Gas-X strips when I was in WallyWorld this morning. I generally hate going there......but I felt like parking at the far end of the lot and getting a good walk. FitBit approved of the trip even though my wallet didn't. I'm in the process of test driving pillows. Trying to find that perfect pillow to hold against my flabdominal area post-op. I figured out this little nugget of wisdom after the second open hernia repair. I'm dumb but not stupid. The heating pad and water bottle sound like great to add.

I use a couple Yeti cups to keep my ice Water near at hand. No sweating. Ice cubes still floating in there after 36 hours. Cold water will be easy. I know this sounds stupid, but it just dawned on me that I'm going to want to do the same with Protein shakes. Currently it only takes a minute or two to knock it down......that's all about to change, though. I can't stand the chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and banana shakes if they aren't cold. I was curios if you had the same hang-up....and how you solved it. The Yeti cups are hand wash only....and I'm not using anything for Protein Shakes that I can't put immediately in the dishwasher.

My doctor ok'd coffee in reasonable amounts. As my nutritionist puts it, "you're already cranky from being on the liquid diet, we're not going to make it worse by taking your coffee too!" Almost identical comments from my nutritionist. There were 15 of us in the class.....she received a hearty applause from most. There were a couple that looked at us like we were nuts. Clearly the non-coffee folks. I pray for them during their pre-op diet. I was sitting there with a giant cup I bought on the way there, too. Grinning. It is truly threraputic for me. Helps with arthritis. Helps with other gastric events, too. I just really like it. Especially with fall and the cooler temperatures... It's comforting! Going along with your post though... I know a lot of women recommend wearing dresses to reduce constriction from clothing and easier time using the restroom, etc. Have you looked into men's clothing options post op? Yup. Gonna sit around nekkid. Just kidding. I decided to not buy any more "current sized" clothes once I made the decision to have wls. I"ve had to replace some work slacks but that's about it. On days off work....relaxing around the house.....I tend to wear Under Armor long gym pants and t-shirts. The pants get loose when I adjust the drawstring. The t-shirts aren't the compression type....just basic cotton t-shirts. The t-shifts are actually fitting a bit loose right now already due to the progress. I used to machine wash and then air-dry my clothes....and then give the shirts the old "custom stretch" just before putting them on. Fat guy issues. Now, I'm using the drier for stuff. The drier. My clothes.....going into the clothes drier. This turn of events caught me off guard. I have been buying some new clothes, though..... We wear a golf shift our company's logo on them at work. My 6xl & 5xlt work shirts are starting to look worn out. I've got several brand new in the wrapper 4xlt & 3xlt replacements waiting in the closet. I enjoy target shooting and was on one of my favorite gun manuf. website last week. I was looking around and saw the "apparel" tab that I always just scrolled past.......then I thought about it and said why not? I ordered a sweatshirt, t-shirt and long sleeved t-shirt from them. I went with a size that will still be a bit large after I reach goal......but the drier will help shrink them up. That is a great idea. Thanks for the tip !!!!! I tend to stay up late on nights off and watch tv and piddle around on the laptop. Sleep won't be a problem on workdays but on my days off next week and the night before the surgery I will taking 1/2 Ambian tablet and get some good rest. The time is about to pass really fast.....working night shift beginning tonight. ~13 hour shifts will have the next few days flying by.

My doctor ok'd coffee in reasonable amounts. As my nutritionist puts it, "you're already cranky from being on the liquid diet, we're not going to make it worse by taking your coffee too!" Almost identical comments from my nutritionist. There were 15 of us in the class.....she received a hearty applause from most. There were a couple that looked at us like we were nuts. Clearly the non-coffee folks. I pray for them during their pre-op diet. I was sitting there with a giant cup I bought on the way there, too. Grinning. It is truly threraputic for me. Helps with arthritis. Helps with other gastric events, too.

How close is it in macros to Oikos Triple Zero Greek Yogurt ? I freaking love the Oikos Triple Zero Greek. I've yet to try a flavor that wasn't outstanding.

Hyperactivity......seems that way these past couple of days. I'm feeling better with every punch list item taken care off......sort of the way I felt after each pre-op requirement being completed. Closer to getting the sleeve and the hernias repaired. Not for immediate post-op use. He does allow it down the road a few months out. Most of the coffee will be consumed while I'm on this pre-op diet. I'm trying those versions so I can have something that tastes good without using any creamer. The Chike Moca Iced Coffee Protein powder is on the accepted list a few weeks out, too. That stuff is going to be like liquid gold once it's allowed.

I always mix my Protein Powder with crushed ice and tap water. I've had thousands this way. I never mix with anything else. If you buy the right protein, it will have the right flavor with water.

I know that I shouldn't be having this stuff.......but it is my "cheater" food.....this and the sugar-free Jello and popsicles. I need to get some broth that I can add some Mrs Dash to. Kinda like Soup.

October 13th is getting closer. Amazed at how the pounds are falling off on the pre-op diet. It'd be great if I had of simply done the pre-op for a year. Lol.....tried and failed. It's easy now because I have that short-term razor focus. I can handle it knowing things may be different on the other side. May not have the hunger I'm having now. Trying to think of everything I'll need and get it done. Working long shifts until Wednesday.....off Thursday.......then working Friday, Saturday & Sunday, too. Off Monday and having surgery on Tuesday. Acquiring all the supplements, Protein, New Balance slip-on sneakers and such. Ordered a couple memory foam body pillows. Bought a new recliner two weeks ago. Planning on sleeping in it the first few days. Gonna be sore from a massive abdominal hernia & hiatal hernia he'll be repairing when he does the sleeve. The recliner is made for big & tall guys and is much easier to stand up from. I want to be moving around as much as possible....constantly sipping on Water will ensure this. I didn't want to be getting in and out of bed so much like I did with the last two abdominal hernia repairs. They were both open type procedures. Hoping that this time things will go easier due to laparoscopic method. I'm looking through the Comcast, AppleTV & Netflix menus and lining up fun stuff to watch. I've only seen an episode or two of Boardwalk Empire so I may do a total series binge watch on that. Just did Homeland that way, too. Getting my iTunes updated for the hospital. Good music may help pass the time. Post-op pain medication is being filled by pharmacy this morning. What else should I consider ?

October 13th here. Trying to keep moving and not dwell on it. Acquiring all the supplements, protein, New Balance slip-on sneakers and such. Ordered a couple memory foam body pillows. Bought a new recliner two weeks ago. Planning on sleeping in it the first few days. Gonna be sore from a massive abdominal hernia & hiatal hernia he'll be repairing when he does the sleeve. The recliner is made for big & tall guys and is much easier to stand up from. I want to be moving around as much as possible....constantly sipping on water will ensure this. I didn't want to be getting in and out of bed so much like I did with the last two abdominal hernia repairs. They were both open type procedures. Hoping that this time things will go easier due to laparoscopic method.

I'm sorry you are going through this. Are you taking your supplements on schedule? B12, Calcium, Iron, Vitamins and etc ???

October 13th surgery date, here. The pre-op diet hasn't been so bad. Today I rediscovered the many great flavors of Crystal Light. I drank most of a pitcher of grape flavor. Stuff is awesome. I bought at least 5 more flavors to give it some variety.

I was in a program......became frustrated with the shenanigans the insurance company was playing. I wound up switching to another surgeon-program-hospital due to the insurance company's mandating I go through a "center of excellence". Turns out to be a great move. I like everyone in the staff and have responded well to their guidance. I became very, very frustrated with further bullcrap from the insurance company and chose to self-pay 100%. This stepped up my timeline considerably......quite considerably......however the surgeon still wanted me to drop 50 lbs minimum. He was adamant about that. At the current rate, I'll exceed that by a good margin. I agree, though, it does help to have a numerical goal to shoot for.....with incremental goals, too. I helps drive behaviors in a helpful way. Best wishes. You've got this.

I'm sorry that you had to experience this delay......talk about frustration !!! I think you nailed it, though, when you said things happen for a reason. The circumstances that led up to my decision to have wls found me much more prayerful and contemplative. I fully agree that things happen for a reason. I've had some experiences since this that I can only explain as God's hand at work. He does share a sense of humor, too, and it's not been without several really funny events in my life. Not saying at all that there is ANYTHING humorous about your experience in the O.R. You are much safer today for your surgeon's decision to back out and wait a bit. It's going to happen when it should and you will look back on this next year and simply shake your head and smile by knowing there are decisions being made on higher levels that guide us. Wishing you the best in the time ahead. It's going to happen for you. Trust and believe.

My surgeon puts everyone on a two-week liquid diet pre-op. Permissable items are certain low-carb Protein powders, sugar free Jello, sugar free popsicles (low-to-no calorie version) and some clear broth (which I've yet to try).

Hunger? What's that? Oh, you mean that gnawing beast in my stomach that is demanding that I scarf down some of the temping snack food that's in our kitchen (not mine, but rest of family's......grrrrrrr). Yup. I've been hungry this week. I simply try to drown that gnawing beast with Water, coffee, diet tea and etc. Drown that monster. My surgeon told me 3 servings of Protein shakes per day. My nutritionist said that I could actually have 5, plus other calorie-free stuff. First two days I followed the 3-per day. Yesterday I had 4. I also have several flavors of Protein powder & pre-mixed Protein Shakes on hand: chocolate, banana, vanilla, mocha and orange cream. Variety is killer. I also freaking love the flavor of my Flintstone's Chewable Vitamins. I keep a bottle on the counter and look forward to my 2-3 a day. I know that sounds crazy.....but damn they are good. I'll run this thing out until surgery and am really not concerned about being hungry after that. I'm hoping the surgery will knock down the hunger, plus the Bariatric Advantage chewable vitamins, Iron, Calcium citrate and B12 supplements all taste outstanding. It's like being able to eat candy all day. No kidding. We tried the various samples in one of the nutritionist workshops and I bought several varieties. For now, though......just drown that hunger and profit from the extra cardio that will occur from frequent trips to the bathroom. Don't laugh....my Fitbit counter has gone into overdrive just from my pee breaks alone.

Honestly....the weight is going to come off. All you have to do is try. Follow the surgeon's instructions and it will come off in tremendous amounts. I'm two weeks out from surgery and just riding the rollercoaster. I lost along the way, but nothing at the rate I've lost this week on the pre-op liquid diet. Lawdy mamma !!!! It is literally falling off right now. I am super enthused. Weight is falling off and the surgery is still ahead. Your surgeon and his/her staff have it mapped out for you. This is what they've been trained to do. It's what they do for a living. They are professionals in the world of weight loss and weight loss surgery. Trust and believe in what they advise you to do and simply DO IT.

Very well stated @@*Lexie* Tired of watching life roll by......ready to actively live it !!!!