smg

Congrats on starting the process. I elected to go the self-pay route because of how long insurance companies make you wait, so my entire process was only about a month and a half from first appointment to surgery, and some of that was due to my scheduling, or it may have been done quicker....BUT...

Quicker is not always better!!

I spent quite a bit of time doing my own research, spending hours on here and elsewhere so I felt that I was ready to go when it was time. Being that you're just starting the process, don't allow insurance delays (if they happen) to frustrate you. Use this time to really dial in your diet and research on what will help you be the most successful post-op.

The good thing is that most bariatric teams have dedicated nutritionists that are available to you even when not in the office, either by phone or email, or both. Use that. Ask questions. This is the best time for you to work on your diet so that your pre-op and post-op diets will be much easier as you already will know what to do.

Best of luck to you on your journey!!!

Best of luck to you! Remember: walk, walk, walk and sip, sip sip!!

It's easier than you think....you'll do great! Good Luck!

Welcome Brandi! I'm sure you'll find plenty of information here...helped me a great deal pre-op, and even more post-op!

I have both a ninja and and a Vitamix 780. The Vitamix hands down wins this competition. The ninja is nice, but the Vitamix is really in a league of its own...plus it can make soups...which is really nice at the puree stage...

Mine was a little over an hour. I also had a hiatal hernia repaired which I understand is pretty common.

I think a lot of it immediately post-op is more of a "head-hunger" than a real hunger. You're mentally used to eating and the thought or smell of food entices those receptors that have been programmed for years.

I actually found I was "head-hungry" for the first week after surgery, but by week two, I had to actually remind myself to eat because the "hunger" was diminishing. Even now almost 3 weeks post-op I don't typically get that hungry feeling all that often. I notice it more if I'm around a food that used to be a crutch for me...

My program was fairly different than a lot on here as well. We weren't required to be liquid only post-op. We were taught to eat what my team called the "slip-n-slide funnel diet" meaning if it was a food that could easily slide through a funnel it was OK to try. Just introduce things slowly and give your body time to heal.

I can promise you this is not the "easy" way out. But it does get easier. There are LOTS of reasons that we develop the habits that we do. It's probably safe to say that most of us have used food as a way to deal with just about every emotion. You're happy...throw a party..with food, you're sad...eat your way happy, you're angry...take it out on food.

Food has always been the "global remedy" for emotions and issues in our lives and we've all been there. This surgery doesn't magically fix everything for you, but it does give you the tools necessary to be successful and make better food choices moving forward.

Good luck! We're all cheering for you!

My pre-op diet wasn't super strict either. I had to drink a Protein shake for Breakfast, one for lunch, and then my dinner could be a Protein and non-starchy veggies, but no limit on size of the dinners....then in the last pre-op (2 days prior to surger), the doc told me to go out and Celebrate with my guilty pleasure dinner....lol.....but I was a little nervous to do that, so I kept it reasonable.

Each surgeon has a different program and typically each patient is given specific instructions. I know the pre-op diet is to reduce the size of the liver to make it easier for the surgeon to work in that area. If you're concerned, request an appointment directly with the surgeon and ask the question....

Good luck!

Yeah that seems really high on the carbs. I would definitely look for something with less. Quest brand has a lot of flavors, is really low in carbs, and tastes fantastic....

Honestly, I think the pre-op diet was soooo much harder for me than the immediate post-op diet was...keep pushing...you're almost there!!!

I agree with all of the other comments that everyone reacts differently to high sugar/carb foods. Even though you are not "bypassing" anything with the sleeve, you are still going to experience a much faster "emptying" of the stomach than what you might be used to, and if that emptying of the stomach happens to be a high sugar food, your body can react similarly to what a bypass patient's reaction would be in that your body may make a mad rush to "deal" with the sugar it's just been hit with in order to dilute it. That is basically what "dumping" syndrome is.

It's not typically as common in sleeve patients, as our food still travels through the duodenum and continues to be digested as it travels, but it is still possible.

Pass out as in lightheaded or pass out as in fatigued? I think both are probably common when your body is going through such a change in calorie intake...

If you're at home when this happens I would say lie down and take a nap...if you're at work, I would say sit down until you can walk confidently, but maybe don't nap at work

It's rough, but you'll get through it...just keep your eye on the prize....a healthier life!

Just relax and think about all of the things you're gonna do with your new life!!!! You're gonna do great!!!

As @@jane13 said...walk, walk, walk.

and sip, sip, sip!

My wife has supported me from day 1, but I also lost close to 30 lbs during the pre-op diet and even though she supported me, she questioned it.

I really don't think it's a question of support, but more of a question of fear. Anytime surgery is involved, as a parent or a family member, you worry, and I think that's what's happening here...

Time and education will help them. Let them know that this is for long-term success, and that you believe it's what's right for you....and reassure them of the success rates and let them know that you are excited and not scared...they'll come around!

Best of luck!

Wow! Great article. I've always noticed that when I take the time to write something down, whether it be to plan a menu, to-do list, list a goal, or just to reinforce a thought or idea, I always do better on following through and just feel like "I'm on top of it"....but honestly never thought of doing it in a journal every day...sounds like a great idea.

Thanks for sharing! I know if I got more organized my wife certainly wouldn't mind

I'm not in OK, but I'm cheering for you just the same!!!

I'm sure you'll find many on here who are from OK.....I know I've seen some. Best of luck to you!

@@amandasue Sorry to hear about your complications...sounds like you've been through quite a bit.

I haven't experienced any issues yet, although I just had my surgery on April 15. I would just keep doing what you're doing...sounds to me like you're listening to your medical team, and doing what they're asking you to do. The only thing I would probably ask is that with so much vomiting, you may not be absorbing as much of your Vitamins as you need to (just a thought)?

My NUT recommended some Multivitamin and B-complex Patches if we either had trouble with pills or had issues keeping things down....maybe they'll help? I would certainly ask your surgeon what they think before trying something new, but it might help.

Congrats on losing 81 pounds so far!!! That's fantastic. Stay positive and keep working with your medical team...I hope things get better for you!!!

Hahaha...I know what you mean...I have my closet sectioned off in areas....pre-op, immediate post-op....further down the road.

I'm 19 days post-op and already in the "further down the road section" and I'm debating on whether to go shopping now or wait longer so I don't buy clothes that fit for a week...haha.

I'd say get a couple different sizes and tell them it's for family members...heh. All in all, it's a great problem to have

Sounds like great news! Sounds like you're doing great! Keep at it!

I was lucky enough to go first the morning of my surgery so, thankfully there wasn't much waiting...but even a few minutes can seem a lot longer during the anticipation...lol.

You'll do great...just think about the new you and the new life!!! Best of luck...cheering for you!

@@kmw1970 - Welcome and it's exciting to hear that your surgery is right around the corner!!!

I'm not sure if Gastroscopy is common practice, but I can tell you that my surgeon did not require it to be done prior to my surgery. You might ask your surgeon why they are requiring this? Perhaps it's just an extra precaution, or perhaps this particular surgeon does this with his/her patients, or perhaps your insurance requires it? Not sure....but I'm sure they'll let you know if you ask.

Best of luck to you...keep us in the loop with how you're doing!

@@WhitneyMc - Welcome to the community!

I was a self-pay patient (mostly because of the time insurance takes to approve), however I did look into it, and I know many on here have been through it.

Sorry to hear you're dealing with Constipation pre-op @mmorris4. Luckily, I didn't deal with pre-op, but post-op I did as the anesthesia and pain meds can cause it, along with just not putting that much food into your body. Miralax worked wonders for me and I am a little over 2 weeks post-op and I still use it about 3 times per week to help stay regular for now. There are a lot of different over the counter solutions for constipation. If your NUT recommended miralax, I would try that first and if it doesn't work, as them for another suggestion but definitely address it and keep them in the loop with anything you are taking to help you! Good luck!

@@audaciousmarie - Welcome and sounds like you're ready to take the plunge this time around. Best of luck to you. You'll do great!

Well *sigh* my surgery was postponed for now because my Dr. will not clear me because of chest pain. After my endoscopy procedure I had some pain in my lungs after the twilight sedation. This was several weeks ago and I didn't even talk to the doctor about it until today because it went away after a few days. Still, because it was chest pain, he wants me to go and see a cardiologist before he will clear me for surgery. UGH!!!!!! I want to scream! I've already been doing my pre-op diet and was going to start clear liquids today for surgery tomorrow but NOPE! I guess it's kind of a good thing though since I just got back from closing on the new house and it needs some cleanup and fixes before we can even move in. Plus, it's a pool home so I'll get a bit of time to swim before I get my surgery done but it's still frustrating to be on the very last day of my liquid diet before they have to postpone it GRRR! Sorry, had to vent a little.

Well that sounds frustrating, but I think when speaking about something like chest pain, better safe than sorry. You should be happy your surgeon has your best interests at heart. I'm sure the delay is not fun but you'll get there, and you can be happy that all of the proper precautions were taken on your road there! Best of luck!