coco86

My surgeon did not recommend a diet so I personally am not doing one. People keep saying it is to shrink the liver but studies show it takes a minimum of 8weeks on a very strict diet to see what amounts to a statistically insignificant difference in fatty liver disease so I doubt that is the real reason programs recommend it. I actually had a very interesting talk about this with a fellow member getting it done in March and her explanation was she wanted to "get her head in the game" which I think is the most valid reason I have heard to start it. There does not seem to be any large scale studies published that confirm it is beneficial but there are also no studies that say it hurts either so it so really is a personal preference thing. If you strongly feel like it would help I would ask your program/NUT for recommendations. coco

I am a 29F from NJ but my surgery is not until 3/25/16 so I am a few weeks behind you. I somewhat get where you are coming from I only have one friend I talk to (she is working towards a lap-band to sleeve revision) other than her I have not told anyone because I do not want to deal with the lack of understanding she experience with our mutual friends. . . How are you going so far? I am excited about it but nervous about silly things like losing my hair, how am I going to hide it when I go out for dinner with people or when I bring it up with a new guy I am dating. coco

I am also in the medical field and have no desire to tell anyone at work about my surgery. I scheduled my vacation for the day of and 10days post-op telling everyone I was visiting family and then starting a 1/2 marathon training program when I get back for a race in October . . Most of my colleagues are very encouraging about the idea of marathon training because they see it as healthy. I figure it covers the 5 small meals a day thing and it gives me extra encouragement to run everyday because I have to keep up my cover story or else tell them the truth. So far no one has questioned it so *fingers crossed* I will be diligent with my running and can actually run a 1/2 marathon by October lol. Hernia is believable I would just read up on the "type you have" and the surgery/recovery process to have some general knowledge in case you get someone who wants to talk to you about it. l was going to say hernia too but when I was researching the details it felt like too complicated of a lie for me to maintain. Personally I felt like the simpler the lie the easier it is to make believable.

@@mrskhardin - lol I am a bit of a science nerd so I have been incessantly looking for research studies on this whole process . . It seems to be totally an individual's choice and I can not see it being harmful so I am glad to hear your perspective. It is always educational to hear other people's opinions fellow March buddy. coco

@@mrskhardin - Large population studies show we cannot predict what fat the body will use first. Fatty liver cannot be resolved in 2 weeks which is why the whole 2 week diet confuses me. If it was truly for fatty liver you would be on it for a minimum of 8 weeks and even then the difference would be statistically insignificant. The science just does not make sense when looking at how the body functions from a biological perspective. From my understanding they use a protractor to hold back the liver don't they? I can respect the psychological reasons for it but personally I like a well studied scientific reason as I feel like I have my head in the game with or without the preop diet. I have heard of an open procedure being done instead of a laparoscopic one because of excessive abdominal fat but nothing about the not being able to preform the surgery because of a fatty liver. Sorry if I am annoying I am a geneticist so I am simply curious about the science not trying to be combative. coco

Also guys can any of you point me to research studies (not articles written by a single doctor or a journalist who is not a PhD) that actually prove a 2 weeks diet shrinks the liver. A lot of people talk about it but from what I am finding there are no large scale studies showing there is any truth to it. I would try it if I could find a scientifically valid reason to so any information you have on it would be appreciated. coco

@@elo402 - that is good he is so supportive, lol poor guy I am sure he will be fine once you get out of anesthesia . . I am so worried about the hair loss too! I have long hair I dye blonde and there will be tears if I have to cut it off because it gets thin/broken looking or if I go bald. To keep myself from getting too upset I keep thinking would I rather be overweight with beautiful hair or healthy with less than beautiful hair, healthy wins every time. I was told it is only a temporary side effect from the rapid weight loss and will get better once you are in maintenance mode so I am focusing on that and extra Biotin, vita C and Niacin supplements to get me through. If things really start to go bad I might even try rogaine. coco

@@elo402 - I am excite too! My medical clearance will be signed off tomorrow after my chest x-ray . . No pre op diet here though my MD said there is no research proving it is actually helpful which seems to be the consensus by researchers/doctors on pubmed too. To each his own when it comes to what the programs preach it seems but I am glad I do not have to do it! . . Do you have anyone going with you to the surgery? coco

I would like to be buddies as well. I am having my sleeve on 3/25/16 in NJ. [emoji16]