biginjapan

I first thought of getting the surgery done 9 months ago, I'm now less than 3 weeks away from surgery (also in Mexico, but with Dr. Cabrera). In some ways I feel lucky - for a morbidly obese person, I'm pretty healthy (no co-morbidities), active, and while I obviously overeat (mostly, because I can), I don't have food addiction issues. I don't have any support here in Japan (and I wouldn't even if I had the surgery here), so I've been educating myself, watching videos, reading tons of articles and blogs, and learning from forums like this one. The only thing I miss that other people have is the ability to join groups of people in real life who are dealing with WLS pre- or post-op. I'm so thankful for places like this though, because otherwise I'm not sure how well I would do without that kind of support.

I used to worry I was missing out on a lot because I didn't have to jump through the hoops that most everyone else has to, but I've also read that a lot of that is for insurance purposes, and that the quality of care you get pre- and post-op can range from fantastic to indifferent. I think for those of us having surgery in Mexico, not having all the tests beforehand is not necessarily detrimental to post-op surgery success. It just forces us to be more pro-active about educating ourselves and finding local medical support that may or may not have experience with WLS, but are willing to help us out anyway.

Feb 9th for me! I started my pre-op diet yesterday, so it's really starting to feel real now.

I'm a big fitbit fan too - I usually can hit 10,000 steps daily, just from work, but it's the days off that I have to push myself to get out of the house and walk as much as I can. I hope the fact that I'm walking so much now will help me out when I am post-op.

I'm on day 2 of my pre-op diet and I'm doing okay so far. I do feel hungry if I don't have my Protein shake around (like right now) but otherwise I'm surprised how it's been. That said, I'm not on an all-liquid diet, I am allowed small amounts of Protein and veggies, so I think that helps a lot.

I blended tofu into my Protein Shake this morning with a handful of berries and soy milk and it was fantastic - nice and thick like a milkshake, but so much healthier! (I find I need something more substantial in the morning to help me make it to lunch).

Has anyone tried poached or hard-boiled eggs instead of scrambled? I've heard that WLS patients handle them much better than scrambled eggs.

What if you moved to another city? Or another country? I find it strange that doctors would refuse care because they weren't the ones who did the operation.

FWIW, I'm going to see my gastroenterologist next week to make sure I can get the tests that I need post-op when I return from Mexico. (no GPs/PCPs in Japan - specialists only!)

I have 3 big goals in mind - getting to onederland, losing 100lbs, and hitting a healthy BMI/goal weight. Of course, I'd like to mark smaller goals along the way, perhaps every 10 or 20lbs, but I haven't thought about any rewards. Losing weight is a reward in and of itself, as will be all the NSVs along the way!

I love to travel, and will do it anyway, but if and when I hit goal weight (or close enough) I'd like to do something I've always wanted to do, but never could because of my weight (and lack of money), like learn how to scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef, or climb Kilimanjaro, or go trekking to see gorillas in Uganda/Rwanda, that sort of thing. Of course, once I hit my goals I'll probably be thinking of plastic surgery, so it may be awhile before I can do any of the big stuff.

My pre-op diet starts on Thursday (for 3 weeks). I've posted this elsewhere, but basically, here it is:

No sugar, no caffeine, no dairy, no fruit, no smoking, no carbonation

My suggested meal plan is 2-3 (non-dairy) Protein shakes a day, and 2 small meals of at least 4 oz. of lean Protein (chicken, fish) and as many non-starchy vegetables as I want. 1-2 tbsp of healthy fat (avocado, olive oil, etc.) is also recommended with my meals.

I've also been requested to start taking Vitamins (Calcium citrate x3, B12, Multivitamin, plus probiotics) for 6 weeks prior to surgery, which I've been doing since the start of the new year.

How important is it to stop coffee and caffeine months before surgery?

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Do you want to be dealing with caffeine withdrawal immediately after surgery? I think it's a least a month or more before you can drink coffee again (if you can) after surgery. Quitting beforehand may make your life a bit easier post-op.

I can see the difference! You look great and are obviously doing all the right things. I hope I can be as successful as you!

I'm flying to San Diego next Tuesday for surgery and flying back home (Georgia) the following Sunday.

Let us know how it goes!

Walter - I feel for you. I've suffered from clinical depression most of my life, and in addition to that, I've been a heavy drinker for at least the past 15 years, but never to the point of alcoholism (although pretty close to the edge I think). Being big has meant that I could always drink more than most everyone else. Plus, since I have few (non-alcoholic) drink choices here in Japan, it was always easy to end the day with a beer or two or six. It's like food for me - kind of either/or. If it's in the house, I'll eat/drink it - all of it. If it's not, I don't think about it. That said, I was mostly an everyday drinker. Over the years I've made a more concerted effort to be more healthy - stopping drinking completely for months at a time. I guess over the past 2 years I've gone a full year a without drinking, kind of 3 months off and 3 months on in a loop. Of course, I've completely stopped drinking in preparation for my surgery next month. I'm hoping that I never drink again afterwards - of course, because of issues with the sleeve, but also because I am afraid of addiction transference (not that I'm addicted to food - according to online tests) and I know once I start I may not be able to stop. I have no support here in Japan for it, so that is always at the back of my mind too.

I guess I understand your family's fears for you, but I would like to think that, with help, you'll be able to conquer your addictions, or transfer them to something completely unrelated - like taking up judo, or fishing, or cycling, or photography, or....

So your wife wants the sleeve for herself, but not for you?

If food addiction is a major concern (and it is for many), getting counselling or joining a group would probably be the first step to deal with it. As mentioned earlier, one issue that could happen is transferring one addiction for another - so I would definitely work on that.

Hi Walter,

I haven't had my surgery yet, so you can take this with a grain of salt if you wish.

The odds of you losing weight (and keeping it off) the so-called "natural" way is almost zero. A lot of people say you have a less than 5% chance of keeping the weight off non-surgically, but I've read other studies were the odds were worse than that - 0.015% for women, and for men it's closer to 0.001% (sorry, I can't find the study now, but I'll try to look for it). The human body, for whatever reason, will fight you tooth and nail to stay fat, if you are obese. The best book I've read so far about this is by Dr. Robert Lustig, called Fat Chance. If you prefer YouTube, my favourite videos about all things related to bariatric surgery are by Dr. Matthew Weiner. He explains things very well. You might also want to watch this HBO special, called The Weight of the Nation. If you want to see the effects of how bariatric surgery can help obese people, there's a great series out of the UK also on YouTube called Fat Doctor which focuses on real people struggling with obesity, and doesn't have the Jerry Springer-like feel of some of the U.S.-based shows.

You say you are worried about the surgery, but honestly, for most people, the odds of anything happening to you are about the same as having gall bladder surgery or an appendectomy. And those are pretty routine surgeries. But remember - if you stay the weight that you are, any surgery will be a risk, as it is for all people who struggle with obesity. You listed quite a number of conditions that you suffer from -- two questions to ask yourself is, 1) do you want to keep suffering from them and know that they will only get worse with time? and 2) what odds are better for you, in terms of being around for your family - staying morbidly obese, or having the surgery and be given a real chance to not only lose weight, but to keep it off? Sorry to be blunt, but there it is.

Is this a big decision? Of course it is. Could there be complications? Yes, but that's true of any surgery. However, I think most people who have had the surgery will say it was the best decision they ever made, and that they wish they had done it sooner. For whatever reason, sleeve or bypass (not lapband, which few surgeons do anymore do to low success rates and other problems) "resets" the body in many ways - within 24 hours to a few weeks to a few months after surgery, people may no longer be diabetic, get off high blood pressure or cholesterol meds, have no hunger to fight against (some forever, but most regain some sort of hunger pangs within a year and a half of surgery), and there can be major changes to your metabolism. Your taste buds will probably change, and you may find that certain foods that you used to like will no longer appeal to you after you've had surgery. Of course, there can be some negative side effects too, like food restrictions and gerd and dumping syndrome, needing gall bladder surgery, some depression (immediately after surgery, but I haven't come across any long-term stats about that), and sometimes addiction transfer (for example, changing your food addiction to something like alcohol addiction).

I would really recommend to write down a list of all your concerns and talk about them with your surgeon. Finding a therapist would probably also help. I don't know where you are (I'm assuming the U.S.) so if you have insurance I'm sure you'll have to jump through a few hoops in order to qualify for the surgery, but that can be a good thing, as it gives you time to deal with your fears/concerns before having the surgery.

Whenever I get worried about anything, my motto is: think of the solution, not the problem. I find it really helps to get my mind out of the self-defeating loop that will make the problem seem bigger than it is. In this case, I think educating yourself about the surgery, about anesthesia, etc. will help you feel better (or not) about having the surgery done. Good luck.

What does your surgeon say? Based on what I've read, most people are limited to walking for the first 4-6 weeks after surgery. Then they might start on light weights and more moderate activity.

My pre-op starts on Thursday for 3 weeks. Luckily, it's not only liquids - I'm allowed some Protein and veggies twice a day.

Good luck to everyone!

I'm flying to Los Angeles from Japan. I'll be there for a few days, then will take the train to SD, where I'll get picked up and driven to Tijuana. Every surgeon I asked had no problem with my 12-16 hour flight back to Japan after I get discharged, but for my own piece of mind I'll be flying back a week after I have surgery (I'll recover in San Diego a bit first, and if I feel well enough, do a little sightseeing too). I think the main concern for any long flight will be to get up often and move around, keep fluids up, and wear compression stockings.

Wow...the last time I had a date was in1999... Of course, that's when i was at my thinnest (i.e. at normal BMI). That said, I've never been attracted to extremes of any kind - too tall, too skinny, too fat, too muscular - as long as guys have fit into a more average category, whether it be from athletic to dad bod, then the most important thing has always been about personality, humour, intelligence, etc. I do remember once being attracted to a guy who was obese (he was tall and heavy, so carried it well), but decided not to pursue the relationship because I needed to be with someone who would encourage good habits with me, not bad ones (amongst other reasons).

Most of my life I've been overweight or borderline obese, but recently I've come to realise that I have gone from being overweight to obese to morbidly obese in less than 8 years, despite all the weight loss efforts during that time. Like the OP, I haven't dated or followed-up on the few bits of interest I've had over the years because I have not felt attractive enough (or have felt somewhat suspicious of the pursuer - why would he possibly like me at this weight? Something must be up). And even if I'm lucky enough to lose all my excess weight, then there will be the loose skin and deflated boobs - so I know that that will be another thing I need to get fixed before I maybe have a shot at feeling attractive and wanting to be with someone, scars and all.

However, to answer the OP: I've been friends with all shapes and sizes throughout my life and I rarely judge anyone, regardless of how well I know them, because I know full well that a) being large does not necessarily equate to being unfit or unhealthy, that you never know the full reasons why someone is the size they are, and c) if people are losing weight, you don't know what stage they are at. That said, while I try not to judge anyone for their size, if I was to start dating someone, I guess the biggest turnoff for me would not necessarily be their size, but their lifestyle - both in terms of exercise and nutrition. I definitely couldn't be with someone who was a pusher (of food or drink) or an enabler that would get me off-track. But...I haven't even had my surgery yet (less than a month to go!) so this isn't something I'll have to worry about for a while.

I start my pre-op diet next week, for 3 weeks. My recommended plan is:

2-3 Protein shakes a day. These can be made with non-dairy milk, and I can add a small amount of berries to the shakes if I wish. I'm also allowed 2 small meals a day of lean Protein (chicken or fish) with as many non-starchy vegetables as I want.

And of course: no caffeine, no carbonation, no dairy, no sugar, no starches, no fruit, no processed meats.

I will be on Clear liquids only for 3 days before the operation. I'll be in Los Angeles at that point, doing a little sightseeing before heading down to San Diego and then Tijuana, so I'm hoping that those activities will keep me busy enough to distract me from the hunger I will probably be feeling at that time!

Wow - I love this thread! Like many others here I wear minimal makeup, but I've basically been doing the same thing for the last 20-odd years. I've been thinking about having a makeup tutorial when I'm in the States, just to give me some ideas of where to start. I'm happy to see that Sephora now ships to Japan, but I've already put about $1000 worth of products in my cart, so maybe that's not such a good thing...

Anyway, lots of great ideas here!

Congrats! This is one NSV I am definitely looking forward to myself, as I often fly a lot as well due to living abroad.

I think it's because being obese is considered a moral failing in our society. So consciously or not, people think we should have to suffer for our "sins".

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

To quote Dr. Lustig, from his book, Fat Chance (2014):

"It's from (the) perception of choice that we derive our current societal mantras around obesity: gluttony and sloth, two of the original 'seven deadly sins.' (...) people exhibiting the other five deadly sins (...) have gotten a pass in the press and in society as a whole. ...

We've found absolution for nearly every vice and sin we can commit, except for these two. They continue to defy our society's ability to forgive. This despite the fact that 55 percent of Americans are either overweight or obese. Thin people are now in the minority, yet our culture continues to punish the majority. ...

Our society continues to glorify thinness even though it appears to be less achievable every year. Those of us who are overweight or obese are immediately assumed to be gluttons and/or sloths. (...) From this condemnation, it's a quick jump to the determination that obese people became so due to a behavioral defect."

I can't wait to do it! I live in Japan so clothes shopping is impossible for me here (other than socks), so I keep everything, no matter how bad, just in case. That being said, limited closet space has meant throwing out most of the rag-like clothing in more recent years. However, the many years of shopping overseas has meant that when I find something I like, or that isn't horrible, I'll buy 2 or 3 of that item - which usually includes a smaller size for when I "lose" weight. Of course, that has never happened! But now I have about 10 small storage boxes of clothes (summer/winter, casual/work, -10 to 20 pounds, -20 to 40 pounds, etc.) that I will be able to shop from as I lose weight. This will be good for me since I literally have a closet full of clothes I have never worn! And 3 pairs of shoes too, since I get really swollen legs/ankles in the summer heat and humidity here (not that I can wear them in the winter time... ) and it wasn't worth the cost of shipping them back to the States even though they didn't fit.

The only thing that will suck (but in a very small way) is having a limited time to wear certain clothes that I really like or know will look good on me. Of course, I'd much rather lose the weight than wear the clothes, but still... I guess a NSV to look forward to will be increased closet space, as I will be able to get rid of clothes (hopefully I can find some plus-sized women to donate to) instead of constantly holding onto everything "just in case." I hope the clothes will last me until summer when I go back home, which will be 6-7 months post-op, so I can update my wardrobe then.

Good luck! I'm also self-pay, and will be having my surgery the day before yours.

@ozzy91: I'm using vitacost.com and iherb.com to ship Vitamins, Protein powder, etc. to Japan. The prices are great and the shipping is very reasonable (or free) for international shipping. If something is not allowed here, they won't ship it. Even with the laws in Saudi Arabia, I'm sure you'll be able to find things you need. I've mostly been able to buy what I need, with a few exceptions - I just made an order for items that I'll need post-op, like liquid or chewable vitamins, etc. It's been great since that's fewer things I'll need to buy when I'm in the U.S. next month (on my way to Tijuana for surgery).

@myoldme: It's good to hear back from you - how's life post-op?