laceemouse

So I have an upcoming appointment with my surgeon in 2 weeks before they schedule my surgery. After that they'll call me with my surgery date and I'll have to start my pre-op diet. My pre-op diet consists of 2 weeks of 3 Protein shakes a day and 1 small dinner. Which can consists of 3 oz of meat and veggies or a lean cuisine or smart choice meal. I believe they also want me to start taking my bariatric Vitamins ahead of time. So my question is how much did everyone lose on their pre-op diet. I've heard of people losing like 20-30 pounds alone just on the diet. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated. Also, what kind of protein shakes did you use? My doctors office provides their own, I'm not quite sure which brand yet, but I've noticed that Premier Protein seems to be the most popular. You are going to have to try lots of different protein shakes, get small sample sizes of the powdered ones and try the pre-made ones like Premier that you can get at the grocery store. Just don't buy too much, your taste buds will most certainly change after surgery, mine sure have! I think Premier vanilla is my favorite. Pre-made is easy, getting them at Walmart is easy. Another thing is the shakes have a smell (some of them smell like vomit to me post-surgery) and the shape of the Premier container makes it impossible to smell it while you are drinking. I heard this pre-surgery and it is true for me. My smell and taste senses are on overdrive after surgery. Sweet things are way too sweet. Things with a strong flavor are way too powerful. The whole eating thing is trial and error. Good luck!

All I can think about is this movie, if you haven't seen it you MUST! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387808/

Most people have excess skin, saggy boobs, and no booty after weight loss. It beats being obese. Some people have plastic surgery but I have zero desire for that. Go to YouTube, search WLS, VSG, RNY and "skin flicks". You will see lots and lots and lots of people strip down to their undies and show your their droopy bellies, flapping arms, tube sock boobs, and flat rumps. Exercising helps arms and legs a bit because you build muscle to fill the saggy skin some. I guess hard core exercise could help your butt some? Everyone is different. Age and amount of weight lost and heredity and where you carried your weight are all factors that determine excess skin. And no, we can't choose where to lose. Sadly,

If you are getting all of your Protein and Water in no, don't worry. We are recovering from major surgery, in the old days people used to take 6 weeks off work for almost any surgery, now people expect to be all better in a week.

You need to be working on increasing Fluid day by day. I had my surgery on Halloween and my first post-op appointment yesterday. My surgeon would have been very concerned if my fluid had been that low, watch out for signs of dehydration. I was struggling with the Protein requirement and my surgeon fussed at me! Sip, sip, sip all day long.

I was on an easy 3 day pre-op diet (just low fat, low carb) and couldn't eat or drink after midnight. I did laundry and other chores around the house, packed, and took my 18 and 21 year old kids, who live with us, to Kroger and let them get frozen dinners, frozen pizza, and anything else they wanted to have on hand to eat. My husband loves to cook but works late often so they have options (or they can go out or they can eat leftovers......) Other than that just the usual Sunday night TV, etc.

If you look at healthy BMI charts they are very low. I am 5'6" and weighed 148 when I got married and started having kids. I gained all my weight during 4 pregnancies and never lost it back. My surgeon has set a realistic goal for me at 175, but at that I would still be overweight on the chart. Still, even at 175 I would be much happier and healthier than I am now. So my goal is 175 (he will consider me a success when I get down to that) and my stretch goal is 150. The patient coordinator in his office says that at 150 I would look wrinkled and have more loose skin, which is most likely true. So, I plan to get to 175 and then see how and I feel and look. I can go from there. https://www.rush.edu/health-wellness/quick-guides/what-is-a-healthy-weight

I picked the sleeve because I was BMI 40 (low end of insurance approval weight) and I do not have any other health problems. People with GERD or diabetes often do better with RNY. People who are super morbidly obese sometimes choose the DS because they lose more, very quickly at the beginning. Oh, I just had my surgery on Halloween and I am doing great! Your surgeon can go over the options with you to decide what's best for you.

My doctor says most people wait a week. My surgery was on Halloween and we are done waiting. I had a lot of bruises on my stomach so, as others have said, my husband was afraid of hurting me. They are getting better though.

Link to full paper? I would like to see them as well, my surgeon quotes stats all the time and I have never heard anything this bad. In fact, 80% of people gaining all of their weight back in 5 years is what they say about people who do NOT have surgery but try to do it on their own. Why would insurance pay at all of the stats are no better for people who have surgery? That sounds like a huge waste of money. Also, most doctors think BMI is crap so "only" getting down to a BMI of 27 is probably fine for most people, they may not be model thin but much healthier than they were at BMI 40+.

Link to full paper? I would like to see them as well, my surgeon quotes stats all the time and I have never heard anything this bad. In fact, 80% of people gaining all of their weight back in 5 years is what they say about people who do NOT have surgery but try to do it on their own. Why would insurance pay at all if the stats are no better for people who have surgery? That sounds like a huge waste of money.

I don't know about the conversion but for sure if you have less to lose you will lose more slowly. That is true with any diet.

My doctor recommends Benefiber, you put it in your water. Others use Milk of Magnesia or Dulcalax. Ask your doctor. Mine says to never go more than 4 days without a bowel movement. You can get impacted which is very painful.

There is one person on this board who said they had it. I had my sleeve on Halloween, 4 incisions. The incisions are nothing, they don't hurt at all, people worry way too much about them. Overall the entire surgery was not very painful, I mean I had drugs for the pain in the hospital and continued them for a few days at home (bedtime only) but less then a week post surgery I didn't need anything. I don't understand how single incision would be less painful, what they do on the inside (remove most of your stomach and close it with a line of staples!) is exactly the same. I had my gallbladder out many years ago and also had 4 tiny incisions. The scars are barely visible, tiny white lines. People worry too much about scars also. Are you a bikini model I guess if all other things are the same go with single incision if you want. But I certainly would not drive farther or pay more or anything like that to have it. I can't see that the benefits would be worth it, but YMMV.

What is allowed on your pre-op diet? Some people only have shakes, some can have anything low fat, low sugar, high protein, lots of variables. Also, if you are losing well then one day of turkey, veggies and maybe a spoonful of stuffing (assuming that is allowed on your plan) is not going to wreck your weight loss.

I am shocked they did not do a pregnancy test before they did surgery. Honestly that is malpractice! Most women have a pee pregnancy test right before going into the OR, some have a blood pregnancy test. You had anesthesia, pain meds, etc. I had my surgery on Halloween, I am hardly getting any calories in. I was starving every time I was pregnant (that's when I gained all my weight) I can't imagine feeling that way and hardly being able to get anything down. I hope and pray it all goes well for you, you need to work closely with a nutritionist.

I don't think you can choose where you lose, most of us who are obese have big tummies and a lot of people seem to lose from top to bottom, that is, their face and neck look slim before the rest of them does. Our bodies are all different, I am really a pear not an apple. I had my surgery on Halloween and have lost 12 pounds since my highest weight. I can already see that my tummy looks smaller, it doesn't "lap over" like it did before. Not knowing you body shape or starting weight this is a tough question to answer.

I just had my surgery and it was a regular hospital bed, they had scales out in the hall and did weigh me daily during my walks but my husband wasn't there to see it. He does know what I weigh, we have been married almost 29 years, not too many secrets at our house.

Are you getting enough Water? Dehydration can cause nausea and headaches. Whatever it is I hope you find the answer

I had mine on Halloween. The surgery was not too bad, minor pain but they gave me good drugs. I had no problem drinking Water as soon as the let me. The biggest problem I am having is my taste buds have changed so much, it's like they are on overdrive. Sweet things are sickly sweet to me so I am having a really had time with the Protein shakes. I went to the surgeon today and he fussed at me about it. I am just going to have to keep trying different ones to find something I can handle. I feel hungry, like really hungry, but then it doesn't take much to fill me up. I am also tired, still nap most afternoons. I am so glad I don't work outside the home, I don't know how people go back to work as soon as they do. I watched a ton of YouTube videos preparing for surgery. Just search WLS, VSG, RNY, etc. Very informative.

It's different for everyone. I am one week post-op and wend to the grocery store today no problem (and it smelled like fried chicken) My husband cooks every night and it smells good to me.

My doctor says take your vitamins and get your protein in. But some people do everything right and still lose hair. It grows back.

Welcome, you can learn a lot here, but also remember that every insurance company and surgeon does things a little bit differently.

I am one week post op and ice cold water is my favorite thing. Love it. All of the protein shakes are making me wanna barf. Funny how everyone is so different.

Best of luck to you!