Rainbow_Warrior

You may have, like me, restrictions to your airways when you're anaesthetised or asleep. This will affect the type and amount of anaesthetic you are given.

Likewise ... hard to believe it's only 11 days away in my case.

Likewise ... hard to believe it's only 11 days away in my case.

You're right. The 20 pounds (or most of it) has left from your lower torso. You look more vertical ... a higher centre of gravity. A strong hint of more confidence.

During a weight loss effort about a decade ago, I embraced the idea of eating food and drinking drinks 'unadulterated' by condiments and sweeteners. No sugar, no sweeteners, no tomato sauce/ketchup, no gravies ... I became more and more impressed at how things tasted 'naked'. Coffee is better. Meats are better. And most foods taste lovely.

Sensible course, IMHO!

Best to give up sucrose altogether. Best to steer clear of chemical-laden sweeteners too. There are a couple of 'natural' plant based sweeteners worth trying if you really have to BUT you'd be surprised how quickly you start enjoying the actual unsweetened taste of nearly all foods.

That's where the savings are. Shakes in sachets are 30% to 80% dearer per serve. Mix them in a blender too and chill them for at least 20 minutes in the fridge.

Aldi Supermarkets for Slim & Trim. Pharmacies/Drug-stores for Isowhey and Optifast. The Isowhey website has great two pack discounts.

And, in time, there's better than an 85% chance that the circulation will improve ... as long as you're not smoking or hiding from regular exercise.

Well, please stay on the train and work after your surgery to achieve an even more desirable outcome. Remember, that there's no food or drink that tastes as good as slim feels! Not a seven-ounce steak with baked potato and pumpkin; not a shot glass of lovely Licor 43 from Spain. The train ride you're on is your best shot at helping yourself. Stay strong. Be resilient.

A parallel story here. Mine was not 20lbs or a bit more but more like 45kg (100lbs). Terrible yo-yoing to serious morbid obesity. October 12 has me excited with the prospect of a changed future. The graph is 30+ years of my life. The red line is ideal weight for my height.

This is it. Alcohol is mathematically poor. Calorie rich nothingness in the long run.

No brainer. Although I was not an alcoholic, my job and social life meant a fair chance of social drinking. Then there were the long Australian east-coast summers of 5.5 to 7.5 months. So, I could end up with 3000-4500 extra calories per week ... like adding an eighth or ninth day per week to my calorie consumption. I probably won't be a teetotaller but I can see my drinking being cut to four to six drinks per fortnight average, probably less ... and I'll keep those for important events or occasions.

Aldi Slim & Trim are 99.5% the same ingredients as Nestles Optifast VLCD but cost 40% less. (About 10%-15% sugar) Isowhey (about 5% sugar is 35% fewer calories but nearly the same protein load) can be bought as shakes in sachets or in a bulk 1.28kg (2.7 lb) container. Optifast = $3 per serve Aldi Slim & Trim = $2 per serve Isowhey sachets = $1.90 per serve Isowhey self-mix = $1.65 per serve They all have chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, banana, coffee flavours. Isowhey and Optifast have banana. Optifast has a caramel.

Good old De-Gas mint flavoured tabs are great for both anti-burping and anti-farting. About four bucks for a box of 48. A mild day means I take two; a more extreme day means take four.

Can you go back to two or three protein shakes per day with one other meal loaded with green veges and other non-starchy veges? Can you limit your snacks to a medium apple and a half-dozen nuts per day? Can you drink six to ten tumblers of water per day?

My family doctor is about five years older than me. He has been my doctor since 2002. On Saturdays, he comes to the swim centre to get feedback on me (and another 4 to 6 of his patients). He even spends 50-65 minutes in the water with us. I first asked about WLS in 2007 but was willing to try diet and exercise. (This was prior to it becoming Keyhole surgery.) I asked him again in May 2017 and he referred me to an Obesity Clinic with bariatric surgeons. I passed all the testing and referrals in July and August. On Sept 4, I was offered Oct 12 as my surgery date.

And how are you about one day since your procedure?

Can you pin-point a factor or two? What has your family doctor and nutritionist/dietitian said in response to being told?

A 500mL (about a pint) of egg whites only costs me $AUD2.09 here in Australia. (That's about $USD1.55). You can add it to other shakes, to stir fries, etc. You can even make egg-white omelettes. A quarter of a carton (125mL/4.5fl.oz) is 15g of protein. Worth considering.

Well stated. One is entitled to sidestep or omit information which would be misused or misjudged.

I might just stand in front of the full length mirror and enjoy what I see.

It's safer than ever before. The surgeons are more experienced. Time has meant an evolution of new knowledge. I can't diminish that nervousness or anxiety you feel but you can. Rest assured, you've made the best decision with regard to your track record.