Gibnic

WLS is hard. You are going through a time that is a right of passage.
I think we've all "tested" the waters during our diet progression--some with more success than others. But please understand this...the rules exist for a reason. For our protection! At 7 days the risk of perferation and leakage are HEEEEEEUUUUUUUGGGGGEEE! The reason you are placed on liquids is to reduce the amount of activity in the stomach. The stomach actually expands and contracts when food (and sometimes liquids) are brought into it. They even do that in response to PICTURES of food. And the docs want to keep that activity to a minimum.
And the second thing that must be asked of you guys cheating:
What were you hoping to get from WLS? Why would you actively say WTF, I'm doing it anyway cuz I am "tired of liquids" Why would you actively add back caffeine to your program when your doc told you not to? When decaff is an option?

*SMH. Trying not to judge. But this WOE is hard enough without actively trying to eff ourselves with bad choices--most especially during this early, early, time. You have ONE honeymoon period. Don't eff it up. Don't squander it. Get started doing the headwork, and making the hard calls.


I'm sure others will be along shortly to soothe your ruffled feathers and give affirmation to your decisions and rationalizations...

In May I will have been a member of OA for a year. I find the fellowship and comraderie a great source of support for me. There are people in my meetings that have had WLS. There are others who are working the steps. We don't read from the Bible. We use the AA Big Book. It isn't religious but spiritual and you can believe what you like as far as a higher power guiding and helping you. I have a sponsor who I call everyday and we go over the program and address any food concerns that I might have. I also call or text other members if I need additional support and they call or text me for my support. Together with my therapist, bariatric group sessions and therapist group sessions OA is an internal part of my recovery from my Compulsive Overeating. I had my WLS in August of 2017 by April of 2018 I had reached my goal weight. This April marked one year that I sustained that goal weight. I'm now working on year two of sustaining that goal weight. OA, for me is an important part of that strategy. It isn't for everyone. I attend three meetings a week. Sometimes we have as little as four people show up and there are times when 25 people show up. As long as there are two of us we can conduct a meeting.
Like I tell my friends who have had WLS, if you are looking for a quick fix this is not it. It is a program that you have to work at to gain the benefits. I lived a long time with my compulsive overeating and I didn't know I had such a condition. Now that I know what I'm up against, I'm using as many tools to combat it. OA is one of them. I hope this helps. If you have any questions you can PM me.

First, If your story is real, and you are not a troll,
please get help. You are dealing with some deep seated mental health issues that need professional help.
Second, if you are a troll,
please get help. You are dealing with some deep seated mental health issues that need professional help.
Either way I wish you healing and peace.

Stopping smoking was a great step! I had stopped smoking about five months before I had my first appointment (before I'd decided to do the process) and also completely stopped drinking about two months before - again for unrelated reasons, but those both ended up being things that the nutritionist and psychiatrist at my weight loss center were very happy to hear.
I gradually cut down on caffeine and carbonation and eventually cut them out entirely at about 4 months pre-op, and started taking my recommended Multivitamin at that same time.

I gradually weaned myself off caffeine and carbonated beverages (I can drink caffeine again - but in limited amounts, but four years later, I still don't drink carbonated beverages). I gradually increased my Protein and decreased my carbs, and I gradually decreased my calories. As the above poster said, I wanted to start doing some of things I'd have to do post-surgery so the change wouldn't seem so drastic.

Congrats on stopping smoking! I am new too. I just had my first appointment today. I am so excited. My husband went with me and he is being very supportive. Do you have someone that can cheer you on? If not, I will do it!

Hi and welcome!
The stopping smoking is awesome, congratulations! That is not easy!
I haven't had my surgery yet, but I think taking Vitamins is a good thing. Might as well get as healthy that way as you can.
I think the most important thing you can do now is read/ learn here from the vets on the site. They can give you a perspective of not only your short term outlook, but what really counts- maintaining the weight loss after the honeymoon period of "easy" weight loss is over.
Excited for you and wish you well on your journey!

I started "practicing" eating like I would be eating after the WLS before the WLS so I could get used to it mentally, small portions.

I can really relate to not wanting to give up smoking. I am in recovery too and having to give up my unhealthy eating habits as well as not smoking seemed to be too much. I had a really honest conversation with my doctor about it, in which he told me that the absolute best thing I could do for my health is to quit smoking. It ranked even higher than losing weight, though my BMI is under 40 so that was seen as a secondary goal. It isn't easy either, especially if you don't want to quit. I had this weird thing happening where when I was smoking, all I wanted was to quit, but then when I quit all I wanted was to smoke. It went on that way for a few months, but I finally just decided my health is my priority and I can't be healthy if I am smoking.
I used nicorette gum, it was more useful for me than the Patches because when I had a craving I could actually do something about it (chew a piece of gum), and I was able to cut back on the gum and then switch to regular gum after a while. I did vape too, and I have cut back on that to the point where I just don't anymore.
Good luck

Hello everyone,
I have been lurking here for quite some time, but this is my first post. I started the program to have the gastric sleeve surgery back in 2017, however, due to a death in my family, I had to drop out and focus on my mental health for a while. I am starting my classes over on the 28th and I am really looking forward to making some big changes in my life. The first time around in the program it was required to take classes for 6 months, now they have changed it to 12 weeks! I wasn't really sure if I wanted to have the surgery the first time around, and I didn't make many big changes in my lifestyle.
This time is different though. I am sure that I want to do this and I have started to make some changes, I quit smoking and I am starting to exercise more. I am wondering what other changes you guys made in the months leading up to your surgeries that really helped, or what you wish you had done differently. Should I start replacing a meal with a shake? Multivitamins? What eating habits should I focus on changing right now? Or is there anything you wish someone had told you before you had your surgery?