MrsGamgee

Day 6: I'm a terrible baker (a saving grace really), but I'm going to attempt to make some mini muffins for my kids lunches next week.

I think it's important to continue to have traditions, just not so many food focused ones. I'm not getting any hot cross buns this year either, and while my husband and son are bummed about it, my daughter did a happy dance... she doesn't like dried fruit.

Day 5: Deep Breaths I've needed a lot of deep breaths to get through today. An astronomical bill from the plumber, the 8yo informed me this morning that her glasses are broken, and I woke up this morning with a UTI. Fun times. B-side: I'm a follower for sure, but I'm usually very late to the party.

#4 - Exercise. So far today my exercise has consisted of walking to and from my appointment at my clinic this morning. And pacing as I watch the clock on the plumber who gets paid by the hour to figure out why our only tub/shower isn't draining. We're 20 minutes into hour 2. Home ownership sucks sometimes.

I'm pre-op, so I haven't experienced this from surgery yet, but in the past when I've experienced hair thinning, keeping my hair short has helped how I felt about how I looked immensely. Colouring my hair a darker shade (I'm normally dark blonde/mouse brown) made it look fuller as well. I'm actually planning on getting my hair cut soon as it's too long now for me (middle of my back), and I don't want to be having to care for long hair after surgery.

Day 3 - Learn something new: On today's schedule are a couple of events at my church... one new (a talk from our Bishop) and one old favourite (Lenten soup supper & prayer service). I'm interested to hear what the Bishop will have to say and hope that I will learn something new from him.

Frustr8, you make me chuckle with the way your brain works. I've lost 5 lb in two days so I'm on my way. I'm hoping that the bloated/gassy feelings will subside once my body adjusts to this new diet.

Thank you so much for your input... It's been years since I've used Glucerna, and then it was only as an occasional supplement while I was pregnant. I hadn't considered the lactose in them. I've never noticed a problem with dairy before, but I've also never been relying on it so heavily for my nutrition. I'll have to keep an eye on that. As for water, I'm a water fiend and have been for years, so I'm not seeing an uptick in my water intake (60 - 80 oz a day). I also connected the fact that I've got a sensitive bladder that's irritated by artificial sweeteners (if I drink a coffee with Splenda I have to be near a bathroom a half hour later, no question) with the Glucerna, so that may explain the peeing like crazy.

I had to do two nights... and my husband hated it because I made him sleep on the couch both nights as he's what usually disturbs my sleep. ?

One of my diabetes meds has the side effect of causing vaginal yeast infections... yippee! My doc put me on a once-a-month med to prevent the infections (can't recall the name just now). Haven't had to deal with the yeast beast in over a year, thankfully.

Okay, so it's only day two of my 'hybrid' pre-op diet, and I'm already dealing with the unexpected. My diet is 3 glucerna shakes a day, one meal of no more than 500 calories, and up to 300 calories of fruit/veggie snacks per day. I'm doing this for the whole month of April, not sure what's in store for May yet. The things I didn't expect... peeing like mad and the gassiness (burping, farting, bloated feeling). I have always eaten a lot of veggies, so it's not the increase in fiber. So, I'm asking the dreaded question... Is this normal?

My husband and I did Ancestry dna. We chose it specifically rather than 23andMe because it doesn't return information about genetic medical conditions. Canada is (or was at the time, it may have changed since) the only G7 country that doesn't offer protections for foreknowledge of genetic conditions... so if I were to find out about some big bad illness likely in my future, it could affect my ability to get or retain life insurance, etc.

I'm a little late to the party, but I want to join in too... Current weight: 251 Weight loss goal for April: 10 Surgery: RNY upcoming on May 16, 2019 Personal Goal: To keep true to my pre-op diet. #1 - I'm proud of the fact that I have stuck it out for almost two years in my program to get to this point. #2 - I'm not really into journaling. I've done it at different times for different purposes, usually in times of emotional upheaval. I've been doing really well with my food tracker for the last few months though. Haven't missed a day since the New Year.

Excellent! Thank you so much!

I'd love to know who you're following for healthy recipes!

I really struggled with that last night... I foresee getting a lot of reading done in the next few months.

I haven't made it to the losers bench yet, but from everything I've read and heard what you're experiencing is totally normal. Your body has just been through a traumatic change, and with it comes a lot of adjustment. You're healing. That means that you're going to be more susceptible to emotional swings, including anxiety. Everything is going to feel bigger, more serious, worse than it would when you are at your best. You're learning how to nourish your now very different body, and to top it all off, the stores of estrogen that have been in your fat cells for years are now flooding your bloodstream making you feel all kinds of crazy. There's a phrase that I've read quite a lot on these boards... Embrace the suck. Protein shakes suck. Pain sucks. Stalls suck. Own it, and then try to look forward. This is phase to be gotten through on your way to a better, healthier you.

Seeing as today was the start of my pre-op diet, I decided to make some other changes. They may seem minor to some, but it was hard to do... Today I broke up with almost every food based Facebook and Instagram account I have followed over the years. Restaurants, recipe sites, foodie celebrities, corporate food accounts, and food festivals all got the axe. The only ones I kept were ones that were things that I could realistically see myself continuing to use after surgery (like my favourite hot sauce) and ones that aren't solely food based. Next will be to remove myself from any recipe newsletter mailing lists. And any plus size clothing stores' mailing lists too. Have you had any unanticipated break ups?

LOL... well, I haven't had much of a choice in the timeline. Some folks here do participate in medical tourism, but that's far outside our budget. It's felt like a bit of a plod to get through this long wait but I can see the finish line... or rather the next starting line. I'm glad something I said was helpful to you, and thank you for the reminder of that. I will be needing it myself over the next several weeks.

My plan for this year's Easter treats (I have an 8yo and a 6yo) is one small chocolate bunny for each of them, which I know they will guard with their lives, and jelly beans, which I can't stand. I've removed all my usual danger foods from the house and my family is aware that they won't be back for quite some time. Thankfully, I'm the one who does the shopping/menu planning/cooking so I've got the upper hand on what comes into the house.

Oh man, Frustr8! What a saga! Holding you up in prayer... and your doctors! You and your chipper outlook are miraculous!

It's the truth... I deal with a bit of anxiety and it's always helpful to me to remember.

There aren't many of us here... glad to meet another bariatric patient from north of the 49th parallel. As for the socks, I will adjust if I have to. But I won't like it.

Hmmm... hadn't considered having to wear socks all the time post-op. My poor hobbit feet only tolerate socks begrudgingly when there is snow on the ground (okay, so that's still at least six months of the year here). I hope that maybe I'll miss this after-effect of surgery.

This thread is so important! I just read the most disheartening blog post from someone who had a very difficult time post-op, written one month after her surgery. If I had read it before I had committed to this road, it would have terrified me to the point of turning back. I love hearing your successes and knowing that the rough stuff isn't the norm. I'm going into this with my eyes wide open, but I'm expecting good things.