Shoelace

Everyone is nervous before any surgery I think but look at all the prep you've put into this..most people go into surgery with nothing other than fasting the night before!! Afterwards you'll be looking back thinking, what was all the hype about!! You've got this!

Maybe warm liquids as well? I had no problems, in fact was told to space out my sips but everyone is different. Just keep the sips up! The first few days are tough and you're over worried..you will get there..slow and steady!

I think it all depends on how your blood tests are looking after surgery..multiple blood tests of course. Even if one eats really well I think it's hard to get all the vitamins and nutrients out of food these days. They just aren't there anymore. So I would think this is a most likely event, some kinds of vitamins for life. But honestly, we probably should have been taking them long ago anyway!

I have always been very susceptible to constipation and had a couple of really bad issues, once before surgery and once after. I saw my doctor about this and I started a program of benefibre in the morning, Laxaday at night and then the stool softeners as well. I use Ducasate, not sure if this is available in the states but something similar. I'm now 4 months post op and have switched my fibre to a more natural one than benefibre and use the Laxaday every second day now, soon to move to every third day until I can stop it completely. The stool softerners, I might take those from here on in as I think I needed that type of thing long ago. But check with your doctor. I have been fine with the program I am on and have not suffered at all doing this!

I'm 4 months post op with no complications and no regrets. Best decision I ever made and I only look forward now. The first few days were rough but they are after most surgeries. Other than being tired, I could have gone back to work in week 2 I think..didn't but could have. Losing nicely. Not fast but that's just fine and so far no real excess hair loss. Absolutely no buyers remorse here!

I find this all quite interesting as I am 4 months out and am still focused on protein and fibre and not calories. I'm losing 1.5 to 2 lbs per week with moderate exercise but then last week lost 4 lbs. Who knows why but I'll take it! I think I need to try and track it all again..I just haven't as the portions have been so small I've only focused on the other. Lolo 2020 - I'm impressed with your exercise routine! You go!

I wore out what I wore in. Sweat pants and a loose top..t shirt type. No one cares what you look like and you go in, strip into hospital clothes until you go out. Sure, toothbrush, phone, brush, toothbrush and paste, slippers and i agree with the soft pillow for the seatbelt going home. My other suggestions are: earplugs, eye mask for sleeping, you have to bring your CPAP if you use one and something like lavendar to put over your nose if need be. I found the smell in the wards could be quite overwhelming. All you'll want to do that first bit is sleep. They'll get you up and walking but you won't go far..around the wards, that's it..everyone else will look just like you! Not likely you'll be able to read a book. Maybe do some social media on your phone but honestly, that gave me a headache in there! lol!

I'm 58 and had my surgery in November. Now I think I'm going backwards age-wise! I can walk again! Previously I could barely make it to the car or the end of the block..now I am back to walking miles in a day and loving it! Best decision I ever made and not looking back!

And it's a really great feeling afterwards when your surgeon tells you the surgery was a breeze! That's what it's all about..shrink that liver!

I agree with the above..beans give you so much..protein, fibre and texture and bulk. That's a win/win as far as I'm concerned! Better than craving sweet!

I had a hard time with the shakes after surgery as well. We are told to thin them so by the time I did that, it took forever to finish it. I use something called Liquicel which may only be available in Canada, but anything similar will work. For a while trying to get your protein in by drinking it will help as it becomes are of your liquid as well as your protein. Good luck! You will get there!

Agreed! Don't look back! And throw yourself in front of anything that is going to help you keep eating healthy..cooking classes, support groups, outings that include exercise. My goal right now is to get my steps to over 8000/day (10 would be better but 8 works for me for now!). I don't make it everyday for sure, but I'm slowly progressing. So as said above, focus on the future!

If you can handle skim milk or enriched soy milk, add a nice chocolate whey powder to a cup of either of those, blend with a hand blender and you are getting fluids and protein. I like Leanfit for the chocolate whey but there are many out there. We pay ridiculous shipping charges for anything from Bariatric Pal to Canada but they probably have eveything you might need to add to your protein count in a day. I think Amazon carries Leanfit though. It's constant research and learning I am finding!

I'm in Canada so didn't have to do the insurance loop but had very similar requirements pre surgery. We were told to expect 6 to 9 months before actual surgery and honestly, I needed that. They would have signed me off after 3 months as I was doing so well with the weight loss during that period but other things got in the way of that and really, I needed that time. There is a lot to learn as far as how you will have to eat after surgery so this pre time is a good time to educate and experiment and it will help you so much to really get into what you are going to be able to eat in the weeks after..it's very little so it really helps if you can make it interesting!! The couple of weeks leading up to the surgery vary depending on the surgeon. I went with the Optifast as I simply didn't want to think about making the pre-op diet meals..so I did 4 of those a day plus 2 cups of non starch cooked vegetables and it really wasn't too bad. I ended up doing this for 4 weeks due to scheduling issues but the surgeon said my surgery was easy and I have had very little pain after. Returned to work after 3 weeks but could have gone back after 2 I'm sure. My work is not physical mind you. There tends to be so much stress leading up to this..and it is not a small surgery by any means, but if you follow the directions as they are set out, it's not that bad either. Though each experience is different and there are those that have had a harder time and I sympathize with those...but be positive looking forward! This is a life changer and a lifelong journey but I don't regret it for a minute.

it's a tough one pre-surgery...should I, shouldn't I? Maybe I can do this on my own? And sometimes people can do it on their own. I did it off and on over the years..put on 50 lbs, took off 50 lbs, snuck up 50+, dropped maybe 20..and on it went over the years with the scale gradually climbing until at 58 I was up to 350. Sad...but the way it was. I'm 5 weeks out from surgery and definately one of the lucky ones for post operative issues. I've had very little pain, energy has been fine. I went back to work part time in week three and full time in week four but certainly could have returned full time week 3. I have to be careful, obviously, but I have followed the instructions and am not regretting it for a minute. Like Swanton_Bomb noted above, the stomach controls the volume (at least if one doesn't continually push it!) so when I get out of schedule and am really hungry (my bad for letting that happen!) I think I will be able to eat too much food as I am so hungry, but I just can't. After about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of whatever I've made, that's it, I'm done..I simply can't take in anymore. So I'm absolutely thrilled I made the decision to do this. I look at people eating their dinners now and I am amazed at the volume being consumed and I calculate what I could actually have from these plates and how much..it's amazing how the mind changes your whole concept of food. At least it has for me. Good luck on your journey!