Jodi1980

Cool pics! I am 10 days post op and down 18 lbs since starting my pre op diet. (8 since surgery). Feeling good but ready for real food. Very tired of this liquid diet. 6 more days then purée. Ugh.

Surgery was this morning. Pain seems to be minimal right now. Gas has been manageable with the gas x chewable

Tomorrow is my day! I'm ready. Just relieved it's finally here! Hoping I can catch up on the couch post op. Pray for me...lol

You got this! I know you'll do great. It will be over with before you know it. Remember to walk as much as you can, it really helps!!

@rebchiefI love the Syntrax Nectar Line and the Pure Protein Bar but the ONLY flavor I like is the chocolate salted caramel. The other flavors, I was not a fan! There is so much out there. It's pretty much trial and error and stick with what you like Good luck Friday. I have my revision tomorrow.

From my understanding, a good portion of sleeve patients will have to do another barium swallow as a "leak test" before they leave the hospital.

Band to sleeve surgery today!! Finally!

@Herewego2018 Congrats on your upcoming surgery! I am on the 2 week -pre op diet as well. My surgery is July 25th. I can tell you Syntrax Nectar is some pretty decent tasting Protein Shakes. I believe the cheapest is actually bariatric pal. I've been updating my profile status with updates of how each taste. I ordered the variety samples (17 FLAVORS) and some have been "meh", and some are very tasty...but to each, his own.
I also have had the pure Protein Bars. They are very good! The chocolate caramel is delish! As for the clear diet post op, my hospital included a grocery list in my weight program book. If you want me to share, I can. Best of luck to you!

Agree with all above. My dr. and the weight management hospital work in conjunction and require patients do a 2 week pre-op diet before surgery to shrink the liver. Gonna just put this here, if you want to look at it Good luck to you!

@Herewego2018 Congrats on your upcoming surgery! I am on the 2 week -pre op diet as well. My surgery is July 25th. I can tell you Syntrax Nectar is some pretty decent tasting Protein Shakes. I believe the cheapest is actually bariatric pal. I've been updating my profile status with updates of how each taste. I ordered the variety samples (17 FLAVORS) and some have been "meh", and some are very tasty...but to each, his own.
I also have had the pure Protein Bars. They are very good! The chocolate caramel is delish! As for the clear diet post op, my hospital included a grocery list in my weight program book. If you want me to share, I can. Best of luck to you!

@Matt Z reading your story, I had memories of a Seinfeld episode when Jerry and Kramer were watching surgery above the patient and Kramer offered a junior mint to Jerry and it ended up in the patient.

@Matt Z reading your story, I had memories of a Seinfeld episode when Jerry and Kramer were watching surgery above the patient and Kramer offered a junior mint to Jerry and it ended up in the patient.

I was watching videos of live surgeries getting an idea of what my surgeon would be doing. When I had her put the band in back in 2011, I asked if she could get me photos of my insides... she looked at me like I had 12 heads. I see my outside all the time, I've never seen my actual insides, I told her.

Still didn't get my photos LOL.

Deep breaths, in thru the nose out thru the mouth, it will be ok and the results will be worth all the mental stress you are feeling right now.
The Doctors and the hospital do this on a regular basis and all you need to do is show up on time and follow thru with your decision.
Good luck on Wednesday and we look forward to seeing around post op for the updates on your progress.

Agree with all above. My dr. and the weight management hospital work in conjunction and require patients do a 2 week pre-op diet before surgery to shrink the liver. Gonna just put this here, if you want to look at it Good luck to you!

I’m ashamed to say it but I slinked away! I had just two bites of food but it didn’t wait long enough after Water so when I stood up it just came up. It was mainly water but I did wipe down the seat!

Very hard to tell what is used in fair food and how clean it is, it may just be a cleanliness issue or the oil used for the funnel cakes are not going to sit well with you I mm the future. Go easy for a while this may be your dumping syndrome, even sleevers can dump...

VSG2017 HW 249 SW 238 CW 167

In order to take your mind off your upcoming surgery, I would recommend three things:
1. Take a good before photograph of yourself, so that you have something to compare to after surgery. Many times we are blind to our obesity. We do not see ourselves. Therefore when the weight begins to drop off rather dramatically, we question if this is really happening. Photographs are a good visualization of our success. Many people carry a before and after photo with them, just to remind themselves of their success.
2. Walk 30 minutes each day, every day until surgery (or equivalent exercise). Walking helps the recovery process go smoothly and minimized the pain levels from surgery.
3. Wean yourself from caffeine and carbonated beverages now. After I gave up my 6 diet coke a day habit, I suffered from a week of severe withdrawal syndrome consisting of severe headaches and body aches. I was miserable. You don't want to combine the effects of caffeine withdrawal with the effects of surgery.

Congrats! You are human. Nerves and second guessing are 100% normal. Just ride it out. You clearly understand that you want the surgery. Is it going to be tough? Yup. Is there going to be some emotional impact? Yup. Is it worth it... Hell yeah it is.

Man, I've got a lot of rants...
LOL
Got to thinking about kids and food and how we often say "I don't want to put my family on a diet just because I am...that's not fair" "I want to be a fun mom and give my kids a childhood...they don't need restrictions. They're kids, for Pete's sake!"
And ya know....I was this Mom.
And so was my mom. Ouch.
She taught me that food=comfort and love. Ouch.
She taught me that food=happiness. Ouch.
She taught me that fun and celebration and warmth and good times were based around food. Ouch.
She taught me that treats like candy and McDonalds are what you get for enduring the doctor's office, going someplace unpleasant, have a bad day, get hurt, need comfort. Ouch.
She taught me to cook for everyone, bring treats to neighbors, feed people at work, list everything in the pantry to house guests, make their favorites, cook exquisite resplendent meals.....because feeding people means....you love them/appreciate them/want their respect/want to comfort them and put them at ease.
She taught me to find out everyone's favorite drink and favorite snack...and to stock it when they visit. Everyone's favorite candy had to go in their stocking. Everyone's favorite snack at the slumber party. Everyone's favorite topping on their quarter of the pizza. Everyone's favorite ice cream...
it didn't hurt me, did it?
Wait...I ended up needing bariatric surgery for being morbidly obese. Oh. Crap.
We need to rethink some of this stuff, folks.
The thing about our kids? They share our genetics. Think about that. They've already got a genetic predisposition to obesity, even if they're thin now. We can't change that.
But we CAN change their eating habits. We can change the ideas around food at our houses. We can change what we buy and what we teach them to eat regularly.
We can give our kids a legacy of shopping farmers markets and helping them learn to cook really fun and satisfying foods with fruits and veggies.
We can teach them to feed themselves good quality foods in appropriate amounts.
We can pack them healthy lunches with more whole foods and less crap.
We can change the theme of our home food culture....push for more activity and less candy. More walks and hikes and exploration, fewer video games and Netflix marathons. More bowls of cut up veggies in the fridge and fewer bowls of chips and Cookies on the counter.
We can change our celebrations to showcase fun activities, healthier Snacks, more focus on togetherness, less focus on stuffing each other.
"I don't want to put my family on a diet just because I am".......might need more thought.
"I'm changing our entire household's eating habits because I want this cycle to end. I don't want them to face the issues I did. I want their lives and their relationship with food to be better than mine."
Sometimes I think when we continue to feed our families junk while we diet....we create this feedback loop of longing for the comfort we feel we're giving them. And it's messed up...because again, it lacks compassion for ourselves. It continues to give food power and emphasis. Worse...it TEACHES that food is comfort and love....And it doesn't break the cycle:(
I'm not saying kids shouldn't have treats and balance and junk food once in a while. God knows they will. LOL. And it's fine.
I'm just sayin....we could do a lot to improve their everyday diets in ways that would serve them well in life. We could give them better skills and better prepare them for taking care of their health. We can provide a better normal.
Do some thinking today about the food culture at your house growing up, the food culture you give your kids currently...and the food culture you hope your kids will have when they grow up. It's worth considering.

Stigma maybe, stigmata very doubtful unless your side and the palms of your hands are bleeding.

You know whats interesting? I only told a few hand selected people from my place of employment also, however someone came up to me and said "I heard a rumor...." I switched the topic instantly and made a fast getaway. Like HOW are people finding this out or why does it matter so much what im doing?
Now im just assuming but that's the only thing that is going on in my life that they would "hear" about. By logical deduction he was being ultra nosy (hes one a mega busybody) and wanted to get the info. It just really irks me. Since when did I become so frigging interesting? I swear WLS does something to people. Where it's like this crazy SUPER interesting topic that people HAVE to chime in for, kinda like politics or religion.
People are very uncomfortable about others changing. Ive really started to realize this. Anytime a constant is changed especially if you are close to them (family, friends, significant others) or work in close proximity (work places), people literally have to confront themselves with how they feel about YOU changing. It's crazy. The psychology of it all.

Girl, we've all heard those comments too and it does hurt. I'm with you--is it jealousy, concern, rudeness? I am 53 years old and decided to quit giving people any power over me due to their own emotional struggles with my decision. I have struggled with obesity for 30 years. My loved ones and friends are all very supportive and I'll just be satisfied with that. There will be a ton of support on this forum. Maybe tell them you decided to take control of your life and be proactive. If that doesn't shut them down, make it clear that you are firm in your decision and that you would appreciate any support they'd like to offer, but that the decision is made. Period.

Today was hard. I have surgery this Friday 20th. I've been eating the pre-op "envelope meal" diet almost 2 weeks and today the office ordered Cheesecake Factory. It's not their fault that I made the decision to do the surgery, but I still wanted to kick their chairs out from underneath them. It's literally all I can do to keep myself from saying "Eff it" and going for a steak and beer. I know I know, I am so close to surgery; I wont sabotage myself.
One other thing that has been on my mind is how some people I have told have reacted to my news. I honestly didn't tell people for a long time about what I was doing because I didn't want to listen to everyone's opinions. I've worked in the medical field for 20 years and if I have questions I know who to ask.
It doesn't stop people from saying things that are seriously discouraging:
- "Oh wow. Can't you lose it on your own without having surgery?"
- "I could NEVER do a liquid diet for that long."
- "Haven't people died getting that done?"
- "Awwww! Your surgery is the day of my party?? That sucks! We were having a Mexican food buffet too! I know that's your favorite. Well, at least you are missing for a good reason."
- "I'm fat too, but there is no way I would have surgery."
- "Let's go to {insert restaurant/bar here} before you have surgery since you wont be able to do it after that."
- "You know you can't have carbonated beverages the rest of your life, right?"
- "Don't people gain their weight back most of the time anyway?"
It's hard to tell if people are trying to make me feel bad about my decision because they don't understand it, or it they are jealous or just being downright hateful. I don't get it. I just needed to vent. Today was the hardest day I've had so far and I needed to get that off my chest. I keep telling myself that by this weekend it will all be over and I can start focusing on living a normal life again, just healthier this time.

I know I'm not going crazy... I stopped by because the post said stigmata...

VSG2017 HW 249 SW 238 CW 169