Pearldrop

When I went in for my last visit before surgery, they told me. It's only pre op. They said I could drink post op. The person that schedule my surgery told me. We had been going over the process, procedure, and so on. I told her I purchased two cases of the RTD and she said, oh, they just took that off the list but I could drink the Premier powder.
Listen, I don't know my head from a whole in the ground when it comes to this stuff...that why I am here. Im learning as I go and just reading this wonderful information you guys plug is a blessing. I can try to get more details for you but that is just what they told me

Leaks are pretty unlikely from a laugh or cough. But you have to be careful not to lift anything heavy for approx. 4-6 weeks (my limitation was 10lbs, then 20lbs). It will be sore and you will know when to "baby" it. The hospital that I had surgery at gives all bariatric patients a "Bari-Bear" and it helps when you sneeze or cough to hold it close to your abdomen. You can do the same thing with a pillow.

Scar tissue can always pose a risk, but that's what pre op testing is for. It should only cause a problem for future surgeries. There is always the possibility of a stricture as well. But they are easily identified and treated.
You don't need to practice sipping, your body will remind you, that I promise. Some people don't have a problem with drinking after a few days, weeks, and some take months. But within a few weeks, I could gulp without a problem. The bigger concern is the frequency that you are drinking. Make sure you set a timer and get your fluids in.
One of my top ten tips, is to avoid Protein Shakes until you have to (pre op diet or after surgery) because those shakes will become your worst enemy eventually. No need to expedite the process.
Crushed ice should be OK after surgery. I know a lot of community members who actually make snow cone ice and its been a God sent for them.
Good luck my dear! Congrats

Let me say hello!
My surgery is scheduled for the 26th of this month.
After six months of doing the nutritional visits, doctor visits, etc. I am not excited nor do I feel down about getting the surgery... to be honest, I just want to get it over with. I think I may have seen doctors 20 or more times. lungs, Cardiovascular, 2 or more trips back to both doctors, xrays , testing, nutritionist and so on. Everything turned out ok . Lost about 10lbs, started my diet early.
Now I have these weird questions...
If your stomach is stapled, if you laugh or cough too hard will that cause issues with the staples?
What about scar tissue, I am a poster child for internal scar tissue. I wonder if that could cause a problem, later on down the line?
OK, so Im starting the sipping thing too, it takes me like 15/20 min to finish an 8oz Protein Shake , is that right?
I'm not supposed to start the liquid diet until the 11th I currently take 2 Protein Shakes, bfast & lunch, banana and low fat milk, snack, or Greek yogurt and or cottage cheese w/fruit then, regular dinner (but) can sometimes be too much, it seems I'm extra hungry, plus I've been walking for exercise, the more I walk the hungerer I am... I also eat 1 or 2 cups of crushed ice, that's an old habit that I have been doing forever...
I am looking forward to your comments and input.

*I have contacted my surgeon and am awaiting a response*
I am 5 days post op of having my lap and removed, gall bladder removed and sleeve done in one surgery. When I’m sitting I’m ok but when I stand up it feels like all of my organs drop down and are just hanging heavy and then as I take steps(just to the bathroom) it feels like my stomach is getting tighter and tighter the more I walk. Just wondering if anyone has had this sensation.

also, which fake sugars are sending you to the toilet? Sugar alcohols can have a laxative effect (bad for anyone having more than a few diet lollies or chewing gum), so you may be becoming more sensitive to those. I think I read somewhere that people suffering with irritable bowel couldn't tolerate sugar alcohols.
Aspartame always caused headaches for me, and 10-15 years ago was about the only sweetener used in diet anything. Most Protein powders and drinks still seem to be sweetened with aspartame.
I am more sensitive to the taste of sweet things already as have avoided more sweet things since starting sleeve planning in February. I've adapted to using some powdered stevia+xylitol sweetener in my coffee and iced fruit tea with my protein Water. I seem to tolerate splenda sweetened stuff so far too.
Could the sweet TASTE be triggering a form of dumping for you? Or dairy or other ingredients in the artificially sweetened stuff? It's crazy how things can suddenly change 3 months out!

My husband got the runs last week from drinking a small amount of aspartame-sweetened diet schweppes lemonade and never usually has any artificially sweetened stuff. He has the runs again today.. guess what he went and drank again last night even after knowing it likely caused the runs last week? I made him tip the rest out today lol. I'm making him protein water to take to work now, with bodie'z unflavored protein water powder, a brewed non-caffeinated fruit tea (his favorite is ginger and lemon) sweetened with sugar or honey and chilled before mixing.
If you are adapting to prefer things not being sweet at all that could be a really good thing for long term maintenance at least?

You've also got lots of swelling right now. It will take several weeks to be totally gone. I went back to work 8 days post-op and my pants were tighter than the day of surgery! Very disappointing, but not unusual. Otherwise, I hope your recovery is going well!

I'm scheduled for June 20th. Originally I was scheduled for the 6th, but had to push the date back because of work. I kind of wish I hadn't done that, because it'd be done by now and I'd be on the road to recovery already! I keep having this paranoid nervous thought of getting to the hospital and my insurance falls through, or the surgeon cancels, or, I don't know, something goes wrong on the table. Anybody else get this nervous before the big day?

My sleeve is tomorrow as well. My wife and I traveled 8hrs to my surgeon (live in Alaska) will stay in a hotel for a week then travel back home. We got this!!!

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Frustr8 thank you for your support. I will happily take all the payers I can get, so thank you for that. Also best of luck with your upcoming procedure. I hope it goes well for you and you have a speedy recovery.
Orchids&Dragons thank you. I tried not to really punish myself for cheating on the liquid diet, I just had a moment of weakness and gave into the urges. I promise if I ever have to deal with dumping due to overeating it'll be the last time I'll have to deal with it. Usually one good smack is enough to make a believer out of me lol.

You've got lots of company on this one! Not cheating on diets is a major cause of weight gain! Haha!
This one, too!
Congrats on deciding to take charge of your future. Good luck on your surgery and best wishes for a speedy recovery!

Thank you Ocean & Rob, my girlfriend is going with me. She is awesome, and is supporting me as much as she can. I think my nerves just have me on edge, my journey took a long time due to job changes ,moving, and now that it's finally here I'm a little freaked out.

Hi everyone,
Tomorrow is surgery day, and I guess I'm going through the roller coaster of emotions that everyone does. I've been on the liquid diet for 7 days now, I cheated once and I had really mixed feelings afterward. Part of it was guilt, and a much larger part was a sense of entitlement that I felt that I had deserved it since I had done so well not cheating(ironic I know).
I guess I'm really anxious because I live so far away from my surgeon and her support staff, it's almost a 4 hour drive each way. I've met her once and was given a long list of things to take care of on my end, the GI clearance, Cardiac clearance, blood work, etc., and I never really bonded with anyone. Now my life is about to completely change, and I'm fine one minute and then it hits me and I almost feel like I'm drowning.
Been reading the comments here, and feeling better for the most part. Also realized I need to get a few things that I wasn't aware I'd need like lip balm, dry mouth spray, and a few other things.
Truth is I'm scared to go through with it now, and I'm scared not to do it. I turned 40 this past February, and I don't believe I can shed this extra weight with diet and exercise alone anymore. I'm scared that I'll get so big that I'll be trapped in my body alive but not living, and struggling just being.
Wish me luck!!

To those experiencing stalls at 3/4 weeks, don't panic. You are not doing anything wrong, your body just sometimes needs to rest a little and adapt to your changing dietary stages. You are likely still loosing size even while the scale stays the same (losing fat but holding Water while processing/digesting foods and metabolising fat etc).

I'm almost 6 weeks post op, and had my first stall from 2.5-3.5 weeks, then dropped 2 kilos (4.4lb) in about 3 days. I retain extra water during my period, and lose weight slower while fighting illness despite no changes in diet (just hitting winter here and already had hubby bring home and share a couple of really nasty cold viruses).

I'm inclined to look towards Creekimp's diet plan (based on mayo clinic diet), which says to work towards 1200 calories a day ASAP post surgery to get your metabolism reset to a reasonable long term post-sleeve calorie level and prevent metabolism damage from ultra low calories long term. I've still only been making it to about 800 calories a day and Protein target 75g but I am getting a little better with my solids portion sizes (was able to eat a whole scambled egg and a half serving of cooked sliced mushrooms this morning) so should be able to eat a little more solids volume soon. Although I want to avoid many processed nutrient deficient carbs like white bread and Pasta, I want to be including a range of healthy complex carbs like wholemeal breads, porridge, many veggies and some fruit.
I've just hit 101kg so I've ALMOST made it to the next milestone of being both below 100kg and below BMI 40. A long way already from my starting 121kg (highest 124kg) and BMI 49

Surgery 5/2. Slow but sure wins the race. Under 200 lbs for the first time in a long time!

5/18/18
SW 215
CW 190
GW 125

Hello. First post and I am really having some problems. I eat and instantly throw up. I have slowed down, smaller bites and even only eating @ 2 oz... always vomit. At times, I vomit slimy saliva then the food comes. Vomiting almost the whole meal. Does anyone have this problem? I have no problems with fluids. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I weighed myself yesterday, and have lost 23 pounds since surgery on 5/2. Of course, I wish it were more but I marks 50 lbs lost since I started the classes to prep for surgery in November, and over half a pound per day. I have never lost this much weight before!
I am still in the same pant size I was wearing 50 pounds ago, but they are starting to feel a bit bigger, but still nothing substantial. It is amazing that I can lose this much weight and not feel a HUGE difference.

Hi again guys! I’m able to get down some soft foods. Not meat sits well other than slow cooked shredded chicken. I’m sticking to veggies for now. And cheese and yogurt. That’s been all good!
Because of my complications, I lost a little over 30 lbs between May 10 and a week ago. Now I’m stalled. Ah the good old 3 week stall! But I’m not freaking out since i lost so much initially from basically starving. As long as I stopped being stalled in the next 2 weeks, I’m ok with it.
I’ve dropped from a morbidly obese BMI to obese BMI. Who would have thought I’d be so happy to just be obese 😂
I’m going to do the measuring tonight because all my clothes are falling off.
I hope everyone is doing great!

Thanks for empathizing everyone, and for the advice.
Funny @Creekimp13, I was thinking today that I wish my dog were still alive, she'd be loving all the Proteins she'd be getting, and I wouldn't feel near as guilty!
@Orchids&Dragons I totally love buffets. I feel like people pay far less attention to what's on your plate, and I create very little waste. And I wish I wasn't single right now. Then I'd be able to cook and send almost all the leftovers home with him!
As for the work travel thing, it's complicated. When I'm eating alone I customize the crap out of my meals. But when I'm dining with others I do so only minimally. First I don't want to attract any more attention than necessary to my eating habits. It's also not viewed favorably at all with in my company to be "picky and demanding". I have a peer who customizes everything, but not due to any dietary issues, just because he is a self absorbed PIA. He is definitely looked down up by our management, and it is viewed as unprofessional. Being able to be flexible and go with the flow is highly valued where I work.
@Pearldrop I unfortunately don't go any single place more frequently than quarterly. Even in the same city I don't have a lot of frequent repeats, unless it's the hotel restaurant, lol. I think the hotel chain I stay at sent me a summary last year saying I stayed in 54 different cities. Since I am traveling to my customers or collegues area, it is customary for them to pick the restaurant. Wine and dining is a requirement, I'm afraid. But it is not only customers, but colleagues as well. Going to a nice dinner with drinks flowing is a way to relax and break down barriers, and form relationships with people you deal with frequently but see infrequently. My company is very frugal in a lot of ways, but I have no T&E budget, and have never been questioned on a dining expense, so that's how important it is to our corporate culture. (Also part of why I needed WLS!)
I'll definitely have to look into the shelter or Ronald McDonald House idea. I like it a lot, it's killing two birds with one stone. I've just never heard of any place being willing to take home cooked food. I think in the US we might be too afraid of liability for a charity to accept such a thing. I'll look into it though!

I haven’t checked in since probably December/January but I had my VSG on 11/21 and I’m down 75 lbs. Here is my day of and yesterday pictures.

Adding to #ProgressSunday
Super proud of everyone !

You look amazing!! Congrats!

I haven’t taken a picture recently but I’m gonna try to take one this week. I’ll be 7 months out on the 14th- I’ve lost 104.2 lbs since surgery! I’ve got 27.4 lbs to go until I hit my goal. It’s definitely coming over slower now but that’s fine! I’ve gotten myself into a good routine with food and exercise and I’m happy with that. I just want to lose that last 27.4 lbs before I hit one year out!

I’m also over the Hair loss. I’d love some regrowth now!

Keeping this thread alive with another progress pic! Most days when I look in be mirror I don’t see the change as much, but when I make these side by side pictures, I can’t NOT see it.
Everyone doing OK? Any 6 month struggles? I have 20lbs to go and it is much slower, but otherwise all is well. Aside from the Hair loss I guess. Man that can stop anyyyyyy day now 😒

#progressSunday

Did my first ever 5K today! I didn’t get to do as much running as I could have because my kids couldn’t keep up but I finished quicker than I thought! Can’t wait to do another one!

I just had to come back and post because I never thought I’d see this weight again! But with my new tool anything seems possible now keep going November friends! We got this!

Sustainability is certainly a key factor in long term success in this game - and I wouldn't be so sure that Keto would be any faster, and they often are slower if they do it literally as they tend to run at higher calorie levels (they just lose a bit more Water weight at the outset, which they give back at the end when they figure out what they are going to do for the rest of their life,) Likewise, I never did any of those diets but rather maintained a more classical balance of fruits, veg, whole grains, etc. along with the requisite Protein, consistent with my caloric budget for weight loss - the same diet that I was on before surgery and now, years post-op, calorically adjusted for maintenance. If I need to drop a bit, dropping the calories around 20% does the trick without any panicky "back to basics" or "reset" diets.
Funny thing (not really) is that most of the other post ops in our support group, most of whom are 10-20 years out and maintaining a normal weight range, likewise never got into these extreme low carb diets and seem to be a lot more tolerant of the occasional indulgence or unavoidable junk ingestion than those who did these extreme diets and are always worried about slippery slopes and carb monkeys. A couple of years ago we even had an accidental pizza fest when the restaurant we usually meet at closed without warning and we had to go around the corner to a pizza joint. The doc bought a couple of pizzas, some shared while others ordered sandwiches (heaven forbid!), salads or something else. I ordered a lasagna as that is something that just isn't worth making at home anymore. Yet no one suffered irreperable harm.