ABawdyMermaid

Oh, if only! I actually love pickled beets (and other beetroot dishes,) but I can't have those, sadly. The vegetables for the pre-op diet are very specific ones, and they can't have any kind of oil, cheese, etc. Basically boiled or roasted, though I do add some salt and seasonings (what is allowed, basically.)

There is a local pool here, but it's a bit on the expensive side, sadly. (It's around 4.50 per trip in euros or 80/mo. for 10 trips!) We do go sometimes, but not a lot admittedly. I absolutely love swimming, but I'd have to see if maybe there is some cheaper option (or maybe even another pool somewhere with a better price.) As for fencing, that sounds awesome! My hubby is actually heavily into HEMA, so I aim to get involved with that once I'm able to stand for more than five minutes. XD Right now I can do some practice poses with the sparring swords we purchased, but I can't do more than maybe five minutes before tiring out.

I tried chair exercises a long time ago (some years back) and kinda forgot all about them! I could definitely start doing that again, as that might work well alongside shorter walks maybe? Most of the pain I have with walking and exercise is related to my lower back and hips, so I think that could definitely be helpful. Thank you!

Hmm, I saw.. I think they were a physical therapist (I'm not certain since I live in a foreign country, and many of the doctoral terms are still not quite known to me or even my husband!) Basically they had me do some different stretches and the like, and that was pretty much it. They also said my muscles were tight around my back, and did some kind of very short (less than 1 minute) massage to try and loosen said muscles. They never felt of my legs or anything like that. (This was a long while ago when I went before with muscle pains which may or may not have been attributed to fibromyalgia.) I did try the stretches they offered, but it just didn't help that much, and in some cases just made them ache even more, strangely, even though I've been told it should help. I could try speaking with the doctor again and asking to be sent to an exercise physiologist. I just need to figure out how to translate that and explain it to them (and hope they are willing to do such.)

Hey there! With everyone's responses, I'm feeling much better now about the hair loss. I'm going to get some supplements and start them early as another poster mentioned, and given I have thick hair already, maybe the loss won't even be that much if it does happen at all. (That's my hope, at least!) And even if I do lose hair, it will probably grow back as mentioned. I'll just hope for the best on that part! That's a very good idea, about carrying the photos with you! I have even thought about posting a picture (in the bedroom, maybe on the back of the door) of my 'before' self just as a reminder to never go back to that point! Another suggestion I found elsewhere was to hang up an article of clothing I really want to wear (but can't yet) on the wall, as a sort of carrot-on-the-stick, lol! (I think I will do both of these!) I'm already starting to get out and walk, though it's been very hard (and painful) to do so. So far I've managed about 15-20 minutes before my hips want to completely give out, and by 5 minutes in, I'm already in serious pain. But I'm trying to push through it and work up to longer. I do still have time (about 20 days) to get to that point though. And sodas.. Oh, that's going to be hard to do, but I know I have to do it. I don't want the pouch to expand at all, so my intention is to not buy anymore diets once my last set of four cans is gone. They have been a weakness for me all my life, so it will be difficult, but I know I need to let go in order to have success. Thank you as well for all the tips, and I'll be sure to keep it all in mind! ❤️

Hiya! Yeah, I'm definitely mourning my food loss already, and it's been quite tough. I've been very stressed the last few months in general, and I think that's also making it more difficult. One thing is compounding on the other, that is. I have been doing alright thus far with the pre-op diet, though it does hurt a lot. I have a lot of mental (and sometimes regular) hunger, especially for my old favourites. My husband has even offered to eat outside so I don't smell it, but I wouldn't dare make him do that, lol. And you're right, when we do eat out, it will be much cheaper, considering he is a pretty lanky guy and eats much smaller portions than I ever did. I think it's the first month after the surgery that is worrying me the most, since I know there's going to be pain like I've never felt before. I've never had any surgeries of any kind, never been under anaesthesia, etc, and I have a very low pain threshold. But, I'm determined to make it through whatever comes, and I do have a great support system in my husband and family here. I'm already checking into the vitamins, and I'll need to look into those for hairloss as well, since it's a bit different here in Finland with the availability of certain supplements/drugs. I'll check by the pharmacy! And thank you again for your response! It's much appreciated. ❤️

Hi there! I only recently learned that bariatric vitamins were something I would need to take (my surgeon/nutritionist didn't mention this at all, actually,) and I thought it was something only bypass patients do. I see now that it's also for sleevers, so I will look into that right away. And I will definitely keep all these tips in mind and be sure to get in my protein/vitamins when that time rolls around. My hair is quite thick now and one of the things I am quite proud of, so I am just really worried of losing it. I think I made myself panic in the last few days reading, but I realize that it seems to be a temporary thing, and should grow back for most people. So here's to hoping, and either way.. I'm going through with the surgery, even if I go bald and have to wear a wig, lol!

This is pretty spot on to how I feel! I can't enjoy the food for this holiday, and that is upsetting for someone who always has, especially given I have an unfortunate addiction to food. Like many people, my 'tradition' has always been to gather with friends/family and have a nice meal, and this is (in my opinion) one of the hardest times of the year to go through a long pre-op diet. Even so, I am determined to see it through no matter what. I never mentioned at any point that I can't/won't enjoy it with family, or that I'm not grateful for getting the surgery. (This is more for @FluffyChix 's response.) But neither am I going to sit here and proclaim that boiled beets and protein drinks are a fantastic holiday meal, lol.

Oh hey, that's pretty neat! I know there's some different areas in the US with lots of Swedish and Finnish peoples, though to be honest, I'm not sure where specifically. But yeah, a lot of people here are bi or trilingual, which is nuts! I'm struggling to speak Finnish myself, since it's one of the hardest languages in the world. But I'll get there (someday.) Either way, happy holidays to you and everyone else! ❤️

I realize this is a loooong shot, but thought I would ask all the same. As the title says, anyone here from Finland (or living here, at least?)

Ah, yours is just three days after mine then!

Same here, pretty much, so I feel for you! Protein drinks and boiled beets, yay. But there is next year's holidays to look forward to! Sent from my H60-L04 using BariatricPal mobile app

Kinda, I think? Lol! Has your brother had any WLS before?

The person you quoted seemed very.. self-righteous, I guess that's the word? Not very nice, in any case. There's various ways they could have conveyed the same message without sounding so rude. I admit that I don't know much about any other WL support sites, as this is the first one I've come to (and thus far, everyone has been very kind!) I also don't know much about RNY to be honest, as to the restrictions and such, but I know it's a surgery I will never go through with because it does limit you so much in ways that I personally cannot abide by. I have an addictive personality, not to drugs or alcohol (thankfully, but to food, and telling me 'no' makes things really difficult. Not to mention.. We have one life to live. I'm going to enjoy it as much as I can, though going forward, I'm going to *teach* myself how to enjoy it without ending up where I am right now (which is miserable and morbidly obese.) I think what's key is just figuring out what works for you, when it comes to your 'wants' (like alcohol!) Just doing a very quick google search, it *seems* like you can eventually have alcohol again in very small quanitites post-bypass, but that you have to be careful given it can cause various problems. Just check with your doctor, be straight with them, and see what they say. Also sorry that I started rambling.

I would love any sample menus as well, even though I'm just on the pre op diet right now which is protein drinks, select vegetables, and a very small amount of protein (usually soy or other kinds of fake meat products.) I know this is something I will probably struggle with post op. Sent from my H60-L04 using BariatricPal mobile app

Oh yeah, this is going to be a huge problem. I take Voltaren XR right now for chronic pains, and it's just about the only thing that's halfway working. I've tried Tramadol as well, and it had no effect on me, even with a large dose (which I was already wary of taking to begin with since the drug can be problematic.) I'm having the sleeve done (not bypass) and wasn't informed of this at all, regarding NSAIDs. I have another pre-op appointment on Jan. 9th though where I can bring this up to discuss.

Does the no-NSAIDs apply to gastric sleeve patients or only bypass? I didn't know about any of this! o.o

They instructed me to take some over the counter meds, but things may be different here in Finland as far as what kinds of drugs are available for constipation. All I know is what I have at the moment tastes putrid, but I'll drink it if I have to, lol.

I know the feeling! Mine is coming up in mid-January and I am still questioning whether or not this is something I truly wish to go through with, but only because I think I'm having cold feet? It's something I definitely DO want to go through with, but it doesn't make me any less nervous or scared. Sent from my H60-L04 using BariatricPal mobile app

I haven't had surgery yet, but I just wanted to wish you good luck and please try not to be too scared! I am sure you will do just fine. Sent from my H60-L04 using BariatricPal mobile app

I have tried doing the pre op diet several times, though not completely if that makes sense? I initially started the diet as a way of getting used to the way I would have to be eating prior to the surgery and after since the diets are very similar. Basically what my nutritionist wanted me to do was do the vlcd for two weeks at a time and then go back to just a normal low calorie diet. Each and every time I had trouble with bowel movements, particularly with constipation. It seems like I will have to grab some sort of medicine to help with that as well since it's already starting with the latest run of the pre op diet. :/ Sent from my H60-L04 using BariatricPal mobile app

Ahhh, you got the reference! XD I love dragons and all kinds of fantasy creatures, and I couldn't pass up on the twist for that name! Sent from my H60-L04 using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you, thank you! Sent from my H60-L04 using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello there! My gastric sleeve surgery is set for January 15th at 7 a.m. I am both looking forward to it with excitement and also completely terrified, LOL. Sent from my H60-L04 using BariatricPal mobile app

Best of luck to you both! Sent from my H60-L04 using BariatricPal mobile app