ABawdyMermaid

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! ❤️

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!

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.

And also depressed, angry, etc.. (Forewarning: Lots of complaints/rants here!) My surgery is scheduled for January 15th, and my pre-op diet is 1 month (instead of the usual two weeks) of liquids with a tiny amount of protein and up to 500g (about a pound) of very select vegetables per day. I'm sick to death of it already, and with the holidays, I just feely shitty that I'm missing out on eating with family and such, so much that I don't even want to leave the house now. And I know that the month or two *after* the surgery is going to be even harder than it is now, which just adds on top of my misery. On top of that, I keep learning more and more stuff about the surgery that was not mentioned to me by my surgeon (like the fact that hair loss is common, just as an example.) I'm determined to go through with it, but damnit.. I just feel more and more miserable the more I think about everything I have to let go of. I'm already mourning food as well, and this pre-op diet is difficult since I've yet to hit ketosis or lose my hunger despite being on it about 7 days now. My stomach hurts so much all the time. My biggest fear is complications, blood clots especially since I don't have the best circulation in my legs especially. I think about it night and day, and I do have bad anxiety, so it's compounded by that, I think. I'm terrified of dying, of leaving my husband behind, my dog.. Everything really. I'm trying to better myself, but it's so. damn. hard. I apologize for all the complaints and whining either way, and if you got this far, thank you for reading and hearing out my worries and complaints! ❤️

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?)

Hi all! I will preface this by saying that I am pre-surgery (mine is Jan. 15th), but I am trying to start exercising again in preparation for it. In truth, I have been trying off and on for a couple years now, but I struggle to do much of anything. Walking is quite difficult, and I can't stand for very long at all before my hips and lower back are in agony. Aside from that, my muscles all feel very, *very* tight, ALL the time. I've tried stretching in the past, and it doesn't help. Everything hurts incredibly, so much that in the past, I have just quit trying. I don't know if it's from not doing much exercise, but I am worried that the muscles have 'shrunk' or something like that, and that I will never be able to loosen them again. Even flexing my leg, I can feel the muscles in my calves and ankle feel like they want to 'tear.' Also, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia some time ago as well, so I don't know if it's related to that? I really want to be active and go out to do things, but everything just hurts so bad, and so I spend a lot of time sitting/laying down. I know when the surgery comes around, I need to move a whole lot more, but I'm afraid it's going to hurt too much. I don't want to end up with a blood clot though because I didn't move a whole lot, so I guess what I'm asking is.. Any tips? Has anyone else experienced this muscle issue? Is it just normal for people my size that don't exercise a lot or is there maybe something else going on? Thanks for any answers!

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.

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.

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.

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. :/

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!

Thank you, thank you!

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.

Best of luck to you both!

I am currently on my pre-op diet, which consists of five Protein Shakes per day which are specially formulated for the surgery, as well as a small amount of Protein per day and up to 400 to 500 G of select vegetables, no oils. My pre-op diet is for the entire month before the surgery although I hear some people do not have to have any kind of diet whatsoever in comparison. My current weight is somewhere around 420 lb so that may have something to do with it? It also could be that here in Finland they just require a very long pre-op diet, I am not sure.