MaybeMeow

((THANK YOU)). For all of it. I'm taking notes with statements that will help me thru the early hurdles and I greatly appreciate your taking the time to share so openly. ONWARD!!

You've put it into words beautifully, @chunkarella. This is how I feel. To me it's not the food that is the problem. It's that it made me fat. My husband and I have been together for over 25 years. we eat similarly. He is trim and healthy. I'm obese. My body feels like the enemy. Not the food. But I believe this is the right step because I can't change genetics.

We are surgery twins! June 9th! I'm so sorry you are suffering. I have a 3 day liver diet and I'm not looking forward to it. Two weeks would be miserable. Since some docs don't require the 2 weeks it seems to me you could have a small piece of chicken each evening. In doing the research on the live shrink it many suggest the shakes and then a small meat portion for dinner. But... you should probably listen to the Vets and stick to it. Then your full liquid/pureeds will seem like heaven!!

Today was a list making day. .. Things I need to accomplish to prep my family. I'm assuming I won't be helpful to them for about 2 weeks. Also a list of things for the hospital. One for Meds and comfort items for the first few weeks at home and finally a grocery list. I'll go shopping tomorrow for my 3 day liver diet (starting the 6th) and first week of "food". My list: Bone broth (chicken and beef) Several different kinds of Protein shakes Sugar free jello (plan to mix in some protein powder and premake into 1 oz shots) Sugar free gatoraide Sugar free Popsicles. Unjury powders I've also got plain fat free greek yogurt, P2 powder, eggs, and liquid stevia on the list to jumpstart week two. I'm also planning some socially distant coffee dates in the next week with a few close friends who I'm not telling about my surgery but who might notice I'm off the radar for a while. Would love to know what you guys are doing to prepare? ONWARD!

Yay! Sounds like yer doin GREAT! Bypass or Sleeve? And OOOO, tell us more about the sippy cup. I'm a straw drinker, myself, and have been trying to find something that is like it but won't add air to the "sip". And what unflavored protein power makes broth taste like cream of chicken?

OOH! A couple June 8thers! I'm June 9th. I shall follow you closely. I'm having bypass. @BOREDFATGIRL... can you convert your numbers to pounds and inches? Then I'll know how close we are! I'm looking for Bypass Buddies!

Since I'm about 10 days away from a bypass I'd love to hear from the Veteran Bypassers but of course Sleevers too as I know it's not THAT different. I think what keeps me awake at night is the LOSS of the joy I receive celebrating with food or splurging as a Foodie with my husband (naturally trim) or the joy of treats with my children. I don't need the speech about finding joy in other things. I get that. And I know food has been an anchor to me for many years now. A burden. But I do also get great joy from it. From looking forward to it. Even during my years of temporarily successful Weight Watchers attempts I could save points for a big treat on the weekend and felt great joy in looking forward to that bowl of ice cream or fried chicken and potatoes. In fact, it's the first thing my physician-husband (who recommends WLS to his patients) said to me when I told him I was considering the surgery ... "But... food makes you happy." So... I guess I'd like to hear from those who have found a way to still find JOY in their food. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Woo Hoo! We're getting quite a group. Would love to know a little about each of you! Stats,Hopes. Fears and how you're preparing. etc I find youtube videos very helpful. There a woman called Minnie Me In Tennessee who did a video once a week from her pre-op appts to several years out. She tells it like it is. All the ups and downs. SO INSIGHTFUL. Check it out.

I'll check them out! Thanks!!

How exciting! Bypass or Sleeve? Do you get to relax by the beach afterwards?

amazon.com!!

Only three days liquid liver diet. It's odd how all the pre and post op instructions vary. Just finished chatting with a bypass patient who is allowed to have peanut butter 14 days post op. I thought that sounded a lot better than my clear liquid week, full liquid week, pureed food week, then soft foods for 2 weeks etc. Enjoy that cake!! That's something I really need to get my head around. No sweet treats ever?? Or you dump? OOf.

No pureed stage? Lovely. It IS odd how there are so many vastly different pre and post instructions. Makes me want to pick from the lot what sounds the best to me. Certainly peanut butter after 2 weeks sounds good. I will take your advice and save the broth for afterwards so it feels like a treat. Just got off the phone with pre-registration. I wish I could get my stomach under control.

That's a good way to look at it. They just moved mine from the 29th to the 9th and I'm in a bit of a panic but yes! Less time to FREAK OUT! I keep wondering if I should have a big last meal.

Havethree! Not quite a surgery twin but I'm June 9th and also have never been in the hospital except childbirth! What protein shake are you liking? I don't feel ready for the post op weeks one which I hear is reallY challenging. What is everyone doing to prepare? I bought a body pillow, protein powder, gas X, a heating pad, a new blender, bone broth, and some 2 ox portion cups to prepare little jello and pudding servings with protein powder in them. I plan to do a big shop next week. Trying to put together a list. Anyone have a shopping list already?

Jami... I bet you can't wait to get to pureed foods. You're almost there, yes? What will you try first? Yeah, I'm concerned about the protein shakes. I've tried several the last 2 weeks and like ZERO of them. I can tolerate plain fat free greek yogurt (18 grams protein) with a little P2 powder (which has about 6 grams of protein) and sugar free chocolate syrup blended with ice. I'm hoping I can tolerate them afterwards. I figure I can do anything for 2-3 weeks. Then the real test will begin. Bought some chicken bone broth and still haven't tried it. Anyone like it? Anyone else have a nervous tummy? It's hard to see how these new products will settle when I'm already in stomach distress. Dave I just completed driving my dad to his 6 weeks PT after his new hip surgery. He's in his 80s and doing great. That's a pretty slick surgery. In and out. Anyone else out there with surgery dates? What are you doing to prepare? I ordered some unjury powder to try as I've heard good things and wanted to see if I can make jello with it. I also ordered a body pillow and a compression wrap along with a few things others have suggested that helped them like Gas X, bioteen spray for the hospital and a pair of loose fitting pajamas. With the exception of childbirth I've been lucky enough to stay clear of hospitals. This will all be new to me.

Jami 1992... can't tell you how much I appreciate hearing you say you're doing great 2 weeks out. What is your secret? Do you have a protein drink you enjoy? Pushing thru the head-hunger? You're a lot younger than I am so I imagine you're a fast healer. What is your final goal weight? I have the weight my surgeon said was one I might achieve with the short bypass (165) and then my ideal weight goal (150). Lily66, Jami, do you know the length of your bypass?

Dave in Houston... Hi! What are your stats? Hope your surgery date is pinned down soon. That's when it felt real for me. Hope cataract surgery goes smoothly. Soon you will be all new, won't you?

Superman84... I've read a lot of your posts and seen your photos. You are for sure a success story that helps those of us waiting for surgery. I envy your lack of hunger lasting so long. I hope I am the same! I hope you are right about not regretting!! Thank you!

Lily66... I'm taking notes! I've read a lot about the gas pain and love hearing you didn't have a lot. So sorry you struggled with nausea. I know Zofran well. I had a pump for it during pregnancy. Hoping to avoid the nausea all together but I bet with our reflux we might be more prone. How has your reflux been since surgery? I also have a handsome and naturally trim husband. Another thing in common. Also, helpful to hear about the recliner. I'm not one to sleep sitting up but it might come to that. What are you eating as you near 3 months post op?

Thanks Lily66! I just saw your stats and we are very similar! Congrats on an amazing 33.4 pounds at ... gosh... 2.5 month?! What an inspiration! Did you have any scares or particular struggles that I should be prepared for the first week or two? I think my greatest concerns are pain, gas, nausea... and regret.

My Surgery (Bypass) has been moved UP from June 29th to June 9th. All the sudden I don't feel ready! Only have to do 3 days liquid beforehand. Ready with my bone broth and jello. I feel like stopping Nsaids 8 days before will be the most challenging part. Anybody else doing Bypass? I'm trying to stay calm. I just lost 20 days of mind-prep! EEK!

Hi Gang! I'm Meow. I was scheduled for a 100cm Bypass on June 29th and they just moved me UP to June 9th! AHHHHHHH! I'm usually pretty grounded with life's hurdles but all the sudden my mind went blank and I thought "I'M NOT READY!" Any other May, June, July Bypassers want to join up and share and support? I'm not sure how to put my stats in my profile but I am 5' 5" female. Late 40s. 220# at the Doc yesterday. Goal weight is 150. Having BYPASS instead of Sleeve due to life-long reflux. Told I only need to do 3 days liquid liver shrink beforehand since my BMI is only 36. Feel both overloaded with info and under-prepared to say goodbye to the contrasting albatross/joy that is FOOD in my life. Both glad and nervous about the timing as it feels like an easier time to stay away from friends and family who social-eat until I get a handle on my new digestive system. But also I'm pretty bored as my line of work is largely halted until the conditions are far safer. Likely won't have regular work until 2021. I'm ashamed to say the last 2 months have been more of a food funeral than I anticipated so I have a lot of mind-prep to do in the next 2 weeks. I am keeping this a private journey. Only my husband and best friend know. Even keeping my tween daughter in the dark at least for now. Would love some buddies who check in frequently to go thru this with. I've been posting on other June thread but thought a BYPASS thread would be great. And of course Veterans are WELCOME to pop in and share. Share your stories with me! Let's do this together!!

I'm going to choose to trust and not question his decision. I just got a call saying they had a cancellation and my June 29th Surgery could be June 9th if I want it. I said yes without hesitating and now I'm freaking out a little. I know it's important to get my head in the game and I'm all the sudden 20 days short on time. EEEK!!

Hi Gang. Can the Bypassers weigh in? I'm scheduled for a Bypass on June 29th and just had my last visit with my surgeon who told me he would be doing a 100cm bypass. Does this seem short? My concerns regarding the Bypass were the malabsorption and dumping. I know some people value these to help them stay on track but I do not so I thought the sleeve would be best. But I suffer from reflux and have since I was a kid so Bypass was recommended. I believe my concerns about Bypass are why my surgeon chose this "100 cm size". However, from my research most people do twice as much. Thoughts on the pros and cons? Would love to hear from other 100 cm Bypassers. Thanks!