StarJoy2021

Pre-op surgery appointment scheduled April 14th! Instructed to start the pre-op diet today. Hoping surgery will be scheduled the following week! Sooooo ready!! 😊

Hi Everyone! New to the forum. Decided after years of being overweight and uncomfortable in my own body, to finally take care of me. Have had all my pre-op testing. Passed everything with no issues. Hoping to hear from pre-op coordinator on my surgery consult date next week. Would love to get surgery scheduled by the end of April!
Ready for a better, healthier version of me! 😊

Omg me too! The not being able to wipe literally sent me on a tailspin! My husband had to do it for me and I lost it. Every time I want to give up I remember how helpless and ashamed I felt!

Remember your why. Why did you want this back in 2014? For me it was not only my physical looks but other things. I couldn’t bend down and tie my shoes without having to breathe in between. Bending down like that cut off my breath. Another thing and this May be TMI, but I couldn’t hardly wipe my butt when I went potty. I remember sitting on the toilet crying because I couldn’t reach.
I couldn’t walk or stand more than just a few minutes without my lower back burning and aching. Diabetes and high blood pressure run in my family. These are my whys.
So you’ve gained 40 back. Thank God it’s not the 101, right? Start back with the Protein Shakes, maybe substitute a meal a day for one and when you’re comfortable with that substitute two meals a day with a shake. I lost 26 pounds in 3 months prior to surgery from that alone. When you want a snack in between, have one. But make it something healthy and filling like a banana or cottage cheese. You’ve done this before. You know what to do. All you have to do now is, just do it. Sending you positive vibes and hopes for your success!!! ❤️

@HeatherE Wow that is amazing! Great work! My surgery is this Monday, March 15th. I'm really scared about all the changes and adjustments, but I know 1000% that I want to do this. My dietician told me an ideal weight for my height (5'3") is around 140 pounds... I can't even imagine myself that small! I've fluctuated between 190 and 220 for the past 6 years and I'm just over it.

I’ve been able to lose weight from diet and exercise, my problem comes with keeping it off. At my lowest weight I got down to 173 and couldn’t lose another pound. But to maintain that weight I had to exercise at least 25 hours a week and eat no more than 1000 calories a day. I kept it off for a few years but eventually gained it back because that’s obviously not sustainable. If I get down to that weight with surgery should I expect to have to do the same things to maintain that weight as I did before surgery? Or will it be easier?

Hello!
I'm 4 weeks post op and thought I would come back here to share what I have learned over the last 4 weeks.
My experience since surgery has been nothing short of incredible. I'm not speaking in terms of massive weight loss, but my energy, focus, well-being, mental clarity, and state of mind. The weight loss is a bonus.
Looking back on my 8 month journey to the OR, I realized that the most crucial piece of advice I received came from the most unlikely of individuals on my path, the psychologist who did my psyche evaluation.
She told me that the single best thing I could do for my recovery in the time before my surgery was to practice hitting my program Protein and fluid goals before surgery and to practice liquid Meal Replacement.
I had more time than expected between this appointment and surgery (5 months versus 8 weeks due to multiple delays and reschedules), but I kept on doing this. I started by replacing Breakfast with my Protein Shake and monitoring my Water intake. I eventually worked up to hitting 70-90 grams of Protein daily and my minimum 90 ounces of Water. I still ate, but only after I was at my minimum protein goal.
It wasn't an doctors order, it wasn't required, but I took her advice to heart and it has paid off in droves.
Within days of my VSG, I was well on my way to hitting my goals again, with little head hunger or emotional discomfort with a liquid diet. I wasn't stressed or had any 'buyers remorse'.
This is one small thing you can do for yourself on the way to make the lifestyle change a smooth transition. Best of luck!
Sent from my Pixel 3a using BariatricPal mobile app

Hey everyone, I'm new to this whole process. I just had my consultation at the beginning of the month and have started my three month process for insurance. I have been overweight for quite some time now and I'm just ready to start my weight loss journey. What are something that you wish was told to you before you had your surgery? Did you already start taking Vitamins? Was anyone on birth control before and after surgery?
I've heard a lot of different things about pain also after surgery and I expect pain, but was you able to do some of your normal daily routine? Was bending, sitting or laying hard for you to do? I've had two C-sections so I'm familiar with abdominal pain after surgery, but is it anything like that?

Sorry for the over load of questions. I'm just nervous and anxious and don't want to miss any information.

Thank you for that it means a lot seriously, don't let my experience weaken your stance. I think this opportunity is amazing but it's also a lot of work, and I wish you luck as well on your journey!

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Thanks everyone. So, I need to be in the hospital in about eight hours. I decided to take my final measurements and weight tonight because I'll have enough to think about in the morning.
So my official pre-surgery weight is 292lbs, my BMI is 44 and my body fat percentage is 48%.
I am really excited to begin a new journey, and I think I am ready (but apprehensive) about the changes I'm about to make. I have a lot of nervousness around the procedure itself - I've not had surgery or general anaesthetic before, so I am looking forward to being done with all of that.
In a strange way I'm looking forward to this surgery being in the past rather than the future. When it's in the past, all the doubt will be pointless - I'm pretty good at just making the best of a bad situation most of the time, so I know that once I have it, even if it's tough, I'll just get on with it and make it work.
In an odd sort of way, this mix of feelings is a bit like a first date with someone you really really like - lots of excitement mixed with nervousness and fear in a weird mix.
Hopefully I'll see you all on the other side to tell my surgery story

I realize everyone is different and I should not compare, but I am curious how much you are able to eat at one time 1.5-2 years post vsg.
How many oz/ meal?
How many calories to for you personally to maintain?
How many calories for you personally to lose?

Thanks!

Hello,
I'm incredibly new here but i've been reading people's posts. I still considering weight loss surgery and I will most likely do it due to my years of weight gain and loss and my family history of health problems associated with obesity.
I just wanted to say hello and tell you that I think you are courageous. You made a really big decision for yourself and from what I understand it is normal to grieve or feel symptoms of depression as you consider the many ways your life has changed.
You chose surgery for a reason. I think that finding new ways to Celebrate ourselves can be a challenge to anyone.
I wish you happiness and the drive to hydrate ; )

Hello,
I'm incredibly new here but i've been reading people's posts. I still considering weight loss surgery and I will most likely do it due to my years of weight gain and loss and my family history of health problems associated with obesity.
I just wanted to say hello and tell you that I think you are courageous. You made a really big decision for yourself and from what I understand it is normal to grieve or feel symptoms of depression as you consider the many ways your life has changed.
You chose surgery for a reason. I think that finding new ways to Celebrate ourselves can be a challenge to anyone.
I wish you happiness and the drive to hydrate ; )

Some helpful hints. You will be INCREDIBLY thirsty/ dehydrated post - surgery. Bring Biotene toothpaste and mouth wash. Swish as much Water as you can as soon as you can reach a sink. You may not be able to swallow fluids just yet. And your mouth will THANK you! You can get at Amazon/ Walmart/ Target.
BariWise chicken Bouillon- lifesaver - Amazon. Clear Liquid- it tastes good and has 15g of Protein. Amazon - Amazing.

****PILL GRINDER (not cutter) - looks like pepper grinder to actually GRIND your pills so much easier to swallow! - Amazon.
Ask the hospital for the 30 cc cups - they’re 1 ounces and you can pour your Protein Shake and liquid clears to keep measurements . **** DO NOT be afraid to ask for pain medication (this was a mistake I made). I acted tough. Ask ask ask for nausea meds - lifesaver. No vomiting.
Women - plan on wearing a sports bra that doesn’t touch your top incision and cotton underwear that does not touch your bottom incision. Wear a loose cotton dress to go home in and for recovery. Amazon has a lot of different ones (with pockets). You can lounge in them. Walk around the neighborhood and go out with nice sandals/slip on shoes or flip flops. Amazon also has long roomy comfy sleep shirts - great for lounging and letting your incisions breathe.
BariWise hot chocolate- 15grams of protein and considered a clear. Add sugar free Syrup ( can get a bottle at Home goods for under $5) for a treat. Cinnamon sticks and peppermint tea help with nausea. Throw a cinnamon stick in your Decaf hot tea of choice (or hot chocolate). Take a small walk when comfortable even if it’s just around the house when you are waiting the 30 minutes before or after your protein. If you have a gentle dog - take them for a walk (although the first few days I couldn’t because of the bending to pick up poop). My neighbor offered to walk the dog for a few days. Enlist help - people like to help. I was sent home with liquid pain med - keep on schedule and Prilosec capsules. I was instructed to open up. Toss the beads back and follow with chaser - amazing - helped with stomach pain.

Also sent home with anti- nausea under tongue melts - AMAZING. If you have headaches/ menstrual cramps - I recommend Hylands brand / melts under tongue (Amazon). Hope this helps! Wish me a great recovery! Best, Christina