HeatherE

I’m also pre-op, but similar in height and weight to you and also without many medical issues. I started the process at the end of December and surgery is this Monday, March 22. The only reason I considered weight loss surgery initially is because I found out it’s possible to do an endoscopic sleeve and I was too scared to do laparoscopic surgery. Endoscopic is not covered by insurance, but very little recovery time. After attending intro sessions for different bariatric practices, I decided on gastric bypass laparoscopically. My surgeon said he could do the endoscopic procedure and has taught people how to do it, but it’s not as precise and not worth the out of pocket cost. Weight loss is also less. Next I was leaning towards sleeve laparoscopically, but I’ve had Gerd which made me a better candidate for bypass. An endoscopy revealed the Gerd is from a hiatal hernia which they’ll fix during my weight loss surgery. Also, if I’m going to brave surgery, I want the surgery that will give me the best results, which is bypass. I got a second opinion from another practice, and they agreed bypass is my best option. I was hesitant because of the required vitamins, but I’m convinced now that it’s worth it. I am 5 ft 1/2 inch and was 226 in December. In January I started a pre-op low calorie diet and I’m about 12 days into the dreaded liquid diet now. Today my weight was 193.5. I think sleeve and bypass are both good options and whatever you decide will be a good choice. It doesn’t hurt to get a second opinion either. I totally trust my surgeon and selected him over everybody else. Still I wanted a second opinion to be sure. Good luck!

Congratulations!

The first three days were miserable for me. I’m on day ten now. It gets easier. I live on Good and Gather Soup Starters broth from Target. It’s been a lifesaver for me. Two protein shakes, clear sweet sugar free liquids, and broth with no taste weren’t cutting it.

So happy for you!!! Thanks for letting us know. My surgery is a week from today. Best of luck! It’ll go great!

It’s not being selfish or greedy. If you had plenty of regular food you could share, would you? This is not about not wanting him to have something... it’s about making sure you have what you need. They may be slow learners... but when they understand, they do learn and wouldn’t think twice. If not, you don’t want to be with someone who can’t empathize. I’m also a slow eater, so it happened all the time in the past where someone would take my food. I wouldn’t share with people unless we got two plates and split the food equally. It may be helpful to have one shelf with No Sharing foods so BF knows what is fair game.

I was considering sleeve, but am getting gastric bypass a week from tomorrow, During the process I had an endoscopy and they found a hiatal hernia that was causing heartburn. Therefore bypass was better. Also, if I’m doing this, I want the weight loss to be worth it. My BMI is right under 38 today (198.5 lbs). I got two opinions from bariatric surgeons at different practices and both recommended bypass.

I totally understand! I’m the same way. My husband buys my food and knows not to touch it. He did the same thing as your boyfriend when we met until I explained nicely, flipped out when he did it anyway, and now it’s not worth it to him to touch it because he knows what will happen (haha). I’m happy to share some things, but other things are just mine.

Do you know if the ramen starter is allowed pre-op as a clear liquid? If so, I’ll have more. I also bought the Good & Gather pho starter, but haven’t tried it yet. I had a different brand of Pho broth and wasn’t a fan. Good idea with using ramen flavor packets!

Absolutely! About one week into the liquid diet.. it’s still hard, but not as impossible as the first four days were. i tried Muscle Milk 100 calorie shakes. I was excited since I could have three instead of two... until I tasted it. The taste an lingering aftertaste were just gross. Two dips into it, I decided it wasn’t worth it. I tracked down the highly touted Farlife Nutrition Plan shakes on sale now at Costco. These are the best. They’re not as sweet as the Premier Protein which I was told may be preferable post surgery. It tastes like chocolate milk. Sending my husband back today and a couple other days this week to get the limit of four items. At $5 off, they were a steal. Broth had been my saving grace. On my quest to find more flavors, I came across Good and Gather Soup Starters, I tried the Ramen and it had a ton of flavor. Excited to track down the other flavors we took a field trip from the DC area all the way to Baltimore suburbs to track down the Tuscan and Tortilla varieties of the chicken broth. It was worth the drive!!! I tried the Tuscan last night and it had so much flavor I felt like I had actually eaten a meal! I sent an email to the nutritionist to confirm on Monday that it’s fine to continue with. It’s a clear broth, I just felt guilty having something with so much flavor. The Mexican one is 5 calories. Best of luck to you! You’ve got this!!!

DITTO!!!

Oh my gosh, I’ll be thinking about you! I’m sure everything will go great! I can’t wait to see and hear from you at 140!!! Amazing. I’m only 5’1”. Which surgery are you having? I’m having bypass. We’re going to be new and improved women (smile). You are almost there!!!!!

Thank you. I’m threatening to eat friends, family, and coworkers. Wonder if they count as clear liquids (haha).

I’m with you... only day four and tired of sweet.

That is fantastic!!! I hope I lose 7 pounds. Like you I’m starting at a “lower” weight. It’s day 4 of 14 days and I’m down to 200 pounds. I was 226 pounds in December when I started my bariatric journey. Keep up the good work! When is your surgery? Mine is March 22. Wondering what my final post op weight will be. Great job!

I’m jealous. I only get 2 Premier Protein shakes and clear liquids each day for two weeks. I’m struggling! I’m starting day 4. Lost about a pond each day since I started. Was doing 700-900 calories a day for almost two months before and I’m down 25 ponds total (and lowered my BMI below 40).

I can have 2-3 Premier Protein shakes a day and clear liquids. I’ve mixed flavors of the shakes for variety (ex. chocolate and caramel). I’ve also blended it with ice so I could eat it with a spoon like ice cream.

I’m on day 4 of the pre-op liquid diet. I don’t want to scare you, but to manage your expectations, know it’s hard. I have two Premier Protein shakes a day (sometimes I mix two flavors for variety). Jello I got tons of variety, all sugar free of course. I have 10 calorie Jello brand, 5 calorie Snack Pack, and 5 calorie Winky (40 minute trip to Walmart to find these). The nice thing about snack pack is you don’t have to store them in the fridge. I bought a case of them and put them in the fridge as needed. Winky has several flavors in each package which I like. Sugar free popsicles. Broth... lots of flavors! Low sodium chicken, vegetable, Trader Joe’s Miso Ginger (my favorite), Pho (tasted terrible but makes me nauseous and less hungry) Bone Broth: Swanson sipping broths are fantastic! They are easy to drink from their own package and how I get additional protein. They have lemon rosemary, Chinese 5 Spice, tumerick, etc. It’s a nice break from all of the sweets. Highly recommend. Yesterday when I was freaking out about being hungry the nutritionist suggested eating ice chips. I blended my protein shake with ice once so that I could eat it with a spoon like ice cream. That was more filling. But, then I had an idea... snow cones!!! I have a snow cone maker for shaved ice. I also have zero calorie, sugar free snow cone syrups which the nutritionist approved, I was in heaven!!!! im not a fan of Crystal Light, but that’s another option. Good luck!!!

Schmidt 647 bread is low carb, low, calorie, high fiber. It comes in white, Italian, and wheat. They sell it at Costco and the supermarket.

I admire you still cooking for your family. I stay upstairs while my husband and son eat dinner and asked my husband to avoid cooking anything that smells good during my 2 week pre-op liquid diet. I give my son breakfast, but later in the day I’m too hungry to be around food.

March 22, 2021!

I am having two protein shakes a day and clear liquids (bone broth, jello, popsicles, etc). I started yesterday and it is h-ll. Today I just slept. Couldn’t concentrate on work yesterday. I’m hungry!!! Surgery is March 22.

Many companies offer free samples. You can definitely get them from Bariatric Advantage and Pro Care Health. Celebrate Vitamins has a $10 sample pack with a $10 coupon towards a purchase. I decided on Pro Care calcium chews (less variety than Bariatric Advantage but prefer the taste. I wasn’t a fan of the berry vitamin. Called back and requested a sample of the citrus which I ordered for when I can take my iron vitamin. Unjury has a small multi but I preferred Pro Care’s taste. Those were the brands recommended by my Bariatric dietician. Not all Bariatric vitamins have the same nutritional value. Good luck!

I’m having Bypass March 22. Started a two week liquid diet yesterday and it’s HARD!

I don’t cook either. Haven’t had surgery yet, but planning on appetizers or kids meals minus the carbs. Thinking shrimp cocktail without the sauce or kids grilled chicken breast with steamed vegetables. Chain restaurants post calories so I look in advance and avoid anywhere tempting. Pre liquid diet I had Chipotle (lettuce, pico, steak, fajita veggies). Also, Panda Express bowl (green veggies (90 calories) and broccoli beef (150 calories). After surgery maybe it’ll be more than one meal for me. From the supermarket I get crab legs (protein), and cooked shrimp. Looking forward to other peoples’ ideas.

I followed the guides in the packet I was given and after New Years Eve I started a 700-900 calorie diet. I was probably the only one who did. I’ve lost over 20 pounds and brought my BMI below 40. Yesterday I started the pre-op diet and it is HARD. Glad I didn’t do it cold turkey from my old high calorie diet, I’m struggling. I called out of work and slept all day. I couldn’t focus yesterday. Bypass Surgery is on March 22, 2021.