Luna Girl

I love these kinds of threads, lol...
My last thing is usually dinner (whatever it is that night), very last bite is probably no later than 8-8:30 pm. Sometimes I'll have a snack beyond that, but very rarely.
And if we are talking liquids, that's another story....

My VSG surgery is April 22nd and the only person I am telling is my husband. I will not be telling anyone else. It opens you up for too many questions and not all are supportive. Don't feel guilty, do what's best for you.

There are some bad dieticians out there. You should not ever feel guilty for listening to what your body needs!

Glad to hear surgery went well! So happy and excited for you! 😊

Surgery went fine. Minimal pain but do have that dreaded gas discomfort. So far no nausea and have been able to tolerant liquids well.

Thank you! Surgery day was today and everything went smoothly. Once they go in there, they found a hernia that needed to be repaired. Which is odd because I got checked for that not too long ago.

Surgery was today. Went great

Good luck to you both!!

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! 😊

Thank you! I actually just got the call for my first consult with Dr. Heydari for next week! And I have to schedule my bariatric/ nutrionalist screening. It's really happening! Im so excited and scared.

@MarissaD : Yes, your haircut is lovely,...but your EYEBROWS! 😍 (In BOTH your Before AND your After pics)
Congrats on your weight losses!

My surgery is tomorrow morning! Ready but nervous. I think I'm more nervous for after, how I'll feel and how I'll react to foods. Hopefully everything turn out well.

I'm scheduled for 5/12. I'm self pay as well but through my local hospital group. I just scheduled everything yesterday and it's really starting to set it in that it's only 5 weeks away, 3 weeks until I need to start my pre-op diet.

I just booked with Blossom Bariatrics in Las Vegas. I fly in on 4/30, have my pre op appointments and surgery on 5/4. It’s the Fast Track self pay. I am getting the Safe Sleeve procedure. So ready for this journey to start! Current weight 302. 😀 anyone else out there with a May surgery date? My Insta is TrashPandaGirlie

Hi! I’m self pay - going to Mexico for a VSG on 5/6. Getting closer!

I'm self pay too and going to Mexico also for a VSG. My date is 5/10! This is my first post on this forum but have been reading for a few weeks since I scheduled. It's been such a lifeline! This time next year, our lives are going to be so much better - emotionally and physically!

Hello everyone...I'm back. Most of you don't know me because I haven't been on the forum for about 5 years, but I was on it almost every day from the time I had the sleeve in October 2011 at 57 years old. First, having the surgery was a dream come true because I had been heavy all my life. I lost 88 lbs in the first year (I wrote a weekly blog which I turned into a book and interestingly, I reached my goal at EXACTLY one year). At 135 I FELT SO FREE!!!! Yes, I looked a lot better, and Yes, I was healthier and Yes, I was happier. But the freedom of it was the best part. I felt like a normal person and not the fattest person in the room (or worse, in Amsterdam where I had moved....trust me, there are no fat people here!). I felt free from food. I don't think I have to explain that hold that food has on us to most of us....
My look, my health, my happiness and the freedom lasted for 5 fantastic years. I couldn't believe I was living the most extraordinary life in my late 50's and 60's. I had a breast reduction in 2013 and it was THE BEST!!! (I have 22 year old boobs instead of sag wagons) ..love them!) Then in April 2016 I had a Tummy Tuck and it all started going wrong. First, I couldn't exercise for 2-3 months, after faithfully exercising for years. So a few lbs went on. Then, over the next 4 years, a few lbs went on every year. My clothes still fit but they were getting tighter. I tried to get the weight off but I didn't try hard enough and I started making bad choices again. Now I have that dreaded section in my closet called 'WHEN I LOSE 10LBS I CAN WEAR THESE AGAIN....)
So, do the math....3-4 lbs a year for 5 years and here I am now 20 lbs overweight and MISERABLE. In fact, it's so interesting that I feel more uncomfortable now, heavier now, more self-conscious now, than I did at 223 lbs.
So here is my advice:
If you are in your first year, ENJOY that honeymoon period where your restriction is still there....learn good habits and stick with them. Stop drinking soda. Seriously. It's so bad for you. I drank it for 40 years and gave it up. I took a sip a few years ago and gagged. Why drink your calories anyway? Weigh yourself regularly. If the scale starts to go up a lb, 2 lbs, then do what you need to do to get it off before it becomes 4-5 lbs. Oh how I wish I would have done that 4 years ago. Because I was relatively early with the sleeve, and because I was in Europe and traveling for a year, I had no post surgery support; but if you have that, stick with it or come back here because it really does help. If you have major surgery that keeps you from moving, talk to your doctor about what you can do and when. I really think that was the start of my downfall.

Having said that, please don't let me scare any of you that are considering this surgery....it was hands down the best decision of my life. And just so you know, I'm not happy with my weight gain but I'm not beating myself up either. Be kind to yourself. This is hard.

I would really be interested in hearing advice from other veterans and particularly interested in connecting with any European veterans.

Queen of Crop

I find this very strange.
Ever since my surgery date was scheduled, my relationship with food has totally changed. Before I made the decision to get a sleeve done, I felt hopeless and depressed about my weight. In a totally counterproductive way, I soothed those feelings by overeating. For years I have done the "I'll start tomorrow, next week, next month" dance and those tomorrow's, week's and month's never came. But now that I have an actual surgery date, my hope has been restored and my circumstantial depression is evaporating. With that, I find that my unquenching desire to eat is evaporating, too. Don't get me wrong, I am still eating things that are not good for me but it is not constant and I don't find myself anxious to get hungry again so I can gorge. If that makes any sense at all.
I hope this feeling continues as it will make my 2 weeks pre-op diet go a little more smoothly. (Although I am thinking of starting at 3 weeks out to allow myself a week to adjust - i.e. make mistakes)
No need for replies. I'm just putting virtual pen to paper right now.
For those who read this, thanks!

1 hour left of regular food for a loooong time.... I can’t think of anything I want to eat before midnight so I am going to bed. 1 more day until surgery just got my negative COVID test so now it is really and finally starting to get nervous!

Hello everyone. I’m Marissa and I had gastric bypass in October of 2020. I’m roughly 5.5 months post op from having the surgery at Baptist Bariatrics. With my surgeon being Dr H. I’m writing to introduce myself. HW 292 SW 273 CW 207 GW 150. I’m doing my best to reach Onederland so any advise is welcome.

See picture! so I went home on Easter Sunday and thought Premier Protein 1 gram of sugar , 160 calories, 30 Protein fit all the requirements, although it did some requirements not all of them so with this surgery you must follow to the letter. the only one true Protein Shake that I needed was Ensure Max Protein shake this is considered a clear protein shake and I have been able to tolerate it. the other one I poured a 1 ounce cup and sipped less than 1/4 of it and immediately my stomach did not tolerate it, kept coming back up my throat. so I hope this helps you guys when you are post OP, remember all Protein Shakes are not created equal.

Hi all. I came home a few hours after my procedure today, but those of you staying overnight, pack a heating pad!! I never get gas pains from laparoscopic surgery but this one was pretty intense with abdomen, sternum, and back pains from the gas. The heating pad helps to break that up. Just a tip for ya’ll. Thanks.

Good Luck! It is exciting to take control and do what is best for your health! 😊

Yes, yes and most definitely yes. I can only imagine how you must've been feeling. Now you can focus on getting ready for surgery without the worry in the back of you mind that it may not happen. I am looking forward to that call myself, so I understand!
These boards have ALREADY been extremely helpful to me as an over-researcher/over-analyzer 😊 Love that other people that have been/are going through this are here for each other with all of this collective knowledge.
Anyway...yay you!

^^^ Third both of these!
Deep low carb is the way to go to ditch sweet cravings and bread cravings. IMHO.
As for Water, you gotta do what you gotta do. Seriously, water is non-negotiable and it also helps get you through cravings and head hunger. If you pound a bottle of water, the hunger goes away cuz your pouch is filled up.
Try to find something that works. I'd seriously avoid water drops cuz it keeps the sweet message/craving turned on. Try weak decaff tea? Try infusing water with berries (don't crush them) or citrus zest, or cucumber and mint? Try different temps. Add a slice of citrus to it. Do ANYTHING you can to learn to tolerate it. It will also help you lose weight.