FadingIrish

I had my surgery yesterday and I was second guessing myself up until the last minute. No regrets yet.

I’m getting sleeved in less than 3 hours. I’m extremely nervous. Wish me luck.

Yes, I was told to stop all Vitamins, supplements, NAIDS and birth control.

8 minutes ago, A1220M said:

Thank you, I'll check these out! That's exactly the types I was referring to. Did you use them in place of shakes or as part of your Water intake?

I got mine at the Vitamin Shoppe. I used them as both since they are high in Protein and I sometimes added a bit of Water to it to dilute it since Im not a fan of sweet drinks. Its also zero sugar.

4 minutes ago, A1220M said:

Has anyone tried or incorporated any of the clear Protein Drinks into their diet? I'm wondering if these are a good option during the post-op liquid phase since they are whey Protein, stevia and Water.

The one I have is Isopure Infusions . It mixes to clear and looks like crystal light but has 20 grams of Protein.

The ingredients are: 1)Whey protein isolate 2)"natural flavor" 3)citric acid 4)stevia extract 5)turmeric extract (color)

I tried Isopure protein drinks that are premade and resemble Gatorade taste wise. They have 40g of protein. Not bad, but if you don't like the taste, they can be a bit pricey. But its a good alternative to shakes.

Just now, lizonaplane said:

There might be stuff that I will have to do right before surgery they said but I won't know until I get initiated into the secret society... Or whatever

My surgery is next week, but I feel like due to COVID, things went very slow for a bit, surgeries were postponed and now they are rushing thru pre op stuff because another shut down is looming. So my first tests were 3 months before surgery, and then 1 month before. I started the process in December, and surgery in April. So it was pretty quick. Secret society. Lmao.

22 hours ago, lizonaplane said:

I had a somewhat similar experience, except I have not had any visits in person due to COVID - everything has been on zoom.

The NP visit was a group visit and they just talked about the program and surgery in general and obesity information.

I met with the surgeon who took a general medical/surgical history and asked about what surgery I was considering, but told me his recommendation was for a different surgery (I am in agreement with him).

I met with the nutritionist who asked me about history of disordered eating, what I eat, if I had any things I couldn't/wouldn't eat, binging, meal skipping, night eating, use of medications for weight loss, previous weight loss attempts, etc.

I met with the psychologist who took a psychological history (this was long because I have bipolar disorder and anxiety) and asked about eating disorder behaviors in detail (like restricted eating, purging, over exercising, etc). She talked about my concerns about the surgery and support systems and my expectations.

I was told my insurance required 4 monthly group nutrition classes. I have gone to the first one and the second is this week. The first one was so dumb. It just covered general nutrition, what is a calorie, healthy eating, carbs, fats, etc but it doesn't talk about how to eat after surgery. Like they were showing portions that are way too big for post surgery.

I tried to ask the weight center team about what tests I will need and they keep saying I won't need any (endoscopy, sleep tests, ECG, chest X-ray etc). I was surprised, but I don't have many co-morbidities other than high LDL cholesterol and mental health issues and Migraines. I may or may not have GERD; there is some disagreement about that. I have some symptoms but not the standard ones.

Oh, I called the surgery center the end of January and I'm told I might be able to have surgery in August!!!! This is partly insurance hoops to jump through but also COVID delays as surgeries were stopped a lot last year and also Dec-Apr this year.

I hope the info @DoodlesMom and I provided is helpful for someone thinking about surgery and curious about the process.

I had to have blood work, a GI study and an ultrasound done. Then a month before surgery, I had to have blood work again and an EKG. It is crazy how different each surgeon or center is on what has to be done. I also had to do 4 life skills classes and a post op class.

2 minutes ago, ShoppGirl said:

Idk. I even told him that I didn’t use it for BC (husbands had vasectomy) so technically I COULD go off it but would rather not and he said it wasn’t necessary.

Jealous. I wish i didn't have to stop mine.

Just now, lizonaplane said:

Damn. I don't have sex, so I don't care if it's effective as birth control, but maybe it will be time to get an IUD. I can't deal with my period again.

Totally agree. And by effectiveness, I meant that it doesn't keep your period regular. I use by BC continuously and was so bummed when I had to stop it. Periods after stopping BC are no joke.

I had to stop by BC pill a month before surgery per my surgeon. The pill is not as effective post surgery due to hormone fluctuation, and rapid weight loss. So your cycle will be irregular.

Could it be you are eating too close to bed time? I was advised to not eat or drink within 2 hours of laying down.

My surgeon says that your meals should be followed up with Protein Shakes. So between your small meals, you also will be consuming Water and Protein shakes. This is supposed to curb hunger and allow you to get in that recommended amount of protein.

I feel as though your husband just said the first thing that came to mind while trying to sound agreeable. I have said things when put on the spot the came out way wrong and I didn't mean it how it sounded. With that being said, it doesn't mean that you shouldn't feel hurt by the statement, just know that it was meant maliciously.

Due to COVID, my first virtual visit was with the dietician, Psych and the NP in December. I had monthly check ins with the dietician and in March I was cleared to see the surgeon. That was my first in person visit. The same day I had to due blood work, a GI study and an ultrasound. I met with the surgeon, and then had to wait for a surgery date. My date is April 22nd, unless COVID halts surgeries again. During Pre Op I had to also do 4 life skills classes online, and I had to have an EKG during a pre Op appointment. Now just waiting on my Post Op teaching class, which is this week, and I am currently on my 2 week liquid only diet. A lot has happened since December.

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.

If they haven't discussed a pre op liquid diet, it probably isn't required. Surgeons are different.

My why was slowly realizing my weight was creeping towards 300 and I could no longer keep up with my children. I was borderline pre-diabetic and I knew If I didn't do something, my health would decline. I wanted to become more healthy overall.

Bariatric fusion chewable. It contains everything you need so you don't have to take as many pills, unless you have a deficiency. You can also crush it up and add it to Water or food.

It could also be head hunger vs actual hunger. It takes a bit for your body to learn the difference with the restrictions.

I am 5 days into my 2 week Pre Op diet. I am on the new Directions plan per my surgeon. The shakes are sugary which is not appealing to me. I am more of a savory/salt type of eater. The shakes do keep me full which is good. But, not pleasant. I am counting the days until my surgery on April 22nd.

April 22nd.