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happilylacey

Gastric Sleeve Patients
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Posts posted by happilylacey


  1. Hey guys I'm back to check in. To those of you still on the preOp diet and those of you worrying about what the future may hold: I had my surgery 9/10, am almost 2 weeks out and while there are some things I am dealing with that I will share, all of this has been so worth it.

    I had the gas pains after surgery and while they seriously made me question what the heck I had gotten my self into, I forced myself to walk and stretch as much as I could and they dissipated pretty quickly (1-2 days). My reaction to the anesthesia was pretty rough, I was tachycardic and had to be put on oxygen for a bit after coming to. It took me at least a full 12 hours to be totally awake and get rid of the weakness in my legs. And lastly, today marks 27 full days where my intake has been liquid (including preOp diet) so I feel a little spacey and weak sometimes.

    BUT, I get better every day, can walk further every day, my clothes get looser every day, and only have 8 more days til I can have my first taste of soft foods - gonna go for an egg with a bit of avocado I think...

    Now for the hard numbers - I weighed myself this morning to get accurate numbers. I weighed 245 at the beginning of LRD and weighed in at 218 today - down 27 pounds. I already see a huge difference in my face and want to cry that I waited even this long to make this decision for myself.

    I am an overthinker and worrier by nature, so if you are doubting or are worried and want to talk, I am willing to talk it through with you.

    This is one of those times when you gotta take the leap of faith and trust that you have the drive to follow the plan and make this happen. The anticipation is killer but being in it and doing it, you're able to focus on the steps to take to be successful and it feels incredible to be doing something so productive for yourself.


  2. Speaking of recovery to-dos:

    Anyone have any good book or show recommendations for recovery? I like urban fantasy and thrillers.

    I am finishing up the CurseBreakers series and in the last month I have also read these that I recommend:

    -ACOTAR (A Court of Thorns and Roses) Series

    -All the Mercy Thompson and Alpha/Omega Series by Patricia Briggs

    -Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld (I've read these probably 7 times through now)

    Next on my to read is From Blood and Ash...but I am open to all suggestions because I go through them quickly.


  3. 14 hours ago, DaisyAndSunshine said:

    I know right. I don't know why we can't have a bit of flexibility while on 2 weeks of liquid. I don't know how those on 4 weeks do it, it is a struggle definitely.

    I don't have much of a sweet tooth but I definitely crave something spicy or savory. Even 1 bite with my shake and I would feel at ease. But I get scared reading few of the horror stories who cheated during their pre-Op Diet.

    I feel surgeons know we might slip once or twice, may be that's why they don't let us have the flexibility such that even if we slip, it can be balance with other days of strict liquid diet.

    Oh my gosh! People have 4 week ones?

    I'm on Day 6 and I think I'm doing better today but I definitely think I will be cured of a sweet tooth...

    Last night I tried chicken broth, cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and a hit of cholula and then drained it so there was no cilantro actually in it - just the flavor but it was bomb.com after so many sweet shakes.

    I don't know anyone firsthand, so what kind of stories have you heard? Just not being able to do the surgery because your liver is in the way?


  4. 15 hours ago, chivone said:

    Mine is 8 September. On day 1 of liver shrinking diet. I'm hungry. But powering though. Mine is pretty much all liquid. Soup, pudding, oatmeal, yogurts. I hope I can make it. I realize I eat out of boredom. I also never noticed how many food commercials and Facebook ads exist. They don't help.

    Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using BariatricPal mobile app

    That is so true. Even my books were full of food descriptions. But now that I'm on Day 6, I think I'm in a groove and its not so bad anymore


  5. 1 minute ago, lizonaplane said:

    They want you to "shrink your liver". It's not meant to lose weight, although that usually/often happens. During surgery, especially laparoscopic surgery, they have to move the liver out of the way to get to the stomach. Most people having surgery have fatty/enlarged livers but eating low carb/low fat/no alcohol helps to shrink and heal the stomach. If they can't move your liver easily, they could have to do open surgery, or might actually cancel your surgery if they don't feel it's safe.

    Yeah, totally understandable, but liver shrinking can be accomplished even with a dinner meal of lean meat and non starchy veggies. We were curious why some of us have to do only 3 shakes a day, nothing else when others have no LSD, and others are kinda in the middle - 2 shakes and a healthy dinner.


  6. On 8/28/2021 at 4:59 PM, hauntedhideaway said:

    September 8th here! I'm on day 4 of the liver shrink diet and I'm coping worse than I thought I would.

    Ugh sorry to hear it. I'm on Day 5 and I am so hangry. The first 4 days were worse though, I think I'm feeling slighlty better. Except for the random bouts of dizziness :(


  7. On 8/23/2021 at 2:53 PM, lizonaplane said:

    I have just been over eating by eating the full portion at restaurants and eating ice cream and Cereal and stuff. I just stopped caffeine again today. It doesn't keep me awake and I don't get a headache when I stop, but I like the taste of coffee and diet soda - both of which I had stopped month ago and started again!

    Why surgeons' instructions and protocols are so different drives me batty. It's like, don't they do clinical trials to determine which way is actually better, like every other part of medicine? Isn't there evidence for what is better??? I work in clinical research and I'm used to there being a proscribed treatment course that is used at all reputable hospitals. But maybe that's only true in oncology.

    Yeah, that's very interesting! I almost wonder if they want you to lose as much as possible before surgery to show their weight loss rates being higher, but I might be a tad too cynical there 😕


  8. On 8/22/2021 at 3:54 PM, BretBMF said:

    Class was good - pretty much everything the weight loss center has gone over already, so nothing really new. They do talk about getting ready the night before surgery and the morning of, which was new to me (never had surgery before). And also the meds they’ll prescribe for right after surgery (i.e. anti nausea, pain killers, etc.). It was only about 45 mins to an hour long.

    Thanks BretBMF! I'm glad it's not too long as the hospital is almost 2 hours from me. Did you ever get an update on a date?


  9. On 8/20/2021 at 9:11 AM, Kenda0928 said:

    Scheduled for VSG on 9/21 at HospitalBC in Tijuana, Mx. I have a 2 week liquid diet starting 9/7 - 70g of Protein, no more than 1000kcal a day, liquids only. I have been doing a low carb diet for 6 weeks or so now, trying to start breaking some habits and establish new ones. I'm down a few pounds and feeling as prepared as I can be!

    That's awesome, great job!


  10. On 8/20/2021 at 6:58 AM, lizonaplane said:

    My surgery is 13Sep in Boston. My pre-op diet is just High Protein, low fat, low car, low fruit, lots of non-starchy veggies. Also no carbonation and no caffeine. And no alcohol, but I don't drink anyway. The last six months I was trying to prepare, but for the last few weeks I've been throwing a lot of food funerals with eating out and traveling for work. Trying to get back on track!

    Oh gotcha! I wonder why some are different when high Protein, low fat, non-starchy veggies shrink your liver just fine?

    What food funerals did you throw? I haven't had caffeine in MONTHS and don't drink much either.

    Good luck!


  11. On 8/19/2021 at 12:54 PM, BretBMF said:

    I'm September 3 at Mercy Gilbert as well! Just starting the 2 week pre-op diet.

    That's exciting! Oh and I just saw your other message. I'm seeing Dr. Robertson but have heard amazing things about Dr. Stevenson. Wishing you a quick reschedule!

    Did you already take the preOp class?


  12. On 8/19/2021 at 10:43 AM, vikingbeast said:

    VSG scheduled for 14th September in Fountain Valley, Orange County, California. Still waiting to hear about what I need beforehand (EKG, bloodwork, etc.)

    Oddly, there's no required pre-op diet other than liquids only the day before and NPO the day of. They did suggest trying to replace one meal with a Protein Shake two weeks before, and if possible, two meals with Protein Shakes the week before.

    Wow that's interesting, and you're a lucky duck - these liquid only for weeks is rough. Excited for you though!


  13. Got my date of September 10th, going through Dignity Health WLC in Gilbert, AZ.

    I haven't seen a September thread of surgeries yet, but I'd love to hear where you are and your date!

    I start my PreOP diet Aug 27th, and its only 3 Protein Shakes a day...no chewing at all! I've seen some that are 2 Protein shakes a day and then a small amount of chicken and nonstarch veggies for dinner. What's your PreOP diet like and how long do you have to do it?

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