GummyBearQueen

Your healing journey is unique, you’re going to be hungry, you’re going to mourn food, you’re going to realize you have to stick to the plan (no cheat days early on)…and you’re going to meet your goal in your own time.

Here’s the thing: the pre-op diet also serves as mental prep for after surgery. While your stomach is healing, you have to adhere to your surgeon’s instructions perfectly. Weeks or months of liquid/pureed/soft foods.

Liquid diets are the worst. I’m in the post-op pureed stage right now and my only advice is to power through. This is the work and sacrifice we have to make. We’ve all been there!

Great job!

If you live in a small town, your healthcare is likely limited. I recommend heading to a major metro health system for help. Good luck!

Your healing journey is unique, you’re going to be hungry, you’re going to mourn food, you’re going to realize you have to stick to the plan (no cheat days early on)…and you’re going to meet your goal in your own time.

I’m one week out from VSG so maybe a bit too early to weigh in (pun intended) but as my incisions heal and the surgical fluids are pretty much gone, my facial features are becoming more visible and I am thinking about my future.

I’m 40 years old and very active but will be much more agile without 120+ pounds of extra weight. Snowboarding in Whistler? Yep! Riding any rollercoaster or amusement park ride I want? Yep! Staying covered up at the beach? Nope! With this surgery, I essentially traded crap food and bad eating habits for LIVING. For life!

Find a supportive mental health team accustomed to working with bariatric patients, decide what’s most important to you, ask your doc a thousand questions, and pray/meditate/ponder over it.

Whatever inconveniences this surgery may or may not bring are nothing compared to the health problems that usually accompany obesity. I was tired of digging my grave with a knife and fork.

I lost no weight prior to surgery with the exception of my pre-op liver shrinking diet where I lost 13 pounds in two weeks (I did two Protein Shakes per day and a sensible dinner). I had surgery on 5/25 and I’m down five pounds.

Good for you for choosing you!

One year post op and I had no problems whatsoever. Nothing has bothered me, things don’t taste any different, restriction is real and I’m still never hungry. For reference one egg fills me up but I can do two if I push it. Way below goal at this point. Forums like this definitely highlight the problems some people have. It’s not bad it’s just people trying to get advice /vent. There aren’t a lot of people who post “this was stupid easy” even though we’re out there so the perception isn’t exactly representative of reality.

I thought this, too! I’ve had no issues, to date. I’m a week out from VSG, am back to work (desk job, wfh), and I’m feeling great! I do feel I have to eat slowly when munching on applesauce but I drink fine now (had a few sipping annoyances the first few days). I plan to walk about a mile today to destress from the shit-show that is a week of unanswered work emails, lol. Even my giant multi Vitamin goes down without issue (thankfully). Good luck to everyone on this journey!

I am over 10 years post gastric sleeve. I waited for my *** to do the sleeve vs an RNY because of medication I need to take orally and was not recommended to have the RNY.
Weight loss surgery was the BEST THING I have ever done for myself. I was in my mid 50s. 5'3 and 320 pounds when I started. I lost a few pounds before I went in to start !!! I am now 65 years old. I lost 145 pounds. Yes, I am still overweight - but I lost 145 pounds. I work full time, have the same career for 40 years. I am active, I garden and keep chickens for fresh eggs, grow organic fruit and veggies. I rake and hoe and walk and am more active NOW at 65 then I was at 40.
NOT one regret at all. Also, I eat beef on occasion; when I want to. And I eat chocolate every darn day. Mind you - not a lot. I have learned the value of a really good piece of chocolate. No hershey bars here. But a lovely piece of dove chocolate ? YUM. I re-learned how to feed my body. Protein and fresh veggies and fresh fruits. Healthy fats, and keep my carbs down. Instead of a "rice bowl" think of it as a chicken and veggie bowl. I might sprinkle rice on top as a garnish !!! Move your mindset to "HEALTHY". I went from a 4x plus size to wearing a 14/16 petite. I am thrilled. My doctors are thrilled. Find the RIGHT support team. Start with supportive doctors.
Best Wishes.

I’m one week out from VSG so maybe a bit too early to weigh in (pun intended) but as my incisions heal and the surgical fluids are pretty much gone, my facial features are becoming more visible and I am thinking about my future.

I’m 40 years old and very active but will be much more agile without 120+ pounds of extra weight. Snowboarding in Whistler? Yep! Riding any rollercoaster or amusement park ride I want? Yep! Staying covered up at the beach? Nope! With this surgery, I essentially traded crap food and bad eating habits for LIVING. For life!

Find a supportive mental health team accustomed to working with bariatric patients, decide what’s most important to you, ask your doc a thousand questions, and pray/meditate/ponder over it.

Whatever inconveniences this surgery may or may not bring are nothing compared to the health problems that usually accompany obesity. I was tired of digging my grave with a knife and fork.

I just have an internal conversation where I remind myself that these foods are only off limits for a small amount of time, and I need to hang in there right now so that I can heal properly and enjoy these foods I want right now for the rest of my life. Logic helps me be less emotional.

Not for a second. And these Quest Peanut Butter Cups are delicious!

First, there are people that have regretted having surgery. Generally they aren't on sites like this.
Second, all those bad things that you've read about in the past are still out there. Put them in perspective right next to all the negative effects of not doing anything. Choose wisely.
Third, saying goodbye to your favorite foods forever largely depends on your surgery type. Even then, none of the foods you mention are goodbye forever foods in reality.
In the last month I've eaten McD's. Red meat is in my normal rotation, you can pry my hamburger out of my greasy, dead hands. I've had Peanut Butter cups, though not much and not often as I've had RNY and I dump on sugar. In point of fact there is no food or drink that I cannot eat if I choose. I generally stick to my plan, so the worse the food/drink is health-wise the less often I eat/drink a little of it. All things in moderation, including moderation.
Your Doctors work for you. If your Doc is not doing what you need, then you need a new Doc.
You can succeed at this with the proper mind set. It is a big change for most of us. For the better, generally.
Good luck,
Tek

It took me about 3.5 months from the first meeting until surgery (which was two days ago). It was just lucky that I had an endoscopy and colonoscopy scheduled (unrelated), and my pap and mammogram. The psych eval and nutrition counseling were brief and uncomplicated, then I submitted my blood work. Insurance was a breeze, then I got my date.

I have been here now for 9 months and honestly don't know what I would do without this group. Most people have been extremely supportive and knowledgeable. I haven't encountered any rude people or rude comments at all. Sometimes I am on here all day commenting, and other days I just read and it makes me feel better. Thank you to everyone on here.

I’m headed in today! Let’s gooooo! I can’t wait to fit into a rollercoaster seat!

I’m headed in today! Let’s gooooo! I can’t wait to fit into a rollercoaster seat!

I’m headed in today! Let’s gooooo! I can’t wait to fit into a rollercoaster seat!

Here we gooooooo!!!

Good Luck! 🍀

I’m headed in today! Let’s gooooo! I can’t wait to fit into a rollercoaster seat!

Welcome to the May club!