Smanky

I'm well! My surgeon's office gave me a heads up on which pathology lab to avoid due to long waits on results, and thankfully the one that's literally around the corner from me was a different group and I go my results at about 1am last night. *phew* And our outbreak seems to be flattening out, so I'm pretty hopeful that it's plain sailing from here. Just got to get my hospital bag in order! Folks have suggested Biotene spray for dry mouth, so I'm going out today to grab some. I've got my chewable vitamins supposedly in the mail but AusPost is having delays and issues, so just hoping it arrives in time for when I get home. I've got back-ups of protein powders, and a bag of protein water ready for post-op. I'm going to buy the vegan collagen support powder I was eying off. So post-op is organised! You've done the hard work! So exciting you're this close! I'm about 48hrs away, so I won't be far behind you! Honestly, all that can be done now is organise your hospital stay bag. How are you holding up mentally? I'm pretty calm now that I've done everything I need to do.

You won't even feel yourself get sleepy. The nurses will be chatting and then suddenly you're in recovery. It's literally like a time jump. Both my previous surgeries (an ACL knee reconstruction and a gall bladder removal) were different waking up. I woke up in recovery after my knee like my brain and body was wading through mud. Making involuntary noises. I could hear the nurse and she was shouting at me to "stop" whatever I was doing, and I managed with great effort to tell her that I couldn't help it. Then I must've lost consciousness again and was being wheeled back into the ward. My gallbladder op was smoother, I woke up in recovery pretty well, like waking up from sleep, and was wheeled back to the ward. It's worth noting that the knee one was waaaaaaay back in 2000, and I had a rougher time all round post-surgery (and honestly I don't think that hospital was terribly good - only one nurse was nice). The gallbladder op was in 2015 and was a breeze - much better hospital.

Hello fellow New South Welshman! I'm in Sydney, whereabouts are you? 8 weeks is super exciting, it'll fly by in no time. Which procedure are you getting?

Five days to go and what's causing the most anxiety isn't the surgery, it's getting a damn covid test 3 days before admission. There's been issues with folks getting their results in time, so I'm just pleading with the universe that when I get mine on Sunday, I'll get the results within 48hrs. Plus the daily hope that the health rules haven't changed again and cancelled my elective. Ugh. trying to get my work deadlines finished by Sunday, because with a nervous wait, I doubt I'll be of any use to anyone. I'm not going to relax until I'm on that gurney.

Congrats, and that was a great breakdown. Will be interesting to compare!

Super late, but someone else might be interested: Tofu rocks. Some awesome suggestions above, especially the Chinese ones because no-one does tofu better. If regular tofu texture doesn't do it for you, get some firm tofu, slice it up into 1/3 inch thick slices, lay it out on a baking tray, brush is with a marinade and bake it until it's shrunk in size. Totally different texture and great chopped up and tossed in a salad or on a sandwich. Seriously, you can give that a "bacon" flavour with a marinade of soy sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika and liquid smoke.

I'm on day 11. Protein shakes and 2 cups of certain vegetables per day. First two days were tricky for me, then my body just seemed to adjust and my energy levels spiked. It's been a lot easier than I was expecting - helped along no doubt by an undercurrent of nerves as D-day approaches.

The dry mouth/dehydration thing is definitely something I'm not looking forward to. Adding Biotene spray to my list of things to take along with lip balm. Hope the gas goes away quickly! My MGP surgeon did my Cholecystectomy and I didn't get any gas pain afterwards so I'm hoping like crazy that he can work that magic again.

It really helps to stay busy! When do you start your pre-op diet?

Totally normal to be freaking out. Just remember why you're doing this and keep your eye on the prize! It's new territory to those of us in pre-op, but the surgeons know what they're doing. Good luck! You'll be fine!

He not only doesn't care about your health, but he also has zero respect for your home and your boundaries. If that's how he treats you when you offer help, he's done this to himself. Not bring home junk food and not smoking in exchange for a roof is hardly a big ask. He made his choice.

*applauds wildly* Both transformations are ah-mazing and serious goals! I just need plague-related things here to settle down so the gyms can re-open, because as soon as post-op allows, I will be out of the gate like a dog at the beach.

Nice! My music taste is a mad whirl too. I tend to get something daft stuck in my head that makes me laugh and so I just roll with it. Nerves seem to have the effect of making me a little loopy, which is honestly preferable to panic. Self-preservation kicking in there!

Mine's in 8 days too, Leslie, and likewise, my nerves are starting to kick in. I'm also not afraid of the surgery, I think it's the life change after. A big life change and a big change being made to my body itself. It's no small thing! The food-addict bit of my brain is having a little last-gasp flail knowing things won't be the same ever again, but it's thankfully being drowned out by the rest of mind that's so very ready for this. I'm picking triumphant, upbeat songs on spotify and playing them on repeat. Along with keeping busy, it helps!

I hear you! Keeping busy is a need when the adrenaline kicks in. Good luck and godspeed! ?

Oh I do love a list. -No longer needing to take Nexium. (fingers crossed on this one) -Fitting into vehicle seats without the crippling self-consciousness. -Sleeping better without the apnea and snoring. -No more sore feet and the hobbling it causes. -Getting fit and hitting the gym again. -Getting back down to an AU size 12 and being able to wear more sustainable clothes (NONE of the sustainable labels go above a 14 - and I'm keen to go thrift shopping) -Being able to buy clothes I want to wear, rather than just what fits. -Getting my chin back. It's pointy, and I miss it. -Food no longer consuming my life. -Getting my social life back. -Getting my libido back. -Being happy to have my photo taken. -No longer being a shut-in. AKA - rejoining the world and living again.

I got the vax the second it was available. Not just for my own sake being obese, but for everyone else. I have a 90+ year old mother, a 90+ year old aunt with diabetes, and my eldest brother has ulcerative colitis and prostate cancer. All three would not survive getting covid, like so many others out there with compromised immunity. Also wear a mask everywhere - I have quite the stylish collection now!

FutureSylph, I'm so sorry. I hope they can reschedule you somewhere else. That's what my surgeon did when the hospital I was initially going to had to cancel all non-emergency electives. Crossing my fingers for you. I'm on the 22nd. Ten days away. Starting to feel the anxiety knocking, so I'm distracting myself. It's not the surgery itself, I've had two surgeries so far in my life, so I'm not a "nervous flyer". Until now, my WLS has been a bit abstract, and as I head into the final week of pre-op, it's getting super real. Never done anything so life-altering as this, so I've got that "holy crap I'm really doing this" feeling, like I'm getting strapped into the roller-coaster and only just noticed how high it is.

Summerseeker, I hear you! I had a 12 month wait for my health cover because it's an already existing condition. It was long, frustrating and nudged my depression about, but once I had the surgeon/dietician appointments at the end of July, it got a lot easier. I just needed the "this is definitely happening" confirmation that a surgery date gives.

September 22nd for me, so we're not too far apart. Not long to go now, good luck!

Oh wow, It's interesting how different the pre-op diets are. You definitely get the hardcore points, alau82! But results - look at you go! ? Has it gotten easier? I don't have scales in the house so can't weigh myself at day 5, but I can feel a noticeable difference so something's shifted.

Yep, there are a lot of options including some locally made ones, so I've got alternatives if I dislike one. A couple contain psyllium husk, but thankfully those seem in the minority. I Haven't seen those brands you like yet, but will keep an eye out. So far I've only tried one (Amazonia Raw Slim and Tone), and at five days in now I'm enjoying it. I've got Clean Vegan Protein to try next, and have unflavoured Prana ON Power Plant for adding to soups.

Wow, that is cabin fever madness. We miss the gym too, but can at least leave the house for our allocated exercise time. What you guys went through is rough.

It's honestly a doddle turning lots of vege dishes into decent pre-op eats. Soups are definitely our friend, and we have a hero veg in cauliflower on the list. I'm going to make cauliflower fried rice tomorrow (cauli rice, brocollini, mushrooms, scallions, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, a drop of sesame oil and maybe a little sriracha for heat). A delicious veg stew can be made out of onion, garlic, squash, spinach (stems and leaves), celery, sweet paprika, smokey paprika, ground coriander, cumin, ground chili, saffron (good pinch is essential), a good stock, crushed tomatoes. It's hearty and fills you up without feeling punitive. Thai salads is a great idea! Same with curry (tomato based). With all herbs and spices allowed, it's actually pretty easy. And only two weeks.

Oh my god, you were locked inside in summer? I know UK houses aren't made for hot weather, so that sounds hellish you poor buggers. We did ok in 2020 in AU, but this winter... yikes. I hear you on the unfit. And yep, we can definitely do this! 2 months isn't too long - home stretch!