ClevelandBiker

I've tried apps in the past, but figuring out the calories, carbs & Protein and all for things I made at home I found very frustrating.
During my pre-op clearance process (surgery is scheduled for 3 weeks away) I was placed in a weekly group session with psych. One of the things we discussed was keeping a food diary.
We were told in the class that food diaries are the #1 best predictor of weight loss. What helped me was when I was advised not to focus on the macros, or calorie counts but to focus on what I ate, when I ate it and how I felt.
I whipped up a spreadsheet on Google Sheets and just go to it on my phone and list it down, it was frustrating at first but I found it has really helped me these last two months that I have been doing it. I'm hopeful that it has helped me be on the right footing in my post-op "new life."
I hope that helps.

Hello,
New to this group. I got my surgery date last week, I go in on April 12. Will be starting my pre-op liquid diet on 3/29.

Hello,
New to this group. I got my surgery date last week, I go in on April 12. Will be starting my pre-op liquid diet on 3/29.

Hello,
New to this group. I got my surgery date last week, I go in on April 12. Will be starting my pre-op liquid diet on 3/29.

Hello,
New to this group. I got my surgery date last week, I go in on April 12. Will be starting my pre-op liquid diet on 3/29.

Hello,
New to this group. I got my surgery date last week, I go in on April 12. Will be starting my pre-op liquid diet on 3/29.

Hello,
New to this group. I got my surgery date last week, I go in on April 12. Will be starting my pre-op liquid diet on 3/29.

Hello,
New to this group. I got my surgery date last week, I go in on April 12. Will be starting my pre-op liquid diet on 3/29.

Hello,
New to this group. I got my surgery date last week, I go in on April 12. Will be starting my pre-op liquid diet on 3/29.

I just got a call from my surgeon's Nurse. The issue that postponed my surgery with the autoimmune treatment has been cleared up, I have my original 4/12 surgery date back.
So I will enjoy some chicken wings tonight & tomorrow starts the liquid pre-op diet!

I just got a call from my surgeon's Nurse. The issue that postponed my surgery with the autoimmune treatment has been cleared up, I have my original 4/12 surgery date back.
So I will enjoy some chicken wings tonight & tomorrow starts the liquid pre-op diet!

I just got a call from my surgeon's Nurse. The issue that postponed my surgery with the autoimmune treatment has been cleared up, I have my original 4/12 surgery date back.
So I will enjoy some chicken wings tonight & tomorrow starts the liquid pre-op diet!

I just got a call from my surgeon's Nurse. The issue that postponed my surgery with the autoimmune treatment has been cleared up, I have my original 4/12 surgery date back.
So I will enjoy some chicken wings tonight & tomorrow starts the liquid pre-op diet!

While en route to my pre op appointment, just before I get off the exit, I get a call from my surgeon's Nurse telling me we have to delay my surgery by 6 months, and there was no point in coming in.
Not the news I wanted to hear, I said I was almost there. She said, well just come in & talk to the doctor.
I have an auto immune disorder called Wegner's Granulomatosis and receive an infusion of an monoclonal antibody drug called rituximab twice a year, and apperently some doctors believe you should wait 6 months after an infusion to have surgery ---- but that's for knee replacements, not gastric sleeve.
Long story short after talking to the doctor today and him explaining to me what his concerns are (he doesn't want to do anything that may potentially cause leaks in my stomach and an extended hospital stay hooked up to ports to eat via a tube.)
So he's waiting to hear back from my rheumatologist so she and him can get on the same page. The hope is the dosage I get of my infusions is low enough that maybe it will only be a month or two delay.
So no surgery on April 12th for me. In either case I am down 56 lb since I started this journey last October and do not plan on letting this setback get me down.
Any other people in here going through this pre or post surgery and have an auto immune disorder?

I just got a call from my surgeon's Nurse. The issue that postponed my surgery with the autoimmune treatment has been cleared up, I have my original 4/12 surgery date back.
So I will enjoy some chicken wings tonight & tomorrow starts the liquid pre-op diet!

Congratulations on the weight loss and I can understand how this can be frustrating. I have lupus and I am in the pre op stage. I do not receive any infusion treatments. I hope that your surgery will only delay you for a month or so.

Hey there, congrats on your 56lb weight loss! I don’t have an auto immune disorder, just wanted to let you know I appreciate how determined you are in the face of such setbacks. It really shows how much you want this for yourself. Best of luck with everything!

Hello,
New to this group. I got my surgery date last week, I go in on April 12. Will be starting my pre-op liquid diet on 3/29.

While en route to my pre op appointment, just before I get off the exit, I get a call from my surgeon's Nurse telling me we have to delay my surgery by 6 months, and there was no point in coming in.
Not the news I wanted to hear, I said I was almost there. She said, well just come in & talk to the doctor.
I have an auto immune disorder called Wegner's Granulomatosis and receive an infusion of an monoclonal antibody drug called rituximab twice a year, and apperently some doctors believe you should wait 6 months after an infusion to have surgery ---- but that's for knee replacements, not gastric sleeve.
Long story short after talking to the doctor today and him explaining to me what his concerns are (he doesn't want to do anything that may potentially cause leaks in my stomach and an extended hospital stay hooked up to ports to eat via a tube.)
So he's waiting to hear back from my rheumatologist so she and him can get on the same page. The hope is the dosage I get of my infusions is low enough that maybe it will only be a month or two delay.
So no surgery on April 12th for me. In either case I am down 56 lb since I started this journey last October and do not plan on letting this setback get me down.
Any other people in here going through this pre or post surgery and have an auto immune disorder?

Hello,
New to this group. I got my surgery date last week, I go in on April 12. Will be starting my pre-op liquid diet on 3/29.

First off, I'm so sorry for your loss.
2nd, don't psyche yourself out on the 2 weeks pre-op diet. Just remind yourself of your whys. Towards the end of the two weeks of course it gets harder and you want to cave but let the surgery be your motivation.
As summerseeker said, I was one that only told a small circle about my surgery. My main reason was that I didn't want to be talked out of it. No one understands your struggles like you do.
I also agree about not starting it too soon and recommend the fair life shakes. The chocolate ones are my favorite and 7 months out I still enjoy them.

I've tried apps in the past, but figuring out the calories, carbs & Protein and all for things I made at home I found very frustrating.
During my pre-op clearance process (surgery is scheduled for 3 weeks away) I was placed in a weekly group session with psych. One of the things we discussed was keeping a food diary.
We were told in the class that food diaries are the #1 best predictor of weight loss. What helped me was when I was advised not to focus on the macros, or calorie counts but to focus on what I ate, when I ate it and how I felt.
I whipped up a spreadsheet on Google Sheets and just go to it on my phone and list it down, it was frustrating at first but I found it has really helped me these last two months that I have been doing it. I'm hopeful that it has helped me be on the right footing in my post-op "new life."
I hope that helps.

Many of us on this forum have never told anyone else their surgery plans just for this reason. We walk in our own shoes, we went on our own ride to get to our weight. No body else knows how tough a road we lived and how unhealthy it has made us. Back your own judgement. If its time for you to go through this, then you will know.
Yes the first 4 days of the pre op diet are brutal and then it gets easier [ well you get used to it] its a means to an end. You have done really well so far. My advice for what its worth is - do it. We did it, you can

As @Starwarsandcupcakes said it’s only two weeks. Two weeks is nothing compared with the rest of your life.
I wouldn’t worry about starting shakes now - you’ll be sick enough of them with the 2 weeks pre op & 2 week post op diets without extending how long you’re on them. Not sure what you’ve started doing airways but try reducing your caffeine, fat& carb sugar intake, drink more Water, try healthier cooking methods, etc. Small changes do make a difference & may help with the withdrawal symptoms when you do start the shakes - they can be a struggle.
I love how people say things do it yourself & just don’t put the weight back on. Don’t they realise if you could you would have done that the many times you lost weight in the past. They have no idea. Unless they’ve lived your life & experienced your battles with weight their comments are worthless.
Congrats on your weight loss so far. I bet you’ve noticed an improvement in your health already. And congrats getting a surgery date. Yay!

Congrats!! I'm glad you ended up looking into it. The idea that this surgery isn't for men is such a weird stigma, EVERYONE deserves to be at a healthy weight & I'm glad you get that now!
Not going to lie, the liquid diet is difficult. It was the toughest part of this journey but in the grand scheme of things it was a tiny drop in a pool of Water. The results are so worth it & you will look back on the liquid stage as just a crazy time you went through.
I reccomend Fairlife Protein Shakes for that stage. They are genuinely tasty & good flavor makes that time a bit easier.