Bypass2Freedom

@SandyT eee! That is so exciting! Please do let us know how you are getting on! Sounds like you have it all sorted and planned Mine starts next week! ?

Ah I see! I have about 8 days until I start mine - all feeling a bit more real as it gets closer! I can imagine - I think I am going to try and stick with the protein water as it won't be as thick thankfully

Ah yes! Though I am not in anywhere as lovely as Scotland or Ireland! I have always wanted to visit the US just to try the food...but I guess that will have to wait a long while now ? I shall have to see if they are avaliable in the UK - I see so many people talking about those! I so far have just got some powder to make protein water - I ordered peach tea, and watermelon flavours! https://www.myprotein.com/sports-nutrition/clear-whey-protein-powder/12081395.html?affil=mpppc&gclid=ddf9e2dd9c041582771c84ff84212ed9&gclsrc=3p.ds&msclkid=ddf9e2dd9c041582771c84ff84212ed9&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=UK || EN || SEA || Brand || Consumables || EM&utm_term=myprotein clear whey isolate&utm_content=Brand || Clear Whey Isolate Definitely - I am trying to just mentally prepare but to be honest, far too much emotional eating!

Not too long! I am glad you aren't feeling too nervous - I completely get that feeling of excitement, it kind of overrides any anxieties most of the time haha. Head hunger is definitely a concern for me too - I am thinking of doing a mindfulness eating journal to combat that, but we shall see. All good ideas! I am so excited for you - I wish you all the luck.

Hey Sandra! Lovely to virtually meet you It is amazing to me the changes in WLS such as the band not really being used these days! My dad had a band and it has been awful for him, I really do feel for you. I am so glad that you are able to now have this option so that you can feel healthier and in less pain. I am feeling much the same! One minute I am really excited, and then I am anxious - it is a weird rollercoaster haha. Which shakes have you chosen? I have shakes and packet meals, all of which sound very unappealing but entirely necessary haha. I definitely need to get a robe I think! I wanna feel comfy ? My surgeon has booked me for 1-2 nights, so I am hoping it is just the one! Thank you so much - you too! Keep in touch!

Have you started your LRD yet? I completely get the apprehension around the relationship with food - I am feeling the same. I am definitely an emotional eater, and whilst I am trying to prepare for that, the fear of the unknown is real! I've never had to deal with not having food there as my emotional crutch for the entirety of my life! I agree with the fact that it does seem to be mixed responses around losing that feeling of hunger - some people who have had the sleeve tend to say that feeling goes more so, if I am remembering correctly. Lovely to see lip balm is on all our lists haha! Riding a bike is 100% something I want to be able to do again!

Welcome! It is so exciting when you are getting the ball rolling - I remember I was nervous, but so excited about finally making a change for myself. My 1st consultation was back in December 2023 I think, and my op is next month - it comes around so quickly!

Heya! Definitely close enough haha! I am really happy to hear you are excited, and it seems like this is a big step for you in your journey, I wish you nothing but success with it all ❤️ Ohhh see I was gonna buy some new slippers, but I am thinking crocs will probably be a smarter thing to do! Definitely a lip balm too! Whats the heating pad for if you don't mind me asking? That is such a lovely NSV to look forward to ❤️ We've definitely got this!

I am so happy you are finally getting your date! I agree - this forum has really been amazing in the prep leading up to it, I feel a lot more informed!

A lot of people have said they didn't actually use half the stuff they packed! I think I shall heed this warning haha. Moisturizer will be added to my list!

Just bumping this in case there are any May buddies out there ? Thought I'd answer the questions too! 1) I am mostly nervous about the surgery itself, having not had surgery in my adult life. The idea of going under is a bit scary, but I know it is safe. I just need to breathe through the nerves haha. Also a little anxious about the amount of changes that need to be made, so I am trying to take it a step at a time, rather than all at once. 2) Nothing at the moment! But after talking to some others on this forum, lip balm is a must ? 3) Pretty much everything! But definitely feeling happier, in less pain, more capable, confident for the first time in my life. This is what will drive me through the bad days.

Congratulations! ❤️

Honestly I found it so confusing, even though on the surface it seems like a really simple task! I managed to get hold of my dietician and she has confirmed I can just have another meal replacement shake on top of everything else, so it is technically 4 meals and then 1 snack! I had to send screenshots of everything I'd bought too ? She has the patience of a saint bless her haha. But yeah I was definitely wrongly assuming that the meal replacements had 200 cal - oops. Thank you for the safe space to talk, I really appreciate it

Hey all, I had my dietician appointment last week, and I am due to have my pre-op assessment this week. Bit of a long one, apologies! Full disclosure - I have ADHD and I am also suspected Dyslexic, and both of these things are making it really hard to plan and to work with numbers etc. We went through all the info of the Liver Reduction Diet (LRD) - I am starting that on the 1st May, for 2 weeks. I've been given 800 calories a day max - already made a small blunder when ordering stuff from New You Plan https://www.thenewyouplan.com/ - I ordered x14 shakes, x14 soups, x14 meals & x14 snack bars. I added up what a typical day's calories would look like with these, and it only comes to about 555 calories - so I had to order some SlimFast meal replacement powder to buff it up for another 222-odd calories. ? I don't know why that stressed me out so much, but because my dietician gave me a meal plan template of only 4 items, I got it stuck in my head that I couldn't add an extra shake on top of that, rather than just thinking I am allowed 800 calories per day. I also got through the guidance for the vitamins and the food stages and god...with my neurodiverse brain it is just SO much to take in and try and organise. I am anxious about ordering the right vitamins, and then making sure I am eating the right things - my instinct is always to prep, prep, prep, but I think maybe that will be running before I can walk. Any advise at this stage? ?

@NovelTee Of course It is definitely interesting to see how other people's Drs advise! I'll admit, it is a bit of strange one that you are on the liquid stage for 3 weeks, but then again they may just be over-cautious! Either way, I am sure they have their reasons haha. It seems like they are keeping up good communication though, which is always a plus I was looking to maybe try protein water for to hit those protein goals during my liquid phase...but we shall see! Thank you so much! How are you recovering?

Heya! I think every Dr/Surgeon must do things with a slight variation, but it is always best to follow the advice given by your own Dr/healthcare team - it is often tailored to you e.g., in terms of weight, health conditions etc. I had my dietician appointment today and we went through when I am starting the LRD, which will be for 2 weeks, and then went through the different food stages which for me are: Week 1 - Liquid Week 2 - Puree/slush Week 3 - Mush (thick/lumpy foods) Week 4 - Soft foods Week 5 - 'Normal' foods

Hey @jparadigm, I wanted to say I am sorry to hear that you are struggling. I do think however that these feelings are entirely normal, and from reading others who have posted in these forums, a lot of people do go through this. Dealing with our relationship with food is one of the hardest things to do, but as you know, is a key part of working with the tool of surgery. I think your idea of maybe seeking some help from a therapist/counsellor would be a good idea. I am pre-surgery, but I have therapy every week and my main focus at the moment is around my relationship to food. I would say however, try not to beat yourself up too much, as this can do the opposite and not motivate you at all. You're still healing, and that takes a toll on you mentally and physically. This is all new for you. Maybe start a journal and when you are feeling those cravings, write down what it is you want, and how you are feeling in that moment - try and pinpoint exactly what feeling is driving those cravings, sit with it, be interested in it. Hopefully that may start to give you that time to acknowledge how you are feeling before any incidents of deviating from your current food plan. Then think maybe about something else you can do that will give you that hit of dopamine! Either way, speaking to someone about how you are feeling and seeking to address your relationship with food will be key, and you have already taken that first step in admitting how you feel here and seeking help. Be kind to yourself x

As my surgery date creeps closer I am definitely feeling that anxiety of the surgery itself - I think it is the fear of the unknown and is entirely normal! One thing my psychologist said to me when I was speaking about these nerves, is that not only is the surgery itself quite safe and routine, but that there is more risk in staying obese and the long-term health implications of that, so I have to kind of self-soothe with this thought every time I feel myself slipping into anxious ways of thinking! Good luck with your surgery tomorrow, I hope it goes well for you. Looking forward to reading more

Wasn't sure if now was the best time to make this, but I see others making this kind of thread the month before their surgery date so I thought why not! It feels surreal even saying I am having surgery next month! Mine is booked on for 14/05/24 - who else will be having theirs in May? A few questions just to get us started: 1) Are you nervous about anything? If so, what? - just in the hope that any veterans can give advice or if we can help each other. Anxiety is normal! 2) What have you prepared/plan to prepare for your hospital bag? 3) What are you most excited about? I look forward to hearing from you all ❤️

LRD is the liver reduction diet that most people are required to go on before surgery

Thank you!

After reading everyone's comments I have decided not to go too mad with it haha. I will be mildly restrained! I think the LRD is going to be helpful in weaning me off of sugar and other things that I tend to binge on, so I am just preparing for that!

I shall make sure to report back on my opinions of the pureed stage when I get there haha! I am definitely hearing that a lot of people have buyer's remorse initially! It is a big thing to go through! Thank you for sharing your experiences

Magic! ?

Thank you for sending this over! It actually looks really good!