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CONGRATULATIONS! I eat out a lot with husband and friends, but really try make good choices. I decided that although I want to lose weight as fast as I can (I'm so impatient where this is concerned), I also want to do it in a way I can maintain for the rest of my life and going out is a huge part of that. My only advice is to try to plan as much as possible. On the cruise you can probably still do a protein shake (if you're using those) each day, maybe salad for lunch, and then let yourself have fun at dinner? I'm sure you will be fine and even a lot less pounds by then. Good luck!

Congratulations on your surgery and good luck on your recovery!

I was told by my nutritionist that some people feel that carbonation can stretch out our stomachs, but that there was not any research to confirm or deny this. She said to be on the safe side, I should just avoid them. I plan to definitely avoid until I get to goal and then maybe do a little more research into it. Sorry, no great answer for you, but thought I'd share what I was told.

My surgeon did not require a strict pre-op diet for me. My surgeon looks at each person's individual situation and prescribes pre-op diets based on need. (I was a lower bmi, so I guess he wasn't too concerned with my liver.) I was told at my first nutrition meeting to follow an Atkins like diet until my surgery and I did for the month before surgery and managed to loose 16 pounds. I had to do two days of clear liquids directly before my surgery to help clean me out.

Good luck Jenn on your pre-op diet this week. It will be over before you know it and you will be sleeved and on your way to a healthier you.

Hello Carol, you must be so excited that your surgery is tomorrow. I know I've found so much useful information here both pre- and post- op. You can also read some of the blogs on this site for personal information and feelings regarding this procedure. Good luck! I'll be thinking of you tomorrow.

Congratulations Stoongal! What a terrific way to start the week.

I am happy things went well for you. I'm sure you will do fine with the food. This is a great place for support, so if you have questions/concerns about any of the stages you'll have lots of people to offer advice. Good luck!

Great attitude! I had a pretty bad weekend myself, but tomorrow is a new day and I'm getting back on the program! Thanks for sharing.

When I got home from work on Friday I was a little warm and had a sore throat and cough. I ended up having to cancel my Halloween plans and have spent most of the day today resting and napping. Luckily I never developed a true fever, but my cough has gotten worse and I have a stuffy nose, so I guess I have a head cold. The problem...this weekend I had a couple of planned things and I was not going to worry about my carb intake (not have candy, but I was going to have tortillas and bread). Even though I had to cancel plans, I still let myself overindulge a bit with the carbs. I had a lot of teriyaki turkey jerky, probably 7 oz. over the weekend (I didn't even weigh it), which I usually limit to 1 oz per day. I had 1/4 of a subway sandwich and actually ate the bottom half of the bread (I usually eat a bite or two of the bread, but I just left the entire bottom on). I also had 2 orange cream bars. Basically I just ate like crap. I know that I will get back on track tomorrow, but I needed to get this off my chest now. On a positive note, I managed to get my exercise in both Friday and Saturday. I'm also planning to fill out my application to try out as a Jazzercise instructor this coming week. There is a tryout in February and one in June. I was going to wait until June because I wanted to be in great physical shape, but talking with my instructor this weekend, I think I may shoot for the Feb. one. This would mean that I would need to add a little more exercise into my weekly routine. Saturday was also a great day (besides being sick). After exercising, I went to Old Navy and Ann Taylor Loft and bought new exercise clothes. (I was so sick of having to hold my XL pants up when I was working out or tap dancing.) I bought 2 large pants and 3 size mediums, and they all fit! I also bought 2 size large tank tops. I was so excited. I also broke out of my mini-stall. This morning I weighed in at 175, but I'm sure I'll be up some weight over the next couple of days once this weekend's eating catches up with me, oh well.

You will be in my thoughts tomorrow Ruby! I can't wait to hear an update.

Congratulations Paula on your upcoming surgery! I've found this place to be very informative and encouraging and I'm sure you'll find it the same. Good luck on your liquid diet...it'll be over before you know it.

I'm so happy for you! Congratulations!

Congratulations! Already down 20 pounds...that's impressive. Surgery was not too painful. I felt great in the hospital, but had a pretty tough day around days 2/3 (I think) home. As soon as I was able to take my pain pump out (they inserted it during surgery) I felt SO much better. Definitely no pain I couldn't handle though.

My surgeon found a hiatal hernia before he began the sleeve surgery and repaired it first and then went on and did the sleeve. From what he told me it was quite large and was very surprised it hadn't been noticed during my pre-op testing. I've read of quite a few hernia repairs occurring at the same time as the vsg. My husband had some testing done for something else and they found a hernia, but because it is small they are not going to do anything about it. His doctor told him people live with them their entire lives and it's not a big deal unless they are causing issues. I'm sure your surgeon will discuss it with you, good luck!

I didn't have to do a pre-op liquid diet and from what I've been told, each surgeon's plan might be a little different. You should definitely check out the pre-op forum and the pre-op and post op diet forum. Some other things that qualify as liquids for the post-op include: jello, pop cycles, soups, and I'll try to think of some more throughout the day (need to get going). Good luck!

Congratulations on your decision and date! I think this is a great tool and am sure you will feel the same. Good luck on the pre-op diet, your day will be here before you know it and all of this will be just a speck of your journey (people told me the same thing regarding the pre-op and early post-op days, and I'm happy to report that it really turned out to be true).

Post op has been really good for me, but I think I need to shake some things up with either or both my food and exercise to help me reach my goal...I think I'm at a mini-stall right now. I had trouble during my first month getting all my protein and Water in, but that has improved (although I still have days where it's a struggle). I found two protein powders I can tolerate quite well-Chike Orange Cream and Inspire Pom Razz Sangria- but everyone's taste is different so you'll probably want to try samples of a few. Again, good luck! I'm very excited for you.

Thank you for posting this Vegas! I've never heard of her and am excited to order her book. I've been feeling like I need to add a little more variety into my diet.

Welcome to VST, I'm so happy that your wls is back on track. From what I've been told, eventually we'll be able to swallow medicine, but I'm only 3 months out and haven't yet been cleared to take pills (haven't asked in a month though). I know you can crush pills that aren't time released. I've also read of people who have taken their pills from very early out, so I'm sure more people will chime in. Good luck with the rest of your journey! This surgery has been wonderful for me.

Welcome and congratulations on your upcoming date! I have found this place to be very helpful and encouraging. If you have any questions feel free to ask here or on one of the forums. Keep us posted on your progress. Good luck!

I wish I could help you, but I live a bit further out of DC now in Calvert County, MD. I saw my PCP 2 weeks before surgery because I was having some ear trouble and wanted to make sure that I would be okay for surgery. He had not heard of the sleeve and I talked with him about it then. I will see him in November for a physical and blood work, I'll see if he remembers anything. I tend not to see my PCP that often and just schedule most of my care through specialists, but I'm really hoping to have this lab work picked up by insurance (I was self pay) so that's why I've scheduled a physical. I had my surgery done at Fair Oaks hospital in VA. Where are you having yours? I wish you luck!

Congratulations on the 34 lbs. and the great labs! Those are two great accomplishments. Good luck with adding in the exercise, I've always found the toughest part is to start and build that habit.

I really like walking too. Also, if you are a social person you may want to check out the offerings through parks and recreation in your area, that's how I first discovered Jazzercise a couple years ago. I've also started tap dancing again and am thinking about adding a beginning salsa class this winter, but I'm a social exerciser...it really helps me stay motivated.

...a bottle of water. Pre-surgery, McDonald's was one of my daily stops. I LOVED salt and grease. Even during my pre-op diet (July) I would stop by for breakfast and get a breakfast sandwich and take off all of the bread. Well, before I was sleeved I decided that McDonalds would be off limits to me. I knew this was possible because in the 4 years I've been with my husband he has never once eaten there (or any fast food) that was always something I did with friends or alone. He always said how the smell made him sick, although he does admit to eating there a couple of times during college. Well tonight I left Jazzercise without filling up my water bottle for the ride home (about 25 minutes) and I was so thirsty. I turned to stop at a gas station not realizing that they had a barrier on that side and had to continue to a different road and turned around in the McDonalds' parking lot. While there I thought I'd run in and grab a water there. I couldn't believe it, as I stood in line nothing smelled good. I did not have any cravings! I got my water and left. This was so amazing to me because I was such an addict before. Now, I'm still not perfect with food, but I feel so much better knowing that this tool is such a help in keeping really bad foods at bay.