Tomorrow I'm going into the final stretch. I don't have a date set just yet. Last Monday, I had a 2 hour evaluation with the nutritionist, exercise physiologist, and psychologist. From what I understand, I shouldn't have to wait much longer before they set a date - I'm self-pay so money / insurance isn't an issue. Hoping sometime in June, early July at the latest.

I'm 650 pounds, most doctors put patients on a pre-op diet, but mine does not have a pre-op diet per se, but I feel like I will be much more successful if I lose some weight before surgery, and get used to eating smaller amounts of food.

Today- I ate my last fast food / milkshake until I reach goal.

Tomorrow I will be starting my own pre-op liquid diet - basically a glass of Optimum Nutrition for Breakfast, lunch, and a double serving for dinner. sugar free chocolate pudding --on days where I am struggling.

I have started walking around the block once per day, and am hoping to push that up to 3 laps by surgery day as well.

Anyone have any comments or suggestions on this plan? (I'm a big...planner, I have to have everything planned out before I do something.. ) I just think getting in a good routine now will help me succeed better post-surgery.

I think it's great that you are taking the initiative to prepare for surgery by losing some weight on your own! ON sounds good. Keep it high protein and you'll lose more fat and less muscle.

I think it's great, too! Good job on planning ahead, but make sure you're getting in enough nutrition to keep you healthy FOR surgery. If you have underlying health problems, like diabetes, this pre-op diet may be too restrictive.

I am still thrilled for you that you've decided to take this positive step for your health!

Good luck!!

I pray that all goes well. Patrick what part of Ohio are you from?

Patrick, I commend you for taking the first step. I wish you luck in your quest to get healthy.

I'm in Dayton - and believe it or not my Doctor who's 38 (i'm 32) said I'm in better health than him - no sugar issues at all, my triglycerides are perfect he was amazed that I eat fast food 2/3 meals, or at all.

It's like I'm a normal person, except I can't stand more than 5 minutes at a time before needing to sit down for a spell, and I can't fit in any seat with handles, and I can't go on walks with my wife... and lots of other things that bug me about being this much overweight.

My only issue is sleep Apnea, and infertility both of which should be solved via the surgery, or at least mitigated somewhat depending on how much I lose.

I've done pretty restrictive diets in the past and had some success - but always struggled somewhere and went off. I've lost 75 on my own before, 60 this past year(I was 5 pounds from 700), and 2 years ago I lost 150 pounds but gained all of that back. This time is different though - I stick with the diet, and when I get through a month or so I have my surgery and there's absolutely no going back - it's as all-or-nothing as you can get...which kinda scares me but excites me too.. I can't wait to see where I'm at in a year.

I can't wait either, Patrick!! You should check out Paola, one of the posters here. She lost 80 pounds pre-op doing a similar liquid diet. I haven't seen her around lately, but she made some really good posts about how she lost that pre-op weight.

It's great that your labs are so good!

Well I can't wait to hear more about your journey updates! I am going to be sleeved this june.

I can't wait either, Patrick!! You should check out Paola, one of the posters here. She lost 80 pounds pre-op doing a similar liquid diet. I haven't seen her around lately, but she made some really good posts about how she lost that pre-op weight.

It's great that your labs are so good!

Yeah, I'm pretty stoked, and I tease my wife who is 31, and has PCOS, just got diagnosed with Diabetes, and always seems to be the sick one... I'm like the one who should have all that stuff... but so far, I've been luck.. I'm afraid that all of that is sneaking up on me though - I won't be young/healthy forever.. I've been morbidly obese all my life, so maybe my body is just used to the extra weight - I wore size 52 pants in 6th grade - about 280 pounds back then.

Well I can't wait to hear more about your journey updates! I am going to be sleeved this june.

Thanks maybe we can be sleeve buddies, hoping to get mine in June as well! Good luck!

Thanks! Yes def should be sleeve buddies! I love this site and talking to other people who are going through this journey. I hope you do get your surgery this June too. this time next year out lives will be different!

Congratulations Patrick! I'm getting my sleeve July 10th, and I've been trying to get healthier too before surgery. I've been cooking myself heathy meals and I've started working out at a gym 4-5 times a week and trying to get stronger and make changes now before surgery. I'm only 25 and am in good health too, except for the fact that I'm obese. Good luck to you! This is an exciting journey we're all on!

Thanks! Yes def should be sleeve buddies! I love this site and talking to other people who are going through this journey. I hope you do get your surgery this June too. this time next year out lives will be different!

Sounds awesome, I'm pulling for you! Good luck with your surgery.

Congratulations Patrick! I'm getting my sleeve July 10th, and I've been trying to get healthier too before surgery. I've been cooking myself heathy meals and I've started working out at a gym 4-5 times a week and trying to get stronger and make changes now before surgery. I'm only 25 and am in good health too, except for the fact that I'm obese. Good luck to you! This is an exciting journey we're all on!

That sounds awesome - something I'm really doing.. I just started my protein powder diet.. figure it'll be kinda what my post-op diet will be like, and it's only a temporary thing.. in 3-4 months I'll be able to eat more savory foods, and the Biggest Loser cookbook has a lot of really yummy foods, plus spark people has a bunch of low-carb food recipes. Just need to get through these first few months pre/post op.. Sacrifice now, and next summer I'm getting a Season pass to Kings Island Amusement park - I will ride again! (Roller coasters that is) lol

What a great attitude you have Patrick!... We are all pulling with and for you! x

What a great attitude you have Patrick!... We are all pulling with and for you! x

Thanks! I appreciate it!