Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

7 Weeks To Skinny!



Recommended Posts

I am now on the countdown- 7 weeks until surgery. I am so anxious and just want to start getting everything prepared and ready. What are some things I should be getting ready now? I have been asking the coordinator (whom I think is great) if I can get a pre and post op diet information and she keeps putting me off saying she will get it to me later. Should I be worried about this? I have a low BMI so I think I only have to pre-op diet for 3 days, but I am cutting out all alcohol, sweets and grains starting Nov. 1 (Surgery date Dec. 17 with Dr. Ponce De Leon). I cannot lose more than 6 pounds or I will be below my BMI for the surgery. Any help would be great. I think I would just feel more at ease if I could start planning now.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Before surgery, the list on this site helped in the pre-op forum. I also stocked up on measuring cups, a kitchen scale, small bowls, small spoons, forks, Tevia cups that I marked the ounces on, a Magic Bullet for shakes and purees.

I also got same packs of several Bariatric Vitamins and tried some to see which ones I liked! Celebrate Viatmins will send you a sample of all of their Vitamins, I think for $5.00. Then I ordered my multi, B12, D and Calcium so that it was all waiting on me.

I had lots of Protein powder on hand and broth for right after. You don't have to have all of this, but it made it easier on me the weeks after surgery. Plus, I'm a planner so it made me feel more prepared! Good luck on the beginning of your journey!

I'm 5 1/2 weeks out and it has been wonderful! I just had a check up yesterday and got cleared for everything!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Buying things ahead of time is a great idea...particularly if you're going to be buying online, and have to wait for shipping. HOWEVER...be aware that your taste buds may change dramatically, once your surgery is done...and what you LOVE today, you may HATE the morning after! I would suggest buying sample sizes of things (Protein powders, in particular), try them after surgery, and then buy locally (Vitamin Shoppe has a million different things, and will refund your money if you buy something and hate it) until you can get things ordered online.

I started using 5" plates, tiny bowls, cocktail forks, and baby spoons a couple months before my surgery, to get myself used to the process of eating tiny bites, chewing like crazy, and eating very slowly. I HIGHLY recommend you get into these habits now....because it will take some time to get used to, and to fully integrate the new behavior into your life. Having measuring utensils, a good kitchen scale, and a shaker bottle are also a good idea.

I would also suggest you begin tracking everything your put in your mouth...food, liquids, medicines, etc...in order to develop the habit. Regardless of how you do it, (on paper, or online), tracking calories, Protein, carbs, fat, etc are critical (IMHO) to success, post-surgery. Whatever little tips/helpful hints you get from your surgeon....do them! Take the time, now...before you HAVE to..., and start working on the behavior changes you will need afterwards. It will make your overall journey much easier!

I wish you great success!

Laura

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just curious as to why you are having he surgery if you have a low BMI, I thought you had to have to lose 65 lbs or more? You said that if you lose 6 lbs you BMI will be too low....are you really tall? Just curious.

All the best to you...and yes things will taste different after the surgery.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Let me just say my doctor requires that you have Protein shakes 2 weeks before surgery and 2 weeks after surgery. One week after surgery I will be seeing him and the nut. So I did not have to worry where I was going to get the Protein Shakes, they were also Bariatric Advantage website (i did not want to run all around town looking and testing).They are very filing and I did buy enough for after surgery as well.

I too am a planner also the behaviors I began a month prior to surgery (10/29) was the 30-20-30 rule: 30 min. prior to eating no liquids, 20 min. to eat meal, 30 min after meal no liquids.

I purchased all my Vitamins from Bariatric Advantage website.

Biotin from wal mart

plates, knives and forks (small ones)

2 new gowns

GNC: Protein shakers.

Other than that it took me 30 days to practice the behavior and I am still working on the 20 min. it takes longer. The 64 oz of Water daily I have conqured that. I also quit coffee, tea.

I think that is it, good luck.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Before 50- I am 5'3 and weigh 180lbs. which is down from 200 lbs. a year ago. I made a mistake it is 8 pounds I cannot lose. At 172 it puts me right at 30.5 BMI. So I am having surgery because I am tired of being overweight for most of my adult life, feeling miserable and being unhealthy. I am on high blood pressure meds now and have high cholesteral and a high rate of heart disease deaths in my family. I hope this answers your question.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

How exciting to be so close. Read what you can, so many here are open and willing to help. Wishing you the best on this start of your WLS journey. Looking forward to following your success story.

I love my sleeve and have no regrets.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×