Hi guys.

Thought I would start a thread to see what you all are doing to prepare for your November dates. My tentative date is 11/14/13 and I'm hoping to lock that in this week. I am traveling from the Northwest to Las Vegas.

Here are some of the things I'm doing - would love to hear from other November sleevers on their prep for the bid day:

1. I'm incorporating one Protein shake a day (usually in the afternoon).

2. I'm saying goodbye to some foods and restaurants. I have had a few occasions where I've said, "This probably won't be on my post-op diet." The chicken Ranch Club sammy, husband's chicken wings (a favorite, but this last attempt wasn't so great - we may have to try again in the next week or so)

3. I am doing my on-line classes required by my doc in Vegas. 3 down, 5 more to go.

4. Slowing cutting down on my caffeine consumption. I'm down to two cups of coffee in the morning and will start incorporating half caff/half decaff next week. (I posted regarding my attempt at going directly down to one cup and boy did I suffer)

5. I am trying to reflect a lot on a) how I got here and what am I going to do to make things different, so I don't return to this dark and dreary place.

6. This week I am going to do more exercise and perhaps visit the gym for the first time in months. My goal is by surgery date, I'm working out at the gym on a regular basis. I believe going into this surgery is like any other - be in the best physical shape you can be in and recovery might be a little easier.

Here are a few things I have going on ...My husband is threatening to change the password on my amazon.com account!!!! It seems I have 1-2 deliveries each week between blender bottles, decaff coffee, cooking stuff for when I can introduce food, etc. unjury canisters received (soup, chocolate splendor and vanilla). Sample pack of nectar - mybariatricpantry.com allows you to select which ones you want. Full size Roadside Lemonade which is my favorite Nectar so far. Blender bottles Gas-X strips Chike shakes (coffee) I haven't found a ready-to-drink shake that I like, so I'm going with the powders.

Thanks for this thread, McB! I just ordered chicken flavored Protein powder from unjury. A friend gave me what she had left, so I knew it was good. I like Pure Protein Shakes, which I can get at costco. We only have chocolate flavored here, but San's Club steels vanilla flavored. They have good protein levels and low carb, so they fit my doc's specifications..and taste good too. Have you tried them? Of course, I can't have them right now, I'm on clear fluids...what is nectar?

I'm two days pre-op. I started midway through October making some changes. I quit sodas and all carbonated beverages. Then I transitioned over a couple of weeks to decaf coffee. Then I created a myfitnesspal account to cut down calories to 1500 and to track my carb versus protein ration. I haven't felt like there is any food to say good bye to that I can't incorporate into my new life eventually, and this has helped me avoid the food funeral mind. Although I do wish I had taken one more meal at the all you can eat sushi place that I adored. Lol

I'm two days pre-op. I started midway through October making some changes. I quit sodas and all carbonated beverages. Then I transitioned over a couple of weeks to decaf coffee. Then I created a myfitnesspal account to cut down calories to 1500 and to track my carb versus protein ration. I haven't felt like there is any food to say good bye to that I can't incorporate into my new life eventually, and this has helped me avoid the food funeral mind. Although I do wish I had taken one more meal at the all you can eat sushi place that I adored. Lol

I am two days pre-op too! I have been using MFP as well. I was surprised at how hard it was to get under the carb limit (30 grms) before clear fluids... I chuckled about the all-you-can-eat sushi....we might not need ANY all-you-can-eat anything again!

Today I am post op and down 12.6 lbs!! Starting wt 209.2. Cw 196.6. Just finished he first week of clear liquids. Onto ful liquids.. It's been an emotional week, FYI estrogen is stored in belly fat...ugh.

Well I did it! I blogged ! Why I have decided to go though with bariatric surgery. This is my blog where I plan to document my journey. If anybody would like to follow it and support me that would be amazing. Also please comment with your bariatric blogs. I'd love to follow! http://sarah-projecthealthandfitness.blogspot.com/2013/11/why-i-have-decided-to-go-though-with.html

CHALLENGE! November sleevers! http://www.dailymile.com/ is a great website where you can track your mileage that you walk/run/bike/etc. I have created on challenge on this site for just us! I challenge YOU to walk/run 365 miles before december 1st, 2014. That is one mile a day for a year after our surgery!

I have made the challenge 'invite only' so you will have to add me as a friend on dailymile then I can invite you! It's a great way to encourage everybody in exercise in addition to eating. The challenge says NOTHING about being a sleever, so you don't have to worry about privacy issues. What do you all think?! feel free to ask me any questions!

I'm scheduled for nov25th!

Today I am post op and down 12.6 lbs!! Starting wt 209.2. Cw 196.6. Just finished he first week of clear liquids. Onto ful liquids.. It's been an emotional week, FYI estrogen is stored in belly fat...ugh.

Congratulations! I am done the first 9 days of clears...only 5 more till full fluids. Gotta say yesterday I heard from a work colleague about a case in which there were fatal complications post WLS, and it has made me fairly conscious that this stage is about healing!

On day 12 and 20 pounds down! It's tough. Water water water it's so important!

Wow that's so frightening . I am so sad to hear that. I am trying my best to do as I am told, and continue on the puréed foods..veggie soups...