Hi. This is my first ever post. I am on day 7 of my pre-op diet (out of 13 days). My first 3 days flew by with no problems, I am taki g Optifast only. 1 packet 5 times a day. These last 2 days have been very hard for me. I cry I'm so hungry and I have a 1yr old boy and 3 yr old daughter that I have to cook for all the time. I know I am having this sleeve so my quality of life is better and for my children and husband as well, but I'm very nervous about completely changing my lifestyle!! My husband and I both love to cook. Drink wine and just enjoy eating out. We travel constantly, and I'm just so afraid I won't be able to do it anymore. Many nights throughout the summer I will just have wine and cheese for dinner. And I terrified of this whole "can't eat and drink at the same time deal" is that for real. For ever? In my head I know its what I need to feel better, but will I be miserble that I cant do the things we love to do now? Any advice from someone who is/was a foodie and wine person on how your journey is going???

I'm five months out. I'm sorry you have to do a pre-op liquid diet. I didn't, instead I did a 6 month monitored diet where I practiced the not eating and drinking thing, which made me know I could do it and eased some of those fears. I'll share my current results and hopefully that will ease your mind, a little.

First, fears are normal. Major changes are about to happen! But you know it's a good thing, and you'll do great!

I don't drink 15 minutes before and 1 hr after I eat. When I go out to eat, and I do, because I love food and hate to cook (it's just me, and I'm social, so it's easier to go out with friends sometimes), I order Water - no alcohol for six months per my surgeon, plus we'll get tipsy faster with the smaller stomach - and have that while we wait for the food. Then I push it away when it gets closer to food and don't get a refill. When I was new, I didn't order water, or if I did I didn't drink any. Your stomach can't holdwater and food. It's a forever thing. The volume you can hold is much smaller. When I overfill it, it hurts, and I can tell right away. So I'd rather get my Protein in there than useless water at mealtime. I get my water in the rest of the day (64 oz. really is doable, but it takes practice).

I've even been to a buffet with friends. I had one plate. I have to eat slower, and they kept getting up and ended up hurting themselves by the time they were done (guys, of course), but I was happy and satisfied. We're not limited in what we can eat, just how much. And the drinking thing gets easier with time. I've learned the hard way, kind of like eating too fast, that mixing them hurts. Better to not learn that way, but whatever "sticks" with you.

I travel for work. My surgeon's plan has us on 1 Protein shake a day for the first year. I bring the whey isolate powder when I travel because it mixes without a blender. I bring my Blender Bottle (with the little metal ball in the bottom) and buy soy milk or skim milk when I get where I'm going. I mix the shake in the morning and it's like home. I travel with my Protein Bars, and now with some nuts (can't do them right away, though). That way I have portable protein. (There are a lot of websites with advice on portable protein and travel post-op). If I'm driving, I can bring a ready to drink protein shake with me, and sometimes I do. When I stop I grab string cheese. Depends on my mood.

I've never been a big wine person, but wine is to be savored (my perception). So, you eat, you wait the hour for everyone else to finish their stuff, feeding your kids, whatever, and you have some later. Or you wine and then cheese fifteen minutes later and are done.

WLS is a commitment to a different lifestyle, but not to giving up your life. It's a commitment to wanting a BETTER life. You can do it! Everyone is different and you make the journey work for you. You'll quickly learn what rules are "for real" and what rules are more "for best results in weight loss". You're going to want to follow all of them, though, or else why go through the surgery (Says the person who knows which ones to bend already...but look at my stats below...but I'm not claiming to be perfect, and I want to admit that to you)

Good luck! and take a deep breath. It will be ok.

Pre-op can be so stressful, and seemingly have no end, especially when you have to take care for and cook for everyone else. You are almost there and are holding strong.

I also love to cook and enjoy entertaining and I can honestly say that though my choices have changed I still enjoy food as I used to. Much less of it, and better choices, but instead of carb-heavy meals, I focus on making the best and tastiest Proteins I can. I experiment with veggies and have had no issues going out to eat.

Wine is unfortunately another story, and will have to be a choice you make for yourself. Most surgeons will say it is ok to drink after a suitable period of time, so you have time to heal. I have had a glass or two of wine in the past year, but I limit myself. Aside from the empty calories, increased potential to make bad food choices if I'm drinking and the fact that the alcohol hits me harder now, I dont' want to put anything in my body that will slow down my weight loss. My understanding is that while alcohol is in my system, my body won't burn fat, it will burn the alcohol first. I want to ride this wave of losing as long as possible, so I limit my alcohol consumption. It's a personal choice.

Not eating and drinking at the same time is for a few reasons. It allows the food are you are taking in to digest slower, keeping you fuller longer. Also, if you eat and drink at the same time, you will have less "room" for food when you do eat. It gets easier and becomes second nature as time goes by.

I think a passion for food gives you a leg up, you are more inclined to experiment and make foods that fit your lifestyle.

Best of luck to you!!

Edited October 16, 201312 yr by JerseyGirl68

preop diet is very stressfull and it does get better

honestly though if you want to reach and maintain a healthy weight, changes are required. wine and cheese for dinner as a treat not a routine... once you have been obsese you cant eat like that regularly without risking regain

Wow. Thank you for all the advice and support. I may be alittle emotional at the moment. I'm in california and I couldnt sleep. Been up since 3. I actually think I woke up because Im hungry. I have a long day of flu shots and pumkin patching with my family ahead of me so I get very frustrated when I'm up this early and already hu gry. I have been absolutely strict on My pre op diet. I have lost 8lbs since thurs. But because I'm getting closer to a forever change I'm freaking out a bit. I've been preparing for surgery and lifestyle change this entire past year. I guess the finality of my choice is kicking in. I am so excited to start my new life!! I am just hoping its the Best thing for my family. For my relationship with my fiancee. We have been waiting to get married because I want to look and feel great on our wedding day! We have two small children already. Our realtionship was always focused around sporting events, going out and eating,Drinking that sort of stuff. He is totally supportive of me and this decision. He himself is a tri athelete. Marathon runner. He's done over 60 Marathons. But he's also the type that loves to eat out and can drink beer and eat whatever and not gain a pound ( so annoying).

Earlier this year I had my second episode of DVT/PE. (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) PE can easily and quickly kill, so I am a very fortunate person to sit here and tell you this. When all was said and done I learned I will be on warfarin (blood thinners) for the rest of my life. There are a couple things you have to monitor and mostly give up while on them...anything rich in vitamin K and alcohol. Vitamin K is the natural anti thinner, it builds your blood. Therefore it will work against your medicine. Since your INR levels have to be monitored and meds adjusted frequently, you really don't want things jumping up and down. Alcohol thins the blood. So drinking on top of taking the meds can cause bleeding in excess. Not changing my consumption of vitamin K wasn't too much of a change as I was not a very healthy eater. ( If I had lived on green leafy foods I would not be needing the sleeve!) But I am a social drinker. I do enjoy a glass of wine now and then. I like to go out for celebrations and have a cocktail. I enjoy a cold beer on a hot day. Being told I could not do that anymore really was harder than anything. I am not an alcoholic, and I don't even drink that often. But it was the idea of being told "no"... Shortly after this all happened I did have drinks. It was Memorial Day weekend and I had friends and family over. I had a couple cocktails and thought "I can do this". But next time I was in for a blood test for my INR my levels were off and my meds had to be adjusted. ( plus I got a lecture) So no, I can't do it. Over the months I have come to accept it and move on.. One reason I chose the sleeve is because there is so much less "never agains". I realize it will be a while, after I am through the weight loss phase. But I know that, at some time in my life, I will be able to have things I really miss and enjoy again. I won't make them my everyday, they will be for rare and special occasions. I want to be healthy and eat healthy. Yet I know that, if I truly want to taste a long missed food, I will be able to again. I will just use my newfound better judgment and eat much less than I once had...

BT dubs...I am getting sleeved on 10/21. I am on day 6 of my 10 day pre op liquid diet. Hasn't been easy but I am doing it. I am going to do all of it, and get where I dream of being! Good luck to you, I am sure you will be there too!!!

Roo we are just a day apart for surgeries! Thanks for all your input. I am starting day 7 preop today, just had my strawberry optifast. Luckily they are pretty tasty. I am more af a savory eater than a sweet though. Sl all this chocolate, strawberry and vanilla is getting alittle old. But I will definitely stay on it very strictly. Having my 2 small children motivates me to make sure I have the best surgery results as possible! It will be interesting to follow you and watch how we both change in the future!!

Good Morning Kjparker

I am getting sleeved on the 22nd too, and I am also on the Optifast pre-op diet. I am wondering if we have the same surgeon. That would be interesting. My surgery is at Good Sam at 9:30AM.

Bonnie

I felt the same way as you before and after my sleeve, I am starting my 5th week post op, and eating better, in fact I went to a restaraunt and ate 2 king crab legs, and those are pretty big, but did not feel alienated with my family eating more than me, i was on a 7 day liquid diet before the sleeve, and was miserable, while they ate spaghetti, I drank broth!!! the first week was the worse after, just getting fluids in, and smelling food was still good, but it gets better, I eat low fat cheese sticks alot, and my surgeon says to eat alot of low fat cottage cheese for protein. You will feel better around the 3rd week or so, when you begin soft to solid foods again, but you have not lost your taste for food, you just lose the big plate for a smaller on, and as the weight comes off, you will start to feel more empowered than ever! make it through the preop stage and you will see how fast time goes by after your sleeve, and never look back.

Hi Bonnie! Yes I'm sure we do have the same surgeon. Dr. Zare!? If so I''ll be getting sleeved right after you at 11:30. Good sam. I'm going into his office today to pick up the 1 more week of optifast. I have to be on it for 12 days. My 4th and 5 th days were rough. But I'm not cheating. Which is so hard. Lol

Kjparker, woo hoo yup we have the same Dr. and yes you are right after me.That is sooo cool!

I started my liquid diet on Saturday and by Sunday it was not pretty. I was violently vomiting. The shakes are not agreeing with me at all. I then had to do a day of Clear liquids to reset my body. After that Dr. Zare wanted me to try to re-introduce the shakes. So far I am keeping them down, but they do not make me feel well at all. On the plus side of this little pre-op fun, I have lost 11 pounds since Friday.

I will email you my contact information in case you want to text and check up on each other in the hospital.

Bonnie

Yay Dr. Zare people! he is an awesome surgeon

Dr Zare is awesome. I like the shakes but o like the chicken soup mix the best. I've only lost 9lbs of this morning. And on monday I thought i was going to kill my fiancee! Lol. I would love to stay in contact. It helps knowing we are at the same ecact stage. Should we include our "stats" in messages?

BT dubs...I am getting sleeved on 10/21. I am on day 6 of my 10 day pre op liquid diet. Hasn't been easy but I am doing it. I am going to do all of it' date=' and get where I dream of being! Good luck to you, I am sure you will be there too!!![/quote']

I am being sleeved. onOct 22. I also had about with pulmonary embolism in January and am onWafarin. I regularly have my INR checked and am wondering if you had to do the lovanox shots after surgery for a while instead of the warfarin pills. My doctor is having a vascular specialist insert a screen to keep any clots formed from traveling. I am hoping for a successful surgery but kind of dread the shots again.

I am being sleeved. onOct 22. I also had about with pulmonary embolism in January and am onWafarin. I regularly have my INR checked and am wondering if you had to do the lovanox shots after surgery for a while instead of the warfarin pills. My doctor is having a vascular specialist insert a screen to keep any clots formed from traveling. I am hoping for a successful surgery but kind of dread the shots again.

I got the IVC filter placed when I had my last embolism, so already covered there. I actually stop taking my warfarin (oral) today. On Friday I begin injections, twice a day for three days. Then post op I resume injections another 4 days AND resume oral warfarin. ( oral takes 3+ days to reach full effectiveness in our systems) I am not thrilled with doing the shots ( since I have to self administer) but....I will do it because I have to. I have done a lot to get this surgery I really didn't like, but it is all worth it in the long run!