It just dawned on me while reading as many text as I could on this Sunday. I've been reading a lot of threads about before surgery jitters. definitely a legitimate concern, indeed. Its natural to be that way before any major surgery. Like Mr. Coggin said, I'd be leary of someone who wasn't.

Ok with that said, what I haven't heard from people is how are you preparing for your new life. Your new pouch is like a new baby. You wouldn't feed a new born foods you know would hurt their tummies or give them diarrhea aka 'dumping'. While the surgery is a MAJOR part of what is about to happen to you, and a lot of the threads on here talk about hair loss, vitamins, dumping, as they should, all of it is vital information. But I think talking about life after surgery is a bigger part of the whole.

While I was in Post-op learning mode, my dietitian and I spend ooddles and oodles of time together. She taught me how to read labels, what all the 'OSE's' ment. Tricky hidden names the food industry uses for sugar,fats,and refine carbs. I tell you, it was mind boggling at first. I learned that after surgery, and after the food 'Phase' & honeymoon periods, my real life would begin. I think that's what caught me off guard more than the surgery. I needed to have my good (healthy) food choices in place first(getting my ducks in a row, if you will). Where was I going to shop, how to troll a supermarket, where the Farmers markets were, and could I afford to eat fresh live food. Well that was a matter of priority. Seeing I live in the Northern Farm belt (Minnesota) I have access to all farm grown produce. But I had to learn all that before surgery if I was going to be successful and not try to jump back into my old eating habits or try to tweek them to fit my new pouch. So, sorry Im a bit of a 'Food Nazi', but over half of my success was knowing where I was going to get food & vitamins for my new pouch & body ahead of time, how to troll the market. And above all stay focused on that task. Knowing ahead of time gave me a super advantage to getting and staying healthy. Thanks for listening..lol..apparently I have a 'High Horse' and food is it..lol

**Sorry I need to make a correction to the post above:

While in PRE-OP learning mode with my dietitian, not Post-OP mode

It just dawned on me while reading as many text as I could on this Sunday. I've been reading a lot of threads about before surgery jitters. definitely a legitimate concern, indeed. Its natural to be that way before any major surgery. Like Mr. Coggin said, I'd be leary of someone who wasn't.

Ok with that said, what I haven't heard from people is how are you preparing for your new life. Your new pouch is like a new baby. You wouldn't feed a new born foods you know would hurt their tummies or give them diarrhea aka 'dumping'. While the surgery is a MAJOR part of what is about to happen to you, and a lot of the threads on here talk about hair loss, Vitamins, dumping, as they should, all of it is vital information. But I think talking about life after surgery is a bigger part of the whole.

While I was in Post-op learning mode, my dietitian and I spend ooddles and oodles of time together. She taught me how to read labels, what all the 'OSE's' ment. Tricky hidden names the food industry uses for sugar,fats,and refine carbs. I tell you, it was mind boggling at first. I learned that after surgery, and after the food 'Phase' & honeymoon periods, my real life would begin. I think that's what caught me off guard more than the surgery. I needed to have my good (healthy) food choices in place first(getting my ducks in a row, if you will). Where was I going to shop, how to troll a supermarket, where the Farmers markets were, and could I afford to eat fresh live food. Well that was a matter of priority. Seeing I live in the Northern Farm belt (Minnesota) I have access to all farm grown produce. But I had to learn all that before surgery if I was going to be successful and not try to jump back into my old eating habits or try to tweek them to fit my new pouch. So, sorry Im a bit of a 'Food Nazi', but over half of my success was knowing where I was going to get food & vitamins for my new pouch & body ahead of time, how to troll the market. And above all stay focused on that task. Knowing ahead of time gave me a super advantage to getting and staying healthy. Thanks for listening..lol..apparently I have a 'High Horse' and food is it..lol

I agree and took the same approach leading up to my surgery. That was a huge part of my being able to start strong and stay on top of things. Everyone has their own process, but I don't' think anyone can really argue a down side to knowing all we can. Congratulations on your success!

Thank you Jersey..I just thought it was very important to point out that its vital to get ALL your ducks in a row, like preparing for a baby. lol. Every thing should be in place for the grand finally!!

I just spent the last 5 hours going thru both Target and GNC familiarizing myself with their products and what they have to offer my baby when I bring her home. It's very overwhelming. I have 5 different types of Protein shakes to try but I'm not doing that until AFTER because I know my tastes will change. Purchased liquid multi Vitamins and liquid D (I'm deficient) and the sub-lingual B12. I know I'll need more vitamins, but I have 2 weeks to get it all together. I do plan on having everything ready for when I get home. I don't want this to be a labor intensive process for my family, I want it to be as smooth a transition as possible for them. I'm searching for topics that hit on what others did to prepare for this, so I'm really hoping to be totally prepared. Thank you for pointing this out though, I'd hate to think that someone didn't cover this important part of the process.

I just spent the last 5 hours going thru both Target and GNC familiarizing myself with their products and what they have to offer my baby when I bring her home. It's very overwhelming. I have 5 different types of Protein shakes to try but I'm not doing that until AFTER because I know my tastes will change. Purchased liquid multi Vitamins and liquid D (I'm deficient) and the sub-lingual B12. I know I'll need more vitamins, but I have 2 weeks to get it all together. I do plan on having everything ready for when I get home. I don't want this to be a labor intensive process for my family, I want it to be as smooth a transition as possible for them. I'm searching for topics that hit on what others did to prepare for this, so I'm really hoping to be totally prepared. Thank you for pointing this out though, I'd hate to think that someone didn't cover this important part of the process.

You are moving in the right direction! Researching and knowing what is available is the best thing you can do for yourself. Remember that what works for others may not work for you but to keep trying. I still can't eat chicken 10 months out, but every once in awhile I'll try. I highly suggest getting some sample protein powders to try post op instead of buying the big tubs. And give it some time as well. I couldn't drink any at first cuz they were all too sweet but now it is better. Good luck!