Hi Everyone,

I am starting my journey and I figured I would write about it thinking it will be nice one day to look back and see how far I've come. Yesterday was Day 1 of my 2 week pre-op liquid diet. Let's just say it was rough. I can't lie, I really wanted to eat something. I was supposed to have 4 shakes, and I only had 3. I did have some broth (added some unflavored Protein powder) in between and I had one string cheese. I know, it's not liquid but I was literally starving and figured based on other per-op diets, it was the best choice as it was protein. Anyway, I know today I will definitely have all 4 Protein drinks and see if that helps me. Surprisingly, I am not as hungry as I thought I would be but I do feel week and I am sure that withdrawing from all the carbs is contributing to that. Lucky for me, I was off yesterday and was able to lie down when I was tired.

What brought me here was that I had a lap-band put in May, 2005 at 230 pounds. I lost about 40 pounds over time but was never able to go further with the band. I ended up pregnant and gained all the weight back. I tried to use my band but ended up with such bad reflux that I would end up waking up in the night choking on acid. That happened about 3 times and I knew, it was three times too many. My band was deflated and I was told that I would have to have my band taken out and wait a few months to have another band or a sleeve. I went to. Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia and got a second opinion. My doctor is now doing all of this in one procedure as well as repairing my hernia on March 3, 2014.

Today, I am 1.7 pounds lighter and as crazy as it sounds, I feel lighter. My starting weight was 227 and now is 225.3. I am looking forward to being thinner but more importantly healthier. Thanks for sharing my journey with me!

I look forward to following your journey.

Reflux is horrid so it's great you're getting the opportunity to resolve that.

Best Wishes!

Good luck on your journey, I look forward to reading your progress as you continue on!

Best of luck to you! Prayers for a better experience this time!

Thanks everyone! So it's the beginning of Day 3. I don't feel as weak as I did yesterday and I'm thankful for that! I did start back on my multivitamins so maybe that has something to do with it. Surprisingly, I also got a great night's sleep too. I just weighed myself and I'm down another 1.4 pounds! I'm so excited!!! Hoping today will be a great day and my liquid diet will be a little easier! Good luck everyone!

Hang in there Jerziegirl and thanks for sharing your journey. One of my friends had her surgery at Jefferson in 2012 and she is doing great. Sounds like you are too. The pre-op diet is a pain but it gets easier as you go along. I was never truly hungry but had massive sugar withdrawal which caused a bit of a melt down. Once I got past that stage I was fine. You've done this before I assume since you're having revision surgery. All the best and will send prayers for strength and a successful, uncomplicated outcome!

Day 4 has been awful! I ended up in the ER with an ovarian cyst that ruptured. I'm so tired and feel exhausted. Normally, I would look for comfort food but yet, I am eating broth. The ER gave me Toradol but I'm not taking anything else until I talk to the doctor's office tomorrow. I don't want any of this to affect my surgery. Thankfully, I should be ok and it shouldn't. Hoping for a better tomorrow.

P.S. I was up 2 ounces this morning. Go figure!

Sorry to hear about your ovarian cyst/ER visit. Hope you're feeling better!

Ugh! That sounds aweful! Hope you feel better soon!

Today is better appetite wise. Definitely not as hungry as I've been. No change in my weight and I contribute that to all the liquids I was pumped up with yesterday. Hoping for more energy tomorrow!

Day 7. Still feeling crappy but I think it's from the ruptured cyst. Hoping to see the doc tomorrow to make sure everything is ok. Down to 222.4 for a total of 4.6 pounds. I'm trying to get in all liquids. I week down, 1 to go!

Congrats on getting through a tough first week. Hope next week goes more smoothly and you feel better.

Day 8.... I woke up feeling so much better today! I will attempt to go to work and see how it goes. I'm down an even 5 pounds today so that makes me happy! Starting to get nervous because this time next week I will be on my way to Philadelphia to have surgery. I was so optimistic about my decision until last night when I went wandering into the "complications sites" here. My heart is breaking for those who have had to endure these problems. I am going to try to stay positive though and hope for the best! Happy Monday!

Hi Jerziegirl! We share the same surgery date! My liquid diet is getting better everyday and I've lost about 10 pounds so far. Good luck to you and I will definitely be following along on your journey!!

Day 9. I'm at Jefferson Hospital today for pre-op testing. It's unbelievable to me that this is really happening! Wow! I'm really getting excited! I can't lie, my emotions have some nervousness but mostly I'm getting excited for my new life! I was up 4 ounces today but that's ok! I know I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing!