HW: 290+

SW: 260.8

GW: 160

My surgery is scheduled for 11/3 in Tijuana with Dr. alejandro lopez.

Today I am starting the pre-op diet. I went to Sam's Club yesterday and stocked up on Premier Protein (chocolate, vanilla and strawberry), lettuce, cherry tomatoes and grilled mesquite chicken breasts.

My pre-op diet will be the following:

Breakfast: Protein shake

Snack: Activia Light yogurt

Lunch: Protein shake

Dinner: salad with chicken breast

Snack: Additional protein shake (if needed)

This menu has 825 calories, 21g fat, 40g carbs, 121g protein

I would like to lose 15-20 pounds over the 4 weeks before surgery.

I took my "before" pictures this morning in my bra and underwear. I had mixed feelings. I felt depressed and ashamed of my body but I also felt happy because I knew this is going to be my "before" which means I'm determined to do what I need to in order to reach my goal. If I need any inspiration during the next four weeks I plan on staring at those back rolls until I find the self control and determination I need.

Thanks @@Freebird14 :-) I'm really looking forward to the surgery. It is always great to hear from people who have first hand experience with Dr. Lopez. I'm still nervous about having surgery so far from home. I hope I'm as fortunate as you to not have any complications! I'm hoping since I'm low risk and starting my pre-op diet four weeks out it will give me an advantage.

I was nervous, as well--it REALLY helped having my sister there with me. She gave me a TON of support.

Feel free to PM me with any questions or concerns. I'm happy to share any information about my experience, pre- and post-op included.

What should I do in cases like this? Normally I would have an afternoon snack to hold me over until dinner but I've been very strict with my diet and calories.

Could you do a portion of your snack shake? Then you would still have most of it saved for later after dinner.

Just a thought. Sounds like you are doing great!!

Could you do a portion of your snack shake? Then you would still have most of it saved for later after dinner.

Just a thought. Sounds like you are doing great!!

Thankfully I made it home two hours later and had something to eat. I feel loads better! I guess I should keep an extra shake at work just in case it happens again. Thanks for the tip!

I had a weak moment yesterday. Three bites of my husband's potato salad...My stomach immediately started to hurt and make crazy noises. Whoops. Lesson learned.

One week down, three to go!

SW: 260.8

CW: 255.2

Lost 5.6 pounds in one week. Not too shabby. Woo hoo! I know most of that is Water weight so any weight lost in the next three weeks will be "real" weight.

Congratulations! I would say that is "real" weight. Water or whatever! It's 5 pounds less than before!! :-) Get it, girl!

Vv

I surgery isn't until the day before Thanksgiving but I am still drinking a shake once a day, getting in the groove of things...by the time my pre-op diet comes I will probably be sick of them..lol

I use Biochem 100% vanilla whey Protein - has about 20 grams of Protein per serving. My NUT told me to mix with Almond Milk, 1/2 a piece of strawberry and a couple slices of banana...and it's delish!! It's about $32.00 for a 1.8 lb. can..but for now it's good and it was given to me free...so I'm not complaining.

I had a really weird feeling yesterday. Very dizzy, light headed and slightly nauseated. I was far from home with a group of friends. They were concerned and no one knew about my surgery so I ended up having lunch with them. I felt much better afterwards so pretty sure it was blood sugar. I'm not beating myself up which is what I normally would have done. Later that day I went and volunteered for 3 hours on my feet and turned down free beer and funnel cake. Self-control is still intact. :-) I'm still over two weeks away from surgery and I did what I felt was best in the moment and would make the same decision again.

I'm right back to my pre-op diet today. Dang that slight change in diet made my hunger level (physical and head hunger) shoot right through the roof though. I had to remove myself from the living room today because of commercials. Tummy is growling. Waiting for 6:00 so I can have my salad and chicken. 2 1/2 hours to go...

Can I go ahead and get this surgery over with? The waiting is torturous! It still feels so far away.

Edited October 12, 201411 yr by krisrpaz

One week down, three to go!

SW: 260.8

CW: 255.2

Lost 5.6 pounds in one week. Not too shabby. Woo hoo! I know most of that is Water weight so any weight lost in the next three weeks will be "real" weight.

Two weeks down, two to go!

SW: 260.8

CW: 252.6

Lost 2.6 pounds last week. Woo hoo!

The pre-op diet has gotten easier recently. I think I've finally gotten all the carbs and sugar out of my system and I haven't physically craved anything. Mentally is another thing...but I'm still working on that.

The last few days have been uneventful. I was invited to have Family dinner and it would be the last time I see my sister before surgery so I agreed. She lovingly made a big salad and gave me noodle-less lasagna made with venison. We went to the beach before dinner and Mom and I walked for an hour. All in all it was a very nice day and I felt very happy with it.

I love how supportive my family has been. They have seen me struggle my entire life with my weight. My sister is gorgeous at 5'4 and 120 pounds but she sees me for me and not my weight. Even though she's my little sister she's very protective of me and I love her for that.

Two weeks down, two to go!

SW: 260.8

CW: 252.6

Lost 2.6 pounds last week. Woo hoo!

The pre-op diet has gotten easier recently. I think I've finally gotten all the carbs and sugar out of my system and I haven't physically craved anything. Mentally is another thing...but I'm still working on that.

Three weeks down, one to go and then I start my Clear liquids diet ????

SW: 260.8

CW: 251

Lost 1.6 pounds last week. Yay!!

Three weeks down, one to go and then I start my clear liquids diet ????

SW: 260.8

CW: 251

Lost 1.6 pounds last week. Yay!!

So I finally made it through the pre-op diet and am clear liquids today and tomorrow. I'm not gonna lie. The clear liquids suck. I'm cold and hungry.

I took my laxative last night and boy did it work! I'll be going into surgery with a clean colon. I'm so ready to fly out tomorrow!!

SW: 260.8

CW: 247

Lost 4 pounds last week! Yay!! Total 13.8 pounds lost on the pre-op diet.

Now I just need to lose 87 pounds to be at my goal weight. :-)

Oh yeah! Measurements!

I have to admit...I'm pretty impressed.

I lost:

4 inches right below my boobs/where my liver is.

2 inches from my waist.

3 inches from my hips.

1 inch from each arm

1/2 inch from each thigh

I most definitely shrank my liver!

So surgery was Monday, November 3. I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this journey. There were a few hiccups along the way but nothing that ever made me regret my decision.

When we first arrived at the airport I called Victor but he said he was going back to TJ and would send another driver. Samuel picked us up and took us on a tour of San Diego while waiting for two more people.

Once we got to the Marriott we were checked in and got to our room. We waited a bit but never met a patient advocate. This made me nervous since I had no idea what time to be ready in the morning. I couldn't call from my hotel room because I didn't have the local number. I ended up texting Victor who got in touch with Sandra. She showed up within 15 minutes and explained somehow I was put on the wrong list. This made me a little nervous but was happy at least they found me and I was still scheduled for the next day.

The Marriott was wonderful in every way. They are very attentive and helped with any request we had. Their broth hit the spot!

At the hospital the only issue I had was waiting over six hours for surgery. After waiting six hours I had a little nervous breakdown because I realized it was dark outside and I thought the doctor would be tired when he operated on me. I also thought maybe because I was on the wrong list at the hotel that he was overbooked and overworked and I didn't want to be the last one to be operated on. I'm sure the lack of food for 3 days contributed to that but they finally took me to the OR and gave me medicines to relax. They explained that they save the easiest for last and I was the only one that day who wasn't some type of revision and I had no other co-morbidities. After I met with Dr. Lopez and gauged his alertness I felt more confident.

I feel bad for the girls in the recovery room. I can only remember dry heaving, moaning and fighting with the oxygen mask constantly. I think they had to give me lots of drugs to calm me down.

My recovery went better than expected. I did have some gas pain in my chest but I worked on walking and breathing deeply each day and it has gotten better. I got what feels like a bubble stuck in my chest when I would drink despite taking small sips but this only lasted about five or six days.

I did have diarrhea for 7 days though. That was rough but it helped get a lot of gas out! My MIL got me some kind of herbal tea that helps relieve gas and it was magical.

I had a fever for a few days post op. I think two of my incisions were very slightly infected but I showered every day and my MIL would clean them with alcohol, put antibiotic ointment and new bandages. They look pretty good now.

Day 6 post op was the magical day I finally gained my independence and didn't have to rely on someone to help me out of bed or dry me after a shower.

I have decided to take part in "No Weigh November" because I would like to avoid the dreaded 3 week stall so I will not be weighing until December 1st.