Hi, my name is Tony.

I'm 25 and live in Tampa, my surgery is the 12th of Nov and I have 3 weeks of Optifast and I'm on day 6. It's difficult so I was wondering how sone of you got through it? I can't eat anything with it except jello and Popsicles (sugar free of course). This has been a long journey for me and I've come so far (25 Lbs lost) to fail so any help will help (obviously). And if anyone pre or post op is in the area let me know.

Day 12 - I use diet soda to flavor my shakes. Can you have any veggies? I am allowed cucumbers and celery.

Thanks for the reply, um I wasn't told I could ...it's something I might have to ask..I was told one bouillon cube a day if I needed (although homemade chicken soup broth would be healthier for my BP) but that would be a good idea... and diet soda? I've been using coffee and the shake as a creamer but with my job I'm often in fast food establishments and reasturants (went to ihop with a client today and ordered only coffee) that was hell..

Agggh...coffee only at IHOP sounds like a bad dream! Hopefully it was fresh at least...on a serious note, I am also being banded on November 12th, its gonna be a good day! Keep in touch.....

Nicole

It was dreadful ... I've been going to the same one for over 15 years ..my waitress made a fresh pot just for me "if that's all your getting it's gonna be the best damn coffee I make today" and it was .... that's awesome though I don't feel so alone! I will definitely keep in touch. Have you started pre op shakes? And do you have the same restrictions as me? If so how are you handling it?

I don't have pre-op restrictions specifically, I have been doing a "multi-disciplinary surgical preparatory regimen," I have Aetna Ins. and with that I have been keeping a food journal and trying to lose before the surgery. I think I was at 268 when I started this in June, now I am down to 256, so I am down a bit.

My surgeon told me that even minimal weight loss pre-op will help to reduce the size of the liver so that the stomach is easier to access for the placement of the band.

What I am trying to avoid is the desire that I have currently to go out and eat all of the things that I am never going to be able to eat again after my surgery.

I am super excited though, I know that I am capable of changing for good, all I need is a little bit of help you know

Yes I know it's difficult. I have a extreme culinary tooth and I have been thinking of all the food I won't be able to have. And in Tampa we have diverse cultures and even more diverse food... it's been a pain amd I'm dreading the florida state fair lol

Hi guys, I'm getting banded on Nov 11, so just a day before you both! Will be great to hear how you are doing on your journeys.

I have a 2 week high Protein, low cal diet that I just started today. I can have 2 cups of non-starchy veg as well. Today was my first day, and I think it went okay. Work was a major stressor tho, so that was the worst part! I had no energy when I got home to cook some veggies, so I passed.

Can't believe surgery is so soon!

Man I need to ask about this veggie stuff.... I feel like I'm missing out on something that I could use lol... I wish all of you the best ..and look forward to seeing how you're handling it .. I hope you all have support, my family has been the best for me through this whole process

My favorite with the diet pop is the vanilla shake and diet orange

Omg so it's like a coke float and creamsickle? At first it seemed weird to me...but now it sounds good... I'm trying to stay away from carbonation since I can't have any after the surgery though

This might sound weird too, I shake the pop and make it flat before I use it. Also keeps anyone else from drinking my 2L! :-)

Congratulations everyone on your upcoming surgeries. I was November 2013 and it's been an amazing year. The weight loss is great but what I didn't expect was the relief at being released from obsessing about food.

Nickybad - that sounds like a good idea ...plus I like flat soda.

Bandista - yeah food has always been a crutch for me, it's psychological and leads back to my childhood. Plus let's be honest who doesn't love food that's bad for you...

I guess I'm getting it easy . I only have to stay below 860 cals but the only "staple" requirement is the Protein shake in the a.m. My pre op officially started yesterday but I dropped my intake to 900 cals when I was told about the pre op diet by my dr. I may voluntarily do liquids my last week to make things easier on the doc come surgery day on the 12th.

Good luck glock. You'll be on the surgens table in no time ????

Edited October 29, 201411 yr by TheDude84023

Sometimes I think no requirement would be harder ..at least I know what I'll have and when. I'm excited just found out my pre op date is next Tuesday ...it seems so far away and yet so close..