Hi all. I'm new to the forum (though I've been reading for awhile), and have a tentative October 29 sleeve date. Here's a few things that I worry about that I thought it would be helpful to have folks who have been through this respond to:

1. I don't cook much.

2. I work at night and the options for ordering in are limited. I realize it will be better to bring my food most of the time anyway, but as I said - I don't cook much, so this will be new.

3. I've never been one for chewing my food thoroughly. I tend to swallow my food in large quantities and one reason that accompanies that, though certainly not an excuse, is that my teeth aren't great. I know if I try this more than a time or two, I'll probably learn my lesson, but any words of encouragement would be helpful.

4. I have an over 2 liter a day of Diet Coke habit. I actually think I can kick this one though - having toyed with being sick a few times recently and gone cold turkey for a few days. I've definitely increased my Water intake and am slowly trying to wean myself off before.

5. I love food!!!! - I feel like I'm giving up my best friend, but it does feel similar to other addictions and I do want to be healthy. I can see myself in a new lifestyle regarding food - though, for me, it will mean changing everything.

I'm sure I can think of more - but I don't want you to get the impression that I do not want to do this. I'm actually very much looking forward to making this change and have support from friends to do it, including someone who had WLS surgery about a year ago.

Thoughts?

Everything changed for me when I started the preop liquid diet. I think it is actually very beneficial to go that route before surgery since that is what life will be like for several week post op. Your new stomach dictates what you consume. If you don't slow things down and comply you will experience pain. The human body is more intelligent than the brain where food is concerned. Your life and the way you handled food will be part of your past after surgery. You will be fine just listen to your dr. and your body. Gl

1. I don't cook much.

Neither do I. I get a lot of pre-cooked meats from Trader Joe's and frozen veggies. I also used things like cans/pouches of tuna and salmon, canned sardines and mackerel, bags of peeled and hardboiled eggs, cartons of yogurt, string cheese, etc. There is no rule that says you have to become a gourmet cook! I can't be bothered.

2. I work at night and the options for ordering in are limited. I realize it will be better to bring my food most of the time anyway, but as I said - I don't cook much, so this will be new.

Get some tupperware type containers. Add in a few ounces of meat (pre-grilled chicken breast, packet of flavored tuna, etc.), an ounce or two of thawed frozen veggies, and a tablespoon of salad dressing. shake. Or bring in yogurt or a hardboiled egg (you can buy bags of hardboiled eggs at Trader Joe's and other places). If you don't want to turn your life into slaving over a stove, don't!

3. I've never been one for chewing my food thoroughly. I tend to swallow my food in large quantities and one reason that accompanies that, though certainly not an excuse, is that my teeth aren't great.

If there is any way you can, start working on getting your teeth fixed. Just as a general rule, this will be great for your overall health. If you can't do that, then at least practice taking in smaller quantities. Your teeth should not be too much of an impediment there.

One additional reason you may want to look into getting your teeth taken care of -- many surgeons and anesthesiologists will not do any elective surgery on someone with a tooth infection or a loose tooth. So if those are issues for you, you may *need* to get them taken care of before your surgery, and preferably as much before the surgery as possible.

4. I have an over 2 liter a day of Diet Coke habit. I actually think I can kick this one

This isn't a "think I can kick this one" item -- this is a "I will kick this one." It isn't optional . . . start practicing good mental habits now as well as good physical habits. Don't debate with yourself whether you can make the changes necessary. Tell yourself it isn't up for discussion and come up with a plan as to how it will happen.

5. I love food!!!! - I feel like I'm giving up my best friend, but it does feel similar to other addictions and I do want to be healthy. I can see myself in a new lifestyle regarding food - though, for me, it will mean changing everything.

I think that's true for everyone here! We can all relate. We all love food and had to change how we expressed and indulged in that love. So make the best use possible of your medical team as well as resources like this forum and hopefully we can all learn and change together. Good luck!

Everything changed for me when I had my consultation. I got off soda, I bought all sugar free stuff, I eat 4 oz of food every three hours to get used to it, I chew and chew for practice, I've started not drinking while I eat and I'm doing 2 Protein shakes a day so it will be easier on my liquid diet.

YOU have to decide to make the changes and start practicing them.

WLS is just a tool to help you eat less. It's up to you to do the rest.

Thank, very helpful. I do have a month to go, so this is a good time to start practicing some new ways. I will definitely pursue the "teeth" thing right away too, though it's always been such a big production and I'm not sure there's a whole lot I can do to change the situation completely. The good news is that I do have teeth to chew with And the Diet Coke thing - I know I've been hedging - but I got you. I think the tupperware idea is a really good one and that will work for me. I'll keep you posted on progress (and look forward to hearing about yours).

I had about the same problem you had hate to cook cook habit and I work early morning so I'm generally asleep by normal dinner Time but I've learned to love my crock pot just set it and forget it

Okay - small steps. Today, instead of drinking Diet Coke, I am drinking flavor Vitamin Water. I never tried this before. I think I can actually get into this stuff. Will experiment with some of the other 0 calorie drinks I've been hearing about. Next week I do my pre-testing and stress echo. I wasn't given any requirement for a pre-surgery diet other than liquid a day before, but I think I"m also going to begin to try a variety of shakes to figure out what works for me.

I used to love my Coke Zero vanilla. Now I drink crystal light cherry pomegranate and I love that too. But I will miss my Coke Zero. I purchased protein drinks from Costco, Premiere protein. They have a discount when you purchase online. Not sure if discount is available in store but you can only purchase two at a time so you have to make a few purchases. Chocolate is my fav, there is vanilla and strawberries and cream. 30g of protein. Ive also tried muscle milk light. But premiere is my fav. Gl!!!!!

Try to stop the soda ASAP. You might be very surprised that it's not hard to kick the habit. I had a daily 2lt diet ginger ale habit. I stopped buying it & drank more water & real brewed iced tea. Honestly I don't miss it & if I take a sip of my husbands carbonated drink I honestly do not like the feeling of it going down. Good luck to you????