How do I know what I can eat, drink, or what I can't eat, or drink? Can someone give me ideas as to what I should look for?

Before I underwent the surgery, I was given a class that explained all the requirements and provided a thick binder with all the instructions.

I got a few papers I'm 3 months from my sugery. I just want have time to transition through

pre surgery I was told to keep sugars single digits per serving - after surgery emphasis is on getting in at least 60 grams Protein a day plus at least 60 oz. fluids. Later you will be able to add veggies, fruits and good carbs.

You should have gotten guidance from your NUT - if you didn't - ask. Mine was really specific and even gave me lists of foods.

My program wants us to avoid things with added sugar things like fruit juices Gatorade and soda energy drinks and coffee you can have crystal light herbal tea decaf coffee

yeah, not talking about added sugars but what the label says....even our Protein shakes have a little bit of sugar - need to read labels and avoid foods with sugars more than one digit... For instance, my Protein shake has 1 gram sugar - as does my refried Beans. The 'no sugar added' canned fruit has 7 grams of sugar, etc. etc. I am at the point where I am encouraged to eat fruits and veggies. I need to take a look at how much sugar occurs naturally in those things - and avoid foods with more than 9 grams of sugar....

Before surgery one of the best things to focus on is removing all sugar from your beverages. No fruit juices, soda of any kind.

Try to cut out all caffeine now by tapering down.

Focus on getting good Protein in. 1 gram for every inch you are tall.

Focus on drinking 48 to 64 oz. of non sweetened, non carbonated, caffeine free beverages.

Cut back on, bread, sweets of any kind, Pasta, rice and bread like products.

Try to cook fresh healthy foods. Remove all processed foods from your diet. The carbs you do eat should come from fresh fruits and vegetables.

I know this is a lot so the best thing to do is set a goal to focus on every week until you reach your pre op liquid diet. Track everything you put in your mouth through a program like myfitnesspal. Both good and bad, it keeps you accountable and more important can help you make better choices throughout the day. If I have some carbs for Breakfast or lunch I find that I will stick to my guns and eat only protein and veggies for dinner.

This should get you started. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!

Thank you all so much!

Do you have any favorite single digit sugar items you would recommend.

I'm scared of all of this change. But I think I'm mostly scared that I'll mess up, or I don't succeed. Have you guys struggled with the sagging skin too badly?

Sorry to change the subject, I just need some encouragement.

You won't fail if you follow the plan. It is when we go off plan that you will see people struggle.

Now don't get me wrong we are all not perfect but we have worked so very hard to get so far, if we get off track one day we get right back on track the next day.

You seem to be working hard at understanding what you need to be doing ahead of time. Read everything you can and go into this knowing what to expect. Take it one day and one step at a time and before you know it you will reach your goals.

I have lost 135lbs and I am 52 years old. Loose skin happens as a part of massive weight loss, the younger you are the easier your skin bounces back but honestly if you are obese or morbidly obese you can expect a lot of loose skin.

I will take my loose skin anyday over that 135lbs I used to carry around. I can always manage to have some plastics done for the areas that I just cannot tolerate. I know I don't have a lot of money to do that but will figure out a way to deal with areas like my upper arms that really truly bother me,

Thank you for the advice Djmohr. It really does mean a lot to me. I'm 22 and I weigh 364. I want this surgery. I want to wear jeans again. And I want to live without constant worry of what I can wear that will hide my body. I can do this!! I quit smoking, and I can quit eating like I do.

you can probably get some lists of food from your nutritionist to help you through the first stages and even later. Since you will be concentrating on Protein at first, you really shouldn't be eating anything with much sugar in it anyway. But, for example, later when you are trying to find a good Protein Bar - you really need to read the labels - they are not all created equally. Some have as many as 30 grams of sugar!

My Nutritionist gave me several lists as I went through the different stages and even some recipes when I got cleared to eat 'regular' food. As you go through this website, you will see there are many discussions about food for the different stages and even some recipes.

t would be a good idea for you to start looking at the nutrition labels on food to get an idea of what is good and what is not. Ask your NUT for some guidelines - I'm sure she has some. For example - just because something says 'diet' or 'low sugar' doesn't necessarily mean that it is good for us. Sometimes something 'diet' may not have sugar, but can contain dextrose or sugar alcohols.

Thank you all so much! You've helped me more than you know. I'm sorry I've been absent. So much to do for the holidays! Did you all have a good New Year?