I am just getting started with day one of a 6 month diet pre op and I am wondering how people have handled work and the added stress. I work sometimes 50 hours a week I'm a start up tech company that is high stress and I only get 5 sick days per year. I am worried as I alternate between protien and liquid diet weeks that my blood sugar or digestive issues are going to cause me issues and set me back. I am trying not to look at it as impossible but my performance can't falter because of personal issues. I am wondering how others have handed work and leave and such.

I don't have no alternating Protein and liquid days, so no experience with that. But I work in a high stress environment (I'm a psych nurse) and I just take it a day at a time, that's really all you can do. When you feel low, you have to find your own way to compensate, like a mantra to keep you going. I just started my pre-op diet a week ago which is Atkins or Paleo like according to my doctor, the first few days I was exhausted but I told myself it would pass and just kept going.

One of the keys to success of this process is to find ways to cope with stress without resorting to food. As a stress eater, I have spent a lifetime dealing with this issue.

It's a learning process. Ultimately, it comes down to making choices and setting boundaries for me.

Some tools and resources that you may need to consider using:

a good therapist or counselor;

a support group like a bariatric support group and/or a twelve-step recovery group like OA (OA.org);

regular exercise;

a spiritual practice;

etc. I am sure others can give you some ideas.

A few good books I recommend regularly (some related to WLS specifically and some not):

The One Life Solution by Dr. Henry Cloud (about integrating work and life, setting boundaries, etc.). I can't recommend it highly enough to someone in your situation.

Eat it Up! (written by a therapist who works with WLS patients).

The Language of Letting Go (by Melodie Beattie).

When Food is Love (by Geneen Roth).

In addition to regular exercise, I have found that finding a creative outlet is very important to me. Whether it's as simple as coloring in a coloring book, taking a painting class, writing, or practicing my photography. Creativity is a great outlet for stress for me. You may need to experiment to find what you need.

As another poster mentioned, you will need to learn to take it a day at a time a live in the moment.

Best of luck with your journey and keep us posted on how you are doing.