So I went to a mandatory group nutrition class for pre-op patients to learn about what and how we will have to eat after surgery. Having been banded I thought, "there is nothing they are going to say that I haven't already heard." Boy was I wrong!!!! I left there feeling like I didn't know anything. I was handed a plastic Easter egg and told that that is the approximate size of my new stomach. Of course with the sleeve it is shaped differently by that is it!!!! We were told just how little we would be able to eat and how important it is to only put smart food in your mouth. I left feeling smart and empowered. Then today I began to read the material over and really think about it. CAN I DO THIS???? AM I STRONG ENOUGH???? WILL I SUCCEED???? I have seen a lot of people go through this surgery and fail all because they made bad choices. Am I that person???

I need people to be honest with me here. What is it really like? 3 week liquid diet post-op, meal planning and eating. I know the band must come out and my doctor is planning on doing the sleeve in the same procedure. I just feel like there is still more information to be had and I think the people who have en there are the only people who can help me. So please help! Share everything that you think I should know! Thank you from the bottom of my terrifies heart!

Josie...

Relax...

It will allll be ok...

It's possible to overthink this stuff...

With the amount of information that we have available to us along with the different versions and opinions that we all have...

Just remember that you are different to everyone else here...

Your surgeon/team knows you better than we do...

So at this stage, do whatever it is that THEY tell you..

Yes, the pre-op diet is hard...

Yes, there's a lot to get your head around once it's done...

But you can do it...

I did it...

Everyone here has done it...

Therefore, you can do it...

You're only as 'alone' in this as you want to be...

There's always someone here with a story or opinion...

You'll be fine...

Now stop your carry on and get your s**t together..

You're making a scene...

To be honesy the liquid diet is tough. For me i didnt have pain but juat generally didnt feel well so for the first few days i had no problem just sipping my Water. Then because it was warm i was very thirsyy and the tiny sips were doing nothing to quench my thirst and it was hard not to gulp. I was also surprised at how much i missed chewing

But now 6 months and 150 lbs later it was totally worth it. You can do it. Once you see the weigh t coming off you will be motivated. You can do it

What you're describing isn't so different from your routine after lapband surgery -- a period of liquids, then gradually graduating to real food. Banding requires meal planning. Three weeks of liquid post-surgery isn't a picnic, but, c'mon, three weeks out of a lifetime? You'll gritch and curse and then move on to soft food or whatever.

Are you opting for band removal because of appliance failure or owner disobedience? There's a clue in there for you. If you want to lose weight, however, you will. If you're thinking that you have to or should lose weight, you'll do much better if you get your thinking around to the want.

Proceed based on what you want for your life. Work with a therapist who has experience in working with poeple with food and weight issues. Attend your practice's support groups. Take part in BP. Build a support network.