Hey guys,

Got my date for the bypass- 4/4/17. Cant wait until I have this change, my eating is killing me.

Anyway, just two things:

1. Any advice for those going into bypass op?

2. What do you think I could try to not eat so much until I go on to the pre op diet? I feel like a whale- christmas and all, so much food. I laugh about it, but deep down, its appalling- knocking back all these delicious morsels.

Hope u all have had a nice xmas!

Kind regards,

Ashley Menhennett

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a few months before, I gradually gave up soda, caffeinated coffee, and started increasing my protein. I also gradually decreased my carb intake. I tried to limit my calories to 2000 per day. I lost about 45 lbs just by doing this - plus it was a good transition into post-op life.

Since you are at the beginning of this process, I would recommend three things.

1. Take a good before photograph of yourself, so that you have something to compare to after surgery. Many times we are blind to our obesity. We do not see ourselves. Therefore when the weight begins to drop off rather dramatically, we question if this is really happening. Photographs are a good visualization of our success. Many people carry a before and after photo with them, just to remind themselves of their success.

2. Walk 30 minutes each day, every day until surgery (or equivalent exercise). Walking helps the recovery process go smoothly and minimized the pain levels from surgery.

3. Wean yourself from caffeine and carbonated beverages now. After I gave up my 6 diet coke a day habit, I suffered from a week of severe withdrawal syndrome consisting of severe headaches and body aches. I was miserable. You don't want to combine the effects of caffeine withdrawal with the effects of surgery.

oh yes! Take pictures for sure!! And once you're post-surgery, have someone take some once a month on your surgery date. I hated having my picture taken when I was at my heaviest (373 lbs), so one of the few I have is from the night before my six-month supervised diet, when I weighed 355. I wish I had some of me at 373!!

and James is right - we are often blind to our obesity. And we're blind to how much we're losing. I sometimes can't tell a difference between my weight month to month, but when I compare pictures of myself from four months ago - or six - or a year- WOW! Amazing difference!! You'll be glad you have all those pictures to document your journey

I also gave up caffeine and carbonation prior to surgery. I didn't consume that much of either, but in getting past it pre-op, it was one less thing to deal with post-op, leaving me able to focus more on healing. Congrats on the date!

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