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I am feeling soooo impatient. I’m 2 months in to a possibly 6 month pre-surgery and I don’t know how I am going to make it another 4 months. I’ve done all my pre-appointments, given up soda, sugars and am down to 1/2 cup of coffee in the morning. I’m doing the head work - thanks to a great book recommended here (The Weight Loss Surgery Workbook). And I’m walking 2-3 miles/day 6 days a week. How did you handle the waiting period for this surgery?

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Well, I did a crap ton of reading here and on a few other boards! I also posted here a lot. Did what you are already doing. Started tracking my food every day. And listened to a LOT of music. And yeah, the waiting...SO. VERY. HARD!!!!

Hang in there!!! You're doing great!!!

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I practiced my eating habits for how they're going to be post-surgery and I worked out at the gym. I just kept my eye on the prize. Sounds like you're doing a good job making use of your waiting period.

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Dive into your work and normal daily activities. If you become too preoccupied with the wait, it will seem longer, trust me. Once you're past the surgery, it will seem much shorter in hind-sight. This is so very much a journey that you need to take. If you rush it, you will not be able to build in the good habits you're going to need for post-op. I'm thankful that I spent my time wisely during pre-op making sure I stayed away from most forms of carbs, fatty Proteins and pre-processed foods. Now I can do it in my sleep, its still hard, but it doesn't take as much willpower when your stomach isn't grumbling all the time.

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All of the above is great advice.

I also made a list of things I wanted to do, a kind of bucket list of things after weightloss, that were not possible/ fun at my highest weight. Even only 8 weeks out, I have already managed some and it is very motivating.

I collected recipes that I knew would be bariatric friendly, too. I made a binder for them so they would be ready to go when I was. My family has since implemented a "new recipe" night every Saturday where we cook and test one out together. (Makes a great replacement for eating out.) Check out the Food Before and After thread link below for lots of pics of yummy healthy food people eat post op for some great inspiration.

Food before/after

Hang in there, you can make this time count for sure! :)

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All of you seem to have been so much better prepared for this than I was. I did attend all the required pre-surgery classes, which helped me a lot. My only other source of information was this board, which was a godsend! I learned so many things that my surgeon had not told me.

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I just started reading this thread and I have gleaned so much good info. I have been trying to get ready for my surgery on 10/1. I'm currently undergoing a serious case of pre-op doubts. I am self pay, and keeping looking at the $ sitting in savings and thinking " what am I doing? I could use this to do...". Then I think about my health. So, with this in mind, I just ordered the Workbook previously mentioned. Maybe that will keep my mind occupied for the next month.

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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