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my surgery is Jan 21st..good luck..try & keep busy..go for walks etc..have a long hot bath, listen to music, read a book, check you have everything needed for your hospital stay..

It will be over & done with before we know it..keep us posted

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I'm having surgery on Jan 29. The surgery is just a moment in time, I'm sure I will be nervous for it closer to the time. But for now, I'm nervous about the after-life. The rest of my life living with the band. I am ready for it, BUT this is a change in a MAJOR way. I had a burger & fries for lunch today. Man was it good. I'm sure I won't miss it as much as I think, but geez this is major... the gravity of it is sometimes overwhelming. On the other hand, as they say "nothing tastes as good as thin feels".

Good luck to you all!

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I started my 3 day fast yesterday. I was doing fine until 4:00am when I woke up with a HORRIBLE headache. Against my better judgment, I took 2 Tylenol. Needless to say, I got a HORRIBLE upset stomach and threw up for over an hour, dry heaves for another hour on top of that. It was NOT going away. So I called my Dr. finally around 3:00pm and we figured out it was caffeine withdrawl. He OK'd me having a diet soda and it is subsiding..FINALLY. On the bright side, I have absolutely NO desire for food, and I've lost 6 lbs. UGH, this aint easy is it?

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I wasnt required to lose weight but I could NOT weigh more than my pre-op appt. I was required to have a lower calorie diet with 40-60 grams Protein per day and 2 days of liquids prioir to surgery, so I start that tomorrow. Some dont even have pre-op diets and others are on strict ones...it is confusing isnt it??

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I'm at home recovering from my surgery on Jan. 14th. First of all, it's not as bad as you can possibly anticipate. The only real pain is the gas that has lodged in my shoulder. The stiches (glue, actually) in my abdomen don't hurt and my stomach is tight but not sore. The gas however is quite painful. Walking and exercising my arm and shoulder have helped.

I am having no problem with food or diet. I will just tell you what I did and you can take it from there. Two weeks prior to surgery I removed all "no-no" foods from one cabinet and filled it with nothing but Protein Drinks (several different kinds) shakes, boxes, boxed Rice Dream, Protein Bars (for later) creamed Soups, Jello, broth, herbal teas, clear Fruit Drinks and Water. I filled all my empty Water bottles from my tap which is well water. I have a drawer in the kitchen with my journal, pens, blood test kit, blood pressure machine, insulin and all meds. I cleaned out my refrigerator and freezer so that there is nothing in the house that I can "cheat" with. I live alone so this is easier than having a family around. If that were the case I would just isolate a "space" for my infirmary and supply closet and not venture elsewhere.

As for pre-op diet I started on January 1st, 2 weeks prior to surgery and eased myself into the post-op diet. My body got used to Protein drinks and water and around 800 calories so that post-op I'm feeling no hunger at all. If you can't have a cheeseburger post-op why eat one two days prior to surgery? In your head you haven't given up this type of food yet. Wrap your head around the fact that you won't be eating like you have been ever, ever again.

I have been sleeping a lot and very soundly. I'm taking liquid hydro-codeine which is powerful. Today I switched to liquid Tylenol. Other than the slowly easing gas pain in my shoulder I am feeling really good. Lots of energy and a positive attitude. I followed the doctor's instructions to a T and my reward was uneventful surgery, quick recovery and a positive attitude. Do what your doctor tells you!!!

I hope this helps. Take everything you think you might need to the hospital although they are good about supplying all the comforts. The best thing I took was a sippy cup and it was GREAT! I read that tip here in this forum and it was the best thing I did. Even the doc and nurses were commenting on how efficient it was. You need to keep drinking water all the time and they provided a plastic glass and pitcher, very labor intensive when you're flat on your back. The sippy cup stays in bed with you, doesn't leak and is so easy to use.

From reading these letters it seems to me that attitude is the most important component for successful surgery. The physical part is a breeze. Judyx3 :)

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Good job Judy! I too have followed my Dr's instructions to a T (with the exception of diet soda which he allowed to soothe my horrific headache!). My surgery is tomorrow morning @ 10:00am :huh2::thumbup:. I'm ready to begin my new life!

I cornered off an entire cabinet for my Soups, broths, drink mixes, teas and other staples. Your quick and uneventful surgery makes me feel more at ease, although honestly, I was more worried about getting through this 3 day fast more than the surgery :glare:.

I've lost 11 pounds in 9 days and I'm ready to keep it coming off. On another note, I have no idea why every doctor and person's pre-op diet is different, makes me wonder:blush:

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Hey bballmom- there are several of us 1/20-ers out there! We have been hanging in the Monthly support threads!

I'm sooo ready! I can't wait to get on with it! I have been on a 4 day clear liquid diet and it stinks!! I'm so over it, but respect it as part of the process. Hope things are going well for you, and let's keep in touch!

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Hi bballmom, Just wanted to wish you well for tomorrow :)

I am being done on 25th and I too am getting really nervous. My pre-op diet is only fat free for a week before so I am not really finding that too difficult. Come back and tell us how you got on when you are able!

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Hello Everyone!

I too have surgery tomorrow. I need to be there by 7am for surgery at 9am. I have been on liquids for the past two days. I have been lurking these boards for weeks but this is my first post. These boards have been so helpful in answering any kinda question I could've imagined.

I wish you all well tomorrow and a speedy recovery!

Look forward to hopefully keeping in touch with some of you. I am sure we will need all the support we can get.

Take Care!

We can do this!! :scared2:

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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!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • 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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