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I only found out about this site today. I began my trip down the bariatric road in late February of this year after roughly 4 years of being pointed in this direction by my doctor. I was resistant primarily because prior to back-to-back knee injuries (right first, followed by the left three months later) in 2008 which were both 'corrected' surgically but have rapidly deteriorated in the years since to the point where I'm grinding bone-on-bone on both sides, I was very active - ice hockey 3x per week including 1x week through the summer, gym 6 days/wk, cycling 100-200 miles/week, so I could 'do it myself'...except with my knees in the state they are, I can't. Having consulted with two separate orthopaedic surgeons, they both agreed I need total knee replacement in both knees - badly - but neither will perform the procedure at my weight. Having this surgery is a stepping stone to my ultimate goal of no longer being a 56 year old 80 year old. So, upon being referred to the bariatric program here in Toronto, I attended the virtual orientation class on March 7th and subsequently attended either virtually or in person, all of the other classes/consults up to and including the surgeon, and have done a sleep study and had an endoscopy and on July 7, received my surgery date; Aug 28 Being in Canada, I will only be out of pocket for the two weeks of liquid diet pre-surgery and then the regimented stages of dietary progression post-surgery. Everything else is covered including all of the diagnostics, the surgery and the hospital stay. I'm looking forward to getting my life back...

Hi all, thank you for your patience and great advice as I navigate all this. My family has been great, just celebrated my 60th birthday with a final “food funeral” of my favorite dinner and pie. I’ve been getting a lot of “Why now?” questions, sure wish I had done this earlier but had a job I didn’t think I could juggle with the aftercare. I thought maybe it’d be interesting to share what moment tipped you over into making the decision to do this. Mine: Medical issues + multiple embarrassments through the years, but the final straw was a few months ago. I bought us concert tickets for a musician my husband loves but is seldom within driving distance. Beautiful day, beautiful venue… but the seats. Started the first half of the concert immensely aware the man sitting on my opposite side was bear-hugging himself to keep from touching my overflow. He didn’t come back (or rejected different seating) the second half. Utterly mortifying.

Mine was when I hit 421 pounds, I was on 3 diabetes meds, a blood pressure med, and my joints were constantly hurting. When I was diagnosed with MS, I was already having mobility issues. The extra weight was making me need a walker. I just couldn't do it anymore. I hated everything about myself, my life, my body, my health. I avoided mirrors, despised trying to find clothes that fit, and the looks I would get when we went anywhere. I was always out of breath, always in pain, health getting worse.... I couldn't take it anymore.

My "moment of awakening" was when I started to sweat so bad. I went to a dermatologist who gave me pills to dry up my sweat, but it dried up my whole body (mouth,eyes ) and I was still sweating. I went to see my family doctor and she sent me to a bunch of specialists & I went through tons of tests and everything came out normal. I just had to face the hard truth that it HAD to be my weight. I was scared to tell my husband that I wanted the surgery , but I got up the nerve and was pleasantly surprised to see how supportive he was. We've been married for 50 years ... hopefully now I'lll be married AND healthy for many more

i already know i'd like the hot sauce one, and the cheesy one! what are the other ones?? teriyaki? ranch? bbq sauce? blue cheese?? 😉

On the night before I started my pre-op diet, I had three sushi rolls and a Hendricks gin and tonic. Zero regrets. It was delicious.

I'm going to be honest; I had several last hoorahs. I'm a bad influence and always have been. Don't listen to me; or do. This is a change for the rest of your life and a last hoorah is not going to sabotage the entire outcome of the surgery. Hopefully I don't get scolded for giving bad advice. 🙂

Convenience is also a thing to consider. For example, Jello makes ready-made sugar free Jello cups and sugar free chocolate pudding cups. I always have these on hand for my chocolate craving that pops up every now and then. I also always keep Sarrgento low fat mozzarella string cheese and lower fat Babybels on hand. I always have Chobani zero sugar Greek yogurt on hand as well. I know you said it makes you gag right now and I went through something similar because i honestly dislike Greek yogurt but I have learned to eat it. I buy multiple flavors to keep it "fresh". I can finally eat fresh fruit and vegetables so I buy a bag of frozen blueberries to add to my yogurt cup. That really helps the yogurt go down smoothly. I also still drink a Premier protein Chocolate Peanut butter ready-made shake every day. That is the only one I can get down without difficulty although the cookies and creme does taste just like Oreos! Maybe try a different brand/flavor of protein shake. I'm 3.5 months post sleeve and just met with my nutritionist. They love protein shakes for us and told me to continue to drink them. I have not had bread, pasta or rice since my surgery 3.5 months ago. That was something I prepared myself for prior to surgery. I will make enough dinner to have it as a leftover for lunch at work the next day. There are so many lower fat/ no sugar options. Use cauliflower rice instead of regular rice. Add salsa to it and you have Spanish rice! Use zoodles or spaghetti squash for pasta substitute. Use a lettuce leaf instead of bread for burgers. Use plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. Dip veggies in hummus or ranch dip made with greek yogurt for more protein. I think if you make changes as everyone has suggested you will be successful on your journey. Don't get discouraged because you've already realized you need to change how you eat. That is already a win for you! Good luck, I know you will be ok! We are always here for support!

On my pre op diet now. I go for surgery August 2nd! Excited and nervous!

My husband can't take me to my post op appointment Wednesday and I don't think I should be driving the 80 miles myself yet. In order to get my mother in law to take me, I had to say we'd go to pf chang's, which is right next door to my doctor. I'll still be on my liquid phase, but one day away from liquids/soft foods. I noticed my handouts had egg drop soup listed as a suggestion during this phase, but not hot and sour. According to the company's website, the hot and sour has less fat and calories. Is there some reason to avoid the hot and sour if I just eat the broth?