Christabel

Just had my sleeve done Dec 27th with Dr. Sorenson. It certainly is a learn-as-you-go process!

It was around January 15th of this year when I went to my first informational meeting about the sleeve. Since then I've been through all kinds of tests, physical and psychological, and waited patiently for things to fall into place. Tomorrow is the day. At 6 a.m. I show up at the hospital, and at 7:45 a.m. they begin. I am excited, scared, nervous and happy all at once. At 5' 3.5" and 237 lbs. with multiple comorbidities I know I am doing the best thing for my health and for the rest of my life. The only worries I have are about complications from the surgery, so if y'all would pray for smooth sailing for me, I'd appreciate it. Oh, and please move over, will you? You've got a wide load comin' atcha on that loser's bench!

M'dear, you are getting off easy! My surgeon requires 5 Protein shakes a day plus only Clear liquids for 12 days, then only clear liquids for the last two days before surgery. It really isn't as bad as it seems. If you have your mind made up that this is what you want mor than anything and you're going to do it, it's not that bad. I honestly haven't been hungry at all, and my surgery is Monday the 27th. Just keep your eyes on the prize, my friend! It's a gift, so take it for all it's worth!

Um...not really. Try the wonton soup without the wontons instead. You still get the ambience, but less calories. And the nurse in your surgeons office won't yell at you. Take it from someone who knows. I tried for hot and sour soup without the chunks.

Day One of liquid diet, and the protein drinks don't seem to be sitting well on my stomach. I'm getting a lot of heartburn, gas, etc. and feeling sick to my stomach after drinking them. Consequently, I've only had two of the five I was supposed to drink. I take Prevacid on a regular basis for reflux, but it doesn't seem to help with this. Any suggestions?

I got some Lactaid-type pills at GNC today. I'll give 'em a whirl. Where can I find Nectar?

I'm pre-op as well and on the 2-week liquid diet before surgery. Having the same problem here. I bought several ready-made shakes of different kinds, but haven't found one I like yet. Muscle Milk sucks eggs. The GNC products all left an aftertaste. I'm trying the EAS next, but I'm not hopeful. At this point I'm thinking I'll lose weight just because I can't stomach the Protein shakes. FIVE A DAY??? It's been hard enough to do TWO. Blech.

I do, too! Congratulations!

Wow. We are required to do 5 protein shakes a day, at least 64 oz of water, and as much of any other clear liquid (broth, crystal light, sugar-free popsicles) that we want.

This is exactly the reason I haven't told anyone except close family, one friend, and my boss. My husband and boss both say people are going to start asking questions when the weight starts coming off, and my answer will be that I'm doing a doctor-supervised diet. That way they won't be watching every bite I do or don't take or try to be my food police. It's none of their business. If they want to support the loss, great. If they want to criticize the way it happens, they won't have the chance because they won't know.

Have you tried sugarfree gum? I know many surgeons don't want us chewing gum, but that might satisfy you until you can actually get some solids in. Check with your doctor first.

We have a chance to go on a 4-day cruise over the Presidents' Day holiday in February. My surgery is scheduled for Dec. 28th, meaning I should only be about 6-8 weeks out when we leave. What should I expect to be able to eat? Should I bring food along? Has anyone else been in this situation, and if so, how did you cope? Any advice appreciated! C

I wonder what those people who compare losing weight to breaking a leg are thinking. A broken leg heals. It doesn't break over and over again with the break getting worse each time, finally staying broken because we just get tired of trying to get it to heal. If those who judge us could only live in our bodies for a short time, they'd come to realize that obesity is indeed genetic in some cases, emotional in some cases, and permanently incurable in many cases without the assistance of this type of surgery. I am so tired of people thinking we're "taking the easy way out" or doing this instead of changing our lifestyles. What do they think this is if it isn't a lifestyle change? This is the biggest committment I've EVER made to losing weight and keeping it off, not counting the thousands and thousands of dollars I've spent on every weight loss gimmick and diet and gym and pill in the book! I'm so frustrated with those who judge others - especially us!

Late last year when I started talking about getting sleeved, Hubster was all for it. He knew how much it meant to me, how much I wanted to be skinny. I went to the surgeon and found out my insurance was one of the most difficult to get approved. Hubster was still with me, still encouraging. Then I got the approval. And I got a date. We went out to dinner Thursday night, and the first thing out of his mouth was "What are you going to eat if we come here after your surgery?" And it continued from there. He questioned if I would cook dinner anymore. He wanted to know how we would have the family time we have now around the table if I was only eating a small amount of food. He said it would be "weird" and "different" and "just not right" for that to happen. I asked him where the supportive guy was that had been around for the past year, and he said that was before he realized the surgery was a reality. Before he thought it might not happen because of the insurance problems, etc. Now it's going to happen and he's not so sure it's a good thing. So how do I deal with this?

December 27th here! I'm taking the last week of the month in order to get the insurance deductible, then the first week of the next year for recovery. Too busy up until then to get two weeks in a row. My pre-op appointment is December 8th. Starting to get a little nervous, but WAY excited as well. I want to look better than I did when my photo was taken 50 lbs ago!

Today I had an experience where someone at work hurt my feelings and treated me as a nobody for the 234th time. Since surgery isn't until Dec. 27th, of course I did what any red-blooded fat American woman would do...I started crying and stuffed my face with the donuts someone was kind enough to bring today. The funny part is that a guy in the office who has been banded and lost a bunch of weight over the past months mentioned to me as I was loading up my plate that "those aren't good for you.." I glared at him and firmly announced, "I DON'T CARE!" I think he got the message. It was a great way to make HIM feel loved as well. Not. After stuffing them and my anger down, I realized what I had just done. Do I feel better? Some. Do I feel stupid for having dropped to that level when I KNOW BETTER? YES. At least there was a lesson learned and I recognized the behavior - if a little late. And it did stop me from bawling my way through the day. But I need another way to compensate besides eating or pounding someone or crying or...you get the idea. Any help?

If pills aren't a problem to most, then are the chewable vitamins that are out now mostly for RNY patients? Or are vitamins a different story?

Makes me so angry I wanna go eat some donuts. *wink* Just kidding...honest!

I have never been more happy to have had a hysterectomy. Just sayin'... :laugh0:

YOU GO, GIRL!!! We'll hold down the fort here, and we'll be waiting for you when you get back. You know the mantra...walk, walk, walk, sip, sip, sip, lather, rinse, repeat! I'm jealous, but I'll be joining you soon!

Thanks for all the great information! I like to hear from different people about their experiences and suggestions as far as how it felt, what to bring, etc. Welcome to the board!

MlkPas, what a HOOT you are! Journaling could be a good outlet - I've done that before. And it's such a "DUH" kind of thing, I wonder why I didn't think of it before. I mean, I write a BLAWG for goodness sake...why didn't I think of writing before??? Of course, I can just see me typing away with tears streaming down my cheeks like I was writing the heartbreak chapter of my new novel, when in actuality I was just ticked to the gills. :lol0: Again, thanks so much, ALL!

Thanks all. Just to clear things up a bit, I have been through counseling. I know why I do what I do if and when it comes up. Usually I cry it out, but this time it was socially unacceptable, so I ate. The individual in question is an authority - not one who can be approached. The banded guy has been preaching at me ever since he had his surgery, and it didn't help that I was more than a little annoyed with him as well. (I've since apologized to him.) He seems to take every opportunity he can to chastise me every time I take a mouthful of anything he now considers "bad." He has no idea I'm having VSG in Dec. The message I was trying to send to him was "BACK OFF!" Of course I could have handled it better. I knew that. But I didn't, and I came here asking for help. This isn't an everyday occurence. I want to have other strategies in place before the surgery. I'm just looking for other things to do, other coping mechanisms to use, rather than the ones I have been. Exercise seems great, but it's hard to leave the office and walk around the block. I can't punch anyone out or sit at my desk and cry. So how do I relieve the stress without eating? What do you do when you're in this type of situation? And please, be kind. I've had a rough day.