TheButterfly145

Just a thought... the sugar substitutes in Crystal Light, SF jello etc can actually CAUSE headaches and stomach problems in some people (I am extremely sensitive). If you only used those occasionally before the diet and are now doing them as your main nutrients, they could be causing a lot of the problems you are seeing. The Bariatric Advantage shakes have sucralose (Splenda) in them so it might be a good idea to remove any other sugar sub for the next couple of days and see if that makes you feel any better. It took me a long time to realize what it was that kept making me feel like crap. I hope the liquid diet gets easier for you. I know that the first two days were hard for me but I'm now on day 7 and doing quite well.

I totally agree with missbliss. The eval is basically non-eventful. They just ask questions about why you're doing it, have you always been heavy or what prompted your weight gain, are you dealing with any emotional instability in your life etc. My doc sent me the MMPI ahead of time and had me bring in the completed test. He also said that the test was originally designed for general mental health evals so a lot of the questions seemed completely un-related. My favorite was: true or false, "sometimes, I feel like swearing." My roommate and I still giggle over that one. Don't worry over it and be honest about your goals and dedication. Good luck!

Let me preface this post with - I am talking about the bowel cleansing prior to surgery, those with a weak consititution should probably proceed with caution... I'll try to be less than graphic whereever possible. Ok, so my surgeon had me fill a prescription for Osmoprep that I am supposed to take the day before surgery in order to 'cleanse my system'. It's a full on regimen of pills that have to be take every 15 minutes or so with a bunch of clear fluids. Since I will have been on the full liquid diet for two full weeks prior to this I am not expecting it to be TOO much of a problem (since I won't have much that is solid left inside anyway.) Has anyone else had to do this, been told this or gone through this? I have been planning on working the day before my surgery and need to know if that is a HORRIBLE idea or if I should be ok doing that. If I have to arrange to work from home so I am closer to a restroom then I may do that. I don't want to be caught in a bad situation at the office because of this stuff! Thanks to anyone for your advice!

I'll post the hospital response to my inquiry and some recipes for chemical free options. I too have soy as a MAJOR no-no in my diet. It gives me big time gas on top of the migraines. It's amazing to me how many products that are considered 'diet' and 'healthy' actually contain numerous chemicals and synthetic additives. It has made me an uber label reader. By the way, making your own Jello and popsicles is way easier than it sounds. Recipes and directions to come. I am also going to put together a couple of how-to videos for my v-log on YouTube. Best of luck in staying sugar and chemical free through your journey.

I don't have a problem sticking with ice chips and water if I need to. I was considering making my own popsicles and jello and then bringing them but I don't think the hospital will let me bring my own. I am planning on asking them about that on Monday. If they really want me to eat something then I will probably have to have my own.

I went around and around with that as well. I was 39.99 BMI on my first visit. I have higher BMI in my past two years so I ended up being OK but it was right on the mark. The surgeon had to do a peer-to-peer call with the reviewing doc in order to get it to go through. I actually tried to gain weight after and ate everything in site for a week in fear that they would have me come back to weigh again. They didn't have me come back and I ended up only gaining a pound so it all worked out. Just go with the apnea test and see, maybe you'll be where you need to be to qualify in six months?

I called the doc to ask them if I would be able to work and they basically told me that I would be "risking the possibility of an unfortunate accident" which to me means - DON'T DO IT!! They said I could wait until later in the day to take the first round of doses and to take only clear liquids with and after the medication. I am pretty nervous about doing it since even light laxatives make me horribly miserable. When is your surgery? I'll keep you posted on what happens with me.

Probably magnesium citrate - it works in a similar fashion to the Osmoprep and I assume you were pretty miserable drinking the whole bottle! Talk about CLEAN on the insides!

It also depends on how close you are to the 40 BMI number. I made the mistake of working out like a bandit and cutting calories etc. when I went in to the surgeon I had lost 5 pounds which I thought was great but it put me at 39.95 BMI so we had to fight with the insurance to cover the procedure! If you are close in weight to the 40 BMI then NO! DON"T DO liquid YET. You will lose weight and won't be approved by insurance.

Also, try making them with less liquid. I found that thicker shakes tend to stay with me a bit longer.

Bluebonnet has some that have only 3 carbs and 26 grams of Protein, plus they are low in sodium, cholesterol and have no artificial sweeteners (just Stevia). I like the flavor but everyone is different. It's good whey protein but I am also taking separate amino acids and all my Vitamins to be sure I'm getting everything I need before the big day. Last night was rough though, I had a really stressful and active day at work and it was my first day on liquid. I ended up have a teaspoon of almond butter around 7pm which really helped but I don't want to do that again in the next two weeks. I am going to try and start practicing not 'eating' and drinking at the same time (even though my 'meals' are liquid too). I think just getting into the habit of having drinkless meals will be good after surgery.

I just got more information... My surgeon's office said that the osmoprep does need to be done the day before surgery and that you HAVE to be home (in order to prevent any unwanted accidents). However, they said I can adjust and take at 2pm when I get home from work and then take the rest that night. On the paperwork I got it says to take some at 7 am and some at 7 pm - so now I get to wait and take at 2 pm and then at 10 pm with Clear Liquids only. I'll post again once I've been through it, just in case anyone else has to do this as well...

I haven't done my preop yet, scheduled for Monday right now. I was just wondering if maybe the osmoprep was for that instead of for before surgery. However, I just read my paperwork and it definitely says to do it the day before surgery. Not forma colonoscopy. Weird.

The instructions are to do it at 7am the day before. I'm a bit worried that I will be a complete miserable mess all day that day. Did anyone have to do a colonoscopy before surgery as part of preop?

I have insurance and they are asking for the co-pays that will cover my surgery and the pre-op testing (I have to pay one copay for each). However, the hospital is 'running a special' (who knew hospitals did that!?) and are giving me a discount on both fees. I have to pay both co-pays less the discount on the day of my pre-op testing because they don't want me to bring any valuables, including credit cards or cash on the day of surgery.

My surgeon actually offers support groups for the different procedures they do in their office. They said that while everyone has a slightly different experience, it helps to discuss what you are going through with folks in the same/similar situation. There is a lot of information out there that isn't valid or is meant to scare you. As long as you are educated you are empowered. One of my favorite quotes is: " Think Education is Expensive? Try Ignorance. " I have a good friend who is a doctor - when I told him I was doing the surgery he immediately jumped on me with questions about the type, details, information etc. When I told him what I knew of the sleeve, that I was active on the discussion boards and really knew what I was getting myself into he calmed and said he wished more of his patients were like me. People in the medical field, regardless of their specialty, are PRACTICING medicine and are there to help you be successful, happy and healthy. The road is not always easy but the right road is worth it in the end.

Some strains result in less 'munchie' problems than others. I would agree that you should go to your local dispensary and talk to them about it. Also ask them about some types that provide a good result with minimal munch. It's probably a good idea to lay off for the two weeks prior to surgery so your body is clean. You might want to be open with your surgeon as well so they can properly adjust prescription medication requirements and be prepared in the event of complications. An open-minded surgeon may decide to let you use that as an alternative to some of the other anti-nausea and pain meds. Good luck with your surgery!

I have been able to read and post from my droid by going directly to the site from my e-mail links. I haven't tried on the iPhone but I'll look for the app today and see if I can offer any assistance.

My surgery date was moved UP! I am now getting my sleeve on the 7th of July. I might not be a July 11th sleever but I'll definitely keep you all posted on my progress. I am really excited about this and start my Protein on Wednesday of this week. I took some time this weekend to clean out my fridge of anything I won't be able to eat and clear the cupbards. The protein is pretty much the only thing left now so I won't feel bad seeing things I can't have. This is finally starting to feel real now! I'm a little worried because I am extremely sensitive to artificial sweeteners and everything I read says they give you sugar-free Jello or popcicles after the procedure. I have never been able to find a sugar-free jello of any kind that doesnt contain either splenda or aspartame so I'm reasonably sure that's what I'll be offered. I plan on talking to the hospital and my surgeon about this during my pre-op testing but I was wondering if anyone else had similar concerns or experiences they might be able to share.

I started a video blog (just one video for now) that I will be updating throughout my journey. It's on YouTube under TheButterfly145 if you want to follow me. ill be on the boards here as well. It's really wonderful to be able share this experience with so many others all around the country. The Butterfly

Oh and BTW, I am going to be doing surgery at St. Lukes hospital in Phoenix with Dr. Daniel Fang.

That would be great if your husband would join you. I know that many people I've talked to have seen an improvement in their family members because of the healthy changes you have to make post-op. Perhaps your dh will end up losing the weight and getting his health back while supporting your journey. At least we can hope right?

Woo hoo I'm July 11th as well!