justmeandmysleeve

My doctore requires a pre-op diet for patients with a BMI of 50 or over. I am at a BMI of 49.6 so that is close enough to 50. It is an 800 calorie diet, it doesn't seem like much but I am hopeful.

Mine is on July 19th!!! I start the 800 calorie pre-op diet tomorrow. I am a little nervous about sticking to the program, but I have a great support system. Good luck ladies!!!

I am three weeks pre-op, I start my diet tomorrow....yikes! I have chosen to tell my parents, husband, brother, sister in laws, and boss. That's about it. I have told my two closest girlfriends since they are a big source of support for me. I really don't feel comfortable yet. I work in our family business and I don't want to feel like I am constantly being monitored. I asked my doctor what she would say yesterday and she said "tell people who notice the weight loss that you are on a high Protein diet with small portions and you're exercising!" It really is the truth, until I am ready to out myself I am going to keep my personal life personal. My husband and I started trying for a baby a year ago. I told everyone in the WORLD that we were "trying." It was awful because I cannot get pregnant at my current weight. Everyone is still asking "so what's taking so long." I need to focus on being healthy before we bring a little one into the world. Good luck whatever you decide. I have been suprised at the support from the family and friends I have told!

I had my last pre-op appointment this afternoon and I was cleared for surgery on July 19th. I start my pre-op diet on Thursday, it is a three week 800 calorie diet. I am definitely worried about my will power and ability to stay strict through the diet. The dietician said I can have a plain breast of chicken on 4th of July to Celebrate....yahoo I am 90% excited and 10% nervous today! I cannot wait to start the rest of my life. Hopefully this new stage will bring children to our family and a long life of happiness!

I just had my endoscopy on Friday at it was soooooo easy. To be honest the worst part was getting the i.v. before hand and waiting for them to take me back. I had myself worked up into tears and it really was quick and painless. They put in my i.v. on the first try (I have notoriously difficult veins) and by the time I had my procedure my mom and I were laughing and joking. It really wasn't as big a deal as I was thinking. Don't let a little thing like the endoscopy scare you away. I fully thought on Friday morning that I couldn't go through with it, but I am so glad I did. It made me feel more mentally tough and prepared for surgery. YOU CAN DO IT!

Ms.Dallas, I have been having the same issues. I realize that I am sabotaing myself by saying "one month until D-day" or "let's have the final supper before it's too late." I daily remind myself that I can have my favorite meals after surgery it just will be smaller portions....meaning that chicken I love I will just have it for 2 dinner and 2 lunches instead of at one time. I find it so difficult, but I am making little changes daily to prepare myself for my pre-op diet. I've started by drinking a Protein shake in the morning for Breakfast rather than driving thru Starbucks. Also, my husband and I are trying to make a conscious decision to be active at least 5 times a week. We've walked, taken bike rides, I am going back to my Zumba classes. I am hoping these habits now will help in a month when I don't have any choice. Good luck getting your head around this process....I am finding that it the hardest part!

I've done herbalife and Medifast and loved both. I am currently pre-op and while I haven't had to start my pre-op diet yet I am getting my mind prepared and having a Medifast protein shake for breakfast and dinner....they are delicious!

Congrats!!! I find your story incredibly inspiring. I am about a month pre-op and getting so nervous for what is to come. I also married the most amazing man in a size 20 dress..... We have been trying to start a family and I have not been able to get pregnant because of weight related complicationg. I am hoping this surgery and the new me will give us a chance at having our own children. Best of luck on the rest of your journey! Any advice is appreciated!

What's the hardest thing to deal with in the first few months? My surgery is in four weeks and I am getting nervous!!!

My doctor explained that the pre-op diet is designed to shrink your liver. If you have a fatty liver and cannot get to the stomach lapriscopically they will completely open you up. (much like a c-section.....ouch!) Not worth it in my opinion, but ask me in 2 weeks when I am on pre-op! My advice would be to drink more Protein shakes or have an extra bar or two. That way you can feel a little fuller to sleep, but not completely ruin your diet. Good luck!

I start liquid pre-op in a week.......I am not looking forward to it!

Absolutely!

When is your date? Mine is July 19th.....getting closer!

I could not agree with you more. I have chosen to only tell my family and a few of my best girlfriends. I am just not one of those people that can post about it on facebook, etc. I absolutely believe in telling only who will support you at this stage. I actually had one of the girls tell me at work that she knew my dress was maternity because her sister had the same dress.....her sister was pregnant! I won't be outing myself until I feel comfortable.

Thanks friends! I have been feeling stalled. My surgery date isn't until July 19th and all of these medical tests are making me feel like a lab rat. I needed something to remind me to keep my eye on the prize. All of those things have really happened......I really sat on a glass table on a family vacation and it broke. Absolutely mortifying. It is equally as embarrassing when my Uncle brought it up AGAIN last month, I couldn't have died! I will no longer let my weight define who I am, because I am soooooo much more!!!

I am going to the gynocologist this week to ask the same question. I really do not want to get anything implanted since my husband and I would really like to start a family 18-24 months after the sleeve. I'll let you know what my doctor says. I am hoping to go back on the pill. I've been off the pill for a year and trying, but because of my weight we were not successful in getting pregnant. I am having the surgery to give us a better chance of having a HEALTHY family! Good luck!

hi FM- I am a SoCal girl myself and have chosen the NEW Program in Newport Beach. A close family friend of mine had her sleeve done there. I actually went for a consultation a year ago, but wasn't being supported by my husband and family. Good news is, now they are on board so I am back at testing and getting my mind ready. I highly recommend the NEW Program so far, they have been extrememly efficient and really helpful. Let me know if you have any other questions. ~Carly

That is funny because my husband keeps asking if I am going to get skinny and leave him. I assured him that my focus is to be healthy NOT skinny. To be honest I've never been skinny and I don't think it's my natural state. Good luck! Convincing the husband also

Kim, Hang in there! That is my worst nightmare. I am going to be sleeved on July 19th and I am sick of the stigma that I am taking the "easy" way out. I don't think there is anything easy about the decision to take your life back into control. I'll be praying girl! ~Carly

This is a hilarious thread! My husband is just like all of yours in that he wants to see how I do first. Us women have to do it all I am actually excited to show him that it can be done. I get sleeved July 19th!!! Good luck Ladies!

Hi Harleymb- I am a newbie as well. My surgery is scheduled for July 19th! I have never wanted bypass because I have seen the effects of malabsorbtion with a friend of mine. In my life sleeve makes the most sense because my husband and I are trying to have a family and I will have a better chance of having a healthy pregnancy without the malabsorbtion. My doctor recommends bypass only when patients have a major addiction to sweets. I don't know if you are a sweet or savory lover? Good luck whatever you choose!!!

Ladies- My husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for about a year. I was recently diagnosed with PCOS which is the major reason I am having the sleeve on July 29th. I don't feel comfortable with going back on birth control since I finally got it out of my system. What did you do post-op to ensure you wouldn't have a pregnancy before your body was ready? Thank you!