makemyownluck

I'm sorry you've been struggling. It's definitely an adjustment, the first few days were tough on me. I've managed to get through it without cheating so far - surgery is on Thursday - but I can totally relate to the struggle. I agree you should probably talk to your surgeon about it, the last thing you'd want is for him to get in there and realize he can't complete the surgery - all the incisions w/o the actual surgery being completed would be a bigger disappointment than your doctor putting off surgery for a week so you can get the diet together... Good luck to you! Tomorrow is another day!

I see, I didn't realize that the bypass was a cure for gerd, but I've never suffered from it so it isn't something I've looked into, either. It's got me worried because I haven't had gerd issues before either! I appreciate the info, I really, really hope that the bypass is a success for you.

Did you go right to the pureed stage? JEALOUS!

You are doing such a great job, CONGRATS to you!! Bad days are bound to happen, but you are on a road to success and your accomplishment so far is nothing short of awe inspiring! I can already see such a difference, especially in your face. It's an amazing transformation, and all of your hard work is paying off. Can't wait to see the next update!!

The first 5 days for me were the worst. I was hungry and my stomach was doing "whale songs" constantly. But after day 5 it was like a miracle happened and I haven't been hungry since. I am, however, incredibly tired of tasting these same shakes day in/day out, and I would like to have something to CHEW on. Gum has helped a lot with that! Good luck on yours. Many folks say it's the hardest part because post-op, you have little interest in eating at all

heyyyy - I'm getting sleeve on May 2nd - WHICH IS JUST DAYS AWAY!!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited/nervous/scared, it's so unbelievable to me that this is actually happening!!!!!! Congrats on getting scheduled! I've been on the liquid pre-op diet and it's dreadful the first 3-5 days, then (at least for me) the hunger goes away. I'm hoping for smooth sailing here on out.

Oh wow - I'm also sorry to hear that you've had these complications. Why do they think a bypass is going to relieve it? I would think the issues are caused because of your reduced stomach size, and bypass isn't going to change that. Just curious why this is the option to resolve the gerd...

Hey Suzy, I'm getting sleeved on Thursday! I've got a whole arsenal of products to try - coconut oil, argan oil, shea butter and firming lotion. I'm not sure any of them are really going to work because of how much weight I have to lose, but keeping hydrated is the best way to help yourself as much as you can. Hydrate with Water inside, with oils/lotions outside. I think the key is to look for quality products that have as few ingredients as possible. Especially with oils, read the label, a lot of times they are "cut" with other chemicals so you're not going to benefit as much from using them.

Well, at least he was honest enough to tell you that he only liked you cuz you were big! I'm sure you want more than that in your life, and you'll find it elsewhere. What a shallow jerk! On to the next one, hon!

yes, please explain this "eating clean" concept. I'm intrigued!

Welcome! I'm pre-op, having surgery on Thursday. I've been in "the process" of getting this surgery approved since July of last year, so I've also had a lot of time to think about what it will be like on the other side... The best I can tell you is that when you choose the sleeve, you're choosing an "as normal as possible" life post-op. Yes, you'll be tender and have a hard time bending over for a few weeks, and the stages of diet post-op are probably going to be a challenge, but ultimately, we will be able to eat the things we want, just much, much less of it. Some people do develop food sensitivities after surgery, but it's not as common as it is with gastric bypass. I've been dieting since July and honestly, my tastes have already changed. I went through major carb withdrawal, but now a giant bowl of pasta doesn't even sound good to me - and I used to eat pasta nearly everyday! But even if my taste for pasta was still there, post-op I simply wouldn't not be capable of eating as much, so even if I do "indulge" in it, it won't be in the amount I was doing before! I'm looking forward to being able to have a small portion of anything and being satisfied. I've lived too long as the person who can EAT THE WHOLE THING (whatever 'thing' that may be). The combo of being excited and scared is interesting, isn't it?? From what I've seen around this forum, it's totally natural! Welcome to the board, I hope you get a response from Medicaid soon so you can schedule your surgery!!! Good luck!

My puree stage allows for pudding, soft scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, ricotta, yogurt, mashed potatoes and pureed fruits and veggies. But puree's aren't supposed to start until 2 wks post op on my plan.

Well I'm single and refuse to date at my current weight, so I'm hoping that things will dramatically improve when I lose some! I have read other forum posts tho where people do say their libido is MUCH improved after losing weight. Heck, I've even read forum posts about people who are trying to figure out the gentlest way to have sex just days after surgery!

Most people have to have an EGD. My surgeon, however, just did an upper GI xray. So I still had to drink the barium and roll around on this tilt table so they could take xrays of my stomach from about 10,000 different angles. Wasn't that bad, I really expected the worst for the barium, like it would make me gag or something, but it really wasn't terrible. All I had to do was the psych eval, upper GI, blood work and an EKG....

I lost 16 in the first week. I'm in the middle of week 2 and haven't lost any. :\ very frustrating - especially since my liquid diet IS a liquid diet - no actual meals. I know what I lost the first week was mainly water weight.

I didn't have to do the questionnaire, just talk to a shrink for about 10-15 minutes. And she asked mostly about my family and work life, barely anything about my weight. The only time we even discussed surgery is when she asked me to explain what I knew about the surgery and my post-op diet... kind of like a quiz to see if I really knew what I was getting into. But hey, as long as she wrote a letter at the end saying I was NOT CRAZY, I was fine with all of it. I asked for a 2nd copy, in case my sanity is called into question by friends and family at any point in the future. HAHA

You look great!!

Hooray! I'm having mine on the 2nd! I know set backs are a PAIN (I was expecting surgery in Jan/Feb, but was plagued by insurance issues), but at least you know your heart can handle surgery, and that's definitely a good thing. Good luck with your surgery!

Not sure about the answer to this... I'm equally confused about what's up with the liquid preop diet. In the first 5-6 days, I lost 14lbs. I'm certain most (if not all) of that was Water weight. The scale hasn't budged since. I don't even get the luxury of a Protein bar - just liquids. :\ Very annoying. I hope this isn't an indication of post-op weight loss, too!

I'm going to be sleeved this week, and I realized that I never discussed with my surgeon if I should be/will be on an antiacid post op. I'm wondering if anyone uses Tums as their antiacid since it also has Calcium? Or if you use it in addition to your PPI? I've never had reflux issues, at least not chronic ones. I have had the same bottle of Tums in my medicine cabinet for over a year, at least. It's always worked for me if I ate something that was a little to spicy or acid-y. I'd like to get an idea of what meds people are on, also - how long are you expecting to be on them? Do you take them forever or just for a few months out? Thanks for the info, I'll be talking to my surgeon about it too, obviously, but would like to get an idea of what other people are doing.

I've heard many good things about Alexian. I am going to Rush University in downtown Chicago, my surgery is Thursday. So far, they have been awesome. Definitely great to see some locals on the site! I'm in Aurora. Best of luck, I personally know 4 people who've had surgery and they all had it at Alexian. No complaints from any of them!

Can't wait to see those pics!

You look fantastic!! LMAO @ SIZE TENT!! About a year ago, a reallllly skinny friend of mine asked if she could borrow a shirt because she spilled something on hers. I asked her, "Why? You wanna go build a tent to hide in?" She didn't get the joke. Bless her for that!

Syntrax chocolate truffle is actually GOOD. everything else (in my experience) goes from "okay" to "nasty" after having it a few times. Good luck! and as far as why there are so many... cuz there's LOTS OF MONEY to be made!

That's my day too!