Caroline G

Hi Melanie, I agree with everyone here (well, almost everyone). I am 33, have always, and still do sometimes, valued my parents' opinions even when I don't necessarily agree. They were the hardest people to tell but also the most important (other than my husband but he has been so supportive since Day 1). By the time I talked to them, I had been researching this for almost a year, had been well into my testing, and had even changed surgeons and changed from lap band to sleeve. I was so set on my decision that nobody could convince me otherwise. It was especially hard to tell my parents (and sisters) because they are in the medical field and are more aware of the risks.) My dad is a surgeon (orthopedic), my mom is a nurse, my sister is a doctor, and my other sister is a nurse. This made it that much more challenging in addition to their concern for me as a family member. My dad recommends the surgery to patients all the time so he knows the benefits, but I think it was different with his own, and youngest, daughter. But they eventually accepted that I am an adult, I made up my mind and it is my decision-for the most part. Even two days before this past Tuesday's surgery, my Mom saw that i had lost 20 pounds (14 from the pre-op liquid diet) and asked me if I was feeling I could do this in my own. But of course I can't do a liquid diet for the rest of my life. But she was very supportive in that she drove me to the hospital at 5 AM that morning, stayed most of the day, and was open-minded enough to become very impressed with my surgeon and the hospital. And last night when my parents came to visit, and saw how well it went and how well I am recovering, they admitted the relief now that it is over and are more at peace with my decision. They are actually happy for me. They were interested in everything, supportive of my new diet plan I was given, etc. Which I had a feeling would happen and that is why I was so selective in who I would tell about my surgery and what I had done. I didn't want to hear other people's negativity and judgments. Now that it is over, I don't care so much who knows. It is over and regardless of anyone's opinions, you can't talk someone out of something that is already a done deal. Hopefully they will be happy for me, but if not, oh well. Good luck in whatever you decide to do. I am happy to talk privately as well if you would like. Caroline

How did it go? I just had mine in the 11th. I hope you are recovering well! Caroline

That is awesome! Congratulations on your weight loss!

That is awesome! Congratulations on your weight loss!

I hope everyone is doing well. Nausea is improved mostly and only really sore in certain positions or when I am getting up or sliding over. I realized that a small sip before is not the same as a small sip now. All together, not too bad. Uncomfortable at times, yes, but it could be a lot worse and much of it is to be expected. And the nurses and my family have been great. I feel very lucky.

Last day pre-op! All liquids today. And a lot of things to do.

Hi, I am a vegetarian too (although I do eat seafood in addition to dairy and eggs). I am pre-op now with surgery 12/11 but my nutritionist has had me cutting back carbs A LOT and upping my Protein. I have been doing okay although I was a big carb eater before. There is a vegetarian board on here that may be helpful for you. It all depends on whether you feel okay with lower carbs and keeping up your protein. You can do it by protein shakes too. It looks like your bmi is 35 but with the diabetes and cholesterol, I think you should qualify (and maybe even with just one. I think some insurances will do it with just one.) I would suggest going to a seminar and seeing the surgeon now before losing any more weight so your current bmi on record for them to go by. I saw two different surgeons and they both said they go with the first weight so as I worked on losing some weight, they would still go by the higher one because now I would be just below. Plus, the pre-op testing can take several months so it will give you time to do some research. And you can also tell them you don't want to do it or want to hold off for a while. You will also get a lot of information about the surgery from the seminar which might help you decide. And reading and posting on these boards along the way should help too. Good luck! Caroline

I am doing pretty well. I have lost 8 pounds so far.

Yes, I am 12/11 also. I am on day 5 of the liquid diet.

Congratulations! You look great!

So this is day 5 out of 14 of my liquid diet. I also can have a light meal, 2 fruits and 1 starch although I have only had the starch once and a fruit once to try to keep the carbs down although I accidentally drank a little of my daughter's regular lemonade until I realized it was not my crystal light. I don't mind this diet at all. I don't want to do it gor the rest of my life, but it does make decisions of what to eat and self-control easier when I think about the weight I need to lose and that I do not want to mess anything up so I can't have my surgery. I am a little hungry at times but it is not that bad and does go away. It is not as bad as when I was on Weight Watchers and worrying how I can do this for the rest of my life. This feels just temporary because once i have the sleeve, I will have the restriction from that to help me. And it is very motivating to have lost 7 1/2 pounds in 4 days and makes me hopeful for the next few days. I would like to lose about 5 1/2 more by surgery. It would be nice to lose more but I am trying to be realistic. Caroline

I also love the Nectar Chocolate Truffle. Strawberry Mousse is really good too. I am so thankful for these because before them, it felt impossible to find one I like.

I use Syntrax nectar chocolate Truffle or strawberry Mousse, and I love them. I also sometimes use the unflavored Protein with crystal light to mix it up so I don't get sick of the others. It doesn't have as much protein though and isn't as good but if it helps me to continue liking the others, it doing its hob because it is still bearable. Also, some websites have the option to order a sample pack so you can try out different flavors. Caroline

Congratulations to you both!

I did my testing yesterday. They did an EKG, a chest x-ray, and a lot of bloodwork, but it sounded like it was because that's what my surgeon wants done so I think it is up to the individual surgeon. Good luck!

Mine is too! I start my liquid diet tomorrow and also go in for my pre-admission testing. I am so, so excited! I am sure I will be sick of it after a few days, but it does make it easier to plan what I am having. Either way, it means I am getting close! Good luck! I hope we get to compare experiences and ideas along the way. Caroline

Thank you all! This gives me hope. Caroline

Hi, In the last year since my weight has been at its highest, my husband tells me I have been snoring pretty badly and keeping him up at night. He will often wake me up to tell me. Tonight, he got upset and decided he is just going to stay up all night and is now on his computer. I have tried a mouthguard and another thing that goes in your nose. They are uncomfortable, and don't seem to help based on his report. I have also started sleeping on my side, facing away from him. I have gone for a sleep study and they did not find any sleep apnea. My surgery is scheduled for 12/11 ( thank goodness!) I am hoping that as I lose weight, the snoring will go away. Has anyone else had this problem? Has anyone found that losing weight helped the snoring? Thanks, Caroline

Hi, Be careful with this. I mentioned that I sometimes stress eat so the psychiatrist wouldn't clear me at first until I worked through these issues. So I went to counseling, went back to the psychiatrist, and he cleared me, but I lost a few months along the way. I did learn some things about my eating habits, yes, but I was still not too happy about that roadblock. Caroline

Hi, I don't really like the sweet, fruity ones too much but I love the chocolate truffle and the strawberry mousse. I also like the unflavored with crystal light. It gives me more options for flavors. Caroline

Scout, I start my official pre-op diet Nov 27th, which is two weeks before my surgery. For this, I only can have the Protein shakes, Water, crystal light, broth, Jello and one light meal per day. The day before surgery, I can have one additional Protein shake, water or crystal light. Until then, I have been working with my nutritionist on reducing my carbs as much as possible and increasing my protein to prepare myself for future changes. This has helped me lose about 10-12 pounds. That is great that you are exercising now. That should definitely help with getting back into exercise after the surgery which will help your weight loss and make you feel a lot better also. Caroline

Hi! I am also having my sleeve done just before Christmas (12/11) but like you said, I've had more than my share in the past and I wouldn't be in this position if I could handle these situations well. It actually is good, I think, because then the pressure of eating is off. There will be other Christmases. I have been waiting over a year for this and I would rather get it done at this time than to hold off just so I can overeat at Christmas. Good luck to you both and I look forward to comparing notes once we are going through it. Caroline

After over a year of planning, my surgery is scheduled for 12/11. I am so excited that I don't even care that I can't eat during the entire Christmas season. (I figure it is probably better anyways so I am not constantly eating and can focus in my new eating habits.) But it also means that I need to tell more people than I planned to about my surgery because they will be questioning why I am not eating. I just don't want to hear other people's opinions and biases. And neither my Mom nor my husband will let me skip any of these Christmas events. Also, I have to tell my work, coworkers, and clients next that I will be out a few weeks. And I am having trouble putting together what I want to say and how to answer their questions. Of the people I have told so far, some are very, very supportive and others have given me a weird reaction or tried to talk me out of it. Does anyone have any experiences they can share? Thanks, Caroline

Yes, I have definitely made my mind up and there is no changing it. If my family couldn't talk me out of it, nobody can! I just don't want to hear about it from other people..

Hi everyone, I am just finishing up getting my pre-op paperwork in. Initially, I thought I wanted the band and was completely against bypass. I then heard more and more about the problems with the band and heard good things about the sleeve so for the past few months, I have been planning to do the sleeve. But lately, I have been considering gastric bypass and questioning whether this would be a better option. I know I should still be able to lose weight with the sleeve but I don't know if I will still lose as much. I also don't know about long term results. I am concerned about malabsorption while pregnant (which I want to do once I lose the weight and am cleared). I am also concerned about dumping syndrome. I know it is supposed to be a useful tool but how sensitive are people with dumping? Also, how bad was everyone's recovery? I have a four year old and work two jobs. I plan to take a few weeks or a month off and my husband and my mom will be helping out a lot but I want to get back to normal and function when I can. Regardless, I am having surgery one way or the other and will make it work, but want to be prepared. Thanks!