kwikwits

27 bloody days of this sh** and then it's surgery day. How will I ever survive YIKES! A 30 day pre-op diet! mns2lv4ever I feel your pain -- but you will be lots of pounds less on your surgery date which may make surgery easier. My pre-op starts in less than 48 hours -- 1000 cals.; 50 grams protein; no more than 35 grams fat. Supposed to get most of the Protein from shakes & 2x daily I can have some raw, steamed, grilled or in a Soup veggies (lettuce, tomato, onion, carrots, mushrooms, asparagus, spinach, cucumbers, cabbage, broccoli, string Beans, sprouts, cauliflower, zucchini, okra & Brussels sprouts); 2 cups of low sodium broth daily, 30 calories of low calorie ice pops, Jello, gum, no more than 2 cups of coffee daily & unlimited Water, diet beverages (including soda -- but I'm trying to quit); 2 tbsp of non-fat salad dressing; mustard, salsa & vinegar in small quantities. I am going to be very cranky -- hey, wait a minute -- I already am kind of cranky now! Right now I'm planning on using the RTD shakes Slim Fast Low Carb, Muscle Milk Light, EAS Carb Control & Atkins Nutritional. I don't think I can deal with playing chemistry set "gourmet" with whey isolate yet. I just ordered one package of many Protein drinks from www.vitalady.com - didn't want to invest $30 bucks on a 3 pound can of Protein powder without tasting it first. I am going to stock up on sugar free pudding so I can improve the taste of anything really awful! Yes, I know these things need to be COLD, COLD, COLD -- twenty years ago I did Optifast & those shakes needed to be cold and drank fast or they turned into something very scary!

Wow 134lbs in a little more than a year! Congrats on the impressive weight loss. Any advice for a nervous pre-op newbie?

Thanks jay9mal...my surgery date is June 1st. Starting the pre op liver reducing diet next Wednesday I have bought some sample protein shakes and still haven't done my "taste test" yet. I'm worried I will find all of them awful tasting and really start to freak out! Not missing food could be very liberating! I keep reminding myself that with the sleeve I can eat the foods I enjoy (I don't eat candy, ice cream, cake, cookies -- I like good food -- like cheese, antipasti, savory foods -- more of a "fat tooth" than a "sweet tooth") just in much smaller quantities. I also remind myself I won't be drinking "whey isolate" forever! Being satisfied with a quarter of a "real" bagel isn't so bad!

Good luck to Dawn, Kelly & Michelle!!! Good luck to all the 5/9 sleevers! I am sending out calm, happy, healthy vibes as you start your journeys to a healthier life! (I have 4 weeks (and 3 days) until my surgery & I am making myself a bit crazy with doubts...)

I am a month away from surgery and I find myself watching infomercials about the "6 week body make-over program" and wonder -- why am I have surgery? Maybe I should try dieting one more time???? The reality is I've tried dieting my whole life and for every pound I ever lost I gained back 2/3/4. A chubby kid who dieted herself into a obese (excuse me SUPER OBESE BMI 51) adult. There is little to no chance I am going to lose 100lbs plus without this surgery. Although the medical profession doesn't have anything else to offer obese people other than surgery -- but the surgeries have improved -- and that is why I'm getting sleeved. I am willing to work hard every day to redefine my relationship with food and with eating for reasons other than hunger. I just read that sentence and it is SCARY for me to contemplate anxiety without compulsive overeating in my arsenal.

Great to hear at 6 months out you are LOVING YOUR SLEEVE AND HAVE NO REGRETS!!! I am getting a little nervous -- that I'm not prepared emotionally to live a life without overeating. I intend to go back into therapy to find a new non-food coping behavior...but I'm still nervous.

I'm set for June 1st. I'm getting anxious and apprehensive. Worried I'm not prepared mentally or emotionally. Coming here helps me recognize I'm not alone. My fingers are crossed that I know what I'm doing.

I am having surgery at NYU on 6/1/11.

Wow, three months and what a difference! Congrats and thanks for sharing your success!

Becca you look GREAT! Thank you so much for sharing your progress with us here on VST! Being a newbie I'm soaking up the insights gained by all of you who bravely share their stories! One month from today I start my two week pre op regime...and I'm wondering if I'm ready for this life changer???

Hi All! Brooklyn in the house! I'm getting sleeved at NYU 6/1/11. I'm a country girl (upstate NY) who moved to NYC many years ago and just stayed and stayed!

I guess we are never too old to get healthier! I'm 56 and my VSG surgery is scheduled for 6/1/11. Glad to see lots of Baby Boomers on VST! So over 50 sleevers -- how was your post-op recovery?

"My surgeon said a minimum of 14 days and normal is a month. I have short term disability after 21 days and honestly I could save enough in addition to the time I will have in vacation - and I am seriously thinking about it. I am so stressed with work and so ready for a break! Did anyone else do that?" I am fortunate to have an excellent disability plan at work. I also have a very demanding job where I am not sitting at my desk and I routinely work nights and weekends. Dealing with post surgery discomfort and adjusting to the post op liquid regime will be stressful enough -- I don't want or need the extra stress of my job. I plan on using as much time as I need -- going back to work sooner will always be an option. I've learned that going back to work expecting to "take it easy" is wishful thinking at my job!

As a good patient, I have started trying Protein shakes and chewable Vitamins to see which ones I can tolerate. I can tolerate them okay but the taste is tooooooooo sweeeeet. Why do they put so much sweet taste in them? I just ordered some samples from www.mybariatricpantry.com and ordered a few of the Soups. I am not a sweet-a-holic but more of a savory flavor fan. I'm hoping I can add some of the unflavored protein stuff to less sweet drinks and soups. I am also not into fruit flavors (especially artificial ones) -- so I'm trying out all the chocolate, vanilla, expresso, mocha etc flavors. Anyone know any other Protein Shakes etc that come in non-sweet flavors? VSG Surgery scheduled for 6/1/11 with Dr. George Fielding @ NYU

Tif once again you are the best! So far you have been the greatest resource for pre operative information. You do the research I would have spent hours doing! You are a treasure on these boards! I can't thank you enough!

Hi Tiffany, I would love a copy of this informational booklet. I just went for my surgical consult yesterday -- I was planning on getting the lap band -- when my surgeon mention VSG as being a better option for me because of my sort of defies authority/restriction personality (I am an attorney -- worse yet, a trial attorney). I guess with VSG there is great restriction and I can't interfere with it. I really didn't know very much about the procedure. I knew I didn't want RY because I don't want any surgery interfering with my intestines. My surgeon is giving me a couple of weeks to decide which procedure I would prefer. Now I'm trying to learn about VSG My email address is kwikwits@gmail.com. Thank you very much. EJ