Holly5.3

My doctor "penciled" me in on the day I was hoping for, but until my ins.co. sent me my authorization letter, it was not definite. Once I rec'd. my approval code, I called my surgeon to confirm everything was in order. My DOS is in 2 days, 10/11/12-soooo ready and excited!

2 days for me! Can't wait to be "reborn!"

Hi! My Pre-op diet was fora total of6 weeks. My DOS is in 2 days- 10/11/12! The 1st 3 weeks: low/no fat dairy, veggies (no starches), fruits: apple, pear, citrus and 1/2 cup berries, lean meat, fish, poultry and egg whites (always have 1 egg w/ 2 whites- for flavor, I'll cut fat somewhere else!), 1Tbl. Reg mayo, oil or salad dressing, or 2 Tbl. low/no fat. No bread, potatoes, rice, flour, corn, pasta. It was hard at first, but as your system becomes cleaner, others easier! the past 3 weeks I've been on 2 protein shakes and one lean and green meal (veggies and protein only) plus 2 fruits. As of today I lost 25 lbs. (start 8/10/12 -278 lbs., today, 10/9/12 - 253 lbs.) I'm thrilled and so was my surgeon! I can't imagine not going on a Pre diet first. The operation is a lot to prepare for, mentally. Itmakes sence to start preparing for a new way if eating and a new way if life! Si excited! Can't wait! Good luck!

Unjury unflavored has to be used with something to add flavor. I use frozen mixed berries (huge bag at Costco), ice and cold water, my daughters (ages 17 & 18) love it too. The Unjury chicken broth is excellent-tastes like regular broth but has protein. I bought other brand for my chocolate and vanilla shakes.

I waited until I went to a seminar and spoke to my surgeon at lenth about the differences between the band, sleeve or by-pass. I know several people who've had all procedues-lap band- problems with food going down, all gained some weight, and are struggling, always need band adjusted. Bypass-too fast a weight loss- they looked pale, gaunt and unhealthy-plus I have digestive issues so my surgeon said the sleeve would be best for me. 2 coworkers sleeved last year, one lady is at goal having lost 85 pounds (she's so tiny now!) and the other has lost 100 (she stlll has a little ways to go but she's reversed her diabetes and feels great!) I learned I am Pre-diabetic and have sleep apnea, so this surgery is saving my life as far as I'm concerned! Good luck with whatever choice you make!

I love this post! Thanks to all who responded! My date is Thursday and I return to work on10/22 so I was concerned about pain management (I'm a big baby!) and activity level. If it's not as bad as c-section than I'll be fine!

Good luck and best wishes for a speedy recovery! I go Thursday-excited!

Thanks, pinky! I've been on semi liquid (2 shakes 1 light meal, no fat carbs sugar ...) for the past 3 weeks. I hope I don't have to drink anything before, my stomach already feels empty and queezy most of the time. but whatever I've gotta do, I've gotta do!

Hi! This Thursday is my surg. Date. I can say the past 6 week diet was probably the hardest @diet" I've ever been on- and ivd been on them all!! Every time I over ate (just two more shrimp, one mire piece of low fat cheese, pb- my biggest nemesis) I payed for it later with a bad stomach and trips to the b.room. I guess it's good to not feel well-like a prep for what it will feel like to be sick after surgery if you don't follow dr.s orders. You really can't take this surgery lightly! It's certainly not a "quick fix" for anyone who doesn't know what WLS is all about! Does everyone have a Pre-surgery drink or cleanse? I'll find out Tuesday but it's good to know what I can expect I find it helps me feel less anxious.

Good luck, JJB! Positive energy and prayers being sent your way and to all of us being "reborn" on 10/11/12! I'm sooo excited- the days are going by too fast! My dr has us stay 2 nights, how long do you have to stay in? I'm hoping I can be released earlier, if all goes well (and it will!) my mom is insisting on flying here (NY) from Florida to "take care of me"! Cute and adorable but she's staying until November!!! I can't eat so I told her, great you can cook for the family and help with housework (my daughters are 17 and 18, they help too).... I can't eat. I can't drink. I can't smoke (if I did, I don't!) good times, good times! It's just she tends to repeat stories over and over - even when you say I know, you already told me (who had what ailment/disease, who died....after all, she lives in an over 55 retirement community!) Say an extra prayer for my patience!! 

Last Sept. I bought a $175 package of Optifast (from my OB/GYN, strangely enough!)- I couldn't stay on it one week! Powdered scrambled eggs and a "brownie mix" - yuck! I now have Unjury Protein and Jay Rob's Protein Powder in Chocolate and Vanilla. I find the flavor to be more natural and the texture to be less chalky. (I've been on 2 shakes a day for 3 weeks now and I'm not that sick of them, yet...!) PS My husband was cleaning out the pantry and through the whole Optifast order away. Oh well, another diet bit the dust! My surgery is this Thursday, I'm starting to get really nervous!

Way to go! I hope I do as well as you! Surgery next Thursday. You are adorable!

Great idea wearing an outfit from too small to too big! I think it really shows your progress! I'm going to do the same with an outfit I wore yesterday and my daughter took a photo of me in it. I've read about stalls or plateaus and they say it's normal after a big loss. Hang in there girl- your next smaller jeans and t shirt size is coming soon!! God bless!

10/5/12 - 255 -3 lbs. 10/31/12 Goal: 242.5 Total loss to date 21 lbs. 

Awe, you are certainly a girl who loves and respects her dad-admirable quality! I bet your dad has old fashioned ideas about WLS. Maybe you should bring him to a seminar and/or the surgeons appointment with you, if possible. My surgery is next week and while I'm open and honest about it, I'm surprised with some feedback I've received, too. People don't know about the sleeve and the harmones that affect some people who CAN lose weight, we just can't keep it off for long and ultimately regain what was lost - plus more! That's just not the best quality of life! Good luck, hopefully you can go forward with the surgery this year!

For me, the last straw was not being able to get up out of the ocean surf this past July- I actually grabbed at my 16 year old nephew to help save me! Embarrassing!!! Oh yeah, showing off the "new" me- I gained 77 pounds after losing 70 a year before! Fun!! Slip on shoes-can't bend!! Huff 'n Puff Holly- I can't breathe!! Surgery next Thurs. - I've lost 22 Pre-op (I'm hungry, but dedicated!) I can't wait to get this party started! (scared, too!)

You and your bargain dress are adorable! If you feel confident in the dress, wear it. If you feel a few more pounds will give you more confidence in the "outside world", then wait til you lose a few more pounds. It's good incentive and you want to feel your best, not worry about being judged. keep up the good work!

I agree, you truly are an inspiration! My life begins next Thursday 10/11/12- I have hospital Pre-op tomorrow. I was getting really nervous (losing sleep, palpitations, the works!) as the day stays nearer. Your positive experience and awesome results was just the post I needed to get back on my positive thinking track. Thanks so much! Keep up the good work. Can you give us newbies any tips! God bless!

I've got the same error message on my iPhone - only since yesterday. I'm wondering if it had anything to do with the fact that in the morning I logged on to my PC and was trying to attach a weight loss ticker to my signature. Since then, I couldn't add or read any posts. Just the Thread titles. I deleted the app and reinstalled, also, several times - no luck. Any help would be appreciated, I love this site!

Could it be stress- related weight gain. I've been reading whatever I can find on cortesol and gherim and they are powerful harmones that affect weight (esp. belly fat). It's probably temporary due to the surgery date and being anxious. Deep breathe, light a candle and empty your mind of your worries and fears, and quiet down your inner voice with thoughts of your future and beautiful new self! Cortsol affects us whether the stress is happy (the Christmas holidays, for example) or worrisome. Niw, if I can take my own advice! My date is a week from Thurs. on the 12th. Psyched!

Me too! My date is 10/11/12 - next week, already! The way I'm trying to "unscare" myself is this rationalization- the odds of the same horror story happening again (sorry for the people who do have complications, of course!) are slim. So....why keep "going there". In reality, as far as obesity related deaths, etc. I just found out I have severe sleep apnea (I thought it was harmones-menopause, etc. And asthma/allergies) I could die or have a stroke anygiven night! So..... I need to try to be excited not terrified (a fine line separates)! Good luck, everyone!

Good luck today! You've encouraged me about my date - 10/11 in just 12 days! I've read too many "complication stories" and have got myself worked up inside, emotionally, with fear. I know everything will be fine. There are more stories like yours that outweight the "horror" stories! Thanks.

Keep up the good work, girl! Wearing the same workout outfit really shows the weight loss. Great idea!