BamaGirl26

I'm 12 days out and I just realized that I"m taking normal (not gulps) drinks of fluids! I am able to get in much more Water this way. In the beginning you're so focused on every little sip that it becomes frustrating. I JUST realized that I'm not even thinking about the drinking anymore! Hang in there! You're a couple days behind me. It will get better every day!

I slept on my left side last night for the first time and felt like crying because it felt so good to get off of my back! Ahhhhh. Progress. I feel better every single day! I'm sure sick of sweet things though. Protein, pudding, yogurt, and icky cream soups that are thick and just gross. Can't wait to eat some meat or fish!

And your breath too? And a weird taste in your mouth? It's because your body is in ketosis. Doesn't go away until after surgery. But at least you know your liver is shrinking!

I'm five days post-op. I believe that I should've asked my surgeon what I could take when I got home instead of pain meds. I didn't hurt enough for them but didn't have anything else to take. They made me groggy, nauseous, and a tad depressed. I had no motivation to move around. So I stopped taking them yesterday morning and I feel SO much better today! I'm even getting in more protein. The sipping was irritating me so I started drinking through a stir stick! It's perfect and I can drink more! Woohoo!

I took gummies before surgery. My surgeon says they're fine. That I can keep up with them but need to be sure they are adult vitamins and take a double dose for the first two weeks. Then back off to the single dose.

Well, it's here. Day 13 of my pre-op diet. I can't believe I didn't die. I really felt like I was going to a couple of times. That is that hardest thing I've ever had to do. And I cheated! I actually dreamed about tacos last Friday night. I woke up and realized that I was obsessing! So, I had a taco from my favorite Mexican restaurant. Oh well. At least it was off my mind then. I'm so weak that I almost crawled up the stairs to my classroom this morning. I get no protein today. Only clear liquids. I've had a sore throat since last Wednesday thanks to the dry desert that I live in, so the cough drops are what is saving me today. I'm very, very (did I say very?) emotional. I feel like I could cry at any moment. I think it's because I'm just so tired. I'm also a little pissed at my husband this week. This is a very stressful process. So, when I get home today I'm going to go to my room and cry. Just get it all out. I know I will feel so much better! I have prepared everything at work for my two day absence. Thank goodness Monday is a holiday. I also have an intern coming in next week to help me out or just to be present. Luckily, my job is not physically demanding and my kids know what I'm going through. They have been very supportive. I haven't packed a thing for the hospital. I figure I won't be able to sleep tonight, so I will leave it for then. I bought pretty new jammies and a robe. I'll take slippers because the biggest fear I have is gas pain! So I'm going to walk as soon as the pain meds clear from my brain. Speaking of pain meds...this is my biggest fear. I hate being drugged. Pain or no pain, I just don't like it. I took Motrin with both of my kids and it was fine. I really hope I don't have to have much tomorrow. I don't want to be a martyr, but I don't want to be spacy and loopy either. A less serious fear is the discerning comments that my husband has made. Twice he has mentioned something about getting skinny and finding someone else. Makes me think he is a little insecure. I'm a little happy that he would worry. Maybe he should pay a little more attention. Anyway, here we go. A brand new journey. I feel like I'm at the airport and they're going to call my flight number any minute. I love to fly!

Today is my next to the last day on the pre-op, clear liquids + protein, diet. Tomorrow it's only clear liquids. Then Valentine's Day! The day I fall in love with my self all over again! I'm super nervous and excited and feeling really pressured because I procrastinated and don't have lesson plans ready for my classroom! I was leaving it until the end so I would have something to occupy my mind tomorrow when I can have ONLY clear liquids! My BFF who was sleeved over a year ago assures me that this pre-op thing that we are doing, in all its variations, is the hardest part. I am so relieved to hear it and so are my students!

That is so funny! My 10 year old thought the same thing!

I've been on for 11 days and have lost 8. I didn't realize we were on the liquids to lose weight. I thought it was to shrink the liver. Am I wrong?

My best friend had this surgery and was only on liquids for 6 days. You're all good!

Thank you for that. I am on day 11 of my clear liquid diet and I cheated on Saturday. I all of a sudden panicked about not having a taco for two months. I obsessed about it and even dreamed about it! So I had a taco on Saturday. I have read about a million different pre-op diets. I have done the best that I can and I figure that's all I can do! So, thank you for making me feel a little better. Surgery say is Valentine's Day! Excited and nervous and so ready!

It's Sunday and I'm supposed to be relaxing but all of a sudden I have lots of questions. Maybe your doctors have already answered these so that you can share! I have acid reflux and take Zantac twice a day. What do I take after surgery? I will be on full liquids for three weeks after. I know that I will be concentrating on getting my liquids and Proteins, but what other liquids can I have? Just anything? Will I be able to sleep on my side or stomach after? Will I sleep well? That's all for now. I know I will have more in a few hours!

It's in your head. You're head hungry. Your body is fine. You should probably stay away from restaurants for a while. Find some other way to spend time with your family. Don't get down on yourself. We are all making the right decisions. It's our time to take care of ourselves. You WILL be able to eat that food again. You just won't eat nearly as much. Bide your time. You'l be able to taste those things soon. Stay on track and don't be afraid. I will be sleeved on Thursday. I expect a pep talk too.

I was really nervous too! It's gets pretty easy after the third day. You get over the carb headache and aren't hungry as long as you stay loaded up with your Protein. Good luck!

Listen to your doctor! He is the one who knows best no matter what the nurses say! Be patient and think calm thoughts.

Get a new boyfriend AFTER you take care of yourself! Don't settle!

Yes. Four a day. Maybe I should up it? I have no idea. I emailed the nurse and she told me to suck on peppermint. I'm assuming that makes sense to her, but it doesn't to me.

I'm on day 6 of clear liquids. I've felt okay so far. Not really hungry. Just low energy. Today I have a new set of symptoms. I'm light headed, dizzy, and nauseous. I also have a super sore throat. Weird. Any ideas?

This is the first day of the rest of my life. Day one of the clear liquids pre-operative diet. I have dreaded this day for some time now. About two weeks ago, my 10-year-old daugher told me, with resignation in her voice, that I should, "Eat what you can, while you can." I wholeheartedly agreed. Every day after that, I thought about what I would love to eat and how much of it I would eat. After a couple of days I realized that I didn't really want anything! I was sick of food and my dysfunctional relationship with it! I couldn't wait for...today. Now it's here. I didn't sleep well last night. I had wicked weird dreams. I think that my stress level is probably through the roof. Thank goodness I am not prone to high blood pressure. I woke this morning with butterflies in my stomach. I'm excited and scared at the same time. I'm afraid that my brain will sabotoge the pre-op requirements. I know I can keep my stomach full. I am allowed only a few things. Protein drinks (3x per day) mixed with water, broth, clear juices, Gatorade, and water. Not the most palatable diet, but obviously I can live through it. My sort of sick thinking takes me to people who are not as fortunate as I. I think of those who have no running water and would give anything for broth. Third world countries. That's what I'll rely to get me through. Demented. The center that I am going through for this surgery is very helpful. They require each patient to take pre-surgery classes and a post-surgery class. It's been very interesting and enlightening. In each pre-surg class, I could pick out the people that will fail at this. They are the ones complaining about each step of the process and whining about requirements. I wanted to scream at them and tell them that they need to start taking responsibility for what they've become. I know that it's my fault that I'm fat. I know that it's my fault that I've put everyone's needs before mine for the last 15 years. I chose not to make the right decistions. I chose to live to eat rather than eat to live. I am responsible. Now I am going to be held accountable. During one of the pre-surg classes, three different people asked the nurse about caffeine and whether or not they should stop indulging in it. All three times, the nurse was very vague. She stated that, "The surgeon prefers you to be caffeine free right before and right after the surgery." Hmmm. That's not really an answer. I decided not to press for it because I like caffeine. It wards off the demons. I tried to wean myself off of my one can per day Diet Coke habit, but it seems that unless I want a dull, roaring headache on a daily basis, I cannot. So, I won't. I have decided that I will sip my Diet Coke and ration it to the smallest amount possible and still be pain free. I will refrain from any caffeine a few days before surgery. I'm thinking that I will be sick of living on liquids by then and a headache will be a welcome change of focus. I have learned, by reading this forum, that there are a million different pre-op diets and that each surgeon has a preference. I have researched why we are on this pre-op diet and why my surgeon has required it for such a lengthy period of time. I understand all of this, but that doesn't mean I'm happy about it! Because my insurance is paying for this, I have decided that I will just be thankful and comply with most all of the doctor's wishes. My surgeon's office have stated to me that the MANDATORY protein diet should include Bariatric Advantage protein powder and bars. Apparently, they used to sell it right from the office but when I asked the nurse how I would be held accountable for using this specific product, again, she was vague. So, I purchased the bars. They taste like cardboard now, but on day seven they will probably taste like heavan. The powder is icky. So, I'm supplementing with Premier and Muscle Milk. They just taste better. Protein is protein. As long as I'm not loading up on sugar, I will survive. My liver will shrink and my stomach will be removed. The photo is of my support team. My husband, son, and daughter. If I had a photo of all of my friends together, I would include it. I am very lucky to have such wonderful people in my life. My colleagues are rooting for me too. The key person in my success, besides myself, will be my very best girlfriend, Tammi. She has been my bff for over 15 years now. She was sleeved in August 2011. She reached her goal just over her year anniversary and has since had some plastic surgery to tighten up those loose areas. She was always beautiful inside and out to me, but now she actually feels it for herself. I'm so proud of her. She is my encyclopedia of vertical sleeve gastrectomy information. I feel very empowered and knowleadgeable and prepared because of her. Last February (2012) I embarked on my millionth time to start Weight Watchers. I weighed myself one morning and cried. I had never been as heavy...299 pounds. I couldn't let myself go over that 300 mark. My husband hugged me and told me that we could do it together. I thought of Tammi and said to myself that I didn't need WLS. That I could do this. I was seriously ready. I joined a gym and got a trainer. First time for losing weight and excerising at the same time. I loved working out! It was really fun. I was losing weight and, most importantly, losing inches! Seven weeks in, I stopped losing. I injured myself in the gym. This went on for 5 months. I didn't give up. I was stuck. I would lose a pound and gain a pound. Then I injured myself a second time. I gave up. I really don't think that the average trainer understands that a fat person cannot do what a more fit person can do. This isn't The Biggest Loser! In June, our insurance provider changed. I was browsing the list of changes to our policy and coverage when it caught my eye. The new policy actually covered some weight loss surgeries! With bated breath, I read it and reread it. I decided that I was going to swallow my pride, go to my primary care physician, and spill my guts. The day that I went to see my doctor was cathartic. I had never spoken about my weight out loud, in anything besides a self-deprecating manner, to anyone. Ever. I told him everything I've ever done, every pain I have, every fear I have, and cried. He hugged me and told me that he would help. And he did. I had already had a consultation with the bariatric surgeon. He told me I was making the right decision. Now I had to jump through the hoops. So we started jumping together. Now, here I am. My insurance company said YES! I'm so very excited about how my life is going to change. I know this is not going to be easy. The surgery is the tool. It's my brain I worry about. I have to let go of all of the thoughts and habits that I've adopted through the years. I have to start living for me and me first. I have to start eating to live rather than living to eat. The Southern in me is going to have difficulty, but I know that with the support at home and at the surgeon's office...I GOT THIS! Beginning weight on day one of pre-op diet is 289.6 lbs.

Today is Day 5 for me. Yes, it's tough. I have no energy. I'm chewing gum a lot and it seems to be helping. I just realized this morning that I'm dehydrated and need to drink more. I'm not allowed to let anything solid pass my lips except a protein bar once a day. The rest is all clear liquids. I'm with you. But I keep thinking about the end result. I don't want to do anything to jeopardize my health or the surgery.

Finally! Someone from my part of the world! Where are you having your surgery? Where do you live? I want to know everything so we can be buddies! Beth

I'm just ending day four of pre-op. I've been okay really. Until NOW! My husband cooked dinner for the kids tonight...grilled hamburgers and TATER TOTS! The entire house smells like them and I'm sitting here thinking about going down and getting some once everyone is asleep. I'm so mad at myself for thinking it but my mouth is seriously watering! I'm going to drink my Protein and fill up with Water and go to bed! I will be so proud of myself tomorrow.

Hi Everyone! My name is Beth. I live in Arizona. It would be nice to be able to enjoy the few months that are not a burning hell by camping and hiking. I just can't do it now. I'm 40. I'm 5'8" and 289 lbs! Ridiculous! I'm married and we have four kids together ages 10-17. I'm a high school teacher and will be going through the beginning of this journey in front of my students! I'm a little nervous about it but have already begun to use it as a teaching moment(s). I'm going to be sleeved on Valentine's Day! Pretty excited about making myself number one again. It's about time I show some love for ME! Congratulations everyone and good luck! Beth

Kath4. Thank you for recognizing the positive in me. I am truly excited about my life after surgery. I think having a best friend that has already been through all of this helps tremendously. I have first hand knowledge. I also watch tons of youtube videos about successes, setbacks, and complications. I'm fully aware of what could go wrong. You will do great. Just check off each hoop as you jump through it. It will go pretty fast. I can't believe that I'm going to have surgery in 9 more days!

While the Premier is better than most. Muscle Milk is the bomb. Any of them are much better very cold or on ice. The ready to drink ones are much better than the powder. I've heard that your tastes will probably change after surgery so don't go broke trying to stock too many.