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Just a note to tell you all that we're pulling for you guys who go tomorrow! Godspeed! Let us all know how it goes!

What you're going through is consistent with my experience. Others on here have called it a food funeral. I called it "electric chair eating." Like if I were going to the electric chair tomorrow, what all would I want to eat first. I gained wait and misery during my pre-surgery process (and I'm still 4 days from surgery) I will tell you the one benefit -- it was confirmation all over again that I need this surgery and I cannot do this "on my own." I don't think that surgery is going to be a magic bullet, but I have to believe that it is going to be a tremendous tool in my arsenal. Best of luck to you! Hang in there!

Thanks for sharing your journey. You are definitely in my prayers. May God help us both on our journey toward wholeness.

Just wanted to chime in and say HANG IN THERE - YOU'RE SO CLOSE! My surgery is Thursday and I'm having all the same feelings and I"m sure they'll max out the night before. You're going to be great! MAKE SURE AND LET US KNOW HOW IT GOES! -Angela

Thanks Dustin! I am scheduled for surgery with Dr. Hoehn, KC Bariatrics, on Aug. 22. When/where did you get sleeved? How far out are you? How did it go??

Hello brothers and sisters! I NEED HELP! I want to cheat on my pre-op diet so bad I can't stand it!!! I'm starving and miserable and I've only been on it for 3 days. And... I'm second-guessing my decision to have surgery. I quit smoking and drinking for this surgery and now losing food too just seems like too much. I'm already in counseling and working on "my issues" and why I use smoking/drinking/food to escape my feelings. But as I am now 4 days from surgery, it is all becoming so real. I keep thinking of those on this board who say "if you can't do the pre-op diet, how in the heck do you think you will do after the surgery." Maybe that means me??? Do you guys think I should back out, i.e., are these feelings a signal that I'm not ready for this? Or is this just pre-surgery jitters? Any input/encouragement is much appreciated! Thanks in advance, Angela

Hello friends. I'm feeling very out of sorts and scared at the moment. I am on Day 3 of the pre-op liquid only diet and I am feeling INSANE. I'm hungry, angry, lonely, and tired. And it is making me question everything about this surgery. I gave up smoking and drinking for this surgery and it is really hitting home how much I have used food to comfort myself. I know these are all healthy, adult changes to make - and I just turned 40 -- it's time to GROW UP. At the same time, maybe I have bitten off more than I can chew (pun intended). Many folks on this forum have said, "If you can't do the pre-op, how will you do the post-op?" I'm wondering that myself today.... Sorry to be such a downer, but I think it's important to blog my real experience. And today that experience sucks! Hopefully by tomorrow I will be in a better place to post something more positive...!

So...today I am starting my liquid diet. According to surgeon's orders, I am supposed to start 1 week from surgery (i.e., surgery on Aug. 22, start liquids on Aug. 15). I'm starting now because I'm so exhausted by all my food drama. I have been eating like I'm preparing for a frickin' electric chair. Literally eating into a food coma some days. It feels horrible. I know that discipline is going to be part of this new, healthier life so I might as well start this week. If nothing else, it will allow me to break this carb-bender/crazy maker. Also, this is the week of making some pre-surgery changes. I wish I would have done all of this a lot sooner, but I didn't..... So - Monday starts liquid diet. Thursday is my stop smoking date (2 weeks pre-surgery). I CAN DO THIS! God help me.

You look amazing - what a great incentive! Congratulations!

I'm Aug. 22 and on Day 2 of the pre-op diet (4 Protein shakes per day). I'm hungry and cranky and I have a horrible headache! That said, I'm excited to be so close to surgery date. Welcome to the forum! P.S. I'm nervous just like you are....! I think that's normal! -Angela

My misery loves your company. I am so hungry, headach-ey, and really tired/fuzzy. Trying to work is starting to get silly. HANG IN THERE FRIENDS! 6 more days! God help us all this weekend!

Aveda has a shampoo/conditioner that is aimed toward helping with new hair growth. Also, I am pre-op but already using Rogaine just as a preemptive measure. Good luck!

I love this thread! It allows us to see "both sides" of the journey. Many of you are already past surgery and many of us are still in the liquid diet phase. I don't know about you guys, but this liquid diet is making me tired and cranky. That makes me really scared about surgery. I'm drinking 4 protein shakes a day for a total of 120g of protein and 630 calories plus drinking crystal light (which I hope counts as water...). After surgery, it will be way less than this. How in the heck do you do it?? I guess your body adjusts. But I'm nervous. Add on the nerves pre-surgery and it feels darn near unbearable already. I know I need to get busier - quit reading this board and starting getting some work done! That said, hanging out with you guys makes me feel lots better. Thanks for letting me ramble.... -Angela (surgery date 8/22)

Thanks Friends! I'm very relieved! -Angela

I woke up happy, joyous, and free this morning. I had a dream last night that my two BFFs were trying to talk me out of surgery and saying, "Just try one more time to do it on your own." I responded, "IT WON'T WORK." I woke up feeling so secure about my decision. The feeling I had in the dream is so right on - I have tried and tried and tried and tried. And even if I could take off 75lbs, the chances of me keeping it off are slim. Also, on Good Morning America today they showed results of a study showing that 18% of premature deaths are caused by obesity. That's another good reminder. Bottom line: Today, I am at peace with my decision. Caveat: It is only 8:30am. When I'm hungry later today, I may start questioning again. Hahahah. What a ride this is....! 6 more days til surgery!

I can't believe surgery is one week from today. It's strange because the closer it gets, the more calm I feel. The weeks leading up to now have been pretty miserable because I've done so much worrying. Strange that, now that surgery is closer, I feel better about it. One of the hardest things about preparing for surgery was the month long food funeral. I know that others talk about how healthy they were pre-op, etc. etc. and that always makes me feel bad. I was the opposite. I felt like I had to eat everything under the sun - all I could think of was food some days. It made me feel so pathetic. And insane. Now that the liquid diet is in full swing and surgery is right around the corner, i feel much more in control. Don't get me wrong -- I'm still scared. My most common fear (today...!): If I could plan and cook healthy meals and stick to that plan, I wouldn't be in this situation - I would have lost the weight and kept it off a long time ago. What makes me think that surgery is going to make it any easier to meal plan and stick to the plan? Unfortunately, I don't know the answer to that question. I'm going to sleep on it tonight....

How is everyone doing? I'm miserable and I'm on DAY 1 of liquids. SERIOUSLY - I feel ridiculous even complaining given what you all are/have gone through. And that is making me so scared - thinking how in the heck am I going to do this post-op when I'm having some much trouble right now?? It sure is nice having a little "mini-group" of us! Going to bed soon so I can quit thinking about food...! -Angela

I'm also scheduled for Aug 22. I start my liquid diet tomorrow and am so nervous and excited! Let's all stay in touch!!!!

I FEEL THE SAME WAY! I think most of us do as the surgery nears. I think it is totally normal and I do NOT think it is a premonition! (That said, I've melted down many times and updated my will as well). Try to see the humor in being so high drama. Or I should say I am trying to see the humor in ME being so high drama!

PS. I just read the Sleeved Aug. 8 thread. Read it! Everyone who has posted so far has said they did great/are doing great!

I am scheduled for Aug. 22 and I'm having all the same fears. Here are some things that help me: First, I remember that I am trading short term payoff (food) for long term benefits (health). I've spent my whole life being impulsive and having what I want when I want it. It's time to grow up and see that these changes are absolutely required (if you've done the dieting yo-yo that I have and have similar co-morbidities). This is kind of like Ana-abuse. There is no eating the way we used to. We absolutely MUST stick to small portions. Period. Second, I remind myself that I need to stay in today. This 24 hours. I'm not having surgery today. I'm not having to "do the food" today. When the times comes, I will do it. I am PREPARING to "do the food" by watching the "nutrition forum" on this site. I look at what others eat. I am making a folder of recipes that look easy to me (I have lived in my house for months and never used the stove/oven). I am SO SCARED about changing LITERALLY everything - if I could plan meals and stick with them, I wouldn't be in this situation to begin with!!! Of course it is scary! It would be crazy to go into this completely calm and without some fears. Finally, when all else fails, I remember that all I have to do is get myself to the surgery center on the day of surgery. Once I get there, they'll be putting me to sleep and I'll wake up and it will all be over. I have been so encouraged by people on this site saying that the pain was VERY manageable. And my doctor keeps reminding me that complications are VERY rare. We can do this!!!!!!!!!!! -Angela

I just went to Target and was disappointed with the selection. My NUT wants me to be getting at least 25g protein per serving (with low carbs). It's hard to find! Any suggestions are appreciated!

Thanks so much for this post! I'm having surgery on Aug. 22 and, like you, reading everything I can so that I'm prepared. Your post was very helpful! Best of luck on your journey!

Hi all! I have surgery scheduled for Aug. 22 and I feel like I'm preparing for the electric chair. I have to start my pre-op diet one week before (on Aug 15). In the meantime, I feel like I can't quit eating. It's silly because I know from everyone on here that I WILL be able to eat my favorite foods again. I also know that this is just more weight that I will have to lose once I have my sleeve. All of that said, I feel out of control. Anyone else feel like this? Any words of wisdom? The only solution I can think of is to start my pre-op diet now/soon.

You were beautiful before and now beautiful after! Congratulations and thanks for posting!