Hevnbound

I'm with you on this one! And, I'm not a "Curvy Goddess", ... I'm a dude!! My date is 2/13.

Yes. Have you used it with Optifast?

Amen 2

I had no problem with Optifast for two weeks. Granted, they do not taste good! My Surgeon only allows Optifast for pre-op. He says they are the best for full Meal Replacement. Due to certain issues with me, I have to be on the diet for FOUR weeks ..... Eeeeeek! I am into day 21 and am experiencing an aversion to the shakes. To the point I gag just thinking about them (a little exaggeration there!!!!) Planning on calling the Nut tomorrow to see if there is any option for the next 10 days! The chocolate shake does have a real fake taste. I eat the chocolate bar occasionally. I love the Berry bar. chicken soup is great - especially with a little celery in it (cucumber and celery are allowed). Who knew that fresh cucumber slices with salt and pepper is so good. Cannot stand the tomato soup! SF jello/Popsicles are a life saver ..... :-) As to your problem with the Chocolate Shake, I put it in the freezer and remove it before it freezes hard. I cut the top off and spoon out the shake in a bowl to eat it. Not bad! Also, if you can find some good cherry flavoring, mix it with the chocolate to taste. It improves the taste - think chocolate covered cherries. Last but not least, I purchased a single serve blender and mix mini ice cubes in and out comes something akin to a chocolate smoothie. Good luck to you, Gary. If you come up with a magic formulae to get me through the next 10 days, let me know. Sam

Good to hear from you again Linda. You are so right about sitting around doing nothing, I want to enjoy fully the time remaining. After all, I still have that bucket list waiting for me?

Thanks Kathie.....

I chose the sleeve because I know me! I need permanence - something that cannot be undone. I don't want the option to change my mind later. I don't want to walk the back streets looking for a rogue doctor who will loosen my band just for the weekend so I can eat that rack of ribs! Whatever you choose, listen to the doctors recommendations first and then make up your own mind for your own reasons. You can't loose regardless of which you choose. A win, win!

Kathie ..... You are definitely on the fast track to surgery. I am envious. Since I don't have the money, I've been dancing with Medicare for five months but I finally got a surgery date; Feb 13th. A large part of your story mirrors mine as well I'm sure, a large number of others on this forum. I almost feel that a lot of the so-called "diets" that suck us in are in cohoots with the "fat-foods" industry! Much like the weathermen down south must be with the milk and bread industry when it snows! LOL At 72, I assume I'm one of the oldest, if not the oldest on this forum to have bariatic surgery. With age, the possibility of complications increase . I've kicked all of those thoughts aside and instead, I am looking forward finally to a new life from now until the Lord calls me home! So, at 61 you are still a young chic and will do great. Proud of you for doing this and, good luck. Keep us all posted.

Tell me about it!! I'm on 4 weeks of that stuff - 13 days to go! I didn't have a problem until a couple of days ago. I was gagging thinking about drinking another Optifast but I pushed through and they are now more tolerable. I heat the chocolate for a fairly decent cup of Hot Chocolate. Bought some flavoring; cherry, strawberry, coconut, banana, etc. and that helps tremendously. Chocolate and Strawberry Optifast in a blender with ice cubes = smoothies. Put cherry flavoring in chocolate - think chocolate covered cherries! :-) After surgery I can use Usury, Premier, Yahoo, etc. Supposedly however, ..... Optifast is the best Meal Replacement formula to get all nutrients. I quit taking supplements when I started a Optifast. Hang in there.

Starting weight 364. Doc put me on 4 weeks of liquid diet. Just completed two weeks and down 30 lbs!!!! I can't believe it. If I could sustain this diet long enough I could loose all my weight. No way could I do that, however. Good luck to you. Stick to it and it will all work out.

I did something yesterday I thought I would never do! I'm 7 days in on a four-week liquid diet. My wife had a bar-b-q sandwich (I've encouraged her to eat normal and I would let her know if it bothers me). It smelled soooo good! I went into the kitchen looking for a couple of small pieces of meat on the counter. After putting them into my mouth, I chewed a couple of times and spit it out! Never, never have I done that. Unless someone has fought their weight as I have and others on this board, they would think I was crazy being so excited about spitting out a minuscule sized piece of meat. That action told me I can do this! Can't wait for Feb 14th and the start of my new life!

I'm on 4 week liquid, depends on a lot of factors. BMI? Mine was 52. Below 45 he (Doctor) only requires 2 weeks. I know of no one who uses my doctor who is on less than two weeks regardless of BMI. He is cautious and has an excellent record. He has done over 800 sleeves. So, #2 would depend on your Surgeon. Have you checked him out good? Third is age - I'm 72. This makes me nervous. At an older age, the surgery is not as much of a concern as possible complications. However, I am good to go and ready to take the consequences which hopefully will be a new me. If you understand the purpose of the liquid diet, I personally would be concerned with only a one or two day liquid diet! However, if your Doctor has run you through a series of tests and is confident your Liver, Spleen, Gallbladder, etc are all healthy and you are young, in good shape with a low BMI, I wouldn't worry. There a lot of e-books available giving you a lot of good info in case you want to look into the specifics of Bariatic surgery including the need for and, guidelines for a liquid pre-op and post-op diet. Good luck to you.

I hate to see you have to travel to find a surgeon but since you will, I suggest Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory or The Center for Surgical Weight Loss at Lake Norman in Mooresville. Distance will be about the same. I considered Frye but ultimately decided on Lake Norman. My surgeon is Dr T. Ryan Heider. I checked him out on the internet and asked for some references. It boils down to whom you feel the most comfortable with. I've attended the Seminar, the support meetings and had my Endoscopy there and I've been very happy so far. I'm sure "aroundhcky" will chime in with his experience at Frye. Good luck to you. The more I learn about Bariatic surgery, .... it is going to be quite a ride but one that will be well worth it. Let me know if I can be of any help. I am currently on my 6th day of the liquid diet and am doing ok,

Good for you. Frye was highly recommend and was one of my top choices. How have you done with your sleeve?

Statesville ..... When, where are you going to have your surgery? I'm due 2/13 at Lake Norman, Dr Heider

Due to my weight and where I carry most of my fat (around the middle) my surgeon insists I go on a 4-week liquid diet. I can have some Optifast crunch bars and soup! I've read a lot of how pre-op'ers are struggling with the two-week diet? I'm getting "shaky" anticipating four weeks on that stuff?!?! Also, I haven't read the first story yet of anyone else having to do 4 weeks before their surgery. Any words of wisdom?

Sleeve scheduled Feb 14th with Dr T. Ryan Heider , Mooresville, NC! EGD, Dr appointment, etc all scheduled. Starting liquid diet next Wed (4 weeks necessary for me due to weight and where I carry most of my fat!). It's getting real now!!!

Man, I so hate to hear that! Don,t give up - keep pushing. Surely there is another good surgeon that will take your insurance? I'm praying for you brother.

Sleeve scheduled 2/13 so the lists everyone is posting is a big encouragement!! I'll add one: Riding a motorcycle makes a guy feel super cool until he (me) sees his reflection in the store window and can't see the bike for seeing himself!! Another one ... Sitting on a new bike at a motorcycle show and a friend takes your picture. Then later noticing the people in the background are giving you the "look"! And the last one: Having to buy a motorcycle jacket large enough to zip up around your (me again!) belly that the shoulders are so wide they hang down to your elbows! I can't wait.......!! :-)

So good to know there are prayer warriors on this forum. My prayers for each of you. Particularly for LivingForGod for smooth sailing from now to the 29th.

Hello Chris.

It may be because people my age (72) aren't into electronic social media that I don't see many reports/stories of geriatric bariatrics!?! I finally received my LSG surgery date today; Feb 13th. I' m ready physically, mentally and emotionally but I really like to hear from some "sleevers" close to my age as to how they faired through the pre and post period as well as the surgery itself.

Thanks for your reply, Linda. Looks like you and I are the only sleevers over 65? Or, the only cyber-savy seniors? :-)

Originally, were you able to"wrap" your head around 146#?!? 137 is just another hop,skip and a jump. You can do that. The world is full of naysayers! I feel sorry for them. I am still early in the process. When I tell people about the planned surgery (2\13), I can see in their faces the thought; "why is he doing that ... why doesn't he just stop eating so much and do it himself?" And, ...A few have even said it out loud. Go with your doc's advice and just give the others, who are most likely well meaning, a nice smile and an assurance you will be smart about your own life. Great job! You are my first "hero" on this forum.(this is my 2nd post!!!) Sam