Tootles1975

I love this idea. And you could even (with some creativity) add non-fitness oriented NSVs too, like a shopping bag for having to replace your wardrobe, and a plane for not having to wear a seatbelt extender, etc. So fun, and congrats on your accomplishments!

Hi all, I'm just getting started with this process and have a first consult at the end of this month with the surgeon that I'm hoping will perform Gastric Bypass surgery on me. (So far, I've only attended the seminar, made up my mind to do it, and made this first appointment.) I'm type-2 diabetic and had read that some surgeons won't do the surgery if A1C is too high. At last PCP visit, mine was near 10, which I'm not happy about at all. Just this week, I've begun to tackle that by restricting carbs (40-60 per day for now, lower with time hopefully). I'm also bumping up Water and exercise, stopped drinking any soda/carbonation, and am planning to work on eating slower and not drinking with meals. I'm thinking once I get some of the appointments underway, I'll start trying Protein powder and shakes and upping Vitamin intake, including Biotin for the hair loss, etc. But I don't want to be too restrictive now in fear I'll burnout/fail and go back to bad habits without even a surgery date in sight. I know a lot of that is attitude/willpower, and I'm trying think of the surgery as a reward for all the hard work. I'm guesstimating I have about 20-30 weeks before surgery actually happens. How did you manage the time between your decision and your surgery date/pre-op diet?

Oh yes, I want to try that cauliflower crust, and also the oopsie rolls I see a lot of bloggers mentioning!

Oh another couple! I'm sensing a pattern with these husbands just winging it. I'm trying to work out those emotional ties and cut them out now so the head hunger isn't too bad after!

Oh wow, the same day! Good luck to you both. That will really help make things easier I bet. My husband is similar--he recently was diagnosed with a health condition and I get a lot of "What should I eat? Help!" questions. He gets easily frustrated too and wants to skip Breakfast a lot, which I always tell him is a bad idea! I think it's human to have and want those "last" times. And who knows? Maybe you won't want them when you get there anyway--or not as much anyway! Thank you so much for the support!

Good for you! I've done other diet plans, including low-carb, before and had a lot of success short-term before my motivation failed, so I'm used to looking at labels and generally know what I should be eating and doing. Unfortunately I don't always do that which is why I'm buckling down anew right now. The water consumption is what i'm tackling first because I really am hoping that helps with giving me the constantly full feeling. I'm trying to listen to my body more as well and really separate out the head hunger from the actual hunger! I hope I do as well as you have and that my tastebuds change as well! Thanks!

Thanks so much for sharing! A friend who had RNY three years ago told me that she went nuts trying all different shakes pre-op and then after post-op she hated all of them! Heh, so you may have been alright with waiting till after! I think my plan is going to be to try to do the liquid diet with protein shakes/broth/etc. for 2-4 weeks before surgery. So I still have some time but am keeping a list of shakes and protein powders that people here have recommended. There will definitely be a few "last times" here and there too I'm sure. Ooh yes, I have to get a really good/big water bottle. I've been drinking about 68 oz a day (4 poland spring sized bottles), but could probably do better with a bigger container. I know I can't use a straw post-op but am a little tempted to do it now, cause you can suck that water down so much faster/easier! Heh. Thanks again!

I'm not trying to do these things for "just a little while." What I'm concerned about is pacing myself as I try to overhaul bad habits/emotional ties and convert to the new lifestyle I'm seeking. If I try to change everything at once, I think that might be setting myself up to fail because it's too overwhelming. So that's why I'm starting now before I even have a surgery date, and I'm working on the diet and emotional stuff, then when I'm used to that and feel I have it under control, I'll gradually introduce each of the other elements of this new life. I'm just wondering how other people did that. Some are cold turkey who ate the same way they always did up until the pre-op diet or even day of surgery if they didn't have one. Others started weeks or months earlier. I'm trying to find a good handle on that.

Just wanted to thank you all again. I've considered all you've said (it was especially encouraging that those of you who did have various problems post-op still considered it the best decision you made) and it eased my mind that 85% is good enough and to leave the rest to faith. My first surgeon appointment is June 26 (with Dr. Dieter Pohl, if any of you are in Rhode Island)!

It's hard to choose, but this might be my favorite response.

I'm so glad people have continued to chime in here. I've always been someone who's somewhat resistant to change and needs to think through the pros and cons of any big decisions quite a lot before taking an action. I can be a ditherer and want to keep paddling down the river of denial often. Sometimes it just helps to hear that others were unsure too. I'm encouraged that my worries are normal and that many of you had the same fears, yet forged ahead despite them and have no regrets and consider this the best decision of your lives. I have a combination business/pleasure trip to New Orleans coming up in a few days, and when I return, I plan to call for my consult with the surgeon's office. Thank you all for your help.

Thank you so much to everyone for your open, honest, and thoughtful responses. I'm taking to heart all that you've shared, checking into the resources you've mentioned, and doing more thinking and self-examination. I know this is the next step for me in all likelihood, and I'm growing more comfortable with the decision each day, the more I learn and hear from others. I sincerely appreciate your candor and concern.