tfowler

@@dawnnae123 I'm in Texas. Congrats on your upcoming surgery! @@Boise Please take care of yourself first before you even think about posting on here! lol. I know what you mean, though, about not being able to concentrate. I'm just trying to keep myself busy in the meantime. What do you do for a living? And you have to be on Clear liquids before surgery and do a cleanse? That stinks! But then maybe you won't suffer so much with constipation on the other side.

Good morning, everyone! I hope you all are having a fabulous week so far. I just wanted to drop in and give an update. I've been chatting with a few of you in PMs, but I wanted to catch up with all the others who have surgeries coming up really soon. I finally (yes, finally) ordered Protein powder from unjury. I ordered the chicken Soup, strawberry sorbet, and variety pack. I'm excited to try different flavors. The downside to that, however, is that they'll be here on the 22nd--the day of my surgery. I guess the good thing is that they'll be there when I start the full liquids stage of the post-op diet. So far, I prefer my Protein shakes with milk, so I'm a little concerned that after surgery I will become lactose intolerant. That's just one more thing to add to my "what's going to happen to me after surgery" list. I know there are substitutes, so that makes me feel a little better. @@evanslaura79 and I were chatting about dreaming about food. I previously had dreamt about food but couldn't recall what foods they were. Last night, though, was full on bacon. The funny part of that dream was that I was really upset I had bought and cooked real pork bacon instead of turkey bacon. In reality, I would be upset if I had accidently bought turkey bacon instead of pork ("real") bacon. Have any of you dreamt about food? I had a moment yesterday when I was second-guessing my decision to have surgery. From what I can tell, this is a normal thought process to have right before surgery. I was leaving the store after having purchased more milk, and I thought to myself, "If I can lose 10 pounds like this, why can't I just keep doing this and lose it on my own?" That thought process did not last long, though, because the answer came sooner than I probably would have liked. My answer: Because I always fail when it's just me, my big stomach, and my itty bitty will power. Now that I'm really having to be accountable (accountable for losing weight pre-op to shrink the liver or risk a dangerous surgery or no surgery at all and accountable for eating right post-op to prevent pain and additional damage), I feel that there is more on the table here, and if that's what it takes for me to healthy, then damn it, I'm doing it. My dad, who is only 61 years old, suffered a stroke back in April. He was lucky that the stroke happened while he was at work because a co-worker noticed his odd behavior and was able to call for help. He's recovering well now but still has a lot of healing to do. The entire family is lucky that his stroke wasn't worse. But from what the doctors revealed, his stroke was caused by uncontrolled blood pressure and lack of attention to his health. My dad has been a type 2 diabetic for about 20 years and never really took the diagnosis seriously. He's been overweight pretty much his entire life, too. So as I sat beside him in the hospital, looking at what health neglect can do to a person, I panicked. My dad didn't weigh much more than I did (and with our difference in height, our BMIs probably were about the same anyhow). So, I was practically looking at myself sooner rather than later. Not only did I not want to have a stroke and struggle with having to relearn basic things, but I also did not want to put my family through that ordeal either. It's too hard. And for what? Because I like the way food tastes? No way. Not anymore. I might have to struggle a little now, but the outcome will be so worth it. So that helped me determine very quickly that, regardless of the pain, nausea, constipation, headaches, food longings, changes in tastes, flabby skin, people talking behind my back and so forth, I needed this surgery. And that was the end of that. @@Boise Your surgery is coming up on the 21st, right? I think it might be presumptuous to think you might be posting that day for the rest of us who have surgery the following day, but we'll catch up with you after our surgeries. And I believe @@crazzeescrapper , @ImaFox , and @@Dulce_jtrivera finish up our little group with surgeries later in the month. How is everyone doing so far?

Looking fabulous!

@@GingerSlim Thanks for the post and recommendations! Yep, this time next week, we'll be post-op (probably not feeling so great, but definitely on the other side).

Thanks, @Dulce_jtrivera. I'll check those out, too. Seems like a much better source of Protein than the powder I have, which only has 16 grams per serving. Awesome! I completely understand, @Boise.

@@Boise One week! How exciting!! @@Dulce_jtrivera I really miss snacking, too.

Yeah, @@Dulce_jtrivera, I'm with @@Boise . Where did you get all those flavors? I know unjury has some, but they don't have the Cookies and cream or caramel pretzel, do they? For me, my surgeon required that I buy the chocolate and vanilla Protein powder from his office for the pre-op diet. Those were the only approved powders for now, but I don't think it's as strict on the post-op full liquid diet. I want to stock up on other flavors as well.

Good morning, Dulce! I'm starting Week 3 of my pre-op diet. So far, things have been okay. A few bumps in the road, but nothing too major. I've lost 10 pounds in the last couple of weeks. I would have liked to have lost closer to 20 before surgery, but I'll take any loss I can get. The liquid diet hasn't been too bad, but it has gotten boring. I feel like I'm just going through the motions now. I won't lie, though--I do miss other kinds of food, but it's purely mental because my stomach isn't hungry. Next Tuesday is my date. Hopefully, I'll know the time come Thursday or Friday. I hope everyone else is doing well, also.

@@evanslaura79 Yes, the PB2 will become a handy ingredient. I especially mix it in with the vanilla Protein powder since that is by far my least favorite (between the whopping two flavors we're stuck with during pre-op)--although a week-long pre-op diet probably won't be so bad for you. I'm plugging along in my three week diet, and being confined to the two flavors has been rather boring and difficult to swallow sometimes. I definitely take advantage of getting in some broth when I can. I agree with you about Dr. Kim. I'd take the matter-of-fact and expertise over the bedside manner. My experience so far also has been good, except there has been a bit of a hiccup with my pre-op testing. Dr. Kim's office called yesterday and asked if the hospital had contacted me yet, which they hadn't. So, they had to call the hospital and figure out why I hadn't been scheduled to do pre-op testing yet since my surgery is about a week and a half away. Apparently, they didn't have me down on their books. But, I did get it all scheduled for next Wednesday, so hopefully everything will turn up roses. Have you done your pre-op testing yet? @@jenngottaloseit Thanks for the invitation!

@@evanslaura79 Awesome! We'll meet up at the hospital and compare notes afterward! lol A one-week diet--that must be awesome, too. I think one week is completely manageable. I'm just starting week 2, and I won't lie--I've had some bumps in the road. Nothing too terrible, though. I find that if I just keep up with the Protein shakes and add in some broth now and then, I'm usually pretty satisfied. I also add in some popsicles and probably could benefit from adding in Jello, too. I do recommend trying some of the protein shake recipes the office gives you with your powder and buying the PB2 to mix in. That has proven to be a lifesaver for me. My spice cabinet also is now stocked with all sorts of extracts just for the Protein Shakes. How has your experience been with Dr. Kim so far?

Awe, @@Dulce_jtrivera, I'm sure you'll have a good time at the lake. I haven't used turkey a whole lot with cooking, but my younger sister does. I think my mom got her started doing that. My mom would find some pretty healthy recipes and try out new things all the time. In fact, she probably would have been trying to find some good soup/puree recipes for post-surgery for me. She was always good like that. Being active! Yes, that's a very awesome goal--and especially since you're doing it for your kids and family. I have nieces and nephews that probably would appreciate a more active aunt. They're constantly outside swimming or riding bikes or playing basketball. This past weekend, my older sister and I were sitting in the living room talking, and her four-year-old son attempted to crawl up onto my lap. He had trouble because, obviously, my stomach already occupies a good deal of my lap. I kinda laughed and said, "Sorry; no room for you" while patting my tummy. And my nephew said, "Because you're fat." My sister swatted him for it pretty good and then apologized to me. I told her that it was okay, that he was just telling the truth. I'm no longer offended by stuff like that. Instead, I'm validated in my decision to have surgery that will result in a huge change. Then, my nieces and nephews won't get in trouble anymore because of me! Instead, my nephew will be able to sit comfortably on my lap or I can go outside and play with all of them. Enjoy the lake, and let me know how the ranch turkey burgers turn out!

Good morning! I started my three-week pre-op liquid diet on Monday. Things are going okay, but I've experienced leg cramps the past two nights. This morning, I woke up with a headache. I was wondering if this is normal with a high-Protein diet like this. I've been consuming between 60 and 80 ounces of Water each day this week along with my 4-5 Proteins shakes...even maybe with a cup of broth mixed in. I was more tired yesterday than normal. I'm going to try to increase my water intake today to 100 ounces and see if that helps. Any suggestions or advice?

@@Midge73 @@Rovobay @@msfitn2014 Thanks! I guess withdrawal makes sense. I hadn't really had any carbonated drinks or anything like that in a while, but I know sugar is mixed into all sorts of foods. And I was a big carbs eater before, too. I'll up my Vitamins to help with the leg cramps. I've had leg cramps many times before--either because I wasn't getting enough Water or because my legs got too cold. When I get them in the middle of the night, I jump out of bed and try stretching them out. But I didn't think either was the case this time. I had to ask because I couldn't imagine myself jumping out of bed after surgery and dealing with the cramps. No way! @@Midge73 I stay semi-cold even now. I sometimes wear my sweater in the office or even turn my little space heater on low. And it's the middle of the summer.

@@mi75 @@snochick2005 Thanks for the feedback. I figured it was something with vitamins or such. I'm supposed to have blood work done fairly soon, but I'll go ahead and call the office and get some advice. And I appreciate the suggestion about trying the Carnation Instant Breakfast in addition to the protein shakes. Don't mind if I do!

Hi, all! I'm inching toward my surgery date on 7/23/14, and I have a question for those of you who have already had surgery. Where and how did you end up sleeping or resting when you arrived home? I have a bed and a love seat, and honestly neither seem very comfortable when I think about recovering from this type of surgery. I wish I had a recliner, but I'd really like to make do with what I have. Any suggestions for how I can arrange what I have to be the most comfortable based on your experiences?

So, today is day three of the liquid diet. Surprisingly, I haven't been hangry like I imagined I would be. Yesterday was better than the first, and today so far has been the best. The hardest thing, I think, is not being able to have the food that I want, but I'm never really hungry. When I start to feel a little hungry, I make a Protein shake and drink up. I found an awesome recipe for a chocolate Peanut Butter shake that incorporates the powdered PB2 peanut butter. It helps take away some of the sweetness of the shake and adds a bit of earthiness to it. I actually really like it. In between shakes, I'm drinking as much Water as I can. So, I'm feeling really relieved that things are going so well on the pre-op diet. Granted, it's only three days in, but all is well here. My surgeon's office provides all patients with a book full of information about pre- and post-operative diets, food options, recipes, and care, so I've spent some time in the evenings trying to digest all that information. There's so much to learn! He even provides a calendar of how long each phase of the post-op liquid diet should last. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like I'll be clear to eat normal food (without any restrictions) until the beginning of October. That's a bit of a bummer, but I'd rather take it slow than encounter any problems. Of course, I'm saying that now; I'll probably be saying something very different a few weeks from now! I'm travelling this weekend for the holiday and will be spending it with my dad and younger sister. I plan to take my Protein Shake stuff and some select broths with me so that I'm not stuck without something when I need it or make my family feel like they have to accommodate. It will be interesting to see how it goes. The trip is about 4.5 hours by car, and I typically would stop and stock up on a few junk food items before heading out to keep me happy. Now, it looks like I'll be taking along water or non-fat milk and Protein powder and be pulling over when I need to fill my tummy. I think I'm going to miss my sunflower seeds the most. What are your plans for the holiday?

Awe, man! That sucks! I'm sorry that you had to reschedule and push things back a week, but it's awesome that your boss is understanding of the change. And I'm using the same excuse as you--gall bladder surgery.

Hi, there! I'm having surgery 7/22 and started my pre-op diet yesterday. It hasn't been as horrible as I thought. I wasn't looking forward to the protein shakes at all. With that said, there came a point this past weekend when I was ready for the regimen. I'm so tired of the grab-and-go lifestyle and spending my mornings thinking about what I'm going to grab for lunch, even when nothing sounds good because I had to eat something. Sometimes the thinking about food interfered with work and would slow me down. The past couple of days, however, I've been concentrating on drinking my protein shakes and splurging on some broth or a popsicle. It's just there. I don't really have to plan or decide; the decision of what I'm eating/drinking has been made for me. So, for me, I'm not bored; I'm relieved. But I get what you're saying. Enjoy the time, binge TV watching, and knitting projects!

@@Boise Thanks for the support. I know how you feel--I'm missing crunchy and savory food right now. I guess I've known I had a problem with food for a while now, and when I say problem, I mean a BIG problem. I could eat when I'm not hungry just because something smells or sounds good. I could eat when I'm already full because the food tastes too good to let go. My eyes are always bigger than my stomach, and I hate letting food go to waste. However, this is a problem and routine I will break. It's head hunger. We're both experiencing it right now, and you're right--we can do this! @@Dulce_jtrivera Congratulations on the weight loss so far! Thanks, too, for the support. I'm with you. I can lose the weight when I'm challenged, but I haven't been able to challenge myself enough lately. And it's always a diet with me. I'm trying very hard to understand what it means to make a lifestyle change. Honestly, I've never had the opportunity to learn about healthy eating habits. I didn't pay attention in health class back in junior high. Now is my opportunity to learn alongside others who are going through the same challenge as me so that we can break the cycle of losing weight on diets and start losing weight by making better choices.

Hi, buddies! I began my 3 week pre-op liquid diet yesterday. It actually wasn't supposed to start until today, but my mind works better when I begin things on Mondays. Out of everything so far, I was dreading the pre-op diet because, as I've said before, the idea of a diet consisting primarily of sweet Protein drinks did not appeal to me at all. But because I'm also able to mix in some broth and a very select few other items, I know it's doable. I started with a chocolate Protein shake in the morning. Not the texture I prefer when I think of a shake, but it went down. I also managed to take in about 20 ounces of Water along with that. But I also was drinking coffee, which helps to curb my appetite. So, I found that I wasn't really hungry when lunch rolled around, but I went ahead and made a cup of tomato Soup. That's not particularly on this pre-op diet list, but I needed something a little more hearty in my tummy. In the afternoon, I had two additional Protein shakes and 40 ounces more of water. That seemed to hold me over...until I got home. For some reason, the minute I walked in the door at home, I couldn't get into the kitchen fast enough. I've always been an evening eater, especially lately. I think it has something to do with being alone behind closed doors and having access to whatever I want without outside judgment. (I know that doesn't make sense because I am judged by what I eat because people can see the weight. My home is my comfort, and food has been my very good companion.) HOWEVER, instead of going for something way off course, I opted for strained potato soup. Yep, I opened the can, added the non-fat skim milk, warmed it up, and then strained it to avoid eating any solids. Of course, the potato soup really isn't on the pre-op diet either, but it technically is a liquid (especially with the non-fat skim milk; it might as well have been water!). While I can't be completely proud of myself for having things other than broth, protein shakes, and water, I have to at least commend myself for making a better food decision when presented with unhealthier options, but I still am not happy about the weakness. Today is a new day, and I'm drinking my vanilla protein power in coffee as I write this. I also brought beefy onion soup (power) to work with me so I would not be tempted by something creamier. To help make this diet more exciting, I'm going to try some of the shake flavors recommended by my surgeon's office. Here's one to share: Cherry Pie 1 scoop vanilla Protein powder 8 ounces fat free milk or water 1/2 teaspoon cherry extract, cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon almond extract ice Anyway, I hope the new month is finding all my buddies well and that your liquid diet (whenever it starts) starts smoother than mine has. In the meantime, here are some pre-op goals that I have: Continue to make better food choices Strive to lose approximately 10 pounds Start planning my post-op meals What are some of your pre-op goals?

Dr. Kim is doing my surgery as well, and he put me on a three week liquid diet. My BMI is high compared to others, so I figured I needed to lose more than most pre-surgery. It's hard enough to imagine doing three weeks of only chocolate or vanilla protein shakes, so I can't fathom doing eight!

Awesome. Thanks, everyone. Yes, I agree a recliner would be best. I always enjoyed relaxing and falling asleep in my old recliner. Best feeling ever! But, since I am sans recliner, I think I will make do with the pillows and blankets I have and hope for the best. It's nice to see all the variance in everyone's experiences.

Thanks for the responses! It will be nice having a group to encourage and be encouraged by. I'm very new to the forum and haven't quite figured everything out yet, but I'll get there. A bit about me...I'm a 33 year-old female. I've been overweight pretty much my whole life. I've known for a long time that my weight has kept me from a lot of things--e.g., social interactions, career opportunities, etc. Mostly, it's the perception. I'm not a fat, lazy, unorganized person who only cares about food, but that's how people perceive me. It bothered me to the point that I started looking into having surgery last year, but I wanted so desperately to do it on my own. I'd done it before. Back when I was 24, I lost about 60 pounds. I wasn't extremely thin, but I was a lot healthier than I am now. But my mom always told me that my body would start to retaliate after I turned 30, and she was right. Losing weight on my own was nowhere as easy for me as it had been when I was younger. So...here I am. I am ready. Don't get me wrong; I'm nervous about my 3-week liquid diet that will begin on Monday, nervous about how well I will handle the pain (I am a big baby, I know!), and how well I will adjust to learning to eat the right way as opposed to the marathon eating sessions I've experienced in the past. I am ready for this; I just need some encouragement. My family is quite supportive and excited for me, but it would be nice to share these experiences with a few others who will know exactly what I'm talking about. I know that when I read posts from people who post from the hospital and consecutively the following weeks, those posts are the most informative because it gives me a good idea of what to expect. Anyway, thank you again for joining me on this chosen path. It won't be easy, but it will be rewarding. I refuse to be a victim of my weight.

Thanks for asking this question. My pre-op diet doesn't officially start until July 1, and I'll be on it for three weeks before my surgery on July 22. However, I've started incorporating more liquids into my diet now (i. e., substituting broths and soups for what I normally would eat). I'm freaking out a little about doing that for three whole weeks, but my mindset is that it's just part of the process and will be worth it in the long run. It's wonderful to read input from so many others about their struggles and successes during the process. It's very encouraging.

Good luck!