Inner Surfer Girl

The intention of the pre-op diet is to shrink your liver. Alcohol goes straight to your liver. Why not drink some camomile tea and/or take a hot bath instead.

Talk to your surgeon about your meds. Mine gave me guidance on what to take day of surgery, etc. You will also want to talk with the doctors who prescribed your meds about possible dose changes as you lose weight.

My surgeon gave me a specific list of vitamins and supplements with a recommended schedule. That would be the best place to start.

Don't do that.

To me hiccups and burps are both signals that I have eaten too much. For me, eating too fast can lead to eating to much and taking that "one bite too many".

My NUT was very upfront about stalls. But, don't think it was something she stressed in the education classes because most of the time was spent on teaching us the importance of protein and fluid and helping us determine how to get in enough nutrition. The numbers on the scale were not a priority.

I was heading to the pool at the wellness center the other day and the masseuse was coming out of the massage room. Since I joined the wellness center I was thinking of scheduling a massage but hadn't because 1) I wanted to talk to her about my physical limitations and 2) her prices are a little higher than some of the other options in town. I asked her about my physical limitations and she seemed to be able to work with them and she also mentioned that they are currently offering discount massage certificates (30% off!). What better sign! I bought two certificates for 60 minute massages. I haven't scheduled one yet but will soon as I am approaching a major milestone that merits a reward. Depending on how it goes, I may be buying myself some more certificates for Christmas.

Have you read Genene Roth's WHEN food IS LOVE? Sorry for all the book recommendations, but what you are observing/experiencing is SOOOO common, there are lots of books that address these issues.

Most of us don't go into surgery with the best of health. It is so important that our surgeon and anesthesiologist know about what is actually going on so they can keep us alive and healthy through our surgery! It is all for the best.

I have no idea. I am also not sure what you are asking exactly. Stalls are part of the weight loss process, so I don't think the type of procedure you have would impact the fact that you will stall. Have you asked your surgeon or NUT about your specific concerns?

Thanks, @@VSGAnn2014 for that analysis. As my surgeon stressed, reading labels is so critical. He also stressed that the best food doesn't have labels! For all of us, especially someone so far along in the program, reading labels should be the first thing you do before deciding whether or not it is "ok". My awesome and brilliant surgeon also advised us to avoid high fructose corn syrup like the plague. I am just guessing, but something tells me there is probably high fructose corn syrup in processed/pre-packaged granola bars.

I was self-pay, but nutrition education was still a required part of the program. There is really no excuse as far as I can see for any surgeon not to provide nutrition education as it is critical for success and a healthy outcome. Unfortunately, quality of education does vary tremendously. Also, not everyone has the same capacity and capability for comprehending/understanding, and listening/reading/literacy skills run the gamut. Throw in possible language barriers, response to stress, etc. and a whole range of preconceived ideas and life experience, it's a wonder any of us get through this at all!

I agree. You don't necessarily have to start your pre-op diet early. It is designed to shrink your liver before surgery and is hard enough to stick to when it's required and most critical. I also weaned myself off of carbonation and caffeine pre-op. It is much easier to do it gradually over a month or two than to go cold turkey. I increased my Water intake to at least 64 oz of water a day and worked up to exercising 60 minutes a day. I focused on Protein, vegetables, and eating cleaner. I also practiced slowing down and eating mindfully. You could start trying some Protein shakes to see what you like by substituting them for a meal here and there but I wouldn't worry about going full force pre-op diet until you have to. Another thing my program had us do was start taking a Multivitamin and a D3 supplement daily from the time we started considering surgery. Best of luck with your surgery. You are going to do really well with your proactive attitude.

Let me guess. You are about three weeks post-op? None of us lose weight at a constant rate. We all experience periods of time when we do not show a weight loss on the scale. It is what we commonly call a "stall". Stalls are a normal, natural, and necessary part of the process of losing weight. Almost everyone experiences a stall about three weeks post op. If you are going to allow the numbers on the scale to influence your feelings and emotions, then the best thing to do is not to weigh very often. Weighing no more than once a week, or even less often may be a good strategy for you, especially early in your program. Just focus on following your program. Get in all of your Protein and fluids, take your Vitamins and supplements as directed, and exercise when cleared. Walking is a great way to start getting some exercise until you are cleared for something more strenuous. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

What does your program materials and NUT suggest? For week one I was on Clear Liquids with a couple of exceptions allowed by my surgeon. I was given ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrate in the hospital and the helped tremendously the first week. I was able to buy them from my surgeon's office in various flavors. Initially, I ate them undiluted over crushed ice with a spoon. Later I was able to dilute them. Some people like Isopure. The exceptions to clear liquid I was allowed were premier Protein and a couple of the ProtiDiet Soups (creamy chicken and tomato basil). Clear broth, especially bone broth (which is higher in protein) was on my program for clear liquids. In addition, I was allowed sugar-free Jello and sugar-free Popsicles. If you are in doubt about what your program allows, then by all means give your NUT a call. I kept my program book by my side for the first month and consulted it constantly.

Thanks for the reminder that we were all new at one point.

Definitely read labels. Not all protein shakes are bariatric friendly. We need high protein, low carb shakes.

Why not talk to your NUT about protein options. At 2 weeks post-op I was on full liquids (which for me included Greek yogurt and cottage cheese). I would double-check with your NUT about adding fruit to your protein shakes this early out.

This was my first surgery ever so I had no idea what to expect. The worst part of the surgery for me was pre-op when I really did not know what to expect. The uncertainty and fear is very normal. The easiest part was the surgery itself. Once I was on the table it was lights out and the next thing I knew I was in recovery. What I did to prepare for surgery was to: read a lot and learn as much as I could, worked up to exercising at least 60 minutes a day, weaned myself off of carbonation and caffeine, increased my Water consumption to at least 64 oz of water a day, and shopped for post-op supplies (like small, cute dishes, storage containers, ramekins, and appetizer forks, a food scale, Protein shake samples, etc.). I was blessed with an awesome surgeon and bariatric team, a complication-free recover and great progress. The whole process has gone much better than I could have ever imagined.

Congratulations! I know it is scary but you are truly at the beginning of a new life. The anxiety and uncertainty about stepping into the unknown was truly the worst part of the whole process for me. You can sit next to me in the loser's bench. I've saved you a seat.

I think it varies by program. From what I remember, my first appointment included: a group class to go over the program requirements; individual appointments with NUT, psychologist, finance/insurance person; and a physical exam by a PA.

Adding: I also found early out I needed to eat on a schedule whether I was hungry or not. I had to eat frequent small meals and Snacks in order to get in 100 grams of Protein a day. Now that I am farther out, I still eat frequently.

Another book you might want to read is EAT IT UP! It is excellent and the author works with people who have had weight loss surgery so it addresses many things that we all experience.

I agree. You may be not getting enough nutrition. Are you reaching your Protein target? It is hard to do so early out even with protein supplements. If you aren't supplementing your protein what are you doing to get it all in? Are you getting all of your fluids? Again, this is difficult early out even with protein shakes. If you aren't drinking protein shakes you need to get the Fluid somewhere. Are you taking all of your Vitamins and supplements as directed? I would also recommend you talk with your NUT about strategies for getting in all of your nutrition.

It's part of the process for many of us unfortunately. The best thing you can do is focus on getting in all of your Protein and Water and taking all of your Vitamins and supplements. You could also talk to your hairdresser about a new cut or style to help you through this time.