JamieLogical

I've been struggling too. I'm 10 days into a 15 day pre-op diet. I've cried a bunch of times for no reason. I get really sad thinking about how long it might be before I feel "normal" again. I have at least one bout every day where I consider giving up and not having the surgery at all. It's so hard because, in the past, I've obviously turned to food for comfort in stressful and emotional situations like this, but that is clearly not an option right now so I just don't know how to handle it. I think ultimately it is good to be experiencing all of this now, since it's something I will have to cope with after surgery as well. But it's definitely overwhelming at times.

What do you mean by "slipping up"? Do you mean eating stuff you shouldn't? I'm on day 10 of my pre-op and I've eaten stuff twice now that I wasn't supposed to. However, both times I ate high protien/low carb items so I wouldn't kick my body out of ketosis, because I was not about to go through that whole horrible headache stage again. The first time I had about 1/3 of an omelet with cheddar and sausage in it. I felt SOOOOOOOO sick after that one. I think the sausage gave me terrible heartburn/reflux. The second time I had some shrimp and my stomach handled that fine. I don't think either of those slip-ups set me back much, since they had no sugar and I stayed in ketosis. They really didn't have any more calories than I would have gotten with my Protein shake either. The main difference was the fat content (especially with the omelet), so I will definitely be trying to avoid any more slip-ups in the next 5 days.

I contacted them and they have changed "affective" to "effective" at least. Plus they are sending me a free sample. So that worked out pretty well.

Thanks! I felt like maybe I was being too critical. I did read through a lot of the study they linked to on the Clinical Studies page and I think I can see what they are getting at with the absorption rate concept. I might give it a try. I just worry about depending entirely on their 30g claim only to have all my hair fall out a few months down the line because I'm only getting half the protein I thought I was. Once I'm post op, I might try to get in one serving of this per day just to boost my protein levels above the minimum. So if I can get 60g on my own and use this for an extra "30g" it wouldn't be much of a risk, because I'd know I'm still at least getting in my minimum requirements.

I'd feel slightly more confident about Genepro if they didn't have a giant grammatical error right there on their home page. I'm usually not the grammar police when it comes to something like a forum post or a tweet or whatever, but when it's on the home page of an allegedly professional website?

I'd kill to be able to eat bars and soups during my pre-op diet! I only get three protein shakes, jello, popsicles, and on green salad with sugar-free dressing per day. At this point, I'm never really hungry. I just dread my protein shakes. Ugh! I really wish I could just avoid eating altogether, but of course that would be terrible for me. I need my protein at the very least if I'm going to expect my body to endure and recover from major surgery.

Every surgeon is different. I unfortunately have had to be on a primarily liquid diet for two weeks. Mine consists of 3 Protein Shakes a day and then one green salad with calorie-free dressing, plus sugar-free Jello and/or popsicles for Snacks. I'm 8 days in with 7 days left. It is NOT fun. There are several reasons for pre-op diets. First and foremost, they are meant to help shrink you liver, making it easier for your surgeon to move it out of the way to access your stomach. Secondly, they kick-start your weight loss. I've lost over 8 pounds in the last week on my pre-op diet and many doctors want you to lose 5-10% of your total body weight prior to surgery. Finally, they help demonstrate your commitment and ability to stick to a strict eating regimen they way you will need to after surgery.

You look fantastic! I'm having my surgery with Dr. Ariel Ortiz this coming Monday and posts like yours really help reinforce that I've totally made the right decision! I hope I look half as as good as you a year from now!

Ariel Ortiz and Elias Ortiz are two very different doctors. Ariel Ortiz has a more established reputation, but is more expensive. I chose Ariel Ortiz and Obesity Control Center for their outstanding international reputation and the fact that you have access to an entire support team for questions and information, including a patient coordinator, nutritionist, cardiologist, radiologist, and of course the surgeons themselves. I also read the entire 80+ page thread on these forums from Ariel Ortiz' patients and after reading about all of their experiences, I knew he was the best choice for me.

Welcome! I'm having my surgery at OCC as well. My date is Sept. 1. I know how you feel. The surgery itself doesn't scare me at all, it's how my life will be forever changed afterward. I'm not so concerned about being "thin" and having to adjust to that. I guess I don't really truly believe I WILL be "thin" yet. I know I will be thinnER. I just know I will never again be able to eat an entire pizza, or pig out on all-you-can-eat shrimp at Red Lobster, or eat an entire enchilada platter at my favorite Mexican restaurant. That's the part I'm having trouble giving up. I know that sort of thing it why I got to this point in the first place, but I've derived so much pleasure and comfort out of eating like that in the past and it's tough knowing I will never do it again. Also, 6 days into my pre-op diet, I'm scared I won't survive then next 9 days, but that's a whole other story...

I'm having my surgery with Dr. Ortiz at OCC on Sept.1.

September 1, same as Swee_dee.

This sounds pretty bad. I wonder how something like that even happens? If it's a matter of a mistake while cutting away the excess stomach, wouldn't the surgeon know right away? It doesn't sound like something they would discover later.

I haven't been hungry past the first day or two. I'd honestly prefer not to eat at all. I have to force down my three shakes a day and one salad. I'm supposed to be allowed sugar-free Jello and popsicles as Snacks, but I honestly haven't wanted a snack since the very first day. That's not to say it's easy at all. It sucks SOOOOO badly. I feel like crap all the time and have NO energy. My stomach always seems unhappy with me, but not "hungry," just acid and gas, which is probably the reason i never want to eat anything.

It's different for everyone. My advice would be to stay hydrated, moisturize twice a day, and make sure to incorporate strength training into your workouts. You can also try supplements. I have read that Vitamin C and Beef Gelatin are both good for helping to tighten skin. I'm not sleeved yet, but I already bought a bottle of Beef Gelatin capsules to start taking post-op (I already take vitamin C).

If it is just the skin on your stomach that you are concerned with, a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is all you would need. Most tummy tucks also include muscle repair, but you would ask your potential surgeon about that. I'm sorry I can't help you with surgeons in your area. I had my tummy tuck done in Mexico.

Glad you are doing okay. Has the pain from last night improved? That's crazy about the scarring from your band. Hopefully it won't hinder the success of your sleeve. Why did you end up having the band removed initially?

Congratz on your success so far! I hope you are feeling well and adjusting to your new life.