RedSalamander

I think most of us are talking pre-op, and I would think that taking whatever measures are necessary to become accustomed to something unfamiliar would be a good thing. Especially for people who aren't even in the pre-op diet stage and are just trying to learn how to choke down those nasty farty proteins! I do have the Premier premade drinks in Choc and vanilla, but I prefer thicker shakes made with ice at this stage. Obviously that's all likely to change post-op! But I think they're also good to carry around with you--in your purse or whatever. Keep going! You're doing great!

You know, so many, maybe ALL, of these comments stem from the same thing: people feeling they have the right to make comments about other people's bodies. ESPECIALLY fat people's. Well, f-- that. I personally tell my children that it's never appropriate to make comments, even "compliments" that involve people's bodies. I don't comment on the weight loss of even close friends unless they bring it up--I say things like, "You look great! How are you feeling?" (Which leaves it up to them how to respond!) People's bodies are off-limits to comments. Beyond that, I teach my kids that fat isn't an appropriate thing to call someone or a way to describe someone, because people's bodies are private and off-limits. But I let them know that I think I'm beautiful NOW! Just this morning, my daughter (4) made a comment about my "fat tummy" and I said, "Yes! My beautiful, fat tummy! Do you want to snuggle against my warm fat tummy?" Own it all. End the cycle of shame. Put the haters in their place(s).

I'm allowed it whenever--whoop whoop! I'm going to tell my surgeon to have one ready for me in the recovery room...perhaps a venti latte with skim.

I have to confess--I "cheated" last night. I had cream of chicken soup! Normally I would find it disgusting but it was, like, THE BEST Soup EVER. I really needed some sodium, and that did the trick. Back to normal now, no weird queasiness! Today, I went to TJ Maxx and stocked up on sugar-free coffee syrups! I got coconut, white chocolate, pumpkin spice, and toasted almond. Oh, and salted caramel. Getting all geared up for the next week until my surgery. How's everyone else doing?

Yup--protein is gross. But the good news is that you get used to it the more you have--I'm in my pre-op diet and have 4 shakes a day now, and totally don't mind the farty protein taste--THAT much. (I did have to take one container back to Costco because it was so awful, but the rest are fine!) I second the suggestions of adding sugar-free syrup to your shake--you can usually find them at TJ Maxx and Marshalls as well. I use dutch-process cocoa and PB2, too. And fruit (which obviously isn't usable post-op, but I'm not!) Another tip I give everyone is that I got some spill proof insulated cups that have straws and are airtight. Not being able to smell that protein smell has made a HUGE difference in the taste.

Congrats lulu!!! Hope you're up and around soon!

I swear by these Contigo bottles I got at costco in a 3-pack. They're insulated straw bottles that are spill-proof--which makes them pretty airtight, which means I can't smell the farty whey smell and the shakes taste MUCH better. I totally recommend something like that!

Everyone still hanging in there? I felt better yesterday--only had 3 shakes! But today I feel lightheaded and a bit nauseated...wondering if my sodium is low. Broth and sugar-free vitamin water here I come!

Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

What a relief to know that a medical professional you trust supports your decision! Now we just gotta make it to the day. BOOM.

That's really insensitive of people, @Grateful_Love. Don't they understand that you might be having difficulty conceiving? People can suck sometimes, even accidentally.

I'm on day 5 of pre-op, so we're all suffering together! I find that I feel fine during the day when I keep nice and busy, but in the evening when I slow down (and make dinner for my family!), I really FEEL those hunger pangs. We'll make it--just a few days to go!

Bring a bottle of tequila to work and suggest everyone do shots. That should quell those pregnancy rumors!

Whip out that kama sutra book--there's gotta be something in there that'll make it easy.

Congrats! I'm on the 14th. Whee!

I am still pre-op so I can only talk to you about my experiences thus far. But we're around the same age, and I qualify for the surgery only because I have a co-morbidity (sleep apnea). I am active and healthy, and for the MOST part, not held back by my weight. BUT, I am held back. And all my weight loss attempts have failed. And I want to be that lithe runner again, I want the outside to match the inside. I grappled for a long time, and I researched surgery for years and years. The last time I did, the sleeve wasn't being done where I live. So it wasn't even a consideration for me, although I liked the sound of it. I dismissed it and tried to lose weight on my own. Again. What changed it all for me was when my friend, who is a physician and a research junkie (me too!) was sleeved. (He's 2 years out now and doing fabulously!) Still, it was another year before I pursued it for myself. But now, here I am, getting ready for surgery in a little over a week. I'm not worried about the small stomach--the digestive system will still function normally. Hope that's helpful...even if it is just part of my decision-making process. And for the record, I plan to be around for another 60 years, at least.

I do not feel full. I mean, I'm clearly not starved. But even having 4 shakes a day can be less than 1000 calories, with a full-sized stomach. It's totally doable, but I'm not exactly feeling hale and hearty. And I am definitely not BITING things as much as I'd like!

I can have 2 pieces of fruit, and I had an apple yesterday. You have never seen an apple core decimated like that. I nibbled off every last piece of edible fruit, I swear. Like a crazed fruit maniac.

Yeah, I was thinking of trying the syntax nectar for post-op since everyone seems to tolerate it better than the thick shakes then. I'm fortunate in that my doc doesn't disallow coffee! Thank GOD. I love my java fix.

Mmm...tuna-vanilla-butt or tuna-strawberry-butt? YUM1

You could mix the tuna WITH your protein shake for an extra kick and an intriguing butt-fish aroma...

Bahahahaha! I am the same way. I call them all my obsessions, and I need to have one at all times. Luckily life is generally crazy enough that there's always SOMETHING for me to obsess about. And now just think--we'll have the surgery, then learning to live with the sleeve, the weight loss, the maintenance, all the athletics we'll be excelling at... We have basically signed ourselves up for a lifetime of obsessions! WOOHOO!

How's everyone doing on their pre-op diet? I've made it through 3 days! It's not terrible, but it's not my favorite thing, either.

This might be helpful--current recommendations for hiatal hernias include surgery! http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/178393-treatment

Sounds pretty similar to mine. I'm planning to kick it on on Jan 1, too! Crazy to think that it's coming up so quickly. I'm going to tackle the headaches with coffee, lots of Water, and advil if necessary! What shakes do you like? I have some premier Protein here and just ordered a few new kinds from supplement warehouse.com to try. (They have some great closeout deals!)