Luana526

waitingtoexhale, I have been reading a lot of threads and comments on here and sometimes I feel like I'm about to live through Invasion of the Body Snatchers! "Oh, you'll be different afterwards . . ." That's freaking me out more than anything! And have you read about "dumping" on here? It sounds disgusting, but apparently it's when you overeat and you get palpatations, sweating, hot flashes, frothing at the mouth. Geez, what have I gotten myself into??

I went on a thread (not even sure which one) with post-op people posting who were three years post. Yikes! I started to get cold feet! (My surgery is a week from Friday). Apparently some people's appetites do come back and there were quiet a few who gained a lot back. They all seemed very aware that the work continues, it's not a free ride or a cure, etc., but if your appetite comes back then we're pretty much where we are before surgery: learning to ignore hunger and the urge to eat. If it were easy, we wouldn't be going under the knife. Also, good God, what the hell is dumping?? Sounds horrible!

waitingtoexhale, are you at all nervous about the lifestyle change? What I mean is, is there a part of you freaked out that you're going in to have a piece of you removed and you're going to emerge as someone with different thought processes? A friend of mine said, "Oh, you think differently about food afterwards." And I thought to myself, "Well, that's a little freaky! Am I having a lobotomy??"

Ahhhh, so now I'm getting the bigger picgture. Different doctors, different hospitals, different TOOLS. Interesting . . .

I find all of this so interesting as my BMI is also low . . . well, not low, but you know what I mean. I was a 37 and my insurance company was balking so I ate my way up to 40 (also wore heavy clothing for a weigh in!) and was approved. My BMI is now a 37 and I'm getting sleeved on September 26. I honestly don't know what to expect. I don't want this to turn out like a nightmare where I end up losing nothing! I really want this "tool" to be the answer I've been looking for.

My surgery is Friday, September 26. I am really hoping to go back to work quickly. I do not do any heavy lifting so the doctor is leaving it up to my own comfort level. I have a pretty high pain tolerance and I know to move after this kind of surgery so I'm hoping I won't have bloating and gas issues. Anyone?

Thanks for the input! I'm enjoying reading everything . . .

Thank you, but I'm not having a problem "getting" perspective. Just curious what other people's instructions were and why those instructions vary so much from doctor to doctor. I got all the "liver lowdown" on my first visit. I have an undergrad degree in clinical nutrition (yeah, I know, odd) so none of this is over my head.

Thanks, Doug100! I hope I bounce back as quickly!

Notice I said "preferences," and not "choices." I know I'm going to have to make different choices after surgery, but someone I know who was sleeved said that his preferences changed a lot. Foods he loved he no longer desires and foods he didn't care for before surgery are his new favorite. Am I still going to like pizza?? I don't want to say good-bye!

Oh my goodness, Tuesday! Breathe, breathe . . . I can't even imagine how nervous I'm going to feel! I'm sure you're excited, too! Please come back on here and let me know if your food preferences change. I know--it'll be awhile. You'll have to follow that clear liquid for a few weeks. Good luck!! I wish you the best!

Sooo interesting . . . my friend in Las Vegas did not have to follow a special diet and my friend here on Long Island (whose starting weight was 420 pounds!) also did not have to follow it. However, two other friends near me DID have to follow it . . . each losing about 30 pounds pre-op. I'm just finding this all interesting. Someone mentioned an ultrasound of my gut--I did have one of those and my doctor said afterwards, "Good! Your liver is nice and small." I wasn't as hungry today. Had my breakfast protein drink, two apples, salad with protein, and I'm now drinking my second drink which, by the way, is only 100 calories. That's why I think I feel weak sometimes. Thank you, everyone, for responding! I think this forum is GREAT!

Gregtthegroove, how do you feel now? Pain-wise?

Bufflehead, where so you get the Unjury chicken soup? A lot of people on here have been recommending it. Do you order on-line?

Thanks, gregtthegroove . . . good response. My doctor said I only need to lose five pounds before surgery. My BMI is under 40--they've worked on much more obese people than me. My insurance almost didn't cover me! But I don't want my liver getting in anybody's way so I've been following it to the letter. But I do respectfully disagree about not questioning their directives. What kind of patient would I be if I didn't ask questions before they cut me open? Yikes. I want to know everything. They actually call me up to see if I have any questions. I love that they're so thorough. Just don't love that I feel so hungry!

I'm not sure I made myself clear. I am NOT listening to anyone but my surgeon--I wouldn't even think of not following his instructions. I'm not tempted by anyone else's regimen . . . I was just wondering what other people's doctor's instructions were. The "Tom, Dick and Harry" have no affect on me. I'm just curious why some doctors make it sound so dire and others don't even ask their patients to follow anything. That's it.

I have a great thrift store near me that has racks and racks of fantastic, name-brand clothing. It's very clean and I just got done shopping there because I bought "new" clothing for school (I'm a teacher) and my surgery is scheduled for September 26 so there was no way I was going to lay out big money at a regulat store. Try it--you might like it!

My surgery is 9/26! Does anyone know if we're going to be on a strict, liquids-only diet two days prior to surgery? I can barely stand the two shakes, salad and protein right now. I feel like I'm starving! I lost five and a half pounds in three days! What is the purpose of this strict diet now? I don't understand why it has to be under 800 calories a day . . .

Ava324, that's why my friend said! He wasn't a sweets eater before but now he craves them. On the other hand, he used to eat chicken wings, fried chicken, anything chicken, and now he cannot bear the thought of chicken! I'm also not a sweets eater, so I'm very curious about what post-surgery will be like.

I'm curious myself! I dread answering any questions. I'm not telling anyone at work and after awhile people will undoubtedly comment on how fast it's coming off because it's going to be hard to believe that my "nutritionist" would approve of my losing weight so quickly. Maybe I'll play sick!

bearman99, you've lost quite a bit of weight. Whatever you're doing, you seem to be doing it right. Hope you're patting yourself on the back often!

Wow . . . 139 does seem low for your height, but as long as you feel healthy and energetic. I'm curious if you went below your goal purposefully. Who set your original goal at 150, your doctor? Does he or she feel 139 is a good weight for you? Are you maintaining at 139? Hope I didn't ask too many questions and congratulations on your success!

My surgery is set for Septemer 26 and I'm happily terrified! I'm reading a lot about the two-day liquid diet pre-op. I haven't heard anything about that (yet). Is that something everyone follows?

My family knows but I've only told a few close friends and I did, indeed, get a raised eyebrow or two. I would not begrudge an alcoholic and drug addict whatever method or "shortcut" he or she felt was needed to succeed. But I can understand not wanting to tell people. Of course, I know a handful of people who have had the surgery, and they're very supportive!