ShrinkingButtercup

My preop diet starts this week! I was recommended to go at it three weeks due to my body shape. (I'm round in the middle) I just hope insurance comes through or I will be extremely unhappy on many levels.

As my surgery date approaches, I'm feeling this feeling of mourning the foods I'll never eat again. Like a bowl of cheerios and milk. Or a sandwich. I know this is probably normal but I'm getting really caught up in the downsides and not the upsides. (Weight loss! Self Esteem! Smaller clothes! Better Health!) I know that if it's not on my surgeon's list, I probably won't eat it. I'm with the program. I'm in. But there is still this sadness. So I'm asking for a bit of encouragement. What foods did you come back to? What foods did you find good replacements for? What don't you miss?

I just got my tentative surgery date from the office. If all my ducks are in a row, I'll be having RNY surgery on the 16th!

I've got two PCP monitored weight loss appointments left and I finished my psych eval. Which was the last of the program related hurdles. It's getting close. It's getting real and I'm getting a little scared.

I feel like I should be celebrating, it's my second to last clearance. It took 4 hours but it's finished and I probably did fine. But the very nice psychologist. She asked me the dreaded question: Why can't you just lose weight without surgery? I didn't know how to answer her. I babbled something and we moved on but now I'm finally getting second thoughts. WHY can't I do this alone? What's wrong with me? And I'm so close too. Just a few more PCP visits and it'll go to insurance. I'm scared and upset all over again.

It's an annoying question my SO asked me early in the process. I just always felt it was obvious that I tried and failed. I wouldn't have gotten to the size I am if I hadn't been a terrible failure. I think that is what stung me and left me stumbling. I'm scared to death that the question, while she said it was personal and not part of the eval, will having me failing the eval. All because I got caught off guard. I've gone over my reasons over and over and they feel sound to me. I just hope they agree.

My plan skips liquids (Save the one day in the hospital) and goes from two weeks of pureed to solids. Each plan is different. I'm still months from surgery and I am scared to death about what I am supposed to eat and not, despite pretty clear instructions. It's the fear of the unknown for me.

I'm not on Celexa, so I don't know how helpful I can be, but I am on other psych medication for anxiety. I'm still on track for surgery. When in doubt, call your surgeon's office and ask.

I'm also on the 6 month supervised diet, required by insurance. I started in June so I am looking at a December/January surgery date.

I went into my surgeon's consult knowing I wanted the Bypass and he agreed. It was an easy decision for me. Lap Band: I didn't like the idea of a foreign object in my body. Research later showed many complications. Sleeve: I'm not comfortable with the idea of losing a whole part of my stomach. Later on, research showed it wasn't right for me at my BMI. I felt I needed the malabsorption in addition to restriction. Bypass: Gold Standard. Research backed up my decision. The rate of weight loss, the long term benefits. Oddly enough, I am strangely comfortable with the rerouting of my innards. I can't explain why but it just feels better to me. Possibly because it is reversible if complications arise and call for it.

I have a six month waiting period so I have plenty of time to get clearances and some are already done by now (Entering month 4). After a behavior modification class and my consult, I was scheduled, by the office, for cardiac and pulmonary. There was a echo and a stress test. Cleared that. One NUT appointment and I was given blood work order. Had to go to a support group meeting too. Done there. Next was pulmonary. Mostly cleared but at my BMI, surgeon requires a sleep study, despite a lack of symptoms. I still have a psych eval. Once that's done, I just wait for my medically monitored diet from my PCP, which ends in November.

I'm from Virginia too! 40 miles south of Richmond. I'm 30 but only just. I'm right in the middle of my insurance six month wait so I'm looking at December or January for surgery (What a lovely present. Major life changing surgery.)

My surgeon didn't even want to hear my weight goal. He asked me what my other goals were. Being confident and active was what I told him. I want the NSVs more than a number. Walking and biking with my boyfriend. Hitting up the theme parks. Feeling better about myself. Spending time with friends I'm too ashamed to see. I even have a goal to be at a friend's anniversary party when I should be 8 months out. I would never go otherwise. Numbers? 200 lbs. No date. Just gotta go. That came from the bariatric nurse/patient liaison being frank with me ("Honey, you got 200 pounds to lose."). So it became my goal. If I get under that? Yay me. (I have a secret goal. Shhhhh. 150. Upper limit of my normal BMI. But that seems a million years away.)

I began to ponder my reasons for seeking WLS (RNY in my case). i'm barely 30. I don't have much in the way of comorbidities. Pre-diabetes (Which came from pre-op testing) and back and joint issues. It was bugging me because I wanted make this drastic change for the right reasons. At first, I was all about being healthier and active. Joint problems keep me from walking too far and I hoped weight loss would fix it. Then, as silly as it sounds, I began to look at the NSVs. Smaller and cuter clothes. Window shopping without stopping to catch my breath. Roller coasters. Weighing less than my boyfriend. In short, maybe surgery would make me happier. Health reasons went by the wayside at this stage. Fun and vanity took over. Later, I came to this conclusion: I'm being proactive. I'm doing this BEFORE I come down with other problems in the next decade or two. I'm taking care of this obesity problem before it gets the best of me. And I think this is the reasoning I settled on. So I ask you, not your reasons for WLS but if you or someone you know did it for the "right" reasons. Heck, am I doing this for the "right" reasons.

Thanks for all the responses! At my BMI, I know it's something I need to do. I'm pretty miserable in my body, despite relative health (Someone mentioned sleep Apnea. I have a sleep study soon!). I am breathless. I can't walk very far. But still, I can't get it out of my mind that I'm doing this for the wrong reasons. I'm still at least 4 months from surgery.(Insurance makes me wait) I have time to figure it out but I know one thing for sure: I WILL be having surgery. I know well enough that my health is on the line. But...cute outfits. Theme parks. Cute outfits AT theme parks.

I recently got my stages and it completely skips a liquid phase. (Except the one night in the hospital). Then it goes right to two weeks of pureed foods. After that? Solids. Every plan is as different as the surgeon. I trust my surgeon. Also, I trust my ability to listen to my body and know what to do if the plan doesn't quite work. (Call my surgeon's office in a flailing panic. Kidding!)

I'm pre-op, but here was my process. I considered the Band for years (And pounds ago). My BMI is higher now and my surgeon recommended the bypass for me because of it. But I did do my research. I didn't like the idea of a foreign object inside of me. Plus I know someone which the band was less than successful. Band was out. I don't have severe heartburn or acid reflux but I do get it occasionally. I am scared of causing a problem don't have and having to revise later (Which I have no idea if my insurance covers. Bringing me back to...) The Bypass. I didn't think restriction was enough at my BMI. Malabsorption scares me a little but I think the results will be worth it. Also I wanted the gold standard. If I'm gonna do something, I do it all the way, so to speak.

I was told my psych eval would take 4 hours! I'm not sure why yet. My other option for my eval was a doctor who wanted 3 visits. He was just too far away for 3 visits so I choose Dr. 4 Hour

I know how you feel, ange117. I'm freshly 30 and in a similar boat. Few health issues besides high BMI and pre-diabetes. Heck, I'm even halfway through the process. Despite research, I figure I'll be pretty healthy for life. (At least when it comes to obesity related conditions) I'll always have this tool to help me find my way back if I slip. (Not that I plan to. Who plans to?) I don't worry too much about the future though. I'm a one day at a time kind of person. My best suggestion is to take the same approach. We have a lot of time to be WLS patients. We'll figure it out. You are jumping into something that will change your life. God willing, it'll be for the best. Since I'm a pre-op scrub, I don't have a personal experience but I can tell you about a family member who had surgery in the 80s and seems to be doing well today. I kinda hang on to that lady as inspiration.

I'm Gastric Bypass pre-op but here goes. There was no real "last straw". It sort of came to me slowly. I sought it out in 2012 but no one at the surgeon's office got back to me. I was discouraged and went on with my life, all the while gaining more weight. Fast forward to January 2015. I made the New Years Resolution to lose weight. As my 30th birthday approached in June, I hadn't done a thing about it. Just kept gainin'. When 30 crept up on me, I decided it was time to change. I spent my 20s miserable. I was very depressed and that just helped me gain and gain. I did not want to spend another 10+ years being sad and anxious and fat and eventually very sick. So I made the important phone calls and set upon this journey. (Fun Fact: Same surgeon's office that ignored me at first. New staff makes one hell of a difference.) I am truly blessed to not have much in the way of comorbidities. I'm 5'7" with a high BMI. That was enough for my insurance. Pre-Diabetes showed up on some blood work early on (Hello wake up call) but my surgeon doesn't seem too worried. (My PCP however...'nother story. 'nother time) and I still need a sleep study but I have no symptoms of Sleep Apnea. At least apparent at this time. I do have back problems and joint issues. If I am very lucky with my insurance, I'm looking at a December surgery date. (January is more likely. I'm a pessimist) I'm ecstatic to be starting to take back my life.

Congratulations!

I'm still about 5 months out from surgery but I had my nutrition evaluation already. I was surprised to find that my surgeon's pre-op diet has features a very small but solid dinner (4oz lean Protein, 1 cup green veggies) My research has never seen anything like this. Is this unusual?

Hi. I'm new. I'm just starting my journey to WLS with an RNY at the end of the road. I have a six month supervised period to get through and I'm making lots of changes. Weaning off sodas, cutting carbs and sugar, smaller portions etc. But what has always failed me is my hunger. I'm so, so hungry. I need tips to get through this. Will this last forever? How will I make it when I feel like I'm starving. I wish I could say I was craving something but I'm not. I just feel like a pit to be filled. Anyone else know this feeling?

I'm about six months pre-op. Just turned 30. I'm not sure if I'm required to lose weight in that period but I'm trying anyway. Five pounds so far. (That I know of. I only weigh in at doctor offices for my own sanity) I attended a class before my surgeon's appointment about changing my behaviors before surgery. It pushed, as I interpreted trying to cut carbs and sugars, up Protein and drink Water. Preparing yourself for life after. So that's what I did. Shortly after my surgeon consult, I saw my PCP (Who doesn't seem wild about the surgery anyway) who sent me to their nutritionist. Not wanting to upset my PCP, I did so. She suggested a more balanced diet. With carbs and low sugar. Nothing about upping protein. Balanced is the key word. She also suggested that maybe I can "Do it by myself!"(I wish!) I was left confused. Should I follow the surgeon's office's suggestions and change behaviors and diet or should I go about the balanced approach. Will doing that set me up for bad habits and poor weight loss. Six months isn't really that long so I need to hustle with whichever approach is best. Suggestions?

I'm about six months pre-op but to get ahead of things, I ordered a box of nectar Protein samples. Each pack is one ounce and 23g of protein per packet. Supposedly there is one of each flavor. I want to try one or two but I haven't an idea as to what to do with them? shakes? Mix in my oatmeal? What would you do with these samples?