Wassef

Hello Eleni, Not to worry, like your doctor said, no carbs and high Protein. It's not mandatory but it's for your own sake. Low Carbs diet will allow your liver to shrink in size, therefore allowing the surgeon to have more space, and be more comfortable during the operation, hence less complications and better results. Having the high protein diet will promote better healing after your operation. Best of Luck in your operation

More than this, thank you for your comment, I totally agree with what you said. I'm a medical surgical nurse with experience in the cosmetic and bariatric surgery department. I did my surgery 2 weeks ago, and I was checking the net for more informatio mainly about post diets ideas. When I saw the forum, I thought it was good idea to share and help other people. My knowledge is not absolute, as we have seen, every doctor has it's own methodology and protocol. But our info. merged together can help a lot of people

Waw, Congratulation Elode, I'm still on my second week post Sleeve, so I'm still at the beginning of the road. I hope I'll be able to achieve what you did.

Dear Trin, First of all, I've never encouraged anyone to disobey their doctor's orders as you claimed, I had my doubts and sharing my thoughts. We are all educated people and we have brain to think and as you did, most of the people made research before taking their decision. I'm in the medical field, and used to work in a bariatric center, you did your research I had my studies dear. Every doctor has his own methodology in his work, and I was sharing my doctor's. So no need to be jumpy and accusative. You have the full right to critic my comments, as we are all trying to support each other whatever way we can.

Well, I'm not finding it restrictive at all. I'm not a binge eater. I'm not feeling at all emotionally distressed by my diet. I actually find it enjoyably easy. It's also had such immediate positive benefit to me that I can't help but be happy with it. As I mentioned, I've been *by choice* having 2-3 PP drinks and 1 small protein meal a day for coming up on three months. As a result, I've put away my canes, I'm much less pain, and I have tons more energy. I'm also not feeling stressed about the operation. I'm pretty psyched. :-) So, I get that *you* might find a liquid diet stressful, but for *me*, it's actually decreased my stress this summer. Dear Trin, That's why I said, Most of Us. If you look at the people on the Clear Fluid plus Shakes diet, you will see most of them complaining about when it will be over. I'm a gourmet person, I like the food, and I think I'm not the only person. Although I was smiling and acting indifferent, I always felt my stomach grumbling when seeing my family eating ice cream or cakes or other food I'm not allowed, but at least I was able to eat other goods like meat and chicken BBQ. Up till now, although I'm extremely happy that I did the operation, and I'm loosing weight, but still I feel some weakness when seeing some items that I used to love. So I expect a lot of people suffering the same as I did

Well I think your diets are very restrictive. The purpose of High Protein / Low Carbs diet is to allow your Liver to shrink, giving the surgeon to work more comfortably in your operation, at the same time promote better healing of your wounds after your operation. But still 2 weeks of shakes and clear fluids, this emotionally detrimental. Most of us doing the Sleeve are binge eater, and they love food. So causing emotional stress on top of the stress caused by the idea of the operations is not fun at all. I had my operation on the 10th of August, and before that, I had 10 days of high protein and low carbs. The last day I asked if I increase my carbs as a good bye, and the doctor agreed, but not to give full throttle to my stomach. I even know some of my friend who went Berserk with food without any special diet and they are doing great now, with more that 30% of their weight reduced.

Isu, it all depends on the success of the surgeon, but in general, the operation is very well tolerated. Second day after the operation, I was walking normally in the hospital. 3rd day, I went out of the house and had a long walk, and the afternoon I took my car and drove to the clinic for follow up. Don't worry about it, you'll do great.

Hi Toler, Well the special diet is for your own sake, but no need for severe restriction. I was restricted from Carbohydrates, and increased Protein intake. This diet has 2 benefits: * It will allow for your liver to shrink in size, therefore allowing the surgeon to be more comfortable during your operation, therefore better result and less complications. * the high protein will promote faster healing of your wounds. Best of luck in your operation.

Best of Luck

Abso You are absolutely right, unfortunately it's all due to our sedentary life behind the offices and at home. Excercise and frequent meals plays a major role in your diet, as it will increase your metabolic rate, therefore your 1800 Cal could be burned in a couple of hours. I used to have a very active life, athletic, I finished 3 international marathon, a lot of Gym. At that time, I never stopped eating, and I used to eat a lot, but still my weight never increased, although I'm genetically predisposed for Morbid Obesity. Later on, got married, children, responsibilities at work and home, I started to loose myself little by little, until I reached the level where I can barely have a walk, back problem, and hypertension, not to forget, 2 meals per day every 10 to 12 hours. This led to the drop of my basic metabolic rate from around 3200 Kcal per Day to around 1000 Kcal per day. All the extra weight went directly to my belly, and the rest of my body.

Different doctors have different requirements for pre op. And mine has different requirements based on your BMI. I am on liquids for 2 weeks and clear liquids the day before. The objective is to shrink my liver. Dear Scout, I had a BMI of 44 The shrinkage is done from the reduction of carbohydrates, you are definitely taking Protein shakes right? Instead of the Protein shakes, have a steak with salad or Chicken breast. To stop eating 2 weeks before the operation is psychologically stressful, especially for the people who love to eat. Some of my friend were eating everything until the last day before their operation, and now after the operation, they had wonderful results.

Hi there, It depends on your weight and your preference, I prefer Sleeve cause it has less Dumping Syndrome, which is more common in the Bypass.

Hello all, I wonder why on earth are you all on liquid diets before operation. I did my operation 2 weeks ago, and before my operation I had a high Protein low carb meals, chicken and meet with salads with no limitation on quantity.

Hi there, You need to find a way, try nicotine batches or nicotine chewing gum. It's very essential to stop the smocking a couple at least 10 days before your operation. when you smoke, all the cilia in your lungs becomes inactive, therefore leading to accumulation of all the dirt and sputum in your lungs. During the operation, you will receive a medication that will dry up all your secretions in your body (saliva and Sputum), so after the operation will feel like having cement inside of your lungs, you'll be coughing trying to expectorate the sputum. So the easiest way to prevent this is STOP SMOKING. Couple of days after you stop, you're cilia will become functional again, and will start cleaning up the lungs, and you'll be going to your operation more in ease. Try also to secure a couple of days before your operation an incentive spirometer, a respiratory device that you will be using much after you go to your room. Getting it before the operations, will allow your lungs to expand, loose all the secretions you have in the lungs, and spiting it out. Good luck

Hi there, I had my operation 2 weeks ago, but definitely I'm not a healthy person at all, I can have almost a large pizza from Pizza hut with appetizers on my own, 3 whoopers with fries and coke, 1 kilo of ice cream, just a sample of what I used to have. In your case, have your considered having a low metabolism in your body? you need to have like 6 meals, Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Snacks in between. That will allow you to increase your metabolic rate therefore burning more calories. The second thing, have you ever thought of making some medical check ups? Thryoid gland problem is one of the major factors for increased weight, as it will force the body to create fat in big amounts. You should go and take some blood tests (TSH, T3, T4). Don't rush for your operation before you know exactly what's going on with you

Dear Ellen, It's my 16th day after surgery, and I have already lost almost 25 Lbs. I see food and I feel nostalgic, but deep inside I feel great. Although I'm still now on semi liquid and Proteins shakes, but still I don't feel any regret. I feel lighter, healthier, more energetic, and enthusiastic about life. After few years of using it for cloth hanging, I started to use my treadmill again. My blood pressure dropped from 140 (my normal range) to 110 (the real normal range), I have back problems, and my pain started to decrease. So overall I'm so happy I took this major decision. Since your operation is soon, here what you'll need to do: * Cut on your Carbs: No pizza, no rice, no Pasta, no bread * Increase your Protein intake: chicken, meat with salads or Protein Shakes, preferably stay on the first 2. * If you are a smoker, stop it. * Drink a lot of Water, if you don't like it, consider it as a medication, keep always a bottle of water with you, and have a sip of water every 10 min. Start practicing this habit, as this bottle of water will become your best friend after the operation. By decreasing your Carbs, it will allow your Liver to shrink, allowing your doctor to be more comfortable during your operation, and therefore less complications during and after the operation. Increasing your protein, will promote fast healing. 1 week after my operation, I was swimming in the pool with all my cuts healed up. smocking is essential, when you smoke, all the cilia in your lungs becomes inactive, therefore leading to accumulation of all the dirt and sputum in your lungs. During the operation, you will receive a medication that will dry up all your secretions in your body (saliva and Sputum), so after the operation will feel like having cement inside of your lungs, you'll be coughing trying to expectorate the sputum. So the easiest way to prevent this is STOP SMOKING. Couple of days after you stop, you're cilia will become functional again, and will start cleaning up the lungs, and you'll be going to your operation more in ease. Waking up after your operation will be a little bit annoying, You'll be having dry mouth, sore throat (expect some blood in your mouth) from the respiratory tube inserted during your operation, nausea, drowsiness, and cold. most of these symptoms will disappear after a couple of minutes after you wake up, except for Cold and Drowsiness. you'll have this drowsiness almost the whole day and night, and you'll keep on sleeping and waking up. In your room, 2 important things needs to be done: * start using your incentive spirometer, a respiratory machine that you will be using a lot to be able to expend your lungs after the operation and allow the secretions to loose up and spit it out. It will be great if you can have 1 spirometer before your operation and start using it. * walking, walking, and walking, very important, as it will decrease the chance of having a Thrombus or Blood Clot, and at the same time, it will allow the medications taken during the operation to flush out, and it will allow your stomach and intestine to start moving again. Until you pass Gas, you will not be allowed to have anything by mouth, therefore walking will help you achieving this. You will not be feeling pain, as your nurses will be giving your plenty of pain killers. Expect some moderate pain after you go out of the hospital, but it's not a rule. In my case, I did not feel any considerable pain that cannot be controlled by a Panadol tab. That will be your journey through the Valley of the VSG, wishing you the best of luck and never be discouraged, it will be your best decision ever for yourself and your body.

No need to be afraid, this will be the best decision of your life. I had my surgery on the 10th of August, and actually my expectation for after the surgery was worst than what I have received. The operation is very easy, moderate pain, the only thing you will be facing, watching food in front of you that you cannot eat. Other than that, it's a piece of cake. Good luck

No body is a failure, work on yourself and believe in yourself.

Hello all, I got new to this forum, and found the idea interesting to share our experience with other people. I'm 35 years old, Mexican / Lebanese living in Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately for me, I carry the obesity from my mother side, and during my youth I struggled much to keep in Shape and maintain my ideal weight. I became a marathon runner, I finished the 42 Km run 4 times, a lot of gym, and was able to maintain my weight on the 180th LBS. Unfortunately later on, I came to Saudi arabia, and my weight started to increase little by little until I reached 286 LBS. Here in Saudi Arabia, you have nothing to do except eating, your fun activity will include having a monster table of whatever unhealthy food you can find. Blood pressure, back problems, knee problem, and I'm only 35. It really hit me that I'm really going in the wrong way. I started a lot of diets, but I always manage to regain all lost weight in just a couple of weeks. It was not about diet, it was all about changing your life style, which was hard for me! WHAT CAN I SAY, I LOVE FOOD In my last vacation to Lebanon, 3 accidents with extremely high blood pressure reaching 190 Mmhg along with a ligament injury to my right knee due to stairs climbing, I thought it was time to take some drastic measures. August 10th I went for a VSG operation, which went smooth. Second day I was walking around, little bit of gazes, pain controlled. Third days went outside the house and had a long walk, it was exciting that all my worries about the operation where not in the place, I expected a lot of pain and nausea, but I'm actually okay. The best part, NO HUNGER. Spending the whole day with few liquids and not feeling hungry, when I previously used to bulge a Family Bucket of KFC fried chicken and still feeling hungry. Now it's my 10th day post my operation, and I'm really excited that I have already lost around 17 LBS, and I'm still going on. Feeling lighter, more energetic. My Blood pressure already dropped dramatically from and average of 140 MmHg to 110 MmHg. I feel great.