losingtheselumps

Ok everyone, here goes..... I started my one week pre-op diet today. My surgery is in one week, June 7th, 2016 and my nerves are really kicking in. I have seen several people posting their stories in this forum, so I thought I'd give it a go. It will be nice to have one place I can update everyone and keep track of my progress. After reading so many inspiring stories in this discussion thread, I hope that one day, I can do the same. I'm all stocked up on Protein shakes/ powders (Premier Protein shakes, unjury protein powders, Syntrax protein powders, and GENEPRO protein powder), broths, teas, and sugar free Jello. Luckily, my pre-op diet allows a dinner consisting of 3 ounces lean meat, 1 cup veggies, 1/2 cup fruit. Thank goodness! And now for the hard part, posting my weight. Sigh.....First, my height is 5'6" HW- 290+ SW-287 GW- 160-175 There...I did it. Hopefully, I will never see those numbers again.

@@LxA My doc is with Sage Bariatric as well:) No wonder our plans were the same. Good luck

@@LxA Cool:) Who is your doc? I wonder if we go to the same place?

Hi Mandy, I'm 31 and live in between San Antonio and New Braunfels;) I checked out your blog and enjoyed reading some of your posts. This is a great community with a lot of helpful people, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask. Welcome and good luck with your journey!

@@LxA That's awesome. I see you're from Texas. What part? I'm in San Antonio.

Unfortunately for me, doing what my body guided me to do got me fat and in a place that I ended up having a weight loss surgery because I was out of control. Having potatoes and gravy right after surgery can be dangerous (if it is not allowed in your plan) and also just continuing bad habits that you obviously want to change, since you did have the surgery to lose weight. Right now, we need to focus on changing our bad habits so that we don't end up gaining our weight back. I wish you luck in your weight loss, and hope that you get better guidance from your doctors. Also, I know how hard it is to NOT drink while you eat. I struggled with that as well, but it does get easier. I would suggest not bringing any drink to the table with you while you eat, so you aren't even tempted. Now, I can wait 30 minutes after a meal with no drink. It will get better:) Good luck with your journey.

Good luck! I hope everything goes well! I was not given real food the day before, but I have seen many other people have been allowed food up until surgery. Tips for after surgery- Remember to take small baby sips and walk, walk, walk!

I was cleared for salads at 5 weeks. (I was sleeved 6/7) I know all docs are different though. I've never had any issues. I agree with Dub though, protein first:)

My pre-op diet was one protein shake for breakfast, one protein shake for lunch, and one small low carb meal for dinner, under 400 calories (no dairy or caffeine). I would have broth or sugar free jello/popsicles as snacks. I lost 14 pounds that week. I found that pre-op diet to be much easier than what some people have to do! Find something that works for you. Good luck!

Count me in! I'm in weight loss mode and will post my weight on 8/22:)

Sounds yummy! Definitely going to have to try. I wish I had a green thumb. I would love to get into gardening, but I kill every plant I touch.

Hot Mama!! You look great! Good job.

I'm not sure what your starting weight is, but I have seen many people on this site with a high start weight, who have lost a great deal of weight. I think it can definitely be done with the sleeve, although some people say it comes off faster with bypass (I have no clue how accurate that is). I would explain to the surgeon why you would prefer the sleeve (if that's the one you are comfortable with), and listen to what he has to say in response. Things to ask: How long will the procedure take, recovery time, bougie size being used (to form the sleeve), risks, benefits, what their plan is (pre-op, post-op diet and exercise plan), etc. Anything you can think of, ask. I asked everything I wanted to, no matter how embarrassing. Just make a list of things that you'd like to know. Good luck!

Most people are back to work in two weeks, tops. Obviously, every person is different, but I think it would be safe to say that a month and a half should be plenty of time to recuperate and be back on your feet with light activity. I was doing all housework, grocery shopping, cooking, etc after a week.

Congrats!! I know the waiting sucked, but now you've got good news:)

I agree with Inner Surfer Girl. Focus on getting your fluids and protein in first. I have the same issue with not getting enough fluids in. The more I drink, the more I lose:) Stalls are definitely normal. I've had a few that lasted two weeks and then boom, lose 3 pounds in a day! It's crazy. My nutritionist also told me to eat 2 meals a day but that doesn't work for me. I find that if I eat 3-4 times a day, I can get my protein in and am not starving, and losing more. Good luck!

Some people wear them, some don't. My surgeon had me wear one for the first day and said I could wear it as long as I wanted. I chose to wear one for the first week or two. I felt it helped with all the walking, keeping everything in place. I also used a wedge pillow to help get in and out of bed easier.

I had salad at 5 weeks out ( I was cleared for all foods then), and didn't have any issues. I've had salad many times now, and never any problems.

I would absolutely do it again!! I have no regrets. I am only 10 weeks out, but I am so happy with my choice. My lifestyle is already changing. I'm more active with my kids, working out in a gym again, have more energy. I have thrown up one time since surgery, and that was because I took my Vitamins on an empty stomach. Now, I know better lol. I HATE throwing up as well, and that was one of my fears before surgery. I never get nauseous. I have had zero complications. I know that my experience won't be the same as everyone else, though. Good luck with your journey!

@@Sleeve it to Beaver Glad to see you are doing well!! Keep up the amazing work:)

Hello All. I am almost 10 weeks out from surgery and doing fantastic. I have had no regrets, and am loving the sleeved life. I started working out in a gym a few weeks ago, but have been doing cardio for over a month now. I'll post my measurements soon (don't have them with me). Starting weight of 1 week pre-op diet-290 Ibs Weight on day of surgery- 276 Current weight (10 weeks out)- 233 I have had no issues with any food. I eat chicken (breast, thighs), pork (tenderloin, loin), ground beef/turkey, steak, shrimp, etc with no problems. I eat (fresh, roasted) broccoli, asparagus, mushrooms, onions, okra, green Beans, lettuce, tomato, watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberry, grape, avocado, raspberries, etc etc. Pretty much all fruits and vegetables. I have had a few bites of bread, but it just fills me up so much after only 2-3 bites, that I just don't bother with it anymore. It's not worth it. And I don't even miss it (Never thought I'd say that) I'd rather eat Protein and veggies/fruits. I make all kinds of meals for my family, so I usually just have a variation of what I'm cooking them (without carbs usually). I'm working out, more active, more energetic most days. I literally have zero regrets or complaints! I hope everyone else is doing well with their journey!

@@LxA My plan was the same for the first 10 days, and then I was put right in to the soft food stage (which I loved that I got to skip pureed stage lol) Every plan is different and I know it can be confusing.

Hi everyone! I'm sure this topic has been discussed, so I apologize in advance. I am almost 10 weeks out from surgery. I just joined a gym for the first time in a long time. I've been doing cardio, but I want to start a strength training routine and would like some guidance. This week, I have been doing some of the basic machines, but was wondering if people could share their routines to give me some ideas. Do you do a 3 day split routine? 4 day? I would like to start with a M-W-F routine and work all muscles, and then eventually break it up into "leg day", "back and biceps day", "chest and triceps day", "ab day" (all examples)... ANY guidance or advice would be wonderful. I'm 31 and besides being overweight, have full range of motion and no excuses. Thanks!!

7 years ago I lost a ton of weight and worked out quite a bit. I still remember how to do all of the workouts, but I was looking to see what people's ideas were for how to get back in the swing of working out. I could hire a trainer, but it's really expensive at my gym. Eventually, I plan to use a trainer, but at this point, I'm not planning on it.

@@jenn1 Thanks for the links. I will definitely check them out. I'm doing cardio 5 days a week right now, but want to start strength training so that my skin has time to catch up with the losses. Thank you for the response!