Lizardlady

Before I start I should say: I normally don't snack around hardly at all. I usually just eat 2 times a day (sometimes only 1 but I've been better about that lately) but they are large portions and up until the past few months, they are usually unhealthy things. Ok so, I'm starting a day earlier than needed on my full liquid stage but I'm already irritated. I'm trying to keep myself busy to distract myself but I just seem hungry CONSTANTLY tonight. I know they tell you to have planned meals but how are you supposed to do that on the liquid part of your diet? I had a Protein shake when I woke up, Jello and another shake for lunch and then I was fine until dinner. I had some Cambell's tomato Soup (the kind already in a bowl) and then everything has been kind of down hill from there like I CANNOT get full. I had the full bowl of tomato soup which according to the label is actually 2 servings, and then a bit later I had a sugar free pudding and just now I had another jello and I have the feeling like it's not over yet... Is this because I am so used to only eating 1-2 times a day or what in the world is going on?! I feel like a ravenous animal! It really feels like I've only had Snacks and no actual meals. Isn't there some kind of limit on how much I should eat even if it is sugar free jello and pudding? I know in a few days it will get easier (at least on the last bariatric diet I was on did), but it just seems like something is "off" that I am ever like this at the beginning of a diet and I do NOT want to sabotage my surgery. I really want to do everything right.

I will be getting more protein in today with my Isopure which is supposed to be here today (ordered online) and also I plan on having some greek yogurt with my lunch. I am hoping that the increased protein will help me feel less hungry. I also plan to do a shake for breakfast and then for lunch I'll eat some soup and then for dinner another shake so that I feel like I ate something in the middle of the day and won't be so hungry at night..... I HOPE lol!

My nutritionist helped clear up the soup issue a little bit anyway. I am allowed 97-98% fat free cream soup only if pureed. So for Campbell's I am not allowed tomato soup (even though I am allowed low sodium V8 for some reason) but I am allowed 98% fat free cream of chicken, cream of mushroom and cream of broccoli even though they contain modified food starch and wheat flour which was supposed to have been eliminated lol. It's no wonder people get so frustrated doing these diets. The stress of everything has made me have a second menstrual cycle start up today

I imagine it's going to be the same for me. The last time I was on a diet like this the first few days were the worst and I felt like I was starving but after that I kicked the carb craving because it was pretty easy from there. I am allowed greek yogurt and all the same stuff you are as well. My book says I'm allowed 97-98% fat free, low sodium: Healthy Valley, Amy's, Campbell's Healthy request, and Progresso but the problem is that most of those Soups have starch in them (which on day 10 I was supposed to eliminate starch) OR they are FULL of carbs (like the Campbell's Healthy Request Tomato soup I had last night) and I'm supposed to stay under 40g of carbs per day. So what exactly does that leave me with? I guess greek yogurt, jello, pudding, popsicles and protein drinks? Which is fine but they really should say something about those soups cuz I went and bought a bunch assuming I could have them and then I find out really, most are not doable at all or just 1 bowl will fill your carb intake for the entire day lol. I'll be ok but it's a lot to try and keep track of and I'm already irritated when I feel like I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.

Also, I just read that I'm supposed to have a goal of under 40g carbs so I probably messed up today by having the entire bowl of tomato soup. UGH! There is too much to keep track of

Yeah, I know my eating habits have completely screwed me lol. I guess that's why I'm in the situation I'm in now. I haven't had as much water today as I usually do. I guess I haven't felt as thirsty as I usually do probably due to the Jello and such moist food. I am drinking water now though so maybe it will pass. My surgeon gave me a book that has the diet I'm supposed to follow. No alcoholic or carbonated drinks, no caffeine or sugary drinks, lots of water and 1-2 Protein Drinks a day. It doesn't say any limit on calories or anything like that but I was assuming that I shouldn't be eating like a fiend either before a surgery that is supposed to help me lose weight lol. Also, I was under the impression that snacking is not a good thing?

My second question already and I've only been a member for a few hours lol sorry guys! I do appreciate the help though! I had my final nutrition class today and I was told that I need to find a protein drink that I can use pre op that does not have any red or blue dye in it. Isopure Zero Carb is on my "ok list" but I went to order some online and it says "red 40, fd&c blue 1" on all of them? Is there a certain kind at another online store that has it without red or blue or am I misunderstanding something? Thanks again for any info!

Yes Kindle suggested that to me as well so I bought one of the Sampler packs that have all the flavors and I also bought the 1lb unflavored kind as well since I didn't have anything at all yet except some premier shakes. None of the Protein Shakes agree with me that well. Something about them just makes me feel sick sometimes. Maybe they would be better if they weren't so sweet tasting or maybe they are just too heavy on my stomach? I often have to make myself drink them after a few sips even if I am really hungry. I was on Atkins diet before and they were even worse so I think the suggestions I have gotten from this site will really help me a TON on my journey.

I can't do the protein drinks.. I can't stand the taste at all Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App I don't like the shakes either. Sometimes I can TOLERATE them but sometimes they just make me feel sick. Isopure is not a shake though. It's clear and fruity. I've heard some compare them to Crystal Light or something like that. That is what I'm going to be using.

No pre op diet? Lucky! I'm ready to pull my hair out already and I've only eliminated the stuff I needed to for day 10 (starch, soda, caffeine). I could still eat meat up till this point. Now It kicks it up a notch with the 7th day to no carbonated drinks, no caffeine or sugary drinks and only full liquids. I have been on a similar diet before but I remember the first 4 days I felt like I was starving (mostly due to withdraw from craving carbs) then it got easier but I felt tired all the time. I hope that is the case this time but I still feel the anxiety coming on to make it through the hardest part (the cravings).

I'm thinking Soup and broth are going to be huge starting tomorrow for my pre op liquid diet. I'm only allowed 97-98% fat free cream soup BUT it seems a lot of cream soup has potatoes or some kind of starch in it? My book gives examples of Campbell's Healthy Request and Progresso but I don't see any without starch. Any suggestions? What did you EAT during this phase of your pre op diet?

Well yeah, I could do that but does that count? I mean, it could still have some tiny bits of starch left in it. 10 days pre op I'm supposed to eliminate starch. UGH this is already getting hard and I have barely started!

Yeah I only bought a case of them to get me through the liquid part of the pre op diet. Even if I end up hating them, I'll drink what I have to just to get me through surgery and then I can change after if I don't like it. I'm most likely not going to enjoy the flavor that I got (I went with Icy Orange) but I didn't have a whole lot of choices that didn't have red or blue dye. After the surgery I will go with the Apple Melon or Passion Fruit which I will be more likely to enjoy.

My insurance required me to be making "documented" attempts at weight loss for at least 6 months (I have doctors documents going back almost a decade) AND I had to have a history of being overweight (which obviously I do). I know some are required to have health problems related to being heavy along with having a BMI over 30 I believe but my BMI is high enough (even with the weight loss) that I am not required to have health problems even though I do. Now that I am on this path to having VSG, they haven't denied me for losing the 25 lbs that I have lost recently because they know even if I lost 50 lbs, I will probably end up gaining it back without the surgery. Did he say why his other patients are being denied? Could it possibly be the Dr. and not the patients? Insurance companies can be difficult too. It could also be the surgeon you've picked out. My particular surgeon has an insurance coordinator that is known for getting the insurance companies to work with people so maybe try another surgeon if they do end up denying you. One way or another, if you need this surgery and they deny you, don't give up!

So, after reading a bit on this forum, I have noticed that several times about people having to have surgery to remove their gallbladder. This is something that was not mentioned by the nutrition classes or even the book I was given to study and if it was mentioned at all by my surgeon, he must have grazed over it because I don't remember it. After seeing it on these forums several times, I got curious and it looks like gallstones are extremely common and some surgeons just remove it while they are in there poking around to prevent it from happening at all. My question is, should I request that it be removed while in surgery? My surgeon has not mentioned removing it so I'm assuming he does not but maybe I could ask him to? Any reason why I should NOT have it removed? Thanks all! You guys/gals are so helpful and this forum has been a wealth of knowledge so far!

Sounds like I'll just have to wait and see what happens. I will mention to him that my mother had hers burst and see if that makes any difference.

Not sure on this totally..but my Doctor offered me the option of doing a single incision through my belly button for $1500 cash.. My insurance is covering my sleeve on 5/10 however he explained to me that he would need to do between 6-7 incisions .. He said the one incision in the belly button is quick and less painful with no scaring. Maybe you can ask if your Doctor overs this Yes, that is the surgery I asked him about. Apparently it's called SPIDER procedure, but he said sleeve is not possible with a single incision so I guess I'll just have to take his word for it since I really have no proof otherwise. He says it's a gimmick. I do worry though, that if it's NOT a gimmick then that would mean he is either a bit behind on the times OR he is lying to me. Most likely the former but that would worry me just as much as the latter since I would expect someone operating on people to keep up to date on things that could make surgery more comfortable and have a much shorter recovery time as well as less scarring in the end.

Hello! I'm new to the forum and I had read this was a good one to join when looking for support outside of family so here I am . I was wondering how many incisions are normal when doing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy? At first my sugeon told me 2-3 incisions but more recently I was told 4-5. So why the jump in the amount of incisions? I know I'm doing this for my health but as much as I hate to admit it, the idea of so many scars really is bothering me. I have some very large scars already (back surgery, C-section as well as a WHOLE LOT of stretch marks) and I'm only 29 yrs old. While I'm willing to do what I need to do for my health, I'd like to prevent more scarring if it's possible. I asked him about the SPIDER surgery and he said it's a gimmick and that there is no way to do that kind of surgery with a single incision. He obviously has a lot more experience than I do so I thought I would ask this forum... How many incisions did you have? How bad is the scarring? Has anyone had a SPIDER procedure and if so how was your experience? Thank you all for your time and thanks in advance for anyone willing to reply!

Pain is a weird thing for me... so to be honest I'm not sure if I've had what you're calling an attack or not. I know that my mother had to have hers removed a long time ago and I've scared her a few times explaining my symptoms. Hers burst while she was at work and she just kept working until she passed out. I tend to take after her a bit in that way. I know it's not a great habit to have but I try to avoid Drs. when possible. This whole process has forced me to be more tolerant but for the most part, I won't see a Dr. unless I have to. I guess what I'm trying to say is that knowing my mother had hers burst and seeing that it is so common, maybe I should just request that it be removed?

My last 2 nutrition classes did touch on the hair loss thing. The first time was because I specifically asked due to me being diagnosed with PCOS, I already do have some hair loss although it's only noticable by the shower drain. I was worried that perhaps after surgery it would be noticable on my head! She said that if you had hair before the surgery then you will have hair again after even if you do lose it temporarily (which I'm ok with). She said sometime it can happen because of how your body is responding to resetting itself but once it levels out, the hair will grow back. Of course it would still suck to lose your hair but if it grows back then it's only a small sacrifice. She also recommended that I take Biotin which I guess is supposed to help with that.

Thanks all for the replies! I Will definitely try the Vitamin E but I probably can't use it until I'm fully healed I'm guessing. If you have any other recommendations on products for scars I'd love to hear them!

When you find out why the difference, I would also be interested in the reason if you get a chance to post it. I was told at first 2-3 and then for some unknown reason he bumped it up to 4-5. Makes me wonder if he saw something when he was looking around with the camera or what but he said everything was good. I definitely wasn't expecting 4-5 incisions. Knowing that they are really small and that some will probably be removed with a tummy tuck does help ease my mind though.

Wow, I don't know how I missed that this site also had a store. Thank you Kindle! I see they have some of the recommended stuff from my nutritionist as well so that's great.

Thanks Ine! I see some of the same exact flavors are listed on GNC without the dyes so I'm going to go by that. Vitaminshoppe probably just uses the same "other ingredients" label on all of them while GNC lists them individually. I was really starting to worry. For those also wondering, it looks like the Coconut, Icy Orange and Pineapple Orange Banana do NOT have the red or blue dye. Thanks again guys!

I thought the same thing.... clear SHOULD be no dye right? But apparently that's not the case OR maybe it's not in there but they are listing it anyway? I could really use some help with this. I tried to text my nutritionist (she requests texts first) but I haven't gotten an answer.