NewAdventure2016

It's not that I really care what people are thinking - it was more that I'm sitting at the table with nothing to do. Does that make sense? I like the suggestions of just saying I already ate or I'm not hungry. Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

A few other suggestions (not necessarily excuses, but strategies): There are some restaurants (like the Cheesecake Factory) that have awesome Small Plate/Appetizer menus. Those are great for us bariatric patients. I've found out a few of my friends have also had bariatric surgery - so our strategy when we go out to eat is to order a meal and split it My doctor provided a bariatric patient card which informs the restaurant that I am a bariatric patient and to allow me to either eat off the kids menu or order a half portion of a full entree. I didn't use it at first, but in the last 6 months I've began using it a lot. I've never had a restaurant give me a hard time. I've also used the "I ate before I came here so I'm not that hungry/Stomach bug/etc." when needed, but usually one of the first three bullets works. Are you on the pre-op diet or post op? The reason I ask - if you're on that lovely liquid preop diet, make sure you carry multiple shakes with you everywhere you go. I was out one night with my mother and ran out of shakes while I was on the preop diet - and it was NOT pretty. I had a tantrum like a 3 year old behind a chicken wing. That's hysterical! I'm actually still pre-op currently ... Date set for 8/30, but have a business trip 9/21 so I'll be 3 weeks out so mostly still liquid/broth/protein/mushy, etc. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yeah, hoping someone would catch my sarcasm, Lol .... On another note, just looked back over your progress and your story. Very impressive! What are your stats now? Still losing? You've worked hard. I hope to grow up and be you .. Well, except I'm not a man. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I also have worried (which is a ridiculous worry) that I would lose too much weight before the surgery. If I really had that problem, I wouldn't need the surgery! LOL! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Oh no!! But it will be here before you know it. What helped me the most was to take a calendar and write down everything I wanted or needed to get done before my date (reference my eating above). Also still have my cardiologist appointment on Monday that he wanted me to do for clearance. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

August 1's and 2's VSGers ... How are you doing? We're pulling for you!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I started weaning off caffeine, sugar and carbs 8/1 (yesterday) and plan to go to 2 Premier Proteins and 1 lean meal for the 2 weeks prior to surgery and then up my over-all Fluid intake as high as possible. Dr said all I need to do is 24 hours pre-op liquid, but I'm working hard to make post-op bearable, so hopefully this will help. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Great story! And you are right ... No one really understands when you are a low BMI (like us - I am 31.5). I'm scheduled for 8/30 and for all the reasons you'll understand I haven't told anyone but my closest family. I'm tired of not having a tool like VSG will provide. Thanks for sharing! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@flipper98c - Let us know how your appointment went! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Excellent!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yes, I'm very ready! I would have gone in sooner if he'd had a date bite that's fine. It gave me more time to prepare. I am low BMI as well ... He said as long as I had 30+ pounds to lose, he would do it. My BMI is 32. On August 1st I began a pre-diet (he only requires 24 hour liquid diet prior but I wanted to wean myself early from sugar, caffeine, fast foods, carbs, etc). Others have complained of headaches etc and I just want to eliminate as much "other" pain as possible. I'm also going to start some light weight lifting and generally just boost my health as much as possible prior to the 30th. Upping my Water intake as well so I can be as hydrated as possible. Two weeks prior I'm going to move to 2 shakes a day and 1 lean meal (probably lunch). I'm so excited to have someone going through this in my area and same Dr. Let me know how your appointment goes and when your date is!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Let us know how you're doing! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

That's awesome! Do you live in New Iberia? I really liked him a lot - scheduled for August 30th. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Welcome Jen! We can do this! I've had a few food funerals the last couple weeks, but with surgery pending August 30th I began a 30-day challenge today to start cleansing my body of all the junk. Hoping it will help with a smoother transition to a new way of eating and a new life ... Will post the info shortly in case anyone else wants to join me! Hard to do but once I get my head wrapped around it I'm unstoppable!! ... The hard part is keeping it up, but with the sleeve I'm looking forward to having a tool to do just that! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm August 16th too. You should join the Facebook group. It's super helpful. Search for BP August 2016 Is the BP August 2016 FB Page just for Bypass Surgery? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Great advise! Thank you! No, he actually hasn't said anything about the drinking before and after - got that from this site. Will start my tracking today. I am scheduled Aug 30 and really want to go in as healthy as possible. I'll have some shakes and bars on hand in the event I don't have time to eat during my regular meal. Again, thanks for the info! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

For any Vets - Once you had a date set but it were still too early to actually start the pre-op prep, did you wish you had treated this early period differently than you did or did you prepare in a way that worked and you want to share? I'm thinking I may take a week for a couple food funerals and then start having 1 Protein shake a day along with 2 meals consisting of a lean protein and 2 vegetables. I think I'll also start training myself not to drink during meals nor an hour before or after. Thoughts, suggestions? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

August 30th for me too! I can't wait!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Self pay ... Still have to get cardio clearance and have switched to a new cardiologist so not sure what to expect. Because my BMI is only 32, I hate telling anyone - I feel like he's going to tell me I shouldn't do it, but with my severe osteoporosis is my hips, I just can't carry this weight around anymore and menopause has made it virtually impossible to lose on my own. My metabolism is shot. I look at food and gain 5 pounds. When I turned the corner to 200, I put my foot down and decided this was it. I know August 30th will be here before I know it, just hope I won't have to delay due to no clearance from cardio. I have a tiny hole in my heart (from birth) and about 6 years ago started having out of control rapid heart rate. I can usually slow it down myself but a few times have had to go to ER. He doesn't think this will stop me from getting the surgery but again just depends on what the cardio says. Thanks for responding and hoping for a quick date for you too!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

How are you doing? Just checking in ... Saw you had a great Day 1 and a Miserable Day 2. How have things been since then? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

No one? :'( I feel so lonely! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Our employees can utilize FMLA PAID (where they use their PTO but it counts toward FMLA) or FMLA UNPAID (which they use after 7 days) and then they revert to Short Term Disability. They are required to use 7 days of their PTO first though before STD kicks in. They are offered FMLA after 3 days medical leave but they are not required to accept it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

August 30th ... Can't wait! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Keep in mind that if you are required to fill out FMLA paperwork, some of this information will be on that paperwork and at least HR will know. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm kind of in the same boat. I really don't want to tell anyone except my family. I don't want to lie but I also don't want to have all those discussions where everyone either tries to tell me I don't need it or tells me all the WLS horror stories. I've done my research, I know this is a right choice for me and I don't want to spend hours depending my decision. I can only swing 1 week off, so hopefully at my age, I can recover enough in 7 days. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App