MeltsIntoWonder

Well I made it. I won't lie, yesterday was really awful in terms of pain. Today is better. I'm getting started on protein and am actually sitting up in a chair! Once I finish the drink, I'll be getting up to walk.

My surgery is tomorrow too! I wasn't given any different instructions for today other than no food/drink after 11pm.

I'm getting sleeved on 4/4 too! I'm starting to get a little nervous, but mostly excited.

Day 11 here. Hang in there, it gets better! I'm actually kind of freaked out (but impressed) by how well my body is handling it now. The first 4-5 days were really rough, but it things got better the first weekend, and now I actually have more energy and less hunger than I did before I started. Its definitely been encouraging as a possible glimpse into how things will be post-op.

FYI, you can also scroll all the way down to the bottom of any page and quickly update it there. There's a box that says "Together we have lost X pounds" and below that it will show your starting weight and your current weight in little text boxes. All you have to do is enter your current weight and then click the "Update your weight" button below it.

To be fair, the person who said that is doing it on "her own" - she's lost 50lbs through portion control/exercise, and was actually one of the people who inspired me to get healthy. I definitely know what you mean though. I fail to see how having elective surgery and changing my entire relationship with food and my body isn't also doing it on my own, but whatever. Good luck with your surgery too! Mine is on Tuesday (4/4)!

I'm on day 10, and it really does get much easier. I still have cravings to fight, but I don't feel hungry, have more energy, and have lost 10lbs! I've found the best thing for me is to make sure I keep the protein shakes spaced as evenly as possible throughout the day and keep drinking water in between Thankfully I'm also allowed sugar free popsicles and jello, so that helps break up the monotony (well, sort of).

I don't have anything to add, I just wanted to express my appreciation for nurses. You don't get nearly enough recognition for all of the hard work you do!

Yep. The same thing happened to me when I was taking the antibiotics for h-pylori. I was told to make sure that I wait at least 30 mins before lying down after taking my nighttime dose because there is a high possibility for refluxing the medicine.

Try some powdered peanut butter or some dark chocolate cocoa powder (unsweetened, of course). Both have helped me. So has mixing in some almond milk.

I'd ask you doctor, but my paperwork says at least 2 weeks - longer, if you're still taking narcotic pain killers.

This is a good place to start: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2007/08/pureed-foods.html

FYI, most places don't put you under general anesthesia for an EGD. Mine was done under conscious sedation, so I was groggy but totally awake the whole time. They sprayed this nasty numbing spray in the back of my throat that tasted like gasoline so I wouldn't feel anything. I remember a little pressure, but that's all. As was said in the above post, I was in and out in about 4 hours. I felt fine afterwards, but I was not allowed to drive and couldn't go back to work either. I went home, took a nap, and when I woke up my throat was a little sore, but that's it.

I'm sorry you're struggling. It's definitely hard. I'm on day 10 of my diet, and while it has gotten much easier in the last few days, I still have to fight my cravings. This morning I came thisclose to having a donut, I even justified it to myself saying how good I've been, and that one little donut wouldn't hurt...but then I asked myself if the donut would be worth potentially having a more difficult surgery or recovery, and that gave me the strength to say no. As others have said, maybe you should check in with your doctor to see if they want you to postpone, but try not to beat yourself up over your mistakes, and make a commitment to start fresh. Are you allowed to have sugar free popsicles or jello? They have been my lifeline when I get cravings. Not as satisfying as a donut or ice cream (or a glass of wine), but it helps.

My surgery is in a few days. I was totally calm and cool like you - until about 5 minutes ago when the hospital called to get me pre-registered, and now I'm starting to freak out a little bit. I am sure you'll do great! You're prepared and ready for this change. It won't be easy, but you'll get though it.

My surgery is next week, and my doc has me out for 6 weeks, with a possible option (at her discretion) to return after only 4.

Pinterest has a lot of good ideas. Also the blog The World According to Eggface has tons of recipes and some really good tips (she had RNY, but the diet is basically the same).

Awesome!! What a long wait! Congrats to you for sticking with it!

Some days are easier than others. The first few days were certainly the worst, though I am struggling today for some reason. I find myself going to bed a little earlier than usual, partly due to fatigue, but mostly because nighttime is when I usually snack. On Saturday, I attended a soccer (sorry - football) match, where there was an open bar and free food, and I somehow managed to get through it, but it's not an experience I'd like to have again until I am much further along in this process. Seeing the weight start to come off quickly has been a big motivator as well. For me, at least, the key has been making sure I am constantly sipping on something, so I stay relatively full. That being said, it's certainly not the worst thing that's ever happened to me, but I am very much looking forward to having this part done and over with.

I'm about halfway through my two week pre-op diet, and yesterday I randomly started spotting, even though it's nowhere near that time in my cycle. I have dropped about 10lbs in the last week, so I assume it's due to that and my body is already starting to freak out about the rapid weight loss, but my cycles are pretty regular, so it's kind of freaking me out. Has this happened to anyone else?

Thanks! It all makes total sense, I just needed a spot of reassurance. (Pun not intended.)

Have you tried Hint waters? They are fruit flavored (just a hint, hence the name), but contain no sweeteners. Although you could probably just make your own fruit-infused water and save yourself some money.

I used decaf cold brew coffee for the first few days. At first it was 1/2 coffee, 1/2 shake, and then I slowly tapered off the amount of coffee I was mixing in until I could just drink the shake plain. I also have used a splash of sugar free peppermint or hazelnut Torani syrup (the kind they use to flavor coffee) and blended with ice to make the drink more like a milkshake.

It does get easier. I absolutely hated the taste of most protein shakes, and now, on day 7, I'm used to it. If you can, try changing up the type of shake, or masking the flavor with something else. I'm drinking mainly the Premier Protein shakes, but for me, they are waaay too sweet, so I've been mixing them with unsweetened almond milk and it really helps a lot. I also drink them with a ton of ice so they are super cold. The first few days are the hardest - hang in there!

My pre-op diet is 2 weeks of mostly protein shakes, but I am allowed one small meal a day, so long as it's 300 calories or less and under 30g of carbs. I am also allowed unlimited greens, non-starchy veggies, and sugar/caffeine/dairy free drinks. I was told this diet was mostly to shrink my liver and make it easier to move out of the way, which I think is the main reason for any of the pre-WLS diets. I'm having my surgery on 4/4 at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.