blizair09

My mom is a middle school teacher. She got sleeved at the beginning of her winter break three years ago. She went back when school resumed in January (nearly two weeks later), and had to go home mid-day. She threw up in front of the kids. She ended up staying home another two weeks (four weeks total). I'm taking six weeks off of work after my surgery on Wednesday, but I have a short-term disability benefit that is letting me do that. This is a highly personal decision, but I thought I would weigh with my mom's experience in case it is helpful to you. Best wishes!

Good luck, Thendy! My surgery is Wednesday as well. I wish you a good day Wednesday and a speedy recovery.

I've lost almost 100 pounds during my six-month diet program. I have completely re-established my relationship with food. I can't imagine going from full-throttle, whatever eating directly to surgery (even with some liquid diet as an in-between). I am SO thankful for having had the experience!

@@ray knight, I completely understand. My surgery is Wednesday and I am beyond freaked out.

Congratulations, Jennifer. Your story is inspiring, and I wish you all the best as you continue your journey!

LOL. I lost 102 lbs in the first 4 months. But just for the record, I did it being 99.99% compliant with my doctors instructions (ok, so I did have a couple of potatoes chips once or twice). I wouldn't consider it a "prisoner of war" diet. But your comment did make me laugh.I have lost almost 100 pounds during my six-month pre-op diet. I haven't even had the surgery yet. It is Wednesday. I have certainly not been on any "prisoner of war" diet, but I have been incredibly focused on my journey, re-establishing my relationship with food, and improving my health. I, too, read of these insane posts where people can't even work to improve their situation for a few hours, let alone long term. But it is what it is, so I never comment. This surgery next week is a tool that will help me to continue my journey, but it isn't the whole journey. I am DAMN proud of what I have accomplished, and just because the loss has been swift doesn't mean that it is unhealthy.

WOW!! That's awesome. My surgery is Wednesday. I weighed 397 when I started my six-month nutrition/diet requirement. I weighed 301 yesterday before I left for New York for work. I am going to be 297 by next Wednesday before they wheel me into the OR if it's the last thing I do. I hope I can mirror your post-op success. I got this first 100 off pre-op and I'm gunning to get the second 100 off post-op. Congratulations and I wish you continued success!!

My sixth diet appointment was August 10; my medical clearance appointment with my PCP was August 23. She submitted the medical clearance letter on August 28 after all of the test results came back fine, and they scheduled me that day. Surgery is scheduled for this Wednesday, September 28.

I am taking six weeks off, but we have short-term disability insurance included with our benefits at 100% pay for up to 13 weeks. While I might be physically capable of going back to work sooner, I want to take the time to work through the various food phases, to let my body heal, to regain my energy, and to mentally prepare myself to deal with the stress that my work embodies every day given these new physical limitations brought on by the sleeve.

I hope my experience is the same with my sleeve next Wednesday. A dislocated big left toe is about the worst thing that has ever happened to me medically. I am scared to death of the entire thing. I'm certainly going to go through with it, but the whole thing is freaking me out...

Sounds like an HR manager's dream!

Well said!

@@ocgirl15 Amen to beating the carb addiction!

That's awesome!

Good for you! Good luck!

This is why the six-month diet is actually such a GOOD thing when it is a requirement. I have completely re-established my relationship with food during this time. Not only have I lost 96 pounds pre-op, but I have given myself a much better chance of continued success with the sleeve as a tool. I know many people on here (and frankly my surgeon's staff as well) hate on the six-month diet, but I can't imagine going from an everything-goes relationship with food to the requirements that you will HAVE to adhere to post-op or else you will get violently ill. Everyone is human, and everyone makes mistakes, but this is a WAY bigger issue than "cheating" or one bad choice.

I can't believe the gall of some of the people described in this thread. I think I'm lucky because just about everyone in my professional life has struggled with their weight to one extent or another. My VP at work lost 65 pounds last year, and my boss has lost about 50 pounds or so over the past two years. (It also helps that we are all friends, and that I have known them both for 10 years.) I guess in my personal life, no one has had the balls to say something like that to my face if they are thinking it. But regardless, it's just ridiculous that in 2016 people think that this surgery (or any other bariatric procedure) is "taking the easy way out." Please.... I stand by what I said earlier about channeling shame and negativity into positive change. But, when it all boils down to it, screw the nasty people who are likely either blessed with great genetics or who really shouldn't be pointing fingers themselves.

@@TheRev Great post!

Good luck!!

Great post! And welcome. The pre-op six month diet I have been on has been the best experience for me. Honestly, I can't imagine just going from full-throttle, eat-whatever-I-want to surgery like a lot of people I read about every day on this forum. The experience of losing 95+ pounds on my own pre-surgery has helped me to see the discipline and grit that I am going to have to cling to every day to be successful in my weight loss (and later maintenance) efforts. The fact that you have shown this discipline in your pre-op diet bodes well for your work post-op since this surgery isn't the magic pill some people seem to think that it is! Your attitude is top notch and will only help to push you along. I wish you all the best. My surgery is a week from tomorrow, so I understand how you must be feeling right now. (And if you ever need another male perspective, or just someone to "listen," please feel free to reach out!)

Best to you, too!!

Channel your feelings into positive action. Get started now. It will only make you more prepared for this surgery that is going to help you achieve your goals. I understand your sense of "shame." I was there last December when I saw nearly 400 pounds on the scale, and now I am in a completely different place at 300 pounds. And after I have that surgery next week, and use it to help me continue my journey, I'll be in yet another different place sixth months down the road. But no matter where I end up with this weight loss journey, I don't want to forget the "shame" of that December day in 2015. Because as soon as I do, I'll end back up there. Best wishes!

I took that gigantic test, too. It is called the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality 2 (MMPI-2). Before that, the psychologist and I talked for about an hour. I actually enjoyed it. She was cool and it was like talking to a completely objective acquaintance.