GrrlAnn

Congratulations!!!!! I go to Burn Bootcamp and I LOVE it!!! I have never loved working out until I started there. I miss it on days I don't go. I hope you have the same experience!!!!

Please keep in mind that the preop diet's goal is to make your surgery safer. Is cheating really worth it? I will, however, tell you that my surgeon does not put patients on an all liquid diet preop. We are put on a very strict diet that is low fat, no carb and low calorie. I ate about 800 calories a day of protein shakes, veggies (no butter or dressing) and small amounts of lean meat. If you are going to "cheat" I would do tiny amounts of food that meet that criteria.

I was cleared to do cardio at my 2-3 week follow up appointment. I was cleared to do everything else including core exercises and Bootcamp at 6 weeks.

I agree with the previous posters. You have to watch for dehydration or you'll end up in the hospital. Call your surgeon's office ASAP. In the mean time, have you tried drinking at different temperatures? Some people's stomachs prefer hot/warm drinks - warm water, tea, broth, etc. Others prefer cold/icy drinks and popsicles. Warm in my experience was better.

I take two chewable Flintstones, sublingual vitamin B and biotin every morning and three Bariatric Advantage Caramel Calcium Citrates every afternoon (spread over 3-6 hours). Postop I became very sensitive to flavors and the Flintstones chewables have been the only multivitamins I can tolerate. The vitamin b and biotin taste great and I look forward to my calcium citrate chews every afternoon. You should not take any gummy vitamins but the chews are OK. Also you need to take calcium citrate not just regular calcium. You may also need other supplements depending on your blood work.

I totally agree with you and Lizzie. I feel like I am more hungry and able to eat more at different points in my cycle. On the flip side there are also times in my cycle when I eat even less than I am allowed. Like Lizzie I allow myself to indulge a little but during those hungry days. Halo ice cream and Russel Stover Sugar Free candies have gotten me through the worst of the craving days. I figure in the end it all balances out if I don't overdo it.

Please keep in mind that with either surgery it is just a tool. You won't be able to meet those goals if you don't change your lifestyle. However, I have found that getting sleeved has made it much easier for me to stick to a healthy eating plan than it was preop. The bypass will definitely help with some of your comorbidities particularly the diabetes and cholesterol since the changes to your intestines makes you absorb less of the food you eat. Good luck with whatever option you choose!

I recommend tracking your eating in an app. I LOVE Baritastic! It's an app made specifically for bariatric patients. It tracks your food, exercise, vitamins, water, weightloss, inches, days postop, etc. It highlights your protein and water goals in particular. It's awesome!

Happy birthday by the way!! [emoji3]

If this makes you feel better - I think the preop diet is so much worse than postop. I have so much more will power after surgery. It makes it so much easier!

Same here! Got my worst period in a long time a few days postop. I think it's your body's way of saying it can't have a baby right now.

Another protein option is Isopure. They are watery/fruity flavored, not milky which I love. You can get them at GNC.

I talked to my nutritionist about this because I too had really good results with low carb diets. She said that you need carbs in your diet postop because you need to absorb protein and burn carbs. If you don't eat carbs your body will burn the protein that you need to absorb.

I think the insurance company wants to confirm that your thyroid isn't causing your weight issue. If the doctor can treat your thyroid medically, you may not need the surgery.

Dehydration is also a serious risk until you can regularly exceed your water goals.

In addition to what my doctor provided me, I found a few websites with information. They are both really low but the sleeve is looking to be lower but there isn't as much data either. Here are a few examples: https://asmbs.org/resources/studies-weigh-in-on-safety-and-effectiveness-of-newer-bariatric-and-metabolic-surgery-procedure http://www.obesitycoverage.com/uncomplicating-gastric-sleeve-complications/

I had a similar experience. I went in wanting the sleeve and the doctor asked me to consider the RNY. I don't have any reflux. I decided I still preferred the sleeve because I feel it is less invasive than the RNY. It is also slightly safer. I like that I still have my pyloric valve and that I don't have to worry as much about malabsorption issues. I was also thrilled that the sleeve is projected to get me to my lowest weight in my adult life! And since I am doing this only for health reasons I didn't care if I would lose an extra 10-15 lbs given all of the other factors I was weighing. Finally, if one day I fall off the healthy wagon as I get older I have the option to do a DS in the future (which I honestly don't think I'll ever need).

Right after surgery I was only allowed to walk. After my 2-3 week follow up appointment, I was allowed to do everything but core exercises. Now a 6 weeks I can do anything and today was my first day back at Bootcamp and it felt SO good!! Since yoga is heavy on core, I'd probably wait 6 weeks to start that routine.

The standard for my doctor's office is after your 2-3 week follow up appointment. Although they were willing to write it for 6 weeks. I think I could have gone back after I was off of pain meds (4-5 days) but I would have been exhausted. It also depends on how well you recover. I am only 36, I had zero complications, a starting BMI of 42 and was otherwise very healthy - all of which made my recovery very easy. Now if I was still at my old job, which I hated, I would have taken the full 6 weeks.

I am just emerging from the week 3 stall. Don't stress it's temporary! I take my measurements after I've been stalled awhile. They always go down during stalls.

First, I suggest you watch this video. This surgeon basically says you can't stretch your sleeve. Second, you can get back on track. A mistake won't undo a year of losing over ONE HUNDRED POUNDS! That is a ton of weight!!!! You should be so proud!! That is a wonderful achievement!! Now use that pride to get yourself back on track and remind yourself why you did this surgery in the first place. You can do it!!!!!

Thank you so much for posting this. I have been experiencing the exact same thing and it is freaking me out!! The replies are so helpful. Thanks everyone!

Head hunger is real. I can control it with drinking more water or protein. I am definitely not as "hungry" as I was preop and the cravings are much easier to control.

I was not allowed to. The fruit in particular would probably counteract the liver shrinking aspects of the diet.

I would call your nutritionist and see what s/he says. I find they always have great insights.