Redo2017

Are you ready to start your pre-op diet tomorrow???!!! I am excited to get it started. It's getting real!

I actually gained a couple pounds at my last appointment and the surgeon's nurse asked me, "what happened?" I was kind of surprised because I also do not have a weight loss requirement for insurance coverage and I have not hit the date for starting the pre op diet yet. I wish they would have let me know if they had certain weight loss expectations in the time period leading up to the pre-op diet. As far as hunger cues, I'm a little lost with that myself. Certainly the expectation can't be that you will go all day without eating.

Outside of the fact that my program does not recommend the patches, I do not know if vitamin patches are in fact working for the majority of people. Until I have seen the statistics I am not comfortable deviating from my program's recommendations. Definitely worth researching!

I feel like I could write an entire novel to answer this question, but to sum it up, I don't need the type of external support that I could potentially get from my friends/family. Complying with the program is up to me and there is nothing that anyone else can say or do to keep me on track or motivate me other than myself. I know this about myself from years of dieting. I do not like anyone giving me unsolicited advice about my weight or my eating habits. I suppose that if I had a friend or family member who had been through WLS I would talk to them to get advice from someone who has actually been through the procedure and is living the post-op lifestyle. That is why I have turned to this forum: to get practical advice from people who are going through the same experience that I am. That being said, I am happy to hear that you have a support system in place that works for you!

My preop is two protein shakes a day and one meal consisting of 4 oz protein plus 1/2 cup of non-starchy vegetables. They also allow 2 servings of sugar free jello, two servings of sugar free popsicles, and two servings of broth in between meals. I have done a carb free diet In the past and I did not have any flu-like symptoms at all. In fact, I felt great!

My insurance approval process and pre-op clearance has be incredibly easy. I expected there to be more hurdles, probably because I always assumed I was not overweight enough for WLS. (I have over 100 lbs to lose. I have totally been in denial about my weight!) I am scheduled for July 10th and I am totally nervous!

My program does not allow vitamin patches. I wish it did! It would be so much easier.

While I'm not really a binge eater, I am an emotional eater. I think the best advice is to find a substitute activity for when you would normally turn to food. My plan is to use exercise, meditation, and painting to help fill the "void" when I can't turn to food to soothe me anymore. Take my advice with a grain of salt however, I am still pre-op!

It's great to have another July 10th buddy! I have only told my husband about my surgery because I don't want the negativity. It's enough dealing with my own fears and doubts. What about just telling friends/family that if they don't have anything supportive to say then you don't want to hear it? I know it's harsh, but it may avoid a confrontation down the road. I also carry my weight well, very proportionate, which is what has led me down the path to also having a BMI just over 40. I've always been able to find cute clothes and I'm pretty confident so it's taken health issues for me to really see how heavy I've become. I've also always been fairly athletic, but recently I've gotten winded really easily when I'm running around with my kids. Not good. I look forward to going through this experience with you! I start my pre op diet a week from tomorrow. How about you? It's so close! I'm starting to freak out!

I have 3 with 3 c's as well! I am curious to see if the VSG surgery is comparable to the c sections as far as pain/discomfort. From the reading I've done it seems like recovery is much faster. I have 9 years and 30 pounds on you, so be glad you're taking this step now instead of waiting!

I am scheduled for the sleeve on July 10th and I am brimming over with worry and hesitation. I am scared about altering my body forever and nervous about the transition into post-op life. Do any post-ops have advice for overcoming these worries? Did anyone have hesitation going into surgery and have input from the other side? Thanks!

I'm glad this question was asked. I'm getting sleeved on a Monday and hope to be back to work the following Monday. I have a desk job but my commute involves about a mile of walking each way. I'm hoping that will be doable.

Thank you for the encouragement! It is incredibly helpful.

I read this book by Dr. Duc Vuong: https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Gastric-Sleeve-Success-Practical/dp/0615830447/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8 It was very informative, but his post-op program is VERY different than my program.

Thank you for the advice!

Thanks for the input. I had my pre-op education class yesterday and I am feeling much more confident about my decision.

Awesome success story. I am so happy that you took action and improved your health. Thank you you for sharing!

Thank you! I already have medical complications associated with obesity and I am right there with you on the trajectory - my knees are starting to ache and I'm pre-diabetic. Scary stuff. Doing nothing is definitely not an option for me as I'm not willing to accept chronic pain and illness and early death. Yikes.

Thank you for your help! Long-term outcome is a worry of mine as well. I know how to eat right and I know how to lose weight. I am completely confident that I will be able to make the necessary life-style changes in the short term, but I do worry about 5 years, 10 years, even 30 years down the road. I've been around the block a few times and I know that life is not static and people are always evolving. I am in a good place currently to have this procedure and make the changes, but will this work for me when I'm 60? 70? What if I develop a serious illness down the road? Will this procedure impact my ability to recover? Maybe I'm worrying too much!

Thank you for your input. I appreciate the honesty. I agree that if one has doubts that they will be able to make the necessary life-style changes surgery may not be successful for them in the long term. I think the struggle for those of us who have lost large amounts of weight in the past only to ultimately regain is that the fear of failure is palpable, and that is what may give us pause. At least that is where my head is. And ultimately, I cannot dismiss the possibility of failure - either in the surgical process or in my post-op journey. I think I would be remiss not to acknowledge the risks and statistics associated with this procedure. I cannot go into this with blind optimism and I have not dismissed the possibility that surgery is not for me. So ultimately, I am hoping to hear from anyone who had similar fears and concerns pre-op in effort to assist me in assessing whether my fears are misplaced, common, unique, warning signs, etc. How about you? Did you have any fears or doubts in the months leading up to surgery?

Congrats on your approval! I am scheduled for July 10th and I am FREAKING OUT! I am nervous about the permanent change to my body. I struggle with whether I am doing the right thing. I have only told my husband because I do not want to deal with unwanted comments from other people. I do not want my decision to influenced by people who do not know what I am going through health-wise and psychologically from being obese. I told my brother (who is also obese) when I was just thinking about surgery, and his response was, "isn't that a bit extreme?" Of course, that comment has stuck with me. What are you doing to combat your fears and shake off people's input? I need ideas!!

Congrats on being through surgery! Were you nervous going into it? Did you have any hesitation? I am scheduled for July 10th and I am freaking out!

I am with you on the preventative aspect of the surgery. I do have a few weight related health issues already and it scares me. Are you on an pre-op eating plan?

Am I crazy to think I can go away for a long weekend 5 weeks post-op? The trip is only 1.5 hours in the car. We will be staying in a rental with a full kitchen. I will have my kids with me but my husband will be with us to help out. We will probably be doing some lite hiking and swimming. We will be vacationing with another family and I'm sure that food and alcohol will be abundant. I am definitely prepared to abstain from drinking alcohol at that point and plan on bringing post-op friendly foods. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for the excellent advice!