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It certainly sounds like it should result in loss . . . but sometimes we just get stuck. I've lost very little during the two-week pre-op diet: protein shake for breakfast, protein shake for lunch, dinner of salad/veggies/protein. Today I'm on clear liquids: surgery tomorrow. Fortunately, I lost 26 pounds in the three months or so since my first visit to the surgeon, so I'm okay for surgery. But it sure doesn't always make sense in terms of what I've eaten--most of the weight was lost when i was clearing my freezer of things I wouldn't eat post-surgically. Good luck and hang in there. Sooner or later your body will respond.

The psych clearance was extremely easy from my point of view--we talked a bit and I unexpectedly was just spilling every thought and feeling I had at the moment (very unlike me!). It probably took half an hour or so and that was it. Out of all the many, many steps I had to take, this was not an issue at all. For Seashell29, it varies among insurance companies. Most likely someone in your surgeon's office--a coordinator or adviser--will be able to tell you this.

I'm two days from being post-op, but I've been reading posts on the site for a long time . . . one option is to get a whole cooked chicken from your supermarket and use that. There are a fair number of things that don't take a lot of prep (e.g., just heating up some refried beans with cheese or having some tuna with light mayo). The best option, I think, is to put meal-sized portions in the freezer whenever you cook something that's more than a meal. Less waste than putting it in the fridge and less boredom than eating the same thing for a week straight. And when you don't feel like cooking, just defrost and nuke.

One thing about this process is that you have a ton of information given to you during various appointments (not to mention a ton of information available on this site). I asked my surgeon whether I'd have drains and he said he almost never uses them (yay). I also asked whether he did the drink test during surgery or after (the next day) and he said both. I asked about the timing of a shot I get monthly for my eye; no problem with that. Note that my questions about my regular medications were answered by my primary care doctor, not my surgeon. For the initial appointment, you might ask how long the usual time is between the initial consultation and the surgery, although that may be set by your insurance. I was surprised that it was less (by about half) than I expected. Good luck!

The hospital I'm having my surgery at (on Monday) is "designated by the American College of Surgeons Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program as an Active MBSAQIP Center." It also has a five-star rating and an excellence award on HealthGrades. The hospital itself is almost new, beautiful, and it's ranked in the top 10 percent nationally for safety. My surgeon is the head of the department and people rave about him. (He's also quite cute!) Okay, the last thing wasn't a factor, just a nice bonus :-) You don't say what location you are considering--are you looking at Mexico as a possibility? There are definitely good reports by many who have been there--keep checking this site, and you'll see what people have to say.

I have similar issues and will mention that my surgeon said he'd give me shots to take at home to help avoid blood clots. I'm diabetic, so giving myself shots is no big deal, I'm doing it twice a day now (but hope to stop!). On the other hand, my knees have been feeling much better lately, and I don't know if it's that the cortisone shots have been more effective this round or that my 28-pound weight loss so far has helped--probably both. Fingers crossed for the future on the knees--for all of us who need the relief.

Google tells me that one cup of beets is net 9 or 10 carbs, so . . . seems like you could have some while staying within the 50-gram carb limit. Do you have any other sources of carbs than veggies and protein shakes? I also found a site that offers this simple guideline: veggies that grow above ground (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, green beans, cucumbers) tend to be lower in carbs than those that grow below ground (beets, onions, parsnips, potatoes, carrots).

I've been assuming no protein shakes on the clear liquid diet--just stuff that is actually clear, like water, Crystal Light, broth, herbal tea, jello, sugar-free popsicles. I do have some protein water, too, which is clear. Your list may be different, but I just checked my post-op clear liquid list, and the protein shakes aren't on it--they're added on the full-liquid diet. So better to check your instructions, I think . . . My surgery is Monday. I'm ready. Going to finish cleaning out the fridge tonight, throw away anything that can't be eaten in the next couple of weeks.

I'm pre-op, but I'm also single and not exactly rolling in cash. I've been making meals and freezing portions of them for ages--soups, stews, casseroles, etc. I certainly hope I can do the same thing post-op--different recipes in smaller containers. I enjoy cooking, but I sure don't feel like whipping up a "from scratch" meal every night.

Now this is why I'm here--to learn things I didn't know and find ways to deal with this new world that I hadn't thought about. It never occurred to me to think of weighing food to make sure I met my protein goals, and that makes perfect sense to me. Thank you!!

I'll admit that it's one of my favorite channels to watch--but I think it's as much about the competition as the food. Watching Chopped right now, while having my two-week pre-op plan lean dinner: salad, tunafish, roasted cauliflower. But I know what works for me isn't going to work for everyone!

What's interesting to me after reading this thread is that it seems clear that different methods work for different people. I had not thought a lot about weighing my food on an ongoing basis (I'm preop, surgery next Monday), but I did find a scale I had and plug it in, ready to go. But my guess at this point is that changing what I eat (going low-carb) and being forced to eat less by the sleeve initially will ensure weight loss, and weighing myself at least once a week on an ongoing, lifelong basis will help me know if I'm eating too much (or the wrong things). I readily admit that I may be wrong--and I may find that weighing food and logging is the way to go. I'm simply hoping not . . . I'll also add that I've been buying and making food for decades--so I have a pretty good idea what three or four ounces of chicken or hamburger looks like--I buy a package, look at the weight, and then divide it up accordingly.

I'm in the pre-op stage, too, and I have two protein shakes a day, plus coffee (which I know I have to give up), herbal tea, and lots and lots of water, usually with a little Crystal Light in it. Also sugar-free popsicles. My plan also calls for a lean dinner, thank goodness, but if yours doesn't, you can definitely expand your choices somewhat. I'd be surprised if protein shakes weren't part of your plan, and they do help keep you going, though they're a bit too sweet for my taste.

I have knee issues, too, so am not really exercising, but I've certainly been able to lose weight. One poster somewhere on this site said losing weight is 90 percent what you eat and 10 percent exercise . . . I have no idea if that's anywhere near a real statistic, but I do think the idea is worth thinking about. Eat fewer calories, lose weight . . . it can certainly be done. Maintaining it--ah, well, that's a big part of the reason for this surgery, isn't it?

Keep doing what you are supposed to do and try to relax a bit--there are a number of factors that might be affecting you at this point. Give it some time and don't weigh yourself too often early on. The weight will come off.

Are you nervous about the surgery itself or the lifestyle changes? I'm assuming you've gone through a long preparation period for the surgery . . . so you've had time to think about it. I know it can be scary when it's imminent (mine is next Monday). But if weight loss is really what you most want, you know this is the way. It seems like a drastic change--and it is initially--but there's plenty of evidence that people can reverse the effects of the surgery, eat badly again, and regain the weight. So unless you're sure you are ready to change your habits, maybe talk to your surgeon? Otherwise, trust that you've made the right decision and can do this! Good luck.

I'm having the sleeve surgery and will be home alone; but I had an open hysterectomy and was home alone after that. As long as you can get up and down (e.g., so you can get to the bathroom!) and get what you need to drink, you should be fine. Take it easy and walk as much as you're comfortable walking.

This is just my opinion, but if you've ruled out a physical cause for the issue, why not talk to a therapist? Maybe it will help?

Every program seems to be a bit different. My pre-op diet is protein shakes for breakfast and lunch, then a lean dinner--protein, veggies, salad. I'm not finding that particularly difficult; I'm a week and a half into it. I do have to do an all-clear-liquid day the day before. I think each person just needs to follow the instructions given and not question them too much. Although I'll admit I'm having trouble with the idea of giving up coffee for a year!!

My suggestion is to cut out things you won't be having in the future anyway--soda, chips, etc. I'm assuming you'll have a pre-op diet, either all liquid or mostly liquid with one lean meal--assume you'll lose at least some of the weight then. Break it down into smaller goals--a pound or two a week. If you make progress and can show you've put in the effort, your chances of being approved for the surgery will be good. But at least part of the theory is that if you can't lose a bit of weight now, you're not ready for the post-surgical diet changes (and another part is the need to shrink your liver for the operation itself). Good luck!

When I say I'll never have fettucine Alfredo again, it's because I know carbs trigger me, and I've decided a low-carb future is best. Maybe I'm exaggerating: if I live to be 80, maybe I'll decide to have some fettucine. but otherwise, I'm well aware that there are plenty of better choices that I like just fine. I'm okay with that.

Yes: I had four "final" dinners: two were fettucine Alfredo (since that will NEVER be allowed again), one was a steak and baked potato--I'll have steak again eventually--and the other was a cheeseburger, which I'll be having without the bun in future. They were all very good, but I think my favorite was the cheeseburger, so it's good to know that'll be in the future. On the other hand, I've lost about 28 pounds so far, I've been following my pre-op two-week diet pretty rigorously (enjoying a chocolate protein shake right now--well, maybe not enjoying, exactly, but tolerating). Even with the relatively small weight loss so far, I'm feeling better in several significant ways, so I'm very focused on the future. I don't care what I can't eat--I care about feeling better and being healthier.

Congrats on your loss! I'm still pre-op (surgery in a week), but I've done a lot of reading on this site. One kind of counter-intuitive thing is that if you aren't getting enough calories, your weight loss will slow down. Obviously you still have to stay within the parameters of your diet at each stage, but at these early days, you're not going to be consuming a lot of calories unless you eat totally wrong things. But focus on your water and your protein and the weight loss will continue. Good luck!

ToSleeveOrNotToSleeve, thank you . . . I have veins that are hidden/small/roll-y--I've heard all the reasons (or "excuses"). I always ask for the very best person around to do my IV, but sometimes it's just horrible. I'm definitely planning on being as hydrated as I possibly can be. But, like I said, this particular issue is hardly likely to stop me, given the big picture (no pun intended!) here.

This is the single most terrifying thing I've read about this surgery. I have no fears about the actual surgery--but getting IVs put in can be a horrible ordeal for me. Four tries? I've had that happen and it produced tears. And I'm NOT a crier at all. Oh, well. Still gonna do it on the 28th!