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I suspect you know the answer to this and know what you are supposed to be doing. Are you getting enough water? If you are following the "rules" about not drinking for half an hour just before and after eating, and not drinking while eating, you can't both graze and drink enough water, can you? It's hard to break old habits, but if not now, when?

I realize weight loss after surgery isn't like anything else, but seriously, when else could you or have you lost 42 pounds in 60 days? That's phenomenal!! I can't imagine losing 42 pounds in a YEAR otherwise. Just keep on keeping on . . . it's all going in the right direction.

I've been told to avoid it for a year, I think it is, but I'm kind of wondering whether that will be necessary. I'm going to see how I do with my fluids once I'm post-op.

This member joined the site an hour ago and his profile has no information . . . makes one wonder.

We're trying to change habits we've had most or all of our lives--sure, it's hard. People have given different reasons for doing this in the first place, but there are a lot of similar ones--for one's family, for one's health, for comfort in places like airplane seats and amusement park rides. Think about your reasons and find that motivation again . . . you know it's important to you.

My highest weight is more than yours but my height and goal are similar, so I hope that's not unrealistic! I honestly have no idea what will happen, and will take what I can get in terms of loss, but you've done great so far--I'd just take things as they come. Meet the doctor's goal first and then see what happens when you continue eating right and exercising. Good luck!!

I like to cook, too, and I'm already used to putting half of what I make into the freezer. I think I'm going to invest in some smaller plastic containers so I can get used to freezing small portions of things that I make. It's always a relief to just pull something from the freezer, throw it into the microwave, and not have to think about what I'll eat. This is going to be such a major change in my life . . .

I don't know about Georgia, but I live in NY state and have Medicaid, and it's covered as long as you're medically qualified (high enough BMI and/or co-morbidities). I hear you about the potential changes--I want to have this done before they take effect, too. Good luck!!

Are you drinking a protein shake? Eating chicken or turkey or fish or eggs? Does your doctor know this? I'm worried about this for you . . .

It is a lot, but there's a reason why we keep getting told to drink enough water, get enough protein--these are the basics of the program. I haven't had surgery yet (and I'm having the sleeve, not the band), but I think I'm expected to get 60 to 80 grams, so not that much different. I've noticed that most of the successful people posting here say they follow the doctor's diet specifications as closely as they can . . .

Many people have this information filled in on the left side of the page (from their profile).

Give them the actual statistics about this surgery, rather than random stories: it's exceedingly safe, even more than gall bladder removal. Here's some facts: "Common misconception is that the chance of dying from surgery is higher than one’s chance of dying from obesity. It’s true that individuals with severe obesity are more likely to have life-threatening conditions such as Type II Diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. According to a study done by the ASMBS Bariatric Centers of Excellence looking at nearly 60,000 bariatric patients, the average mortality rate associated with bariatric surgery was just .13% or about 1 of every 1,000 patients. This rate is considerably less than other surgeries such as hip replacement or even standard gallbladder surgery. Large studies have also looked at the risk of death from any cause of obesity and all of them caused more death than bariatric surgery itself. In fact, this study shows an 89% reduction in mortality because of surgery and the weight loss associated with said surgical procedures." Source: http://obesityreporter.com/bariatric-weight-loss-surgery-statistics-updated-2015/ In short, it's more dangerous to be obese than it is to have this surgery, never mind the quality of life issue.

Was waiting for my ride after cardiac and pulmonary clearances yesterday (well, nearly: have to do an at-home sleep study). But a guy asked me what I was there for and I told him. He tells me that I could lose weight by drinking a lot of water: since water has no calories, I should just keep my stomach full of water. Ohhh . . . should I just go ahead and cancel the surgery, then? 'Cause, you know, that sounds easy!

People come from all kinds of weird places with their comments, but usually from ignorance at least as much as malice. Your mother is probably scared and doesn't realize how she's coming across. I had someone (not someone I knew, just someone I talked to at the medical center) tell me today that I could lose weight if I just filled up on water. Just keep your stomach full of water, that doesn't have any calories, he said. Uh huh. I'm not canceling my surgery so I can try that, though. Stay strong and know you're doing the right thing.

Geek Chic!

I googled "Genpro protein lawsuit" and the first hit I got was to a Forbes article--it didn't mention Genpro, I don't think, but did go into some detail about the issues with many protein powders having misleading labeling. I don't have an opinion either way about this--I just believe in doing research.

I could have written almost the same sentence, except that it's my knees, not my hip. But oh, yeah, the pain. So debilitating.

I'm still pre-op, not even to the diet two weeks before surgery yet. However, while people do lose weight on the liquid diet, I wouldn't worry about it if you don't lose a lot now. If it were easy for you to drop weight, you wouldn't be having this surgery! Trust that if you follow the recommendations from your doctor and nutritionist, it'll work in the long run (and not that long). There are probably thousands of posts on this site that demonstrate exactly that.

This is one of my concerns . . . I've been seeing a man who likes me at this size (mysterious to me, but I appreciate it). I'm wondering if he will be turned off when I'm a more normal weight and especially by the loose skin (and saggy breasts?). I need to do this for my health, but I'm a little concerned about this. I'll just wait and see what happens . . .

I'm sorry you took it that way--I'll admit my view of bipolar people is based on knowing one person with the disease and having read about it extensively because of that. However, characterizing a person with a specific disease as showing symptoms of the disease does not seem prejudicial to me: bipolar sufferers typically resist taking medication to control the condition; when manic, they typically will inflate their own status and denigrate others; they may be angry or frustrated and direct this toward others. My point is that what a bipolar person says may be as much or more a result of the disease than how that personal actually feels when not in a manic or depressive state. Taking it personally rather than blaming the disease seems more judgmental to me.

Be honest with your surgeon and see what he/she says. The last thing you want is for it to be rescheduled after they put you under, put some incisions in, and realize they can't do it! (And I'm not saying that's what would happen.)

Congrats! I hope to be where you are, in the fullness of time . . .

On the one hand, I don't give a crap for what other people say; on the other hand, my friends have been supportive and my family hasn't been as bad as I expected. But one friend did email me that she found the surgery scary, she knew a "lot " of people who had died from it, including this one woman--then she made it clear this happened some years ago. I don't know what surgery that woman had. I just responded that this was about as dangerous as having my gall bladder out, which I did about a decade ago. I didn't go into the health risks of remaining this way, with diabetes/high blood pressure/high cholesterol/excruciating knee pain.

I'm pre-op, but have been told not to drink caffeinated beverages for quite a while after surgery--maybe a year? I'm planning to use herbal teas but I'm expecting to really, really miss the coffee.

I'd suggest talking to your doctor--I've been on a prescription called Protonix since I had my gall bladder out. Works great for me.