DRS_Are_Best

I mostly use Isopure powder. We have chocolate, vanilla, and banana. Then we add flavor shots that change up the taste. I mix it with coconut milk (generally) but sometimes with an iced coffee. Sometimes I mix it up with Premiere Protein shakes or Atkins. With 5 weeks of liquid diet, variety is CRUCIAL!!!!!

Thanks....I think I just need to hear this, from someone other than my husband (who had his surgery on 10/4). His was so easy (or seems that way to me) that I just don’t think he gets the doubts.

I am heading into the home stretch. Surgery is in about 2.5 weeks. I started my modified liquid diet several days ago (one solid meal, otherwise liquid) and in 3 days I start my full liquid diet. I have the clearance and everything looks like it’s going well. But I feel like things are starting to fall apart. I had a colonoscopy early in the week and learned I’m having a mild Crohn’s flare (was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease 12 years ago, been in remission for 10+ years, off medication for 8 years). Then my blood pressure has spiked (surgeon is sending me back to the cardiologist). My resting heart rate is low (average 50 bpm) which led to me receiving medication before my colonoscopy. I feel like _I’m_ just falling apart. Did anyone else experience something similar? As you are coming into the home stretch, things just coming apart? I suspect that each thing is contributing to a snowballing effect....but it’s really bothering me and causing me so much anxiety. I think I’m just looking for someone to tell me that everything is going to be OK. Thanks for reading/listening.

My Story, Post 1 First of all, let me introduce myself. My name is Ilene. Many places I go with the monachre "DRS_Are_Best" and other places I use the name "Goodbye Fatso". I started a video blog about six weeks ago (the link is below....feel free to link and subscribe) detailing my journey as the mood strikes me. I am sure to keep everything honest and truthful. I just joined Bariatric Pal yesterday, so I'm still trying to find my way around and discover the best forums. But here is my story to date. I will keep posting on this thread as things develop. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWykljcE5G14S1syNzG9tWg?view_as=subscriber I started this journey back in May, 2017, after making the decision (along with my husband) that the time had come to do something about my weight. I'm now 46 years old (was 45 at the time) and had been struggling with the weight for pretty much all of my adult life. I have tried so many diets and was always successful at losing the weight, but it always came back, and then some. I just couldn't do it on my own. And that's where surgery comes in. I need the help of a smaller stomach to help me get to my goal. After seeing the doctor (Dr. Barry Greene in Rockville, MD), we discussed the options. I was there with my husband (whose surgery was on October 4, 2017), things started rolling. I started undergoing all the tests that they request. Chest X-Ray, Abdominal U/S, bloodwork, psychiatric evaluation, etc. all had to happen. I learned I have gallstones (but am completely asymptomatic) and I still have to have the endoscopy/colonoscopy (scheduled for October 25, 2017). But in September, they set my surgery date of November 15, 2017 (where they will also be removing my gall bladder). Which translates to liquid diet starting on October 25 (24th because of the clear liquid diet required the day before a colonoscopy) which is just a few days away. To date, I have lost nearly 50 lbs (started at 376lbs) with reducing calories and developing the proper protein/carb/fat balance, but my willpower is G-O-N-E!!!! It's been really hard since school started again in September. But when the liquid diet starts and the choices of what I eat pretty much end (if I'm not allowed to eat food, I will follow the rules), that should improve. But then I have to deal with 5 weeks (yes, I said 5....that's the practice for this doctor) of liquid diet (with one meal / day that first week). I thought this was hard to date. This is about to get much harder!!!!

My husband is like you. His surgery was on 10/4, home by 2:00pm on 10/5 and back to work on 10/16 (but working from home starting 10/9). He was able to stop the sip sip sip regimen and be more natural by 10 days out. My surgery date is 11/15. I just hope I can be as easy as him and now you!

Hi! I’m a couple of weeks after you (11/15). I too have sleep apnea, hypertension and VERY bad edema in my legs. I’ve been told that the surgery may not help with the edema, but will help with the rest. I’m still hopeful though!!! I’m starting my liquid diet this week.....getting real here....

15th here....excited and terrified but know I’m doing the right thing!

Yay!!! Good for you! Mine is a few days before you (11/15). Good luck!!!

Hello everyone.... My name is Ilene and I just joined Bariatric Pal. I’m having sleeve surgery on 11/15 and it is starting to get VERY real. My liquid diet (modified) starts this week, my pre-surgical visit is this week, my final tests (endoscopy/colonoscopy) is this week....you get the idea. I do have an advantage.....I’m doing this with my very supportive husband. In fact, he had his surgery on October 4. Everything went really well and his recovery has been textbook, so I have had the opportunity to see first hand (we’ll, as close as possible) exactly what I am getting into. We went to all appointments with the surgeon together from Day 1 until after surgery (schedule conflicts) and continue to look out for one another. But now it’s happening to ME, and I’m both excited and TERRIFIED. I just turned 46 this month, I have 3 children (12 year old boy and 10 year old girl/boy twins, and the twins are both Autistic) and I want to be someone they can count on for the long haul. I want to have the energy to take them places. I fear diabetes in my future (family history on both sides). I KNOW this surgery is the right thing to do, and I really have no doubts. But that doesn’t mean I’m not scared S$&Tless! I’m hoping that I can get to know others who are going through this, like me, and we can get through this together! -Ilene