Jrob66

From my experience so far, the pre-op diet is based on your abdominal thickness and what condition your liver may be in at time of surgery. Then if your team needs you to drop a fast amount, you will be on clear liquids for 2 weeks prior and I have seen some members on it for as long a month before. I personally am a month out and am on 3 small meals a day of protein, vegetables , fruit and protein shakes. I have an appointment two weeks before and that turns to 2 protein shakes and a small meal with protein fruit and vegetable for dinner. no snacks. Two days before I will be on a total clear liquid diet.

I am still pre op, but I have set ground rules for my loved ones. I told them not to ask how much I lost, If I want to tell them I will. I asked them to be patient with me on this journey and know it is an 18 month process and what I learn during those months will prepare me for going forward with my behaviors and how my journey continues. If that fails... ask them how much they weigh and what they ate today.

I am having Sleeve surgery on May 7th and have a sit down , no lifting position at work. I was wondering what is the average time before you all are comfortable going back to work , without falling asleep at your desk.

I think you hit a chord there Kate B. I told two coworkers that are also overweight and they seem to not want to discuss it with me once they realized I had a scheduled surgery date and they wouldn't be able to change my mind. All three of us have been dieting the last three year with results and then gained it all back around the same time. I think they might feel like I will leave them behind once I have lost the weight and we won't have the big girl theme in common any more. I know I will always be the big girl in my head... hard to turn that switch off after being the tallest and biggest person in a room since kindergarten. There is so many psychological changes that go along with this journey that we are all on, that I have to remind myself daily it's going to be a life changing surgery. We shouldn't feel ashamed of trying to be a healthier version of ourselves. If someone tells me I am taking the easy way, I would probably say.. actually the easy way would have been continuing my lifestyle and dying young.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts on this topic. I have the opportunity to work half days after being able to take two weeks of vacation and personal time. I have to use my vaca before June 30th so it is an easier decision to take a week vaca and a week personal. I have to talk to my supervisor in a few weeks, and I might go on the side of caution and take 3 weeks and if I feel better in two, I will go half days. I have a job where it is 90% mental and 10% physical, so I get that the pain issue can drain the brain more than the driving to work and sitting in my office. I am also anticipating a life changing experience and relationship with my food from pleasure to nutritional needs. That I think for me is going to be the piece to the puzzle that was always missing in the past. I am thankful for all of you to be part of my journey.

sounds like a new item to buy when constipated after surgery.

Phew, I was thinking that is a really high bar for me to measure against. Thank you for the reality check.

You lost 61 lbs in 3 weeks? You are rock star!