ABawdyMermaid

Thank you all for the encouraging words! ❤️ I am getting ready now, and am just.. yeah. I'm a nervous wreck, lol. But I think I'll be okay, and I'm working through it. It didn't help that they gave me this awful, AWFUL drink that I have to use before the surgery (which apparently provides nutrition or something throughout the day?) Imagine a combination of burnt soy sauce, orange juice, and pineapple juice.. Yeah. AWFUL. 🤮

I am right there with you! Absolutely terrified, and my surgery is just in 4 days! (Well, less than now, technically!) I keep thinking of literally every worst case scenario (thanks, anxiety!) But in general, these surgeries are pretty safe overall. Just have to watch out for complications and be vigilant about taking care of ourselves afterwards. If you ever want to talk about your fears, feel free to message me (cause I completely understand and feel much the same worries!) Take care!

About 3/4 of the way into my pre-op diet, I had a moment of weakness when a bunch of chocolate was brought into our apt. after the holidays. Either way, I saw it in the fridge, ended up eating one piece.. Then another. Finally had about 5 small pieces in total. Then I thought, 'Well, I've done that much, might as well have a little extra protein as well,' so I did just that for my nightly meal. I also cheated like 3 other times by eating a bit more protein than asked for, mostly because I was absolutely starving and miserable. It was never much those handful of times, but it was still over my max daily allowance. Also I may have accidentally ate the wrong type of protein as well once or twice, since my instructions are a bit vague on what is allowed. (It's also quite difficult to get in touch with any nurses here to ask questions, and speaking to the surgeon is just.. not possible, lol.)

Cheers! Walk as much as you can (but don't overexert yourself, of course!) Every little bit counts!

Hi RinRin! I have depression, GAD, and panic disorder, so I can relate to some of the things you've said! Sometimes I can be just fine, then out of nowhere, I'll have days where I feel like doing nothing but crying. I imagine that given you are post-op (and not that far out from it), that your body is dealing with a lot of changes right now, not to mention probably still healing. That might be part of the cause for your moods fluctuating so much? Either way, I hope you get to feeling better soon, just try to hang in there, and if it gets really bad, try and contact your doctor (if at all possible.) Please take care of yourself!

I had several pre-op appointments (of different kinds.) It will vary from plan to plan and person to person though, keep in mind. If I recall correctly, my first appointment was with a gastro specialist who generally just discussed the different surgeries and what each one entails. They told me the basics of each surgery, but didn't go into heavy details. It was there that I was first told how much weight I was supposed to lose. I also spoke with several nutritionists in between who told me a little more about the surgeries and helped me to understand what the pre-op diet would be like. My second pre-op appointment was with the surgeon herself, and she also did my gastroscopy so that she could examine my stomach and make sure it was a-okay for surgery. She answered any questions I had at the time, and we discussed possible complications a bit, but in general I didn't honestly get a lot of information at the time. I had my last pre-op appointment just a couple days ago with the anaesthesiologist, and she weighed me, checked the size of my neck, and discussed the details of the procedure (how long it would last, basically, and the direct details regarding the surgery itself.) I came prepared this time with a whole slew of questions, but I sadly wasn't able to get them all answered. She provided me with a drink that I'm supposed to take a few hours before the surgery as well. (In between these appointments, I had a lot of different tests conducted. Bloodworks three different times, testing for diabetes, the gastroscopy, and also an EKG. I also had to see a psychologist as well.) I should note that I feel like I wasn't given as much information on the surgery as many people have been provided with their plans. I was not told about a lot of the different complications that can happen (such as possible hair loss, for example) or even what my meals would be like post-surgery, and only learned after I did a lot of my own research. I would highly suggest you do the same, just in case the same happens with you! Good luck with whatever decision you ultimately make though!

I'm in the process of doing this now! Pretty much cleaning the apt. top to bottom, making sure anything that requires a good set of eyes is especially taken care of. (Hubby is partially blind!) Lots of great tips in this thread, thank you all! I definitely agree with staying on top of constipation. I'm dealing with that now with my pre-op diet, and I know it will be a thing after as well, so I'm trying to keep up with it and make sure everything works as 'smoothly' as possible.

I can't speak for BariatricPal directly, but I get the feeling that it was possibly an (unintentional) oversight of some kind? I use the mobile app to browse the forums, but I filled in all my information on the regular ole' computer, and my starting weight was definitely higher than 362 as well. (Assuming I'm reading your post correctly!) I've also seen some people on here with weights higher than mine as well, so I'm not sure what's up? Hopefully you get it resolved though, and congrats on your losses/successes!

Hello there, I tried my pre-op diet several times before doing it for real, to sort of 'practice' for the month long prep diet. I believe it was five times that I tried (or four, I forget), each time for anywhere from 3-4 days up to 1.5 weeks. The first time I did the pre-op diet (which consists of 5 protein shakes, a tiny amount of protein (meat or meat substitute), and up to 500g (roughly a pound) of non-starchy vegetables), I had no issues with hunger whatsoever. Every time after that (including my current pre-surgery diet) has been misery. I have been extremely hungry with considerable stomach pains, although I have been losing the weight like crazy. I just kinda endure it because I have to at this point, and don't really have any tips to share. Some people can drink water to help stave off the hunger, but that sadly doesn't work for me. I wish I could offer some kind of other tips, but I don't have any to speak of. I do wish you luck though, with whatever you choose to do!

I'm really late to responding to this, but.. I'm trying to think of when I last had their chili. I think it was when I was a teenager, so that's been ages ago. I know that I don't like their chili unfortunately, just the general taste is not that good to me. Oddly enough, I do love Wendy's chili (or at least I used to), though I can't really remember how it tastes anymore. And now I'm craving chili just thinking about it. It'll be a while yet before I can have any, but when I can, I'll whip up a batch of veggie chili for sure!

Hi there! This answer will vary from person to person, since our programs can vary wildly from what I've seen, but for me, I can tell you what I've had to do. Back in 2014, I considered the surgery then, but ended up backing out due to fear and anxiety, plus I had (and still have) other undiagnosed health issues which I figured would be only made worse from doing a surgery. Ultimately, years later, I decided to go through with it again, because my health is getting so bad that it's now incredibly difficult to get around or do anything that I want to. I can't even walk the dog without a great struggle. So I started the process last year, I believe sometime around August. I was required to lose a certain amount of weight before the surgery to prove I am committed, since here in Finland, most everything is paid for with very little cost to the patient. I did lose the weight and went through a period of waiting on a letter back from the surgeon confirming the surgery which was about 2.5 months. Then, I had to have an endoscopy to check the stomach and make sure there were no issues with it. That happened about three months back, as I recall. Then once more, I had to wait for another letter to arrive with my surgery time and date, which I received at the end of November. My surgery is scheduled for the 15th of January. Required from there is a 1 month pre-op diet (which I am on now) consisting of 5 special protein shakes per day (which are around 150 calories each, and each one counts as a full meal.) Aside from that, I am allowed a small amount of protein meat or meat substitute (or high protein cottage cheese or quark.) Also, up to 500g (or about a pound) of select vegetables that are not starchy. Additionally, I'm told to drink up to 2 liters of liquid a day, that should be mostly water (but can also be tea or coffee without cream or sugar as well as diet soda.) I have switched off soda completely now since I can't have it for a long time after surgery, and getting in the water has been.. incredibly difficult. [Just as an example, my typical pre-op meal is the 5 shakes spread out through the day with water in between. For my meal, I usually have anywhere from 75-100 grams (1/5th a pound roughly) of vegetarian 'meat' (it's called Mifu here in Finland, and is made of milk protein) along with 300 grams-ish (a little over half a pound) of some kind of steamed, boiled, or baked vegetable such as zucchini, cabbage and onions in broth, eggplant, carrots, etc.)] My surgery is about 9 days away now, so I'm quite nervous, and I have a last round of bloodworks on the day before to triple-check that everything is ready to go. Feel free to message me about anything you're interested in (or just reply here) and I'll answer what I can. Hopefully some people who have gone through the surgeries will respond, since I have yet to even go through mine!

Heya and congrats on your surgery! ❤️ Mine is also on the 15th, bright and early at 7am! I had some pre-op bloodworks done on Friday (the 2nd batch), and Monday is my appointment with the nurse to discuss everything from there. I have one last round of bloodwork and checkups the day before the surgery as well. Here's to hoping everything works out well for us! (Hopefully we will see eachother more after the surgery on here!)

I did much the same for a while, basically trying to fit in all the things I thought I wouldn't really be able to enjoy anymore. Seems like a lot of people do this. I am not having a bypass (having the sleeve,) but I know that post surgery, I won't be able to eat to get that super full feeling any longer. (At least not the way I used to eat.)

I'm actually glad that I found the website, because I learned a lot of things that my surgeon (and surgical team) didn't even tell me.

Hi all, I've got a couple questions to pose for you all! Does anyone here have hard, lumpy or 'ropey' fat? It's something I've been meaning to ask around about for a long time, but never had a chance. This is something I suffer from, and it's really only felt like that in maybe the last 3-4 years of my life. (I'm 33 now.) Is this something that just comes with being quite large or is it abnormal? My second question, I also have little lumps and nodules of fat all over my body that are *very* painful. I have brought them up to a doctor several times that just handwaves them as lipomas (or fatty nodules) but everything I've read claims they shouldn't hurt, whereas pressing on mine can be downright excruciating. Some of them also have gotten bigger over time. I've noticed that I have several as well right where they will be (probably) putting in the ports for my surgery. Has anyone here dealt with this, and if so, were you adversely affected after your surgery in any way? In other words, did the surgeon cut into the nodules or anything by mistake to make them even more painful? This probably sounds like an odd question, but it's something weighing on my mind heavily.

I just hate that my lipomas all hurt so much. I wonder if it has something to do with fibromyalgia though? Mine hurt all over, especially around my waistband area (to the sides of my belly button) and then also right beneath my breasts. I literally can't find a single one that doesn't hurt. I think I will bring it up to the surgeon or nurse that I'll be seeing in about a week and see what they say. I'm terribly worried that they will hurt even worse post-surgery.

Yeah! Trust me, I never believed in my wildest dreams I'd be moving to Europe, lol! But yeah, very familiar with that whole area, used to drive to Cincinnati sometimes as well to shop at the Torrid there (alternative clothing store for big girls.)

I'm pre-op but I've had this exact same thing for a long while now! (Nearly 8 months or so, at least, possibly longer.) I've discussed it with my doctor, but they just attribute it to being fat, and don't really discuss it further than that. It feels numb part of the time, but also painful, too, if that makes sense? The sensation is definitely strange, and I also get the pins and needles as well as stabbing pain. Also, I sleep on my belly, and sometimes I wake up to it hurting badly and have to readjust afterwards. It worries me a lot, so I'm hoping with more weight loss, it will go away.

..I had not even considered medication after surgery. I'm on Lyrica and Cymbalta for fibro and anxiety, as well as several other medications for hypothyroidism, staving off UTIs, general pain, etc. This is yet another thing that was not discussed with me at all by my surgeon or nurses. 😐

I now live in Europe, but I used to live right across the river near New Albany, Indiana, if you're familiar? Used to go to Louisville all the time to see friends and such (especially Bardstown Rd.)

Mine's coming up in a little over two weeks, so I feel you on the excitement (and worry!) I haven't gained anything given I have been on the one month pre-op diet, but I did have a small splurge yesterday admittedly. I don't think it will hurt anything though, given my surgeon did mention I could have a small Christmas meal if I wanted (even though I didn't have one on that particular day.) I am mostly struggling with sipping water, given I don't really like the taste (even if the water here is really good), and I'm dealing with a lot of stomach pains from the lack of actual food. As for the other bit, I would say to at least tell someone, be it your mom or someone else (whoever you are comfy with), and otherwise.. No one else needs to know, unless you want them to! It's your business, not theirs, especially if you're not looking for opinions on the matter.

I am pre-surgery, so I can't answer #3 for you, but as for the others.. I admittedly *hate* water. I don't know why, maybe it's the taste or something, but I just can't stand it. That said, I am trying very hard to drink more especially knowing I have to be sipping it often post-surgery. As to the questions, 1. In one sitting, about a cup's worth is about all I can drink before my body is screaming to stop, lol. 2. See #1, though I have drank more only when I had to (like if I needed to give a urine sample or something like that.) Prior to getting ready for the surgery, I mostly took in liquids from milk, juice, or diet soda, but now it's mostly water.

Best of luck to you!

And also depressed, angry, etc.. (Forewarning: Lots of complaints/rants here!) My surgery is scheduled for January 15th, and my pre-op diet is 1 month (instead of the usual two weeks) of liquids with a tiny amount of protein and up to 500g (about a pound) of very select vegetables per day. I'm sick to death of it already, and with the holidays, I just feely shitty that I'm missing out on eating with family and such, so much that I don't even want to leave the house now. And I know that the month or two *after* the surgery is going to be even harder than it is now, which just adds on top of my misery. On top of that, I keep learning more and more stuff about the surgery that was not mentioned to me by my surgeon (like the fact that hair loss is common, just as an example.) I'm determined to go through with it, but damnit.. I just feel more and more miserable the more I think about everything I have to let go of. I'm already mourning food as well, and this pre-op diet is difficult since I've yet to hit ketosis or lose my hunger despite being on it about 7 days now. My stomach hurts so much all the time. My biggest fear is complications, blood clots especially since I don't have the best circulation in my legs especially. I think about it night and day, and I do have bad anxiety, so it's compounded by that, I think. I'm terrified of dying, of leaving my husband behind, my dog.. Everything really. I'm trying to better myself, but it's so. damn. hard. I apologize for all the complaints and whining either way, and if you got this far, thank you for reading and hearing out my worries and complaints! ❤️

Hi all! I will preface this by saying that I am pre-surgery (mine is Jan. 15th), but I am trying to start exercising again in preparation for it. In truth, I have been trying off and on for a couple years now, but I struggle to do much of anything. Walking is quite difficult, and I can't stand for very long at all before my hips and lower back are in agony. Aside from that, my muscles all feel very, *very* tight, ALL the time. I've tried stretching in the past, and it doesn't help. Everything hurts incredibly, so much that in the past, I have just quit trying. I don't know if it's from not doing much exercise, but I am worried that the muscles have 'shrunk' or something like that, and that I will never be able to loosen them again. Even flexing my leg, I can feel the muscles in my calves and ankle feel like they want to 'tear.' Also, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia some time ago as well, so I don't know if it's related to that? I really want to be active and go out to do things, but everything just hurts so bad, and so I spend a lot of time sitting/laying down. I know when the surgery comes around, I need to move a whole lot more, but I'm afraid it's going to hurt too much. I don't want to end up with a blood clot though because I didn't move a whole lot, so I guess what I'm asking is.. Any tips? Has anyone else experienced this muscle issue? Is it just normal for people my size that don't exercise a lot or is there maybe something else going on? Thanks for any answers!