Recidivist

I actually did the full Optifast program years ago, and I found it got easier the longer I was on it. I lost about 90 pounds, but gained it back afterwards almost as quickly as I had lost it.

Wow, that's pretty liberal. I have two weeks of liquid only, including broth but not strained soups.

That's good to hear! I'll remember that there is light at the end of the tunnel if the gas is out of control in the early days after surgery.

The gas issue may be the thing I'm dreading the most after surgery. I work in an open office with cubicles, so it will be hard to hide it. How often are people passing gas? Is there time to run to the toilet and do it there?

Welcome, Good Life. As you know from "stalking" the forum, many of our stories are very similar to yours. And one way or another, each of us reached a point when we said "enough!" and decided we no longer wanted to live that way. Congratulations to you for focusing on your health, which is really what this is about. It may seem like an eternity at this point, but you'll be on your way to a "good life" before you know it. Hang in there, and keep visiting this forum--it has helped me tremendously. I have had doubts at many points during my journey, and this forum always reassures me that I'm doing the right thing.

I'm on all liquids for two weeks before surgery as well!

It's exciting to see the February team starting on their pre-op liquids! I'm probably the last and will start on February 11. The nutritionist at my hospital said that we should avoid stocking up on protein drinks to have after surgery because your taste can change dramatically. She said that many people who liked the creamier drinks before surgery find them repulsive afterwards and prefer watery ones. Has anyone else been told that?

My surgery is four weeks away and I'm also still waiting for insurance approval. I would be devastated if they turn me down after all the work I've put into this. By the way, I'm turning 60 this year. I'll take sagging skin over a massive heart attack in the next ten years!

Thanks everyone for the explanations. This gives me a much better idea of what to expect. Sounds fun!

I have seen a number of comments here about gas pains after surgery, and I'm wondering exactly what that means. Is this the gas that was pumped into the abdomen during surgery? Is it released via good old-fashioned flatulence or some other way? (I'm having bypass on February 25.)

I'm probably the last, with a date of February 25--so I'll get to hear what all of you went through before it's my turn. I don't mind an afternoon surgery--it gives the surgeon time to warm up! 🙂

I will be flying to Australia six months after surgery (a 15-hour flight from the West Coast, not to mention six hours to get to LAX from the East Coast). I am wondering how people cope with particularly long plane flights post-surgery. I don't think I will want the airline meals, but I also don't think it will be possible to get protein shakes through security. Also, the air on planes is quite dry and it's easy to get dehydrated. I'd love to hear how others have handled long plane flights!

I'm certain that everyone here went into their surgery absolutely committed to following all of the dietary rules to the letter. And I'm equally certain that most people ended up cheating at one point or another. I'm having bypass in February 2019, and I'd like to hear from people who are a year or more post-surgery about how tempted you are to cheat, how often you do it, and how you get back on track when you do cheat.

Emz, my psych evaluation was basically like smedae described. He wanted to know why I was doing this, how much I knew about the support and lifestyle changes, what my support network was like, etc. It was a non-event.

Jyta, I know EXACTLY what you mean, because I've thought the same thing as well! This was one of the reasons I waited three years before finally taking the plunge. I'm having bypass on February 25, and the answers I've read here have reassured me as well. As some have said, my life before surgery has in many ways been all about food--always thinking about my next meal and what I would eat. Now it will be more about how much and when I need to eat. I can live with that if it means being a healthy and active!

I saw my surgeon today and got a surgery date--February 25. Woo-hoo!

Thanks, MMME. I've been looking at the food photos on another thread, and I see that Silly Kitty eats lots of meals on planes. It's very hard to know what it's going to be like on the other side, and sometimes I imagine it's going to be really difficult to find suitable things to eat outside of my own house.

Thanks, Elcee. I think that powder protein packets (and lots of water) are the way to go. Thanks for the reminder about the strict biosecurity rules. We went on a cruise from Sydney once and admitted we had stepped in "wild" water in New Caledonia and had a long secondary screening as a result.

Thanks, notmyname--great suggestions. I hadn't thought of powdered shakes, but that's such an obvious solution! Actually, it's not a trip--I'll be moving to Australia in August. 🙂

Thanks so much, anon--that's extremely helpful!

I'm not doing anything special until I go on the liquid diet two weeks before surgery (hopefully I get my date tomorrow!). The nutritionist provided a very complicated regimen that did include low-calorie/no sugar/no carb regular food, but it seemed like a bit too much work. I've decided to simply do protein shakes (Premium Protein) for those two weeks.

I agree. I think most of them are looking for a quick fix or a magic bullet but don't understand the lifetime commitment weight loss surgery entails.

Thanks, Silly Kitty and everyone else. I guess my fear is that my relationship with food is like an alcoholic--one cupcake and I would end up losing control. Perhaps I should go into this with the mindset that I may very will slip up from time to time, and not beat myself up when I do. I can always get back on track by keeping the ultimate goal in mind. I really appreciate your reassurance!

Thanks, Glitter Eyes. First, congratulations on maintaining your weight for so long! It's also good to hear that people do slip from time to time but can get right back on track. Sometimes it's difficult to imagine never being able to eat certain foods again!

Yes, that was my first meeting with her. I had the sense that she was making sure I had done my research and understood the difference between the two procedures--it wasn't an aggressive conversation. If she had in fact refused to do the bypass, I would have found another surgeon.