Smanky

Super late, but someone else might be interested: Tofu rocks. Some awesome suggestions above, especially the Chinese ones because no-one does tofu better. If regular tofu texture doesn't do it for you, get some firm tofu, slice it up into 1/3 inch thick slices, lay it out on a baking tray, brush is with a marinade and bake it until it's shrunk in size. Totally different texture and great chopped up and tossed in a salad or on a sandwich. Seriously, you can give that a "bacon" flavour with a marinade of soy sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika and liquid smoke.

I'm on day 11. Protein shakes and 2 cups of certain vegetables per day. First two days were tricky for me, then my body just seemed to adjust and my energy levels spiked. It's been a lot easier than I was expecting - helped along no doubt by an undercurrent of nerves as D-day approaches.

The dry mouth/dehydration thing is definitely something I'm not looking forward to. Adding Biotene spray to my list of things to take along with lip balm. Hope the gas goes away quickly! My MGP surgeon did my Cholecystectomy and I didn't get any gas pain afterwards so I'm hoping like crazy that he can work that magic again.

It really helps to stay busy! When do you start your pre-op diet?

Totally normal to be freaking out. Just remember why you're doing this and keep your eye on the prize! It's new territory to those of us in pre-op, but the surgeons know what they're doing. Good luck! You'll be fine!

He not only doesn't care about your health, but he also has zero respect for your home and your boundaries. If that's how he treats you when you offer help, he's done this to himself. Not bring home junk food and not smoking in exchange for a roof is hardly a big ask. He made his choice.

*applauds wildly* Both transformations are ah-mazing and serious goals! I just need plague-related things here to settle down so the gyms can re-open, because as soon as post-op allows, I will be out of the gate like a dog at the beach.

Nice! My music taste is a mad whirl too. I tend to get something daft stuck in my head that makes me laugh and so I just roll with it. Nerves seem to have the effect of making me a little loopy, which is honestly preferable to panic. Self-preservation kicking in there!

Mine's in 8 days too, Leslie, and likewise, my nerves are starting to kick in. I'm also not afraid of the surgery, I think it's the life change after. A big life change and a big change being made to my body itself. It's no small thing! The food-addict bit of my brain is having a little last-gasp flail knowing things won't be the same ever again, but it's thankfully being drowned out by the rest of mind that's so very ready for this. I'm picking triumphant, upbeat songs on spotify and playing them on repeat. Along with keeping busy, it helps!

I hear you! Keeping busy is a need when the adrenaline kicks in. Good luck and godspeed! 💪

Oh I do love a list. -No longer needing to take Nexium. (fingers crossed on this one) -Fitting into vehicle seats without the crippling self-consciousness. -Sleeping better without the apnea and snoring. -No more sore feet and the hobbling it causes. -Getting fit and hitting the gym again. -Getting back down to an AU size 12 and being able to wear more sustainable clothes (NONE of the sustainable labels go above a 14 - and I'm keen to go thrift shopping) -Being able to buy clothes I want to wear, rather than just what fits. -Getting my chin back. It's pointy, and I miss it. -Food no longer consuming my life. -Getting my social life back. -Getting my libido back. -Being happy to have my photo taken. -No longer being a shut-in. AKA - rejoining the world and living again.

I got the vax the second it was available. Not just for my own sake being obese, but for everyone else. I have a 90+ year old mother, a 90+ year old aunt with diabetes, and my eldest brother has ulcerative colitis and prostate cancer. All three would not survive getting covid, like so many others out there with compromised immunity. Also wear a mask everywhere - I have quite the stylish collection now!

FutureSylph, I'm so sorry. I hope they can reschedule you somewhere else. That's what my surgeon did when the hospital I was initially going to had to cancel all non-emergency electives. Crossing my fingers for you. I'm on the 22nd. Ten days away. Starting to feel the anxiety knocking, so I'm distracting myself. It's not the surgery itself, I've had two surgeries so far in my life, so I'm not a "nervous flyer". Until now, my WLS has been a bit abstract, and as I head into the final week of pre-op, it's getting super real. Never done anything so life-altering as this, so I've got that "holy crap I'm really doing this" feeling, like I'm getting strapped into the roller-coaster and only just noticed how high it is.

Summerseeker, I hear you! I had a 12 month wait for my health cover because it's an already existing condition. It was long, frustrating and nudged my depression about, but once I had the surgeon/dietician appointments at the end of July, it got a lot easier. I just needed the "this is definitely happening" confirmation that a surgery date gives.

September 22nd for me, so we're not too far apart. Not long to go now, good luck!

Oh wow, It's interesting how different the pre-op diets are. You definitely get the hardcore points, alau82! But results - look at you go! 👏 Has it gotten easier? I don't have scales in the house so can't weigh myself at day 5, but I can feel a noticeable difference so something's shifted.

Hello forum, I'm a 50 year old Australian and proof that you can be both vegan AND morbidly obese 🙃. As I'm sure is a familiar refrain, I'm a life-long struggler with my weight. My last best effort to drop weight the analogue way (in 2019) was looking really successful - I'd gone from about 128kg down to 105kg and was SO CLOSE to two digits. I was loving fitness, and enjoying my new eating habits. Then the dreaded Panini hit us all in 2020, and the gym closed, and we locked down and I spent 2020 eating my feelings and regaining all the weight I'd lost. Again. Wit's end time, despair time, and so I decided to pursue my last hope. I did research on doctors and procedures, took out top hospital cover and dug in for the 12 month waiting period. Finally contacted my surgeon in August, and my surgery date is fast approaching. So it's almost chocks away. And I am champing at the bit for it. I cannot wait to get active and fit again.

Yep, there are a lot of options including some locally made ones, so I've got alternatives if I dislike one. A couple contain psyllium husk, but thankfully those seem in the minority. I Haven't seen those brands you like yet, but will keep an eye out. So far I've only tried one (Amazonia Raw Slim and Tone), and at five days in now I'm enjoying it. I've got Clean Vegan Protein to try next, and have unflavoured Prana ON Power Plant for adding to soups.

Wow, that is cabin fever madness. We miss the gym too, but can at least leave the house for our allocated exercise time. What you guys went through is rough.

It's honestly a doddle turning lots of vege dishes into decent pre-op eats. Soups are definitely our friend, and we have a hero veg in cauliflower on the list. I'm going to make cauliflower fried rice tomorrow (cauli rice, brocollini, mushrooms, scallions, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, a drop of sesame oil and maybe a little sriracha for heat). A delicious veg stew can be made out of onion, garlic, squash, spinach (stems and leaves), celery, sweet paprika, smokey paprika, ground coriander, cumin, ground chili, saffron (good pinch is essential), a good stock, crushed tomatoes. It's hearty and fills you up without feeling punitive. Thai salads is a great idea! Same with curry (tomato based). With all herbs and spices allowed, it's actually pretty easy. And only two weeks.

Oh my god, you were locked inside in summer? I know UK houses aren't made for hot weather, so that sounds hellish you poor buggers. We did ok in 2020 in AU, but this winter... yikes. I hear you on the unfit. And yep, we can definitely do this! 2 months isn't too long - home stretch!

Hi! I'm almost in the 9/20 club. My surgery date is 9/22. I'm also on day 4 of my pre-op diet, which is protein shakes and certain vegetables. I'm getting used to the shakes (the stevia aftertaste is still horrid though), and am hugely grateful for the vegetables allowed as I love cooking so this still lets me get creative in the kitchen. First day of the diet was a wobbly one, but it hasn't been too bad. MandyLou, I hope get approval soon.

Thanks for the welcome! My surgeon is Dr Joseph too; he previously did my cholecystectomy (oh gallstones... so fun) so I feel I'm in good hands. I'm four days into my pre-op diet given to me by his lovely dietician. Protein shakes and vegetables. The time is flying as I get closer. Combo of normal pre-op anxiety and "I have to get X done beforehand!" panic, I suspect.