Mariann812

Thank you for the Premier PB shake suggestion. I found it yesterday in Lowe’s Foods and I bought 3. My husband is going back today for more. It is the first Premier flavor I like. Thank you again.😊

Me too! 12 noon right now but subject to change. Best of luck to you!

Forgot to thank you for the recommendation about caramel Premier. I am going to find it tomorrow. Thank you so much!

Hi, Summer: I know how difficult it is! I work best under pressure so when I absolutely had to comply, I did. I ALWAYS procrastinate because as the deadline gets closer, the pressure builds. 🤷🏻‍♀️ You CAN do this!

This is what has worked for me: I look back on the past 10 years when I began to pack on the pounds with menopause and yo-yo dieting. 10 lbs a year for 10 years = 100 lbs. 😡 As I became increasingly frustrated with my weight loss attempts, I indulged in forbidden foods more and more. I am continuing to come to terms with food I won’t eat again by: (1) Reminding myself that I consumed more than my fair share of food during my 10 year food free for all; (2) Taking steps to return to my former perspective of controlling what I put in my mouth as THAT was always where I found my control; (3) Literally taking it one second at a time when I am feeling overwhelming like I MUST eat something; (4) Becoming adept at (3) makes me take pause and make mental note of my food triggers; (5) Remind myself that I can taste a fork/tiny spoonful/bite of pretty much anything in a few months, but I know me, and I think I won’t; (6) Sugar-free ice pops have been a godsend. The above-mentioned works for me. I think it helped me to assess and identify my weak spots and go from there. It will be different for everyone.

I’m going to try to tackle a couple different issues here. Two weeks ago I was nervous, anxious, scared, and snapping at everyone because surgery was 3 weeks away and I was seriously questioning the sanity of doing this. I cried, I yelled, I ate…then I calmed the heck down. 🤷🏻‍♀️ The most difficult, nearly impossible food item I have had to turn from is Coca Cola.  I did a very relaxed eating plan…couple of Protein Shakes, a salad starting 3 weeks before surgery. I knew that one week prior to surgery, I absolutely would follow my doctor’s pre - surgery plan to a T. I cheated once in awhile, but with surgery scheduled for June 8, I knew that on 5/31, I would be compliant. And, I was. I stayed on plan yesterday., I’ve been completely compliant today. 😊 I found, thanks to a recommendation here, that I love the Premier Peanut Butter chocolate shake. I have had a difficult time finding a shake I like because the pre-surgery selection for my surgeon was Premier or Bariatric Pal. Today I tried PB and chocolate and I’m good! FWIW, I’m doing every.little.thing I can to be nice to me in every category except putting food in my mouth. I went away with my daughter for the holiday weekend and relaxed and was nice to me. I took an entire day off from school today for my pre-anesthesia visit at the hospital, took a long nap this afternoon. Yesterday I was on a tele-visit for post-surgery care with an extremely well-informed nurse who also has undergone bariatric surgery. She was a wealth of information. This morning’s hospital visit really helped calm my nerves. We have amazing health care in Wake County, NC, and I am repeatedly impressed with the care that I have received. I feel much less stressed, and again very comfortable with my decision to pursue bariatric surgery because of those 2 surgeon-required pre-procedure appointments. I’ll continue to update as this moves forward. Thanks for reading. 😊 Starting Weight: 222 CW: 213 GW: 128 Height: 5’2” Age: 67 RNY, Hiatal hernia repair, gastric bypass, gallbladder removal 

Just finished pre-anesthesia testing. Blood was drawn, extensive confirmation of meds, instructions, etc. it all tended to put me at ease and begin to be excited about all of this again. Kudos to Wake Med in Cary, NC. I have been incredibly favorably impressed with every aspect of their approach and handling of my procedure.

I’m at the hospital waiting to start my pre-anesthesia stuff. My surgery is one week from today. I started full liquid eating plan yesterday. Want to know what I’m most freaked out about? (Of course you do 😂) getting a negative COVID test on Monday afternoon. 😳 I teach in a middle school, our cases have increased from zero about 2 months ago to a couple dozen now. I’ve gone back to wearing a mask. 😷 I’ve never stopped keeping everything in my room scrupulously clean…I’m always cleaning desks, chairs, door handles and washing my hands.

Hi, all: my surgery date is a week from tomorrow. Today starts my last week at school. I will be out of there 3 days before the ‘official’ end of school. Today starts my 5 shakes a day and 2 snacks. I’m looking forward to the discipline of that. I am most compliant with fewer choices as opposed to more. Wishing everyone best wishes on their upcoming surgeries. Today I have a tele-visit at 4pm to go over pre-procedure actions. Tomorrow I am out of school for pre-anesthesia testing. Wishing you all a great day! ❤️

Good luck to the 5/31 and 6/1 surgeries. I’m scheduled for 7:30 am surgery on 6/8. I’m off to the beach now with my daughter for a couple of days. DH will be staying home with her twin brother and the 🐶 dogs 🐶 for some golf and fishing. I need this time to chill, relax, and to continue to give myself pep talks about 6/8. I’m SO ready for this surgery, I am simultaneously nervous and eager. Again, best wishes to all! 🇺🇸☀️🌊🏖😎

Good luck to the 5/31 surgeries! I’m off to the beach with my daughter for some of the Memorial Day weekend. DH is staying home with the dogs and her twin brother to do some fishing and golf. My surgery is 6/8…5:30 am arrival to hospital and 7:30 surgery. Thinking of all of you who are on deck for this week! You ALL have got this! 🏖🇺🇸🌊☀️😎

Good luck to the 5/31 surgeries! I’m off to the beach for a few days with my daughter. 🇺🇸Memorial Day weekend.🇺🇸 DH and her twin brother will be staying home with the dogs and they plan on golf and fishing. My surgeon admonished me that I am NOT to get my stomach sunburned. When I saw him 2 weeks ago it was a little pink. 🤷🏻‍♀️ It will be a challenge to be at the end of Week 1 of my 2 week pre-surgery diet, but I welcome the challenge. Best wishes to the 5/31 first thing in the morning surgeries. I am scheduled for 5:30 am hospital arrival and 7:30 am surgery on 6/8. 🏖🌊☀️🇺🇸😎

Congratulations on the no-nausea. My surgery is 6/8, and my fingers are crossed and my mind is focused on no nausea. I hope it doesn’t hit! As a former runner, you will be fine beginning a workout program for the first time. I was not able to run with my last 2 pregnancies which were when I was in my mid 40s. Months later, when I was cleared to run again, I started out slowly, walking, and eventually running again. I was able to do that every time after having long and short breaks from a regular workout routine. Listen to your body, don’t overdue in the beginning, don’t take on too much too soon and you will be fine. You have already cleared the most huge hurdle-surgery. I started running 40 years ago when I was in my 20s. I had to stop a year ago when I just couldn’t do it because I couldn’t get enough air-turns out I have a massive hiatal hernia. I fully intend to get back to being some sort of runner…my surgeon says that he fully expects that I will. My cardiologist agrees. I’m 67. You got this! 🥰

A couple years ago I was having cosmetic surgery…an eyelid lift. My pre-op instructions were to start drinking Frog Fuel protein shots 2 weeks before surgery. I have to say, I healed so fast, it was unbelievable! I have absolutely no scarring and 3 days later the swelling was down, and I could go out in public without looking like I had been in a fight. I have pix, but honestly, immediately post-op, they are frightening. But, I’m going to order some and start taking it now.

That’s Chris McGowan. He’s in his own practice now, but used to be with the group I’m using. I screened with his practice but he does a ‘Gastroplasty’ not gastrectomy and insurance companies don’t cover it…yet. And, I think one can only expect tops a 50 lb weight loss with his procedure. That being said, he is regarded as a top surgeon, and my family practice doctor mentioned him to me. As I said, he’s highly regarded and his former practice has the best of the best surgeons. His advice is excellent. I remember watching this video about 5 months ago when first starting my research. Today I watched it and marveled at how calmly he speaks about the ‘stall’ and I had to wonder how many times he’s had to talk someone off the ledge when they have a stall after going through all this.

Oh my, Merill: I am one to weigh myself everyday as well. I will have to watch the video and break the habit.

Wake County, North Carolina Where are you?

I’m 6/8! Best wishes to you!

Thank you so much! That’s about what I was thinking…2-3 hours.

Hi, congratulations on your surgery! I have a question: I am having almost the same procedure but a RNY instead of a sleeve. How long were you in surgery? Thanks and continued best wishes for a quick recovery.

Hey there! Me too…RNY, hernia repair on June 8. Best wishes to you for a successful and uneventful experience. I start my 2 week in a couple of days too.

Wake County, NC Dr David Pilati

My surgery date is June 8. Have been told to be at the hospital at 5:30am, surgery scheduled for 7:30am. The practice I am using has 1-4 week plans. I’ve been told to follow the 2 week plan. The first week of it looks easy, but the week before surgery is shakes and water only…no matter what. My problem with that will be they only allow Bariatric Pal or Premier. I don’t really care for Premier, but I’m going to force myself to get used to them. Post-surgery any shake that meets the practice’s sugar and protein numbers is fine. I have a pre-procedure ZOOM call on 5/31, pre-anesthesia testing on 6/1 and a Bariatric Education post-op class and the date will be provided before I leave the hospital. There is something called Enhanced Recovery after Bariatric Surgery that is an important part of the practice’s protocol and everyone participates in that. I’m pasting a brief blurb about that below. That’s it for now. We have more kids suddenly testing positive for Covid in our school so I am back to wearing a mask. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I’ve been scrupulous about keeping desks, chairs, door handles wiped down since September. What is Enhanced Recovery after Bariatric Surgery (ERAS Bariatric) and why do we use it? Enhanced Recovery After Surgery is a care plan that helps speed up recovery after your surgery. ERAS Bariatric involves teamwork between your health care providers and YOU! Good luck to everyone getting ready and those of you recovering.

Congratulations on the surgery date! 🎉 I’m scheduled for June 8! I teach in a school and our Covid positives have been rising lately after months of not having any. I have no idea if masks are helpful, but I have started wearing one again as I see so many kids in a day. I’m having hernia repair, bypass and my gallbladder removed. Good luck to everyone.

I’m sorry they are giving you difficulty.. I was approved about 2 weeks ago and my surgery is 6/8. I hope you get your approval soon.