FifiLux

Luxembourg

I know everyone is different but has anyone been given an indication from their clinics as to how much it might be possible to lose in the first month? I am 260lbs (was 265 last week before I started my version of liquid diet) and at moment don't exercise unless you count walking round shops at a leisurely pace. I just find it hard here to get answers in English from my clinic that don't confuse me. In fairness they speak and write to me in English but sometimes it does not make actual sense and my French is terrible, unless it involves food. Like for example I have been told to bring my own bath towel and €1 coins for water machine, now I know I am not going on a 4* holiday but I did expect that the hospital would provide towels and water, for the limited amount I will be able to drink when there. I didn't want to seem desperate and ask the surgeon

I was told it was forever which I think upsets me more than possibly not being able to eat and drink everything I like. Ibuprofen is what gets me through my knee pain, I just have to hope I lose enough weight to reduce the knee pain.

Welcome @Faith23 You are the day before me, it is getting so close now isn't it? You will do great.

@michelebrown308@gmail.com That is how I felt the last few months and before I knew my surgery date I was on vacation in Vancouver & Seattle and basically ate everything I wanted from menus. I did add some pounds on but by being goodish once I got home I lost a few and now doing my version of the liquid pre-op diet I have lost the rest. I am having two shakes and one meal but the meal is not necessarily lean, like yesterday I met a friend for lunch and had a burger and some fries. I am trying not to look at it that I won't be able to eat the things again, just in smaller quantities and that has helped my mindset, so it is not losing something forever, I will (hopefully) enjoy the food again but in smaller more satisfying bites.

I have to bring an isotonic drink with me but then they also have it in the hospital if I don't (yes, confused.com) and I have to shave the day before, wash with a surgical soap the day before at home and bring it with me for the morning of op. Just in case I was in any doubt, as I did question it, it was highlighted for me in the guide I was given yesterday 😂 The guides packing list also says I have to bring my own towels, I mean I know I am not going on a 4* holiday but I didn't think I needed to pack my own towels. I had my gall bladder removed a number of years ago and none of this shaving or scrubbing malarky.

Hi @LibrarianErin I work for an American company and have some US based family and friends so I am well aware of the 4th July. I told my boos (American) that I was having my own freedom day on the 4th I had my pre-op consultation yesterday at the hospital with the anesthetist and floor nurse. Lots of questions for me, an EGC and blood test. I asked if there was anything to do in advance food and drink wise and they said no, just fasting from the night before when I arrive to the hospital. When I said I had given up alcohol three weeks ago they said that was a "good idea" and when I then said that as of the start of this week I had switched to decaf they asked me why I would do that, there was no need!! I explained I had read online a lot where it said not to have caffeine before or after surgery, the nurse laughed and said one of the things they give as a liquid after the op is a coffee. I didn't even tell them that I had started my own version of a liquid diet for the two weeks lead up. Protein shake for breakfast and one for lunch or dinner and then a meal for the other. I am trying to reduce my portion sizes and eat slower but it is really hard. I think that is what I worry about most, being able to slow down and be more mindful. I also love to drink - water, coffee, alcohol etc. - and not sure how I will cope with tiny sips. It is very hot here, in mid to high 80s which is too much for me and I am gulping back the water non-stop. What I didn't like to hear was that I have to shave from under my breasts to top of my things including pubic area. I am not sure I have seen there in years or can easily reach down there The pain of surgery might be one thing but the pain of regrowth elsewhere could be worse for longer, not looking forward to that.

I am the same. I lost of lot of weight 7 years ago and gave all clothes away or threw out then 5 years later I was buying the larger stuff all over again. That is partly why this time I am going the surgery route, for long term stability. I have a wardrobe full of stuff that I rarely wear and in all different sizes so I think I have enough things to keep me going the first few months of weight loss and then I can't wait to donate/sell/throw away and start to build a better wardrobe. I have made a list of a few things I will treat myself to such as a nice bracelet because currently I consider my wrists too fat to wear one, a nice designer belt because I hope to be able to wear a tucked in top that will show a waist instead of now all my floaty style tops. My dream one day would be able to fit my calves into a pair of boots but I am not sure that will ever be possible as didn't manage it before when I lost so much weight as they are sooooo fat that even the speciality ones don't fit.

Thanks for sharing. I haven't heard back yet from the clinic but I have decided to do similar; shake for breakfast and lunch and then a sensible evening meal.

Thanks @Midwest Grateful I contacted my clinic earlier to ask if I should be cutting anything out between now and op so waiting to hear back. I did intend myself to try and replace at least two of my three meals a day with liquids for the two weeks prior so I have plenty of fruit and veg to make juices and soups.

Hi all, New to the forum and have been feeling a bit overwhelmed at times with all the info I found on my google searches I get sleeve surgery on July 4th! I am equal parts excited for the new journey and scared for what is ahead. I have yo-yo'd for years and like other posters here I like to follow a food plan but do wish others would give it to me rather than the handout I got from the hospital with a sample of a one liquid soup recipe and a list of food groups. I do well with lists and instructions (yes, I am a bit of a control freak) so it is the unknown that freaks me out the most. I have tried to do some food prep but find it all a bit overwhelming. For who I have told, it has just been my Mum (though I presume she told me Dad ), my two sisters, my boss (to discuss time off work) and three friends. I don't want to say it at work in advance but figure I will have to say it when I get back to the office after a month off 'sick'. Also my new eating and drinking habits will be noticeable in a small office. The clinic here that I go to haven't given me any pre-op advice on cutting down on foods in advance so I decided as of June 1st to give up alcohol for the month in advance so it is not too much of shock post-op. I am not an alcoholic but I do love a glass of wine (or 2) in the evening or a cocktail (or 4) on an evening out and a lot of my social life revolves around drinking with colleagues & friends so I think going forward that may be hard. I am trying my best to make healthy choices for food in the run up to the op, but again as a control freak, I would have preferred that the clinic gave me strict instructions to follow in the lead up to surgery. I know my faults (when it comes to food ) are that a lot of the time I eat too quickly, without even noticing, and I eat too much and often don't know/realise I am full so I am really hoping I find the transition to slow and mindful eating goes smoothly. For me, my weight has caused considerable knee pain and starting to cause ankle pain but then it is a vicious circle as they are too sore to do much to help me loose weight. I am hoping the op will make it easier on my knees to walk comfortably and eventually take up exercise. I know I need a knee replacement but the ortho surgeon said my knees were too fat for him to be comfortable in carrying out a successful op so that is my longer goal, as well as weight loss and being health to have bionic knees