NeonRaven8919

2 hours ago, MrsFitz said:

Have you ever thought of making your own clothes? I’m just thinking it could be a win/win for you - get the clothes you actually want to wear (no cutesy puppies or kittens here either 😉) plus it would keep you busy and occupied so distracting you from food both short and long term.

Congrats on your losses so far. It’s immensely difficult when you’re putting yourself under pressure because of someone else’s expectations (your surgeon in this case) Just think about YOU, not him. You’re doing brilliantly and that’s all that matters 😊

I do knit my own jumpers but haven't learned about sewing yet. I inherited a sewing machine that I've been dying to learn how to use. This is a good idea!

I've been struggling to keep up with the diet so I thought I would try to focus on all the things that I hope to accomplish from the surgery so that I can remind myself what better times I have to come.

Not just big things like better health but also the smaller things that I think are just as important.

1st: Sleep! I want to lose enough weight to sleep well. I don't have sleep apnoea yet, but my doctor says I'm at risk because of my weight and even without the sleep apnoea, it's still really hard to get comfortable and lying on my back definitely affects my breathing and my spine.

2nd: Activity! I ride my bike everywhere and I enjoy it, but I would love to do other things without pain in my knees. I go to concerts a lot and usually need to stand because no one sits at rock concerts (unless it was like when I went to see the Scorpions last month when the average age of music fan was 56 so it was all seats). Standing for a long time hurts and then I can't enjoy the concert as much as I was hoping. Maybe be able to lose the ebike and get an "acoustic" bike.

3rd: Fashion! Being able to shop at cheaper stores. Plus size clothes comes with a plus size price tag. Years ago, (teenage years) I bought a t-shirt that was a size 16. They had the same t-shirt in the "plus size section" (also a size 16 and the exact same size) and it was £2 extra for the same amount of fabric. And as someone with a more alternative sense of fashion, not a lot of plus size clothes have skulls and flames and vampires and things like that. They tend to make plus size clothes with puppies and kitties and cutesy things. There's nothing cutesy about me.

Hello! I'm getting the Gastric Sleeve in October! I was only approved in May.

Why are men? In General.

But im Happy for you with the jeans!

You look great! Really good progress! I haven't had the surgery so no "after" yet, but I will be sure to post after pics!

On 8/7/2024 at 8:38 PM, Anastacia.Bari.and.Books said:

It can definitely feel intimidating. As someone who would categorize myself as a "gym girly" now I will tell you that not one person in that gym started where they are now. They all were beginners at one point, they all fumbled to figure out the equipment, they all made mistakes. Heck I still drop weights, forget how to move stuff, etc. Also, most of us are so focused on what we are doing that we aren't paying attention to those around us.

I will also say that most gym people love helping people. We love talking about fitness and sharing knowledge and I am sure many people at your gym would be happy to help you out.

A lot of gyms also now have the QR codes on the machines that show you how to use them and some gyms like crunch and planet fitness have preset workouts on the app that you can walk through.

My next BIG thing though is going to be about safety. Your diet pre-op sounds VERY calories restrictive and chances are you're not going to have a lot of excess energy for activity at that low of a calorie intake. So many sure you feel up to it. If you feel tried, lethargic, dizzy, have a headache, etc. I wouldn't do a workout. Your body is trying to just function at that stage and might not be up to the excess activity just yet.

I am really into post bariatric fitness and just got my certificate in nutrition health and wellness. Reach out anytime on IG @ anastacia_bari_life

Thank you for the advice!

19 hours ago, summerseeker said:

Well done for having the hutzpah to go alone. IMHO some gym's really have nasty people in them, If you have found a good one, well done. I used to ask when the quiet times were and found how to use the equipment just in case. I never like to make a fool of myself in public. Later on a few people would comment on how I had really progressed, in a good way. Small steps, big leaps.

As I have said before your surgeon is brutal. He really wants you to work for the surgery. You know when you are at your weakest and can plan for it next month. If you need a few cheats - Could you make sugar free squash ice lollies ? Use your milk in a low cal milk shake ? Add some Water noodles and chopped spring onion into your broth and add some 5 spice, it would be only 7 ish calories more ?

I've been okayed to have some Soups as long as they don't have big chunks and the milk is supposed to include skim milk powder. I have been adding a scoop of Protein Powder so that i'm more full a bit longer and helps with getting Protein in. It's not much extra calories. I have always ridden my bike everywhere to so because of the exercise, I'm still getting about 1200 calories

1 hour ago, ShoppGirl said:

Ketosis actually makes sense. I have been on low Carb for two weeks and now no carb. Plus I was burning carbs for sure because I have been doing WAY more physical activity than I have done in years trying to get things in order.

Finally, yes. I decided to trust my surgeon and I’m going with the SADI. He did ask if I wanted the bypasss if for some reason he gets in there and can’t do the SADI since he obviously can’t wake me up and ask. So I guess I won’t really know 100% until I wake up.

I can’t believe after all that mental anguish that i am finally less than 24 hours out. About this time tomorrow I should in recovery or in my room. I am finally mentally prepared for all of this. And I haven’t recorded it because I remember my scale is different than my doctors and I forgot to weigh myself at home when I started the preop diet but I’m pretty sure I have lost 14 or 15 pounds already. Let the Journey begin!!

I'm so happy for you! Good luck with everything!

8 minutes ago, SleeveToBypass2023 said:

Here in America, we have Medicaid, which is tax payer and government funded. They make you jump through a lot of hoops to get the surgery approved, but once it is, you still only have 2, or in rare cases, 3 weeks of pre-op dieting. I really feel for you. So they want you to lose 27 pounds in 3 months. That's 9 pounds per month or 2.25 pounds per week. That's actually VERY doable!!! And you still have plenty of time. I know you can do it. You got this!!!

I was born in America (Montana) and lived there for 14 years. I still have no idea how the system works over there!

My win is I haven't had Red Bull or either type of energy drink for a week and I don't even miss them! I'm sleeping better as a result. It was a vicious cycle, couldn't get enough sleep, needed large amounts of caffeine, couldn't get enough sleep!

15 hours ago, SleeveToBypass2023 said:

I can't get over the 12 week pre-op diet. That's so crazy to me!!! I mean, I started off at 421 pounds and didn't have to do that. As for the gym, that's just how it is. Nobody cares who is in there. When we go, we have our own things we're focused on. I know for me, I just hope nobody comes over to talk to me lol It's good that you're starting slowly. Moving your body is essential. And yes, you messed up, but as long as you see it, admit it, correct it, and don't repeat it, you should be fine. You still have plenty of time to hit your target weight. How much are you suppose to lose?

I'm supposed to get down to 111kg (244lbs) I started at 123KG (271lbs). I've currently lost 4kg (9lbs) since July 15th. My weight has been fluctuating between 118kg and 120 kg for about a week now.

I think the other thing about the 12 week diet is I am an NHS patient so it's taxpayer funded and it's a teaching hospital so they are more strict on guidelines before surgeries but also I think they are trying new techniques.

I was also asked is I wanted to take part in a trial about dental health on this new pre-op diet which requires everything from blood to a stool sample. I don't mind taking part except now the pretty Spanish periodontist knows I poop!

On 4/10/2024 at 10:20 AM, MelP1970 said:

Dear Community,

I am 5 days Post Operation (I live in Berlin, Germany) I believe the proper translation is the Gatsric Sleeve (75% Stomach is removed). Although things are going much better than expected post surgery more uncomfortable than pain, and I am not excessively hungry or thinking of food, I know what is to come will be a life changing situation. I feel very emotinal of the unknown and the worry about life quality with my family and friends where so much has been me as a provider of space where the love of food at gatherings brings people together and I enjoy cooking, trying new flavors and of course eating that is obvious! It has always been a part of my identity this side but this emotional element is not a fear of myself eating too little or not healthy or yummy enough because that will continue be a part of my cooking. But maybe there are a few out there who felt similar but found a great way to not lose the joy? the celebration? I would be very grateful for opinions thank you!

Hello! I love Berlin! I can't wait to go again! Nice to meet you! I'm still pre-surgery so I have a lot of the same worries about this that you do!

Thanks for posting this!

6 minutes ago, DevonHinsey said:

I'm new here, I have surgery 8/19. I'm on a liquid diet for TWO WEEKS prior to surgery... has anyone else done two weeks? Seems like one week is the usual... and even then it looks like actual food is present in one meal a day.

Interested to see if anyone else has this hardcore of pre-op instructions.

thanks!!

My doctor put me on 12 weeks! Not a typo. 12 weeks of Protein Shakes and broth. I have 10 weeks to go. The doctor will have their reasons for the diet so I guess it's just individual difference.

I had a really bad week last week nutritionally. I gained back about half the weight I lost in the last two weeks. I just didn't stick to the milk diet I'm supposed to be on.

My surgery date is 7th of October and the bariatric doctor gave a diet he thought would be easy to follow so I can quickly lose weight before surgery.

So Protein Shakes and chicken or beef broth and this is what I'm supposed to have for 12 weeks.

Last week, I was sick, I was on my period and a little depressed so I went for comfort food.

Starting to panic about trying to hit the weight target the doctor set for me, I thought I would try going to the gym.

I've not been to a gym in years and I have memories of PE class and school bullies screaming back to me.

But I went in. The staff member was great about showing me around, all the bulky gym buff types that I thought would be bullies because of every high school movie I ever saw didn't even look at me.

I think I just assumed that being a fat person I would laughed at judged, but I was no different than anyone else. I was just there to work out just like they were.

I was pleasantly surprised by the experience.

Some of the equipment is intimidating and I have no idea what it does, but starting slowly, I think going in at least twice a week for now is a good starting point.

On 8/3/2024 at 11:47 PM, BigBird58 said:

Yes that’s awsome I start my diet tomorrow to get the weight off that my Dr says I have to loose before surgery. This week has been an emotional roller coaster my uncle suddenly and I had to fly to Florida with my mom and sister and we have done nothing but eat out.

Oh I'm sorry to hear that!

On 7/30/2024 at 7:04 PM, FifiLux said:

Ok so almost 13 months post sleeve I am just 2.4kg / 5lb from my goal and have already passed the target weight set by my surgeon so I may revise my goal a bit, for a buffer, will see. Anyway here is a picture of me taken on holiday end March 2023 (4 months pre-op) which a friend sent me and a picture of me today in size 8 UK / 4 US (wide leg) jumpsuit.

Not brave enough (yet anyway) to share my face.

This is really great! Looking at our states, I think I'm the same height just a little bigger than you are. It's nice to see that you've been successful and your doing well, but it also nice to see where I could be in a year!

15 hours ago, BigBird58 said:

That’s great news I’m also having surgery on October 24.

Nice! An October surgery buddy!

2 hours ago, JennyBeez said:

Make sure you don't beat yourself up about it though. ❤️

Slips happen, and you know what to do going forward. You're heading in the right direction. Unless you literally hurt yourself eating it, it's not that big a deal.

That said, maybe take some time to check out other healthier delivery options for the future, for anytime you feel stuck. It's easy to make choices that we otherwise wouldn't when we're hungry, tired and sick and feel that pressure of "I need to get this ordered now", but if you had a few other options saved and ready to go, you might make choices that you'd regret less / be less disappointed in afterwards.

For me, I have a couple of local mexican restaurants that have some 'build your own salad / rice bowl' options with steamed brown rice, Beans, charred corn, and several different 'clean' Proteins that aren't covered in sugary sauces. There's a number of greek restaurants that have done me dirty with the amount of oil they use in everything, but there's one that has options with little to no oil.

When you're feeling better, maybe see if you can find a comfort food that would freeze and heat up well -- or even a couple of store-bough frozen dinners if you can find some that suit you nutritionally. I don't know what the selection is like in the UK, but in Canada I've seen some decent low carb/sugar options from Healthy Choice, Green Giant and even Lean Cuisine.

That's a great idea. I live in a big city so there's loads to choose from, I just always stick with the comfort food. I hadn't thought of rice/salad bowls. There's loads of places like that around here.

This week has been disappointing. I didn't lose any weight despite not doing anything different.

I got a dreaded summer cold, so I wasn't motivated to cook. So I ordered pizza last night.. I'm really disappointed in myself, because there's a million better options. But what's done is done. So I'm back on the diet today. I'm still sick, but I can't use that as an excuse. And at least when I don't lose weight and gain, tomorrow, I'll know why.

I've also joined a gym and I've got the induction on Saturday. I used to go to the gym pre-pandemic and just wasn't able (or maybe willing) to get back into the swing of things once they reopened. I do miss the Water aerobics class I used to do. The new gym doesn't have a pool and I can't afford a gym with a pool.

So up and down

20 minutes ago, ShoppGirl said:

I honestly don’t think them smart scales are super accurate. I’ve seen a few people on here say they got DEXA scans and that their scale was not the same. That being said. They do warn that we will lose muscle and that’s why it’s important to start with some strength building as soon as we are cleared to do so. About the stall, some people do actually gain a little. Usually it’s followed by a quick drop of that gain- plus some. I think it’s your body trying to hang onto every single calorie it gets because it thinks it’s starving. Sorta has to recalibrate for a short time and then you should be back on the downward trend. If my google search is correct 1kg is only 2.2 pounds. Honestly you could see that fluctuation any day. Doesn’t even have to be a stall. Could be your body retaining Water or your bowels are full or you weighed at a differnt time of day. Virtually anything can cause that. That’s why they say it’s best to not weigh daily. I know it’s hard not to and I’m guilty of it too but we really do just cause ourselves unnecessary stress by doing it. When I had my sleeve my daily loss fluctuated several times by a couple of pounds. Even 3 or 4 a couple times because I weighed daily. But I did only record my weight once a week and that made it way easier to see the overall downward trend.

I did stand on the scale at my usual time of day, but i think you are right about the bowels. And I'm on period, so I think there is some Water retention. I read another comment about the scale becoming a new addiction. I think this could happen for a lot of people. Ultimately, I did manage to lose 11lbs (5kg) in two weeks so I'm still happy

54 minutes ago, MrsFitz said:

It could be that your body is having a bit of a panic thinking it’s in starvation mode and therefore is holding on to everything it can! It becomes a battle of wills to see who will back down first - you or your body. Just keep doing what you’re doing and try to keep off the scales if you can (easier said than done at times)

You are doing brilliantly 👍

Thanks! I think I just had a panic then I realised I'm also on my cycle so some of that is Water retention. I'm just going to take a longer route to and from work today to keep things up!

On Sunday morning, I was 118kg. Monday I was 118.8 and now I'm 119kg again! I'm still sticking with the diet! I don't understand it! My scale is a smart scale with body composition and says I'm losing muscle, but not fat! I'm getting more than enough Protein? I've heard of stalls, but you shouldn't gain during a stall, right?

I feel really bad that I was approved in May of 2024, and I'm getting the op in October of 2024! The doctor told me it most likely wouldn't be this year! Also NHS.

I'm glad I got approved and pushed through so quickly, but I do agree this is deeply unfair.

It's also really inconsiderate that they would just skip you because you can't answer the phone in the 30seconds they have before they hang up. Not everyone lives on their phones!

I really hope you get a date scheduled soon!

@BlondePatriotInCDA Thank you. I'm already done 11lbs in two weeks so I'm at least seeing progress so it's not as disheartening as I though it would be.

7 hours ago, PieceOwt said:

Since I know I am going to have track my food, weight & supplements etc. very closely, I wanted to combine this with my love of journaling so it wont be such a pain (hopefully!)

Does anyone use journals for tracking post surgery? looking for ideas on page layout, what's necessary to include, cute stickers etc.

I figure the more fun I make this, the more likely I will actually keep at it and do it properly 🤞😉

Cute stickers are ALWAYS necessary. For everything!

But this is such a great idea! I've been tracking food since I got approved for surgery, but I never thought of journaling.