wanna.b.healthy

Hi Everyone, I've been off the forum for a few days (hubby had surgery and I kept busy taking care of him) and boy can I tell I didn't have the encouragement. It's been hard because I was supposed to replacing two meals a day w/protein shakes & bars and then one healthy meal a day. Yesterday I went to the doc for a weigh-in and didn't lose any, which I probably deserve because after hubby's surgery I really fell off the wagon. After a bad weekend, I started again on Monday (aren't we always starting again?) and then saw the nurse practitioner on Tuesday. She kindly but sternly told me that if I can't manage to lose some weight, the surgery would most likely get cancelled. That sure opened my eyes. She started me today on a full liquid diet -- nothing but shakes until my surgery on the 29th! EEEKKKK! She tells me that after 4-5 days my body will stop calling for food and the extreme hunger will stop. So, that's my update. Has anyone else had to do an extended liquid diet like this? Has anyone else's doctor said they needed to lose weight BEFORE the surgery (my insurance does NOT require it -- the doctor does for "safety)? Has anyone else experienced the hunger going away after 4-5 day of only liquids? Hope to hear from you! Tell me about any successes so I know how you're doing! Debbie

Hey Friends, I've been AWOL from the forum the last few days as my hubby had some surgery and I have been busy playing nurse (which I'm NOT very good at -- God bless all you REAL nurses!) I've really missed the encouragement and support but I am glad to have time to get back to all my banded (pre or post) friends. Tomorrow I start the FULL-liquid diet. (800 cals per day! :biggrin:) The NP at my surgeon's office told me this: If I will do NOTHING but the Protein shakes for 3-4 days (not even protein bars or "free foods" -- nothing that requires chewing) that my body should do some kind of physiological adjustment and stop calling for food around then which will make the rest of the time till my Sept 29 surgery easier. Has anyone else out there had to do an extended (month or more) exclusively liquid diet and have you experienced anything similar to what the NP told me? AND Are there other diabetics who have had to do this extended liquid diet? I'm worried about low BS's because I tend to have them a lot anyway. They're having me cut my insulin by half starting tomorrow - Day 1. Anyone with input will be much appreciated! Thanks! Debbie

I have told a few people -- my husband and kids, my parents & brother, & BF. My big social network is my church and several people there have had GBP but I don't know of anyone else who has had the band. (Maybe they're not telling, either.) I don't want to be the token bander whom everyone will compare with the fast-losing GBP losers. I am very comfortable with my decision to go this way and to have a slower and steady loss but don't want every time I walk into church to be about my WLS. That's sure not why I go! Since I have a pretty long pre-op diet (6 weeks), I'll lose weight the old fashioned way even before my surgery so they'll just think I have FINALLY found the strength for life-style changes that I've tried to make all my life. Once it's "old news", I won't really care who knows because I'm sure there will be people out there whom I might encourage by sharing my story.

Hi - It's so silly to feel this way -- tomorrow I start my 6-week pre-op diet. Not the worst thing in the world, I know, but I'm sure acting like it is! It's not required by insurance but my doc wants to "de-fat" my liver so surgery will be safer. I need to do a modified meal replacement diet -- shakes and protein bars and then a 500 cal meal at night. I'm just overwhelmed at the thought of it because I am such a failure at dieting. Why will this time be any different? I am really motivated! I want to do it and just got back from Costco after buying all the right things to do it well. I get very determined and then it one weak second, I'll eat whatever before I even have time to think, pray, or get on the forum and ask for help. That's why I feel weepy; I want to do it well for myself, my fam, & God, but I feel this will be the hardest part of all. Please pray that I can somewhere, somehow find God's strength and help in those weak moments so I can go into the surgery with a safe weight loss, with an attitude that has changed from, "I'm a failure" to "I just did great!" and with a good testimony of God' ever present help in time of trouble! Thanks!

Thanks so much, Jess! You know, there's nothing more encouraging than Scripture. I sure appreciate you taking the time to post! Thanks & God Bless!

Hi - I've completed Day 3 of these pre-op diet and have been successful according to most criteria. It hasn't been perfect (I just had a handful of chili-lime almonds) which I struggle with -- if it's not EXACTLY right, it doesn't feel right at all. I'm having a hard time at the moment -- want to eat the wall, the dog, and my own arm -- which is why I'm keeping my hands busy typing. I'll go to bed soon. Tomorrow hubby has major surgery and I'll be sitting in a hospital all day. I'm a bit concerned about how to keep on track with all the idle sitting, vending opportunities, & stress while waiting. I'll need to pray my way through the day. Hope you're doing well. Let me know if you've had any great success lately so I can share your joy!

Hi Cheri - Thanks so much for your encouraging words. The good news is, I haven't felt weepy today after DAY 1 of the pre-op six week diet I have to do. I have defiinitely felt the prayer of fellow Christians as I breezed through the day. Right NOW is my hardest time. I want to eat something before bed and I will not make a healthy decision if I do. So, I guess the best defense would be just to go to bed. We don't keep food in there!

Hi swissnis - Well, I started my pre-op today. My surgery date is Sept. 29 and I will do a little over 3 weeks on protein shakes, protein bars, a small (500-600 cals) dinner meal and some free foods. Then, 14 days before the surgery, I'll go to optifast. My doc hopes I will "de-fat" my liver in these 5 weeks to make the surgery safe. It's HARD but so far I've made it. And as one of the posters told me yesterday, I don't have to make it all the way through to the surgery date -- I just have to make it successfully to my next meal. Good luck with your pre-op diet. How is it going so far?

I start mine tomorrow - but I need to do six weeks because (like the rest of me) my liver needs to be de-fatted before surgery. I'm not thrilled at having to do six weeks, but if I must, I must and I might as well get as much off as I can between now and my surgery on 9-29.

I really enjoyed reading the details of the meals and the "normal" food you ate, as well as what the others ate. It sounds like the weekend didn't have to revolve around your band and your diet. That's the point I want to get to. How nice to still have the occasion to enjoy a weekend with friend without coming home knowing you'd totally blown it. Good job! I wanna grow up to be like you when my band is in! :-)

Hi Everyone - It's after midnight -- that means it's the day that I start my pre-op six-week diet. I woke up this morning with a morbid sense of dread and after reading so much encouragement on the LBT forums, I am excited. You know what I realized a few minutes ago: My clothes are the tightest right now as they'll ever be again for the rest of my life! After I wake up in a ew hours, I'll have my Protein shake and then proceed through the rest of the day and then the next and the next and soon it will be time for my band. How exciting to realize that every day from here on out gets better. Thanks for helping turn this day that had a really cruddy start into a day that has me excited for morning. Every time my tummy growls, I'm going to visualize another ounce leaving! Blessings to all of you! Debbie

LeighaMason - Wow, that is such a great application. And you did make it home, didn't you? (on the motorcycle?) And your picture shows a THIN woman who has succeeded with this journey too. It's funny, my MIL wanted to drive by herself to FL (from MI) once and I was trying to talk her out of it. She said, "I'm not going to drive to FL - I'm just going to drive to the next town. That's no big deal. And then when I get there, I'll drive to the next town, and before I know it, I'll be in FL." I always loved that attitude but never once applied it to my weight loss. With your guidance, I will. SOOO, tomorrow, I only have to make it through the first hour and then, when I do, I'll go for the next hour. And, when I do, I'll think of being thankful to you for sharing. Blessings!

Awwwww, that's so true and so wise. TY!

Froggie - That was a lot of good info for us newbies -- thanks. I thought those "slider" foods would be good - haven't met with the nutrionist yet so need some educatin' I guess. Right -- the surgery is a tool and it's not smart to ignore a tool that would let you get such an important job done. Congrats on your successes -- everytime I look a a "ticker" like yours, I get excited for surgery coming up in 6 weeks! Bubbles - When you get that surgery date, let us know! And, if you find out any interesting info at your doc, please share it with me. I'm just a bit ahead of you in the process, but not much!

Hey Bob - Thanks and how nice to hear -- I hadn't heard of anyone yet who was on the diet for as long a I have to be. Well, I think maybe I'll do just what you said -- tell myself, "hey, in another few hours, I get a shake" (or a candy "-) bar." Your encouragement really helped and I WILL keep you informed.! Thanks again! I love meeting such helpful and kind people and congrats on your loss! It looks like you're doing GREAT!

HI!!! I just returned from costco where I bought stuff for my pre-op diet which will start tomorrow morning. I have to talk to the RN there first so she can take my blood sugars down and tell me how to adjust my insulin -- that's why i'm not starting today. I got shakes and Protein bars, fruits and veggies. Plan to do a shake for Breakfast and lunch; a Protein Bar after breakfast and after lunch and then do some kind of boxed meal - lean cuisine, weight watchers, etc -- for dinner with some fruit and or veggies. That should put me at less than 1000 cals a day. I also HAVE to start some exercise. I love my wii fit and it's just plan fun to exercise with that (even get some cardio goin on) but I just don't remember to do it; then get too busy to stop and do it. I'm going to have to discipline myself to do it the same as I take my meds everyday -- for my health. So, looking forward to getting lb. #1 off in the next day or two as I start my journey toward my banding on 9-29.

Hi - So excited to find a site with other Christians. I am just starting this journey. I got my surgery date (Sept. 29) last week and have SO many questions. It's already been a roller coaster -- excited and gung-ho one minute and the next minute in tears wondering how I will even succeed at these next 6 weeks while I'm trying to defat my liver before the surgery per docs orders. Obviously, I'm not a good dieter. I have just decided that the Lord is going to have to give me a strength I have NEVER had before when it comes to eating until I can get my band and get it filled. It's a new road for me -- never walked anywhere near this route before. I'm trying to keep my mind focused on the verse I posted below -- because I'm sure it's NOT possible for me alone.

Hi Winks - Thanks for post. I'm excited to hear how things go after your fill. I should get mine just about in time for all the holiday events so that will help me get through my first "food season" since it will be fresh! Well, I have to decide what low-calorie diet I'm going to do starting (ugh!) tomorrow plus 15 mins. (It's 11:45 on Saturday night!) I'll check into that medifast. Let me know how you feel after your fill!

hi sil - your pictures are amazing and it looks like we're about in the same boat. I'm starting at 318 with a BMI of 57. My goal weight is also 180. I can adjust it if I get close but I don't need to be a skinny mini -- just a healthy ME. You look SO much younger and I am sure you feel it, too! Thanks for the encouragement. I'll be around to let you know how it's going!

Hi - Thanks so much for your encouragement. It's so exciting to see that you only have 3 lbs. to go! You deserve all kinds of congratulations for doing so well. You know, I think, because of new friends like YOU, I CAN make it through the next six weeks and then my band and then my celebration. May not be tomorrow, but as long as it IS, it'll be good. Please let me know when those last three pounds come off so I can give you a big WOO-HOO!

:clap:YOU GO, GIRL! That is so exciting to me as I have a bunch to lose, as well. One to two lbs. a week doesn't sound like a lot when you compare it to GBP where they lose so much so fast, but you have proven that the same amt can be lost, just at a different (healthier?) rate. With every success like yours that I read, I get more excited to start. 40 days - can't wait! Kathy is a ROCK STAR!

BOY, I'm very impressed with the welcome, kindness, and good advice given already. I can see this forum is going to be a great tool to help me have success through the next 40 days until my banding and then as I'm able to let the real me out of this fat body. Thank you for taking the time to reply and to encourage me! It's a blessing!

Thanks for the thoughts! I do feel ready for a lifestyle change and feel that this tool is what I will need to make it happen this time. I'll be looking to my new forum friends for encouraging words and when I'm hungry in these 40 days until surgery, I'll type instead of eat -- how's that sound?

Hi - Man, sorry you've had such an experience. I also have a high BMI and my doc says I am a perfect candidate. I want to my first support meeting (pre-op) last and there was a guy who had lost 174 lbs in 18 months. He was very focused and strict on himself, but he proves you CAN lose more than 100 lbs. with the band. (He still had 25-45 lbs to go to reach his goal weight and said he's been pretty stable with his weight for 6 month -- not losing, not gaining. He says his doc is happy with his weight now so he may adjust his goal weight. He's not disappointed to not lose anymore since he has been stable for 6 months -- first time in his life that he hasn't started gaining again.) I sure plan to lose more than 100. I wonder if you have other docs in the area that ONLY do the band? That may be someone more willing to work with you.