Introductions all around...
I'm Amanda. I live in Charlotte. I've been overweight my entire life. And I'm scheduled to have the REY on March 7th!
I'm incredibly excited, but also very nervous. Mainly about getting through the liquid diet both before and after, finding pureed foods that I like, and most importantly dealing with the protein shakes without getting absolutely sick of them...
I'd love to get to know all of you and hear some of your stories, so hit me with 'em!
Can't wait to hear from everyone!
Thanks!
Amanda
The pre-op liquid diet was a killer. It's much easier post-op because you're not hungry. My suggestion is to buy various kinds of protein shakes and flavors and mix it up. I also bought lots of cream based soups and would add Unjury-brand plain protein, or chicken flavored to my soups as I got so sick of sweets. Now I can't stand the smell of the Unjury protein. Tastes and smells sure do change post-op.
Looking back on it, the 2 week liquid diet pre-op was one of the hardest things I'd ever accomplished in my life. I got rid of tons of stuff during that period from my pantry that were screaming at me to eat. I also really ramped up the exercise (walking) during that period to distract myself from food. I lost 15 pounds on the two week pre-op liquid diet, so there's a plus. Sugar free Popsicles were a great treat.
Happy to meet ya, good luck on your journey.
Hi Amanda,
Welcome the NC forum! I look forward to getting to know you as you make your way on what I think is one of the most incredible, life changing journeys you may ever embark upon.
I have a book that I wish I had when I was where you are in my own journey and I hope it might help you as you make your own way. It's called The Beck Diet Solution written by Dr. Judith Beck. It's not a diet at all, it's book that helps you look at the reasons you want to make the changes you are making, why you want to make them and gives you tools to help you make those changes. It's not written for any specific diet and/or someone deciding to use weight loss surgery, but it works for anyone who wants to lose weight and learn to 'think thin.' I consider it as necessary and effective a tool for me as my weight loss surgery has been. For me they work hand in hand. They helped me to know only maximize my weight loss opportunity, but have also supported me in maintaining my weight loss. This is really a program that is comprised of a book and workbook. If you decide to try it, you should really get both the book and the workbook, but if you are only going to get one, get the workbook. One of the great things that this book taught me to do is to focus on the reasons I wanted to make the changes I was making and do the things I needed to do to achieve the result I wanted.
You can read about my early journey by perusing my blog. My program doesn't use pureed foods, so I can't speak to that part of the journey for you. Each surgeon tends to tailor their program of reintroducing foods to what they think works best. While it is absolutely appropriate to ask questions, in the end you need to follow the program your own Dr uses. All of that said, there are some good resources for managing the protein shakes. One of my favorites belongs to another OH member named Shelly called 'TheWorldAccordingToEggface.' She has a number of great recipes that you can tailor for shakes and foods for all stages of weight loss and maintenance.
Regarding the liquid diet, one of the things that I personally found most challenging was that the protein shakes were all one kind or sweet or another. I really craved something savory; I think I craved savory event more than something to chew. To manage that craving, I tried broths but they were awful, so after a bit of thought it occurred to me that I could 'infuse' the broths with flavor and strain them. This allowed me to enjoy the flavors, but not risk problems by eating when I shouldn't. I used chicken broth infused with garlic, onion, carrot, celery, sage, etc... which tasted like chicken noodle soup. I also used chicken broth infused with green onion, garlic, ginger and a bit of soy which tasted like chinese egg drop soup. I sauteed onions until they were caramelized, added a bit of garlic, thyme and a touch of sherry and ended up with something like french onion soup. With each of these I strained them and just had the broth, but it was much more flavorful than plain chicken or beef broth. Sometimes I just froze the strained broth in ice cube trays and would heat up an cube or two at a time when I needed a savory break.
Again, I look forward to getting to know you and I wish you all the best,
Barbara
ObesityHelp Coach and Support Group Leader
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/bcumbo_group/
High-264, Current-148, Goal-145
Welcome to OH. I wish you the best in your WLS journey. :)
Barb is so awesome in her response! You will learn to appreciate her the next couple months. She gives her time and talents to all of us here and I hope she knows how much she is appreciated!
I am 2 yrs. out and 131 lbs. are gone. I know we all use the term "skinny" , and I am not skinny but I am at a good weight for me. I say this to clarify my mantra---NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS SKINNY FEELS!
Hopefully, and with good counseling, your eating disorder should be managed so that eating will become a way of fueling your body and not a way to cope.
It's a tough mountain to climb, but oh, the view from the top!!!!!!!!!!
Debbi
My name is Laura and I'm from the Pinehurst area.
I'm suffering from the flu right now--so this is short and sweet. This is also my first post (maybe second) on the state board here--Hope to get to know everyone soon....as soon as I can move my eyes without my head wanting to fall off.
Whether therefore ye eat or drink, do all to the glory of God.
My name is Sandra and I live in Charlotte/Matthews area. Monday will be my three years out, I had RNY in Mexico with Dr Joya. Yes the liquid diet is horrid, but as I was a severe diabetic, I was allowed protein and chicken etc. I had a few PCPs that pretended to be experts with WLS but really just pushed me off on PA's which I am not ok with.I actually still travel back to my Dr in CT once a year for a physical . I use CMC Urgent care in Matthews for anything else and they are good and some HOT Dr's..Just saying LOL
I have lost 100lbs since my WLS and about 190 from my highest weight. I no longer have High Cholesterol,High Sugar and have been able to have a knee replacemnt last year. I also still throw up, am a little leary of food as I never know when I will have a bad reaction. I am anemic, had my Gall bladder removed but that was on it's way out longer before RNY. I would do it over in a heart beat.
I can work my garden,clean my house,climb ladders,build things like raised beds and other woody things. I no longer need a seat belt extender when I fly or have to shop in special depts. Am I a model size two no (18) same size as High School. I went to my 30th Reunion and looked like all the other women. I was not the fattest ot thinest i just was. Sorry I ran on but the surgery changed my life by making me healthy not hot and healthy is better any day.
Sorry it has taken me so long to make my way back to the thread, but thanks to everyone for all the tips and encouragement and the intros!
Today marks day one of my liquid diet, and, honestly, I'm not too bad...my dietician has put me at 100g or less of carbs that can include raw veggies, creams soups, and even yogurt, so I've drawn up a daily battle plan that makes sure I'm getting a litte something every few hours. That plus the budgeted 110g of protein (I've chosen Isopure Zero ready to drink cut with a bit of powerade) in about 70-80ou of fluid, is so far keeping any severe hunger at bay...I'm just hoping the mild hunger doesn't compound on itself day by day...
But even it does, with surgery scheduled 2 weeks from today, I can at least see the light at the end of the tunnel...I can do it!! 
