one week pre-op and counting!!

Hi Anne, I am now 10 days post-op and am pretty happy with what I am able to eat at this stage. I am having shaved turkey breast with gravy which I mash up with a fork, about two thirds of a cup, also mashed potato, kumara, nearly any vegetable which can be overcooked and mashed is fine, pureed apple and custard any types of yoghurt, porridge, mashed avocado, scrambled egg with melted cheese. I am a caterer by profession so am eager mash up most things and give them a go. The only thing so far I didn't tolerate was watermelon whch I chewed up fine but wasn't happy to stay down so it came back up almost instantly. I think it is really important to get enough protein so that is what I concentrate on. I have lost 9kgs in the past 15 days so I am happy with my progress. I never feel hungry but do sense when it is time for a meal and make sure I eat even if I don't feel like it as I believe you need to get some nutrition in to stop muscle loss. Keep in touch with your progess. Cheers Jennifer

Hi Jennifre, wow I cant believe what you are eating. We are told not to eat anything that wont go up a straw. Thats for the 2 weeks post op so Im still slurping away on soups and smoothies. To be honest I am not that bothered. I am NEVER hungry, I am not in any pain and Im only 7 days post op and going back to work tomorrow. I am surprised that you are able to cope with potato as most "sleeves" that I have spoken to in NZ have not been able to have any carbohydrates. You tried rice? Pasta? For me , that is at least another 3 weeks away according to the surgeon here. I am still very very pleased with the op though. I have not had the gas problems that you have mentioned, in fcat I have not had any problems of any sort. I am just lovin this lack of hunger. Food basically is of no interest to me at all and thats a first. anne

Hi Jennifer, I am four weeks pre-op and feel the same as you, excited and nervous. I am 107kg and cannot wait to lose even 5kg, let alone 20kg. It all seems too good to be true, I still cannot get my head around the fact that this will work. After trying so many diets etc, as I am sure you all have, I still have that doubt in my mind, that it will work with me. Maybe I will be the statistic that it fails on?? I too would love any info from others. You wrote your post on Oct 5, so you have already had your surgery. I hope it went well, you will have to fill me in. Thanks Kannie

Hi Kannie, I am now 10 days post-op and 9 kgs down. Had a little problem with breathing after my op but that settled after an hour then the spasms in your tummy when taking your first sips are uncomfortable but you have to expect some changes these only last for a few days anyway and are not too bad. Pain after the op is minimal and you only need a few panadol if anything seems strange to have major surgery and not the pain but it is true. Apart from all that I am now eating 3 small meals a day scrambled egg, mashed potato, custard and apple, mashed shaved turkey breast and gravy and yoghurts are all regulars at this time. I am making sure I eat 3 times a day even though I could sometimes go without, hunger pains are almost non existent. I am trying to keep my protein intake up as I don't want to lose muscle tissue. About half to 1 cup at each mealtime is plenty. Anyway I hope we stay in touch, I am sure you will not be the first one this doesn't work for because I expected me to be that one but here I am 9kgs down. Good Luck Jennifer

Hi Jennifer, Thanks for your response, it is truly inspiring. Did you have the lap band done or was it the sleeve? I am booked for the lapband. It is amazing that you have lost so much in such a short time. Losing 9kgs will make me feel skinny, even when I will have another 30kg to go! I have my appoitment with the dietician in another week, so am looking forward to that. My Dr told me the dietician will put me on a strict diet for the two weeks prior to the op, did you have to do that also? Did you lose weight while on that diet? I have been on the phone with Medicare and my Health fund all arvo trying to work out exactly hat my out of pocket costs will be. I don't know why they don't just make it simple for us. Anyway, thankyou for your response, I will keep you informed along the way. Kannie

Hi Kannine, I am just one week post op and I am still in a state of disbelief like you are. After all the diets in the world that didnt work and now we have something that will work. It is so liberating to be able to get rid of the fat clothes. Normally we would keep them wouldnt , just in case, but now there is no "just in case". It has been such an easy uncomplicated procedure for me. No complications during surgery, no pain, no gas problems that some have talked about.I started at 101kgs and am now down just over 8kgs. Best of all, the measurements have dropped in that short time span. This is our ticket to slimness my friend so welcome aboard and keep in touch. anne

Hi Anne, I told my husband that I am going to burn all of my "fat" clothes, but I am still hesitant to do that just yet. My girlfriend just found out she is pregnant, so she said, "don't burn them, I will need them." I am amazed at the huge amount of weight you girls all lost in your first week or so. I am excited about that. :-o Whenever I feel nervous, I just get on this site and read how happy everyone is with their results, and I can only hope, I too am going to get the same results. I can't help having doubts, after all the diets that haven't worked, that this will work. I booked in for all of my pre-op tests today, so that will all happen next week. I just cannot wait for the surgery, and the next 3 1/2 weeks is going to go so slow! Keep me up to date with your progress please, I am very interested. Happy slimming! Kannie

Hi Kannie, I had the sleeve done, only because apparently with the lap band you need to keep going back for adjustments and I know two friends who had the band and have had difficulties eating certain things like steak, breads etc. I am sure you have read up on all of the changes you need to give up for the lap band and are prepared for them. I also liked the fact the sleeve took away the gherlin hormone which was in the part of the stomach which was removed. It was the hormone which sent signals to the brain to say you are hungry. That is a definite bonus with this procedure, I don't believe I have ever lived my life without focusing on food at some time every day. For the past few weeks I have not thought about it at all which is the most amazing feeling. Anyway Kannie it is your decision and I hope it all goes really well for you. Talk soon Jennifer

what is a gherlin hormone? sorry reading through the posts, I will get it all eventually

Hi Kannie, The gherlin hormone is situated in the left hand side of the stomach, the part they remove. It is a hormone producing gland which sends signals to the brain to tell you your hungry. I think with me it was a very active gland as my appetite seem to almost be insatiable and I could always eat. the strange thing about having it removed is you don't get that starving sensation anymore but when it is mealtime or if you walk past subway or something the smells still make you think mmmm that smells good and you think whether or not you want to eat it but you don't have that extreme desire to have it like you use to. So smells and aromas still have the same effect on you mentally but the need to eat it is gone. I now find I need to remind myself to eat at least 3 times a day to keep up my nutrition. I hope this info helps.Jennifer