last week before surgery Mar 26

Ok, everyone that is here...last work week...trying to do Slim-fast shakes for breakfast/lunch to prepare for surgery and liquid diet post-op...getting off sugars and caffeine this week...eating chicken...no red meats...drinking water...and having sugar free stuff...to get used to the changes... Blessings, al

Congrats on the nearly here surgery! Follow your Docs plans on how to prep for the surgery but don't worry about going way overboard on how things will be after the surgery. You will probably have a huge change in what tastes good and what is not so hot. Don't stock up on lots of one product before the surgery either for the same reason, having a $50 supply of something you can't stand to eat or drink sitting there looking at you every day is not a fun thing. Congrats on your soon, new birth! Remember to Sip sip sip, walk walk walk!

Great! You're closing in on the big day. After surgery, make sure to drink all the water you can, walk as much as you feel you can, and get all the rest you can for sure. Getting off the sugar and caffine are the two big obstacles to get past. The rest will pretty much take care of themselves. Try not to overeat just because you still can. I think drinking the shakes are a good thing, keep in mind they may taste horrible to you after the surgery. Your tastes change alot after surgery. I wouldn't buy much before surgery, maybe some SF jello or pudding, some water, too. After surgery you'll want to try things one at a time. First to see if you're pouch can handle it, second to see if you can handle the taste. For me, the biggest hurdles were caffine and sugar. Before surgery, I consumed enough for three people, no kidding. I tried to kick them both at the last minute and it caused some problems, nothing I/you couldn't overcome. During the first few weeks it seems a little odd to fill up after only a tablespoonful or two of liquid/food. This doesn't last long at all. Every few days you will notice you can eat/drink a little more, a little faster. Before you know it you'll be on regular food and enjoying life. I look forward to reading your future posts on the Sunday Weekly Weigh-In. See you there. Here's to a speedy recovery on the 26th!!!! One other thing, when choosing protein shakes, try getting a trial pac****il you find the one that tastes good to you, then buy the humungo tub.  Ronnie

Al, This is a tough week.  Get all your ‘ducks in a row,’ and prep for one hell of a ride!

Have the Greatest next Monday and hurry on home. Best Wishes- Dx

Hi Al, Here's wishing you smooth sailing sailing next Monday and thereafter. You're already on a great trip, one that gets better and better. Keep us posted of progress.

This is the up hill clucmking of the roller coaster ride.  Day of surgery is the car getting to the top of the highest peak.  Waking up in recovery is the sarting of the exciting rest of the ride.  Feel free to throw your hands in the air and scream! This part makes the surgery easier for the surgeon, which means you will have an eaiser recovery the better you stick to the program.  Afterr the surgery yuo will be amazed, the liquid part isn't so bad except for the lack of variety, becuase you just won't be hungry.  And the variety thing doesn't get tto bad until the end of the 2nd week. Sounds like you are doing great.  Best wishes.  I'll look forward to your future posts; questions, comments, wild hospital, nursing, and recovery war stories, and your wild and furious weight loss. Joe 

Well seems will be bringing it Home a Day apart from one another.   I'm going to be Banded 3/27.  Your lucky my Doc wants me to do the Liquid Diet (optifast) for 2 weeks, 7 down, 7 to go!  It sure hasn't been easy.  The more I'm reading different Forums the more I've seen where most Doctors just require One week of Liquids Pre-Op.   I've stuck to this like Glue, and let me tell you there's times that I didn't think I was going to make it.  I have a few s/f Jello Puddings in my fridge that probably would of killed the urges I was having, but I wouldn't touch them of Fear of Messing  up.  I was really starting to enjoy the Chicken Broth until I noticed all the Friggin' Sodium in it.  So I stopped immediately with that.  But I guess on a Positive note, when I went to pick up my Optifast from my Doc's office I weighed 341lbs, today I weighed 328lbs.  But I've also been riding my Stationary Bike everyday for 20mins.  But I feel if I even Cheat a little bit, I will have Failed myself once again.

I wish you the best with your Surgery!  My thoughts and Prayers will be with you.  I got my Pre-Op Instruction call today from my Surgeon's Nurse this Morning, so I now feel the Real Excitement for the first time!

All The Best My Friend,
Rocko~~

oh boy, head hunger vs. regular hunger pains...which is worse??? al