I need some advice please............

Hi everyone

I need some suggestions ,some advice,some of something.. My surgery is not for another 2 months , well Im hoping end of Feb ,if not being of March.. I need to start cutting down on food , Can I start protein shakes now and if u have any good suggestions on a menu I would so appreciate any help... Im afraid Im going to get bigger and bigger and explode soon.. Im so depressed all this waiting. I know it is all going to work out but I wi**** was here already. I hate being so big I cant walk...Thanks for any help u can give me
Denise

Hello Denise,

I know exactly what you mean.  I had lap band surgery on 10/31/08.  However, before my surgery, I did get bigger and bigger.  I ate like it was the "last supper".   I had read on the message boards, etc. about all these different doctors putting their patients on special diets, etc. to get them ready for surgery, but, my doctor did not.  (I was kinda happy.  lol !)

Having said that, protein is great.  It stays in your system longer, thus, making you feel full longer.  Also, if you can lose some weight on your own THAT IS MAGNIFICENT  ~  you'll be healthier and you'll feel better.  Of course you can start protein shakes now, absolutely.  That is my humble opinion, of course.  As long as you can balance your eating and eat healthy. 

I, too, was so anxious.  I was devastated to hear from my insurance company that I would need to show proof of a supervised 6 month consecutive diet.  I was enraged !    I feel your pain, Denise.  

Do you journal your intake of food?  That might help you.  Set a realistic number of calories, even if it is a maintenance number, I mean to maintain your current weight.  Then you won't gain weight but you won't go crazy and binge.

When I was in your position and so depressed, waiting and waiting, the kind people on these message boards would tell me that the time would pass before I knew it and it really did !  Oh, I didn't want to hear it at THAT time, but, they were right !   

I'm so happy for you that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  I never thought I'd see the day ~ but I did !  Oh, I've got a long way to go but - thank God - I'm well on my way and you will be too.  You have already begun the process and that is half the battle.

From people I have talked to, their doctors put them on protein drinks for two weeks before surgery.  Every doctor is different, I guess.  Does your surgeon have a nutritionist on staff?  Maybe he/she can guide you to a specific diet that would be feasible for you.

I am always here if you ever want to talk.  I know you will be a great success !  You have the desire to help yourself and that speaks volumes.  Every day that you get up and try, yet once more, is a successful day.  It doesn't matter if you didn't meet your personal goal that day, you tried and that is where the victory is !  One day, everything will just "CLICK" and before you know it, you'll be out there buying a bikini !

God Bless you and the very best of luck to you,

Cindy

Oh Thank u so much Cindy...My doctor dont deal with a nut so I had to find my own and I did but she didnt know too much,so I joined OH and love it . I met so many nice people..When I have a ? i come on here and usually egt a answer ,then I have went to 1 meeting already and a,m going to another on 2/8. I actually found a good friend on here I talk to alot and she is such a big help... I am going to go with what u said and start some protein shakes and cut down cause thats what I have been doing eating like its my "last supper" but I cant move anymore,so I have to change my thinking . Your so nice and I will be talking to u more... I have a different ? for u,its about ur username, do u have Golden Retrievers, my licenses plate is MSGOLDY, I ahve 4 goldens and also my boyfriends business is called Goldys and his last name is Goldstein... I just was wondering why the name...
Thanks so much my friend and God Bless You
Good Luck but i think u will do great
Denise

Hello Denise,

What do you mean when you say, "My doctor don't deal with a nut"?   I hope you don't mean what I think you mean ! 

As far as my name "Goldiegirl 1".  My last name is Goldie and I have two daughters who are Goldiegirls nos. 2 and 3.  lol  !!

Although my husband would LOVE a golden retriever, I am sorry to say we do not have one.  I have two parrots and a tiny shiht zu dog.

Let me know how you are doing, o.k.?   Oh, and by the way, if you ever decide to get rid of your license plate, toss it my way !

You are very welcome and God Bless you too !

xo,

Cindy

I am sure we all here can say we have been where you are.
If I wasn't trying Weigh****chers now at almost 4 yrs out I wouldn't suggest it.. but I think it will work getting you into understanding portion controll and is and will be so important.
Protein Drinks are great but remember what you like today you most likely will not after you surgery..

Good Luck..
I am sure you won't explode.

Thank you girls....

As for WW i did that so many times but I just might try it again. It probably would have worked if I would listen to them...   With what I wrote about the nut,it ment nutrionist,sry.
After the surgery what happens to ur taste buds? I have been hearing that what u used to like you dont nomore, I would love to not like sweets nomore especially around my menstrual time... Well thanks for the answers..
God Bless You
Denise

Careful what you wish for.. for some people sweets are untollerable.. others like me nothing changed..
For some reason things just taste different to us.. can't explain why.. they just do.. maybe someone has that answer.
But WW is helping me so far.. I think.. stay focused.. I know we have all tried it in the past but it is doable I think so much more now for me than it ever was before the surgery.
Focus is such an important part of this journey so ..
Good luck..

Hi Denise,

If it's any consolation, we have been in your shoes.  Being so big that simple everyday tasks are so hard to do.  I'm almost 9 months out and feel GREAT.  For you, I hope you understand that there is a light at the end of this tunnel and your help is a surgery away!

In a later post you said your surgeon doesn't work with a NUT.  I find this very disturbing.  Every WLS patient needs to see a NUT.  Where are you located, perhaps I can refer some to you. 

Sure, get started on theprotein shakes.  Watch your carb and fat intake and up your proteins.  If you lose some weight before the surgery it will shrink your liver making the surgeons job easier.  Besides, it's better for you, also. 

If you can get in a short walk every day, that is a good start.  Perhaps adding a few minutes each week will build your endurance.

Wishing you luck,
Andrea

Hi Andrea,
  Thanks for the advice and I didnt know our liver shrinks when we lose weight... As for a nut, I had to see one so I could get my surgery and she was no help, she was very nice but didnt know anything about WLS,she just wrote me a letter of recommendition,and to follow the pyramid of foods. So I am learning everything from the site and I bought 3 different WLS books  and have been reading them.. So all the help I get from people I take and write down. CONGRATS on the weight loss,I really cant wait to feel it and see it. I am very depressed and feel so yucky....I live in South AMboy,which is Middlesex County..
Denise

Now wouldn't it be nice if you expressed these concerns to your real life OH friend that you talk to almost daily so we could talk about it? Huh?  LMAO   I have some protein samples for you and 2 books, and I meant to tell you last night when we were IM'ing you should start using Fitday.com, it will make it lots easier for when you're post-op.  Also go ahead and get in the habit of drinking lots of water, sipping on it throughout the day.  This will be important after your surgery.  Your taste does change alot, so don't get too attached to any of the proteins since the ones you like pre-op may not like you post-op.  I know it's freezing out but maybe we can do Wii Fit together at my house or play some of the more active Wii games, that Raving Rabbids one is hilarious.  On a side note, it's better to get that "last supper" thinking out of your system now rather than the night before surgery like some people do.  Quit being down on yourself or Ima come over there n smack you!  You're gonna do great!! TTYL  XOXO, Jen