Surgery date! And a question
Hey everyone! I finally got the call from the surgeon's office. My laparascopic RNY is scheduled for October 22. :D
Since this morning after I got off the phone, I've been wondering how to transition from here until there; I want to make sure I am prepared to the best of my abilities, but I also have a lot of favorite foods I'd like to indulge in without the worry of post-op complications.
So I'm wondering what you all thought about when you received your dates (or what you might think when you receive yours). Before surgery, did you go -ahem- hog wild for the last time, or did you take the opportunity to condition yourself for this journey from the moment you marked the calendar? :) Just curious!
"If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?"
Congrats on your surgery date... thats my birthday and your re-birthday lol. When I found out when my surgery date was I didn't have a lot of time to go "hog wild" I did enjoy a few favorite last meals so to speak, but I have also enjoyed them post op but in MUCH SMALLER portions. I tried to get my self as prepaired for my new lifestyle as possible: by working out, not drinking with meals, eating smaller portions, eating slower and chewing my food 20-30 times ect... just so that I wouldn't really have to think about these things after surgery, they would just come naturally. Hope that helps and good luck, keep us updated on how your doing its always good to hear how everyone is.
I still have alittle over a month before my date so my mood changes day to day. I try to include healther food choices and try out the whole protein first thing.. then other days ..like today.. I blow it and eat something I know is bad but use the excuse of "after next month I can't really eat this so I better do it now." One thing I am trying to include is walking every day at least 30 mins. If I go to the gym and actually work out more then this then awesome. But I don't beat myself up if I miss the gym cause of work. But that is just me. I know lots of people post that they try to work out and eat right to prepare for the big changes coming so it isnt such a shock.
I want to say first of all- congrats on having a date!
Secondly, I completely understand wanting to just eat what you can, because you still can. I myself struggled SO MUCh with this for awhile, and even while pursuing surgery I gained 8 pounds after my initial consult with my surgeon. I just kept eating horrible foods because "This is the last time I can have this..." but then when I'd get in the crap food phase I'd just keep eating bad foods because the worse I ate the more I desired to eat junk foods. I feel your pain and know where you are coming from.
However, I STRONGLY exhort you to try as much as possible to practice abstaining from the "bad" foods. For one, you really are setting yourself up for a lot of struggle and desire to cheat when you are on your liquid pre-op diet. Secondly, if you treat now as an "eat what I can while I can!" time, then post-op, you are more likely to continue looking for ways to bend the rules, or to slip back into unhealthy eating when you can. Also, what if you don't end up being a dumper? What if you can eat ice cream (or the like) only a few weeks out? I totally get wanting to have a slice of pizza because who knows when you can ever have it again, but, really, is it worth it? I mean, a slice of pizza satisfies you while it's in your mouth. But, if you're like me, it leaves you wanting more, wishing you could have what you shouldn't.
I've found that the healthier I eat, the less I desire the junk foods, and when I do have something (like when we ate fast food awhile back, at a restaurant I had been lusting after) I actually felt kind of crappy afterward. I could feel the way it sapped my energy, and gave me the runs, and just generally made me feel crappy. I still have a LONG way to go to bona fide health, but I'm starting to understand why it's so good to eat well.
I don't mean to try and sound like I have it all figured out, because I've worshiped food as my god for a LONG time and I still find myself doing stupid things (like getting up to pee, and then just standing in front of the open refrigerator, staring, and wondering, "How did I get here? When did I CHOOSE to look for something to eat?" and not even realizing how much I'd just let my desire for food rule me without thought) but slowly I'm learning and growing, and learning to rely on the Holy Spirit to help me desire Jesus and not food. I'm not here to chastise you or make you feel bad- I want to support you and remind you why you are doing this!!
I have read this on here time and time again, and I believe it-- no one who has lost hundreds of pounds looks back and says, "Man, I'm so glad that pre-op I stuffed my face with junk." Most people look back and feel foolish that they gave food such a high position in their priorities.
Again, food satisfies you momentarily. Being healthy will change your entire life. You won't regret not eating like crazy pre-surgery; you're most likely to regret not getting on top of your health sooner.
I hope this inspires you to be wise over these next two months! And remember that every time you eat healthy you help your body get stronger and shrink your liver and increase your chances of a safer surgery and quicker recovery! Your health starts NOW, not the day your doc cuts you open!
Secondly, I completely understand wanting to just eat what you can, because you still can. I myself struggled SO MUCh with this for awhile, and even while pursuing surgery I gained 8 pounds after my initial consult with my surgeon. I just kept eating horrible foods because "This is the last time I can have this..." but then when I'd get in the crap food phase I'd just keep eating bad foods because the worse I ate the more I desired to eat junk foods. I feel your pain and know where you are coming from.
However, I STRONGLY exhort you to try as much as possible to practice abstaining from the "bad" foods. For one, you really are setting yourself up for a lot of struggle and desire to cheat when you are on your liquid pre-op diet. Secondly, if you treat now as an "eat what I can while I can!" time, then post-op, you are more likely to continue looking for ways to bend the rules, or to slip back into unhealthy eating when you can. Also, what if you don't end up being a dumper? What if you can eat ice cream (or the like) only a few weeks out? I totally get wanting to have a slice of pizza because who knows when you can ever have it again, but, really, is it worth it? I mean, a slice of pizza satisfies you while it's in your mouth. But, if you're like me, it leaves you wanting more, wishing you could have what you shouldn't.
I've found that the healthier I eat, the less I desire the junk foods, and when I do have something (like when we ate fast food awhile back, at a restaurant I had been lusting after) I actually felt kind of crappy afterward. I could feel the way it sapped my energy, and gave me the runs, and just generally made me feel crappy. I still have a LONG way to go to bona fide health, but I'm starting to understand why it's so good to eat well.
I don't mean to try and sound like I have it all figured out, because I've worshiped food as my god for a LONG time and I still find myself doing stupid things (like getting up to pee, and then just standing in front of the open refrigerator, staring, and wondering, "How did I get here? When did I CHOOSE to look for something to eat?" and not even realizing how much I'd just let my desire for food rule me without thought) but slowly I'm learning and growing, and learning to rely on the Holy Spirit to help me desire Jesus and not food. I'm not here to chastise you or make you feel bad- I want to support you and remind you why you are doing this!!
I have read this on here time and time again, and I believe it-- no one who has lost hundreds of pounds looks back and says, "Man, I'm so glad that pre-op I stuffed my face with junk." Most people look back and feel foolish that they gave food such a high position in their priorities.
Again, food satisfies you momentarily. Being healthy will change your entire life. You won't regret not eating like crazy pre-surgery; you're most likely to regret not getting on top of your health sooner.
I hope this inspires you to be wise over these next two months! And remember that every time you eat healthy you help your body get stronger and shrink your liver and increase your chances of a safer surgery and quicker recovery! Your health starts NOW, not the day your doc cuts you open!
I should clarify- I'm not saying you can never have your favorite foods again, but a trend I've seen from very successful people on the boards is to stick to the plan carefully and then, once they were a ways out, to enjoy their fave foods in moderation. I've read from a few people that just a couple of bites of a favorite food is enough to satisfy them.
With that, I'm not saying don't eat anything that is not ok later, but try to keep it in check- a small treat, but not going hog wild. Again, if the goal is lifestyle change it doesn't make much sense to just keep eating as much as you can simply because you can!
Hope that helps and doesn't sound all crazy Nazi with the rules :)
With that, I'm not saying don't eat anything that is not ok later, but try to keep it in check- a small treat, but not going hog wild. Again, if the goal is lifestyle change it doesn't make much sense to just keep eating as much as you can simply because you can!
Hope that helps and doesn't sound all crazy Nazi with the rules :)
Congrats on the Date!!!!!!
I had about six weeks between (finally) getting my surgery date and my surgery. I had to go on a two-week pre-op diet before surgery.
For the most part, I have been a health conscious eater sice 2004. Nothing too crappy went in my grocery cart. But those four weeks after I got my date, I just didn't care. I didn't go too overboard, but dammit, if I wanted pizza and ice cream, I bought pizza and ice cream. I made sure during that period that I got to go out to eat and have a few of my favorite (and very unhealthy) things.
I think what helped me prepare for surgery is the fact that it took me 14 months to get approved, so I had been mentally prepared for a looooong time. I knew that I was going to make a lifestyle change, and I knew that there were some foods that I wouldn't be able to truly enjoy again. I therefore enjoyed a few "last meals".
Funny thing is, I didn't gain a pound between my approval and my surgery date. Didn't lose anything on my pre-op diet, even though I was very, very good.
I still eat things like pizza (a slice or two fills me beyond belief), and I still eat ice cream (no sugar added). Going your entire life without a food you love is just not an attainable goal. Luckily, you can find tons of WLS friendly recipes and such. And you will find that "crap foods" are more unappealing than ever.
That being said, the healthier you are before surgery, the more successful recovery you will have. Make sure to exercise (I haven't changed my pre-op routine, and I've lost over 100lbs). And above all, listen to your surgeon's advice. They know what they're talking about.
Don't worry. Things will be fine. Enjoy your last days with a regular digestive system. And get ready for your new one, because your life will change, and it takes a while to figure out how to make your pouch happy!
Good Luck to you!!!!!
I had about six weeks between (finally) getting my surgery date and my surgery. I had to go on a two-week pre-op diet before surgery.
For the most part, I have been a health conscious eater sice 2004. Nothing too crappy went in my grocery cart. But those four weeks after I got my date, I just didn't care. I didn't go too overboard, but dammit, if I wanted pizza and ice cream, I bought pizza and ice cream. I made sure during that period that I got to go out to eat and have a few of my favorite (and very unhealthy) things.
I think what helped me prepare for surgery is the fact that it took me 14 months to get approved, so I had been mentally prepared for a looooong time. I knew that I was going to make a lifestyle change, and I knew that there were some foods that I wouldn't be able to truly enjoy again. I therefore enjoyed a few "last meals".
Funny thing is, I didn't gain a pound between my approval and my surgery date. Didn't lose anything on my pre-op diet, even though I was very, very good.
I still eat things like pizza (a slice or two fills me beyond belief), and I still eat ice cream (no sugar added). Going your entire life without a food you love is just not an attainable goal. Luckily, you can find tons of WLS friendly recipes and such. And you will find that "crap foods" are more unappealing than ever.
That being said, the healthier you are before surgery, the more successful recovery you will have. Make sure to exercise (I haven't changed my pre-op routine, and I've lost over 100lbs). And above all, listen to your surgeon's advice. They know what they're talking about.
Don't worry. Things will be fine. Enjoy your last days with a regular digestive system. And get ready for your new one, because your life will change, and it takes a while to figure out how to make your pouch happy!
Good Luck to you!!!!!
congrats jessica!! that's great ur date will be here befor u know it!! yay!
I would like to tell u that as soon as i knew about my date i started excercising and eating the rigth things, but ofcorse i didn't i was like omg i never gonna eat what i like again! (which is soo no true, and i would rather that it was lol).
talk to ur dr to know what their indications are, every dr. is diferent and maybe they want u to be on a diet several weeks prior ur surgery. most dr only want u to be on a liquid diet or low carb diet during 2 weeks. before ur date, but that might change so make sure u know what is their program.
about ur food cravings before surgery i would say its ok to have "the last meal" just make sure u don´t over do it". SURGERY WILL NOT TAKE FOOD AWAY FROM U. i want u to understand that, we have to learn to live with food, cuz we need it to survive (damn lol). unfortunadly is not like drug adicts that can stay away from drugs and be ok, we have to live with the "drug" in our lifes. and that really sucks, but now u can identify the foods that makes u want more food! like i know if i do carbs or sweets man!!! i can't control myself so i try to stay away from those.(i use to hate sweets but now i just love them altho it makes me sick sometimes lol) but now i can have a chooise, and that's what this wonderful tools gives u and teach you. "selfcontrol" i'm not saying is magic, there will be lots of mental hungry and mess around ,but it helps, you'll have the honey moon period to try and learn to control this....
so don't worry much about ur cravins before surgery maybe u won´t want them anymore after surgery or it won't even taste the same for a long time. for example i use to love the the burguer king wooper, the taste, oh god, i can remeber it excacly but now when i have it i don't enjoy it as much as i use to so i don´t have it anymore and i'm ok with that!. also sushi was like no very enjoyable for me anymore till around 7 months out when i started to "LOVE" it again.
you will find that you will enjoy diferent kinda food, now love tuna, my protein shakes and stuff that u won´t even imagine you could like before now i'm adicted to cottage cheese and that kinda stuff , is funy how ur life changes after. i'm not saying i don´t like the "bad food" i love it and my pouch can handle it pretty well. but i'm able to make better chooises now
you'll be able to be more in control ofyourself, and please i know its sounds silly. but enjoy every minute, when u feel sick when the food is stuck and u wish u didn´t have the surgery!!!! that time will never come back, and trusth me i want them back so bad! it is truly a "honey moon" enjoy it!!!!!!!!!!. enjoy every tear and every woow moment , and there its gonna be lots of them!!!!
and star taking lots of pictures!!! it will help u to keep going...
woow i think i wrote a lot!!! sorry lol.
good luck and keep me posted
hugs!!!!!!
ps. sorry about my grammar but english is not my 1th language and after all that ideas in my mind i'm sure i messed up lots of times lol.
I would like to tell u that as soon as i knew about my date i started excercising and eating the rigth things, but ofcorse i didn't i was like omg i never gonna eat what i like again! (which is soo no true, and i would rather that it was lol).
talk to ur dr to know what their indications are, every dr. is diferent and maybe they want u to be on a diet several weeks prior ur surgery. most dr only want u to be on a liquid diet or low carb diet during 2 weeks. before ur date, but that might change so make sure u know what is their program.
about ur food cravings before surgery i would say its ok to have "the last meal" just make sure u don´t over do it". SURGERY WILL NOT TAKE FOOD AWAY FROM U. i want u to understand that, we have to learn to live with food, cuz we need it to survive (damn lol). unfortunadly is not like drug adicts that can stay away from drugs and be ok, we have to live with the "drug" in our lifes. and that really sucks, but now u can identify the foods that makes u want more food! like i know if i do carbs or sweets man!!! i can't control myself so i try to stay away from those.(i use to hate sweets but now i just love them altho it makes me sick sometimes lol) but now i can have a chooise, and that's what this wonderful tools gives u and teach you. "selfcontrol" i'm not saying is magic, there will be lots of mental hungry and mess around ,but it helps, you'll have the honey moon period to try and learn to control this....
so don't worry much about ur cravins before surgery maybe u won´t want them anymore after surgery or it won't even taste the same for a long time. for example i use to love the the burguer king wooper, the taste, oh god, i can remeber it excacly but now when i have it i don't enjoy it as much as i use to so i don´t have it anymore and i'm ok with that!. also sushi was like no very enjoyable for me anymore till around 7 months out when i started to "LOVE" it again.
you will find that you will enjoy diferent kinda food, now love tuna, my protein shakes and stuff that u won´t even imagine you could like before now i'm adicted to cottage cheese and that kinda stuff , is funy how ur life changes after. i'm not saying i don´t like the "bad food" i love it and my pouch can handle it pretty well. but i'm able to make better chooises now
you'll be able to be more in control ofyourself, and please i know its sounds silly. but enjoy every minute, when u feel sick when the food is stuck and u wish u didn´t have the surgery!!!! that time will never come back, and trusth me i want them back so bad! it is truly a "honey moon" enjoy it!!!!!!!!!!. enjoy every tear and every woow moment , and there its gonna be lots of them!!!!
and star taking lots of pictures!!! it will help u to keep going...
woow i think i wrote a lot!!! sorry lol.
good luck and keep me posted
hugs!!!!!!
ps. sorry about my grammar but english is not my 1th language and after all that ideas in my mind i'm sure i messed up lots of times lol.
Thank you, everyone--so much!!
I'm very grateful for all of the support here and inspired by every bit of hard work I read about.
After reading your responses, I have decided to lock in to a healthier routine so that I don't have to 'deal with myself' after surgery. You're right: I want to bounce right back into things and enjoy what WLS can help me achieve, as well as learn from what I fall short of.
I'll be browsing around for some exercising and recipe tips at OH for sure! My Wii Fit board is getting dusty, after all. :) Thank you again for all of your great advice. I will be sure to follow up about myself and also look forward to returning to some great inspiration at OH whenever I can. <3 <3
"If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?"
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