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I am done with NUT appoints, psych exams, Upper GI, EKG, weight management appointments, weight history (2 years) provided and scheduled for surgery!!

I had my first appointment in July and was approved within a week of insurance having my paperwork. I had gall bladder surgery on October 7th which pushed things back a little but I didn't want to have surgery until December anyway while I am on Christmas break from college.

I have my pre-op appointment on the 11th when I will start my liquid diet and register with the hospital. Surgery is the 17th!

My daughter will be having surgery (knee) on November 26th so I am sure I will be done with hospitals for a while after this year (hopefully anyway!)

Okay, this is what I've found so far.  The oatmeal was inedible!!!!  Today I made a smoothie with some raspberries and vanilla protein powder, kinda choking that down.  So far, it seems that just the shakes by themselves are not as bad.  No so sure about these "recipes".  One day down.  I programmed by phone calendar to tell me "You got this" everyday.  About halfway through this shake, it went off, so I'm like "Yeah, I got this!"

While I've been on a liquid diet voluntarily for the past month and half, I did allow myself scrambled eggs and Greek yogurt (with unflavored protein powder) a few times.  Once I even had 3 oz of chicken breast.  That was in early October.  I've been on all liquids since then:  no soups, just protein shakes and bariatric vitamins and calcium with vitamin D3.  I figured I needed as much of a jump start as I could get, and the less I weigh at surgery, the easier it will be for the surgeon and the less my chance of complications from anesthesia.

Have you tried Nectar Medical Grade Protein powders for your shakes (or do you have to drink their specific protein shake)?  If you love chocolate, their Chocolate Truffle flavor is delicious.  I actually look forward to it.  (They have many other flavors too.)

http://www.luckyvitamin.com/p-73192-syntrax-nectar-sweets-wh ey-protein-isolate-chocolate-truffle-221-lbs

I know it's hard, but try to think of the positive things this diet is doing for your body.  It is decreasing the abdominal fat so the surgeon has less to move aside to do the operation well (and keep it laparoscopic, not an open surgery).  It's also helping to shrink your liver, which lays over the area where the surgeon needs to work; a shrunken liver makes it easier for him/her to get to your stomach and small intestines. 

I am 5'8" and started at 290 in early August.  By my first round of bariatric evaluations in early October, I was down to about 275.  I started my serious diet I talked about about right after my first bariatric evaluations.  Today I weigh 244.5  I hope to be down at least another 10 lbs by my surgery on December 17th.

Atomblin74 is in this group and has surgery on December 3rd.  You two can compare notes on your diet prep.  You CAN do this.  You know it's part of the journey to get to a healthier you, and you are worth it.  (I can tell you after the small amount of weight I've lost since August, I already feel much better and have more energy.)

Keep posting, and letting us know how you are doing.

Karen

I 'officially' started my journey in June with an informational seminar about the procedure with the surgeons. I have been investigating my options for about 7 years, and finally have insurance that covers the procedure. 

I had to do 6 months of NUT appointments, and have managed to lose about 13 pounds...unfortunately, in the  middle of all of this, I ended up having some female issues, had to get several tests and a uterine biopsy- ended up all is well, and had to have an IUD inserted (TMI, sorry)...but needless to say, I gained a few of those pounds back. I'm back on track now that the issues are behind me. I seriously feel like I've had an appointment of some sort every week for the past 6 months, PCP, NUT, Psych, GYN...The good news is I hit my out of pocket max. months ago. :)

My surgeon doesn't do a liquid diet phase...only the same pre-op diet I'm already on...no carbs, high protein. I have to go on 12/4 for some blood work, then on 12/12 for my full day of education and testing, then 12/23 to meet with the surgeon one last time, then on 12/30 surgery at 7:30am...Happy New Year to me. 

The journey has been long and at times frustrating...but I actually think that's a blessing because now I know so much more about the process, what life will be like after, and I've had a chance to find this board, and to connect with all of you who will be experiencing similar things. :)

I'm so excited....a little nervous too, but I've got about 6 weeks to work those out...and I know it's the right decision. 

My surgery is scheduled on Dec. 4th and I am going on day 3 of my pre-op diet which consists of sugar free carnation breakfast, sugar free jello, and protein shakes. I'm struggling and completely miserable :(. I'm already sick of this same ol jello and shakes, gonna be the worst 14 days of my life. I'm currently at 306lbs and 5'5. I have poly cystic ovarian syndrome, high blood pressure, insulin resistant, thyroid, and on depression meds. It's frustrating cause others get an easier diet where they can atleast have soups.