Newbie looking for expectation setting...

Hi All - I am a new member here, having finally decided to pursue WLS.  Well, I decided last year, but it was disallowed by my company so I couldn't move forward - but that changed this year and I just had my second of six required nutritional appointments. I am focused and want to do whatever it takes to get surgery.

I was hoping for some feedback and guidance from others about the time leading up to surgery.  My doctor wants me to lose some weight before surgery, although there is not a set number.  In my first month between visits I lost 22 pounds but I know that was mostly water weight because I purged the house and the only sweets around were fruit - so my goal is 50 pounds before surgery in May.  The doctor also mentioned he might start me on the pre op diet 2 months before my surgery date - did anyone else do this?  I fear being on only shakes and a control bar or two because I often never feel full as it is - I only made it through this last month because I backfilled with diet soda to make me feel full (caffeine free).  I figured that I wouldn't have to worry about that because once I had surgery my stomach would be so small that the hunger issue would be controlled much better.

I've got so far to go....Feedback, thoughts?

You are on the right track, but the diet soda can actually contribute to weight gain, did you know that? There is an article about it here in our group blog, the link is to the right of the screen. Maybe you could try water, flavored water, or crystal light to help feel fuller. BUT that 22 lbs is sensational! Some was probably fluids, but I am sure not all. Applaude yourself you are doing great. 50 may be a bit much to expect of yourself pre-op. Just do your very best, and you will lose. Come here and ask questions and learn all you can to help you in choosing good foods and habits to help you along. With a variety of people, you get a variety of ideas to work with and try out.

Different surgeons have different pre-op diet plans. One of the longer term ones i see being used is shakes 3 or 4 times a day, then a very low cal low carb low fat dinner, such as grilled chicken breast and a nice salad or veggies that are lower in carbs. But it is hard to tell what route your surgeon takes with this.

Wishing you the best of luck! Welcome to our group.

You are on the right track. Changing your habits now will make the transition much easier. Stay away from carbonated beverages, eat slowly, chew, chew and chew some more. You will find that you fill full with much less food when you eat slowly.

My surgeon had me eat all the non-starch vegetables I wanted and 4 oz of protein a day for 10 days prior to surgery. For now I would try low fat, low carb meals and work your way to whatever his actual diet is.

Best of luck and don't forget we are always here for support.

 Thanks much for the feedback, it truly is appreciated.  I will read up on the diet soda - I didn't drink it much before this month, I was just struggling not to feel so hungry all the time and it seemed to be the fastest way to feel full for me, but I will try and stay away from that and focus more on some water and crystal light.

I am trying to look at it like this will be the roughest 6 months and then after surgery it won't be as bad because my pouch will be so small that hunger piece should be gone and I won't constantly feel hungry... at least that is what I am hoping for from a tool perspective.  

I'll not be so attached to a number before surgery if 50 seems like it might be too much, the last thing I want to do is set myself up for failure just before surgery and then flip out and eat everything in sight at the last minute because I want the surgery so badly to help me get to where I want to be.  I look around the site and see people meeting goal weight in such amazing amounts of time and it seems to surreal to me because I can't imagine that in 4 years, let alone 2, but I have a lot farther to go than most but I am ready - for the longest time I fought with myself feeling like I was failing by turning to surgery but now I look it as an essential tool to help me, I will still have to control myself and exercise, it won't do everything for me!

Thank you thank you!!

Hi Amiesue, I am so glad you posted.  My surgeon did not give me a goal for losing before surgery, but shared that the more  I am able to lose, the easier the surgery will be on me and the easier for the team to complete my surgery.  It is amazing what we can do when I set our minds to a task.

I applaud you for purging the cabinets.  I try this, there is a cabinet in the kitchen that I just do not look in, this is where my hubby has his fav starchy foods.  The diet soda habit is hard to kick, but has to be stopped.  Take this time preparing for surgery to develop as many of the healthy habits that will see you through a lifetime of health.

I keep a supply of sugarfree drink mixes handy at home, in my locker at work and even in the glove box of the car, so that I am not tempted to partake in the soda habit.  For the "I need a sweet snack" moments, try a sugar free popsicle.  They have gotten me through many a temptation.

My surgeon put me on the pre op liquid diet for 3 weeks before surgery for my high bmi.  I thought this was 'forever' but in hindsight, was just a short term thing.  Let's lose together.  Hugs

Hi Amiesue and welcome to the group!!! You are doing fantastic.  It sounds like you are making great changes that will help you in the long run.  I considered my pre-op time the time to start changing some habit so I wouldn't have to change all of them at once when I had surgery.  I'm glad to read that you are going to work on the diet soda.  Not only can it lead to weight gain but it is a major no-no after surgery.  That was one of the first habits I worked on breaking cause I knew it would be my hardest.  I agree that 50 is an awfully high number but I also understand that you feel you have to set a number.  Just remember that if you don't reach it, it doesn't mean you have failed.  Every pound you lose now will make surgery that much easier.  As the others have said, each doctor's pre-op is different (as is their post-ops).  My pre-op had me on nothing but liquids for 2 months.  I was allowed 3 protein drinks a day but other than that it had to be clear, sugar-free liquids.  Honestly, it was hard at first but I knew it was something I had to do to get to my goal of surgery so I was determined to do it.  I can honestly say though that after the first couple of days I found that I wasn't even hungry which was wonderful because like you that was one of my biggest worries.  Just keep your goal of surgery in your sites and know that you are making wonderful changes that will help you after surgery.  We are here to help.  You can bet that any question you have or any problem you are having, one of us has asked the question or went through the same problem.  You are not alone. That's the wonderful thing about OH and this group. 

Hi! I don't know how much help I will be because you have recieved such great advice already. For my 6 month PCP vistis I wasn't required to lose weight. I just started doing what others on the board were doing. For example, I cut of sodas, I started eating my protein first, I stopped drinking with meals, I ate off smaller plates. That helped get my mind prepared for what I would need to do for the rest of my life.

For my pre-op diet, my doctor had me on a 2 week liquid diet. Didn't do the best the first week but did awesome the 2nd week.

I hope this helped you some and good luck on your upcoming surgery!!


Deborah

Welcome to the group.  There are some lovely people here.  Lots of support.  So come here often prior to surgery and after surgery.  We will travel this road along with you.

Congrats on your weight loss so far and ummm i beg to differ, most of it was no****er weight.  I would not set a number to how much to lose.  Maybe concentrate on changing your habits and maintaining your loss so far.  I had surgery Jan 3rd this year.  I lost 5 pounds prior to starting the pre-op diet.  Then I lost almost 20 pounds just on the pre-op diet.  I didnt beat myself up for only losing the 5 pounds.  Atleast I didn't GAIN.  I was ecstatic.

My pre-op diet was clears liquids, sugar free liquids, broth, protein shakes made with FF milk.  It was a little tough and there were days that I did eat a high protein, low fat, law carb meal.  My pre-op diet was mostly to shrink the liver for surgery.  Surgery went well without any complications.

 You've got great answers here so I'll keep it short and sweet.  The biggest thing to concentrate on before surgery is trying to get into habits you'll be maintaining after surgery, like getting rid of soda from your diet is a biggie and eating protein first.  Different surgeons have different ways of doing things, but you'll be okay.  You're worth it!