Absolutely!

I'm a little nervous about my psych eval on Thursday. I've never been to a psychiatrist before and I know that he can stop the whole process. Then again, I'm not depressed and I think I understand what I'm in for, so maybe it won't be a big deal?

No need to worry. At my psych evaluation, afterward, I asked the shrink whether I "passed". He explained that he wasn't there to tell my doctor whether I should have the surgery, only whether he saw anything that leads him to believe I should NOT. Be honest about your past, and realistic about your future leading up to and post-surgery. They just want to know that you're stable enough to give the requirements your honest effort. Thousands of us have succeeded with this - there's absolutely no reason why you shouldn't.

I just realized that I posted on here on April 30th, right before I started my pre-op diet. Thought I'd check back in now that it's been almost 6 month since my surgery. Well, it's been quite a journey. Who knew that the surgery itself would be the easy part? The pre-op diet, the recovery food stages for nine weeks, that was really hard. But now that I can eat regular food and pretty much live a normal life, it's all been worth it. I exercise almost daily and physically cannot eat much food so the weight has dropped off. As of today, I have gone from 278 lbs to 198 and from 50+ waist to 38. I eat mostly protein and try to avoid carbs. I also allow myself some indulgences, a drink or two or something unhealthy. My opinion is that this surgery should not be a punishment. I still want to have fun and enjoy myself; just with alot less weight! I miss aspects of my old way of life sometimes, life a huge steak or a buffet but if it wasn't for my sleeve, I would have long gone back to my old habits and gained back all my weight as I've done many times. I've told people it's more fun being fat, eating and drinking whatever and whenever I want; but that's a dead end street and no way to live. Best of luck to all pre-sleevers, it's not easy but worth it if you are serious about losing weight once and for all.

Thanks Nick for the feedback. I had my psych eval and it went well. He said that he usually has two meetings but since I seemed really knowledgeable about the surgery and well prepared, he was going to see if he could get the insurance to accept only one meeting. If not, I'll go back to him next week. It seems like a waste of insurance dollars,but if that's what my insurance wants, so be it.

I have my second meeting with the dietitian on Friday, four to go! This month's goals were journaling, increasing my water intake and exercise. No changes to my diet yet, but I expect that to change on Friday. I know that I've got to get started on some of these lifestyle changes no so it's easier later.

Anyone have suggestions as to what I should set for next month's goals? What were the hardest changes for you?

Thanks!

p.s. Mamaof5, I've also got 6 months of supervision Oct - March. Insurance said 3 weeks from last appt to surgery was a normal timeframe.

I have my sleeve surgery this coming Friday... Today is day 9 on the pre op liquid diet... My husband and I have found several different flavored broths at walmart... One of our favorites is Mexican tortilla soup... We mix in a little fat free sour cream with unflavored protein powder and xanthum gum... This makes an amazing creamy protein soup... We have learned to use a variety of seasonings and broth flavor to keep things from getting boring... I also do a tropical protein smoothie for breakfast using pineapple juice... Coconut extract and fat free yogurt... Add some sweetener and ice and blend it up and I'm a happy girl!!! This has made the liquid diet doable and actually fun... I'm shocked how satisfying the soup can be... Of course having snow and cold weather helps!!! I also in between protein shakes will do the broth only or jello... It helps that I love jello... At night I gave a sugar free bomb pop and those are my dessert... I would have really struggled with just vanilla or chocolate protein shakes... I don't care for the flavor or the consistency...

I also live in the US and I started the process in September and have been approved in just 3 months. My nurse at Bariatric Resources said that because my BMI was 46! I did not need to do a 6 month dr. supervised diet. I just submitted a letter from my doctor with a 6 month weight (rollercoaster) history. However, my surgeon's assistant said she thinks this is a record. She has never seen anyone approved so quickly. I'm taking that as a good sign - that this is the right thing for me.

That being said, I am having surgery on Tuesday 12/3 and I am becoming a little more anxious about it everyday - I'm sure that's normal. I've been reading all the posts and now I'm even getting nervous about the immediate post-op difficulties.

Any tips or words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated? How about dealing with a husband who is not exactly 100% supportive of what I'm doing.

I will post again sometime next week.

Lizzie

Hi everyone, my name is Alexis. My surgery is scheduled in a short 13 days. I started my pre-op diet today. Unfortunately, it didn't go as successful as I had hoped and I still feel very hungry. What have others done to suppress the hunger pangs in their pre-op diet?

Wow, you have had it rough. My sympathies on the loss of your husband but please do not beat yourself up for stress eating at this time. Since you are aware of it, you will pull back from it quickly.

I can relate to the frustration in delays for surgery. I really thought I'd have it last summer but here it is 2014 and I've just started the 2 week pre-op diet for surgery on Feb 12. I've actually been glad that I had to delay this long after all. I had some unforeseen medical issues and needed the time to recover. Plus I'm in grad school and had to delay for timing reasons between courses. But the main reason for delays was insurance related and the time needed to do all the specialist appointments - sleep studies, cardiology, psychiatry, etc. And my original surgeon moved out of the area so had to start again with his partner but I think all is in order now....except the final, (FINAL?) insurance approval.

Good luck to you. You are in my thoughts

I started my New Directions products on 1/29/14 and my Gastric Sleeve surgery is scheduled for this Wednesday, Feb. 5th. One of the things I have done with both the shakes and pudding is to add less water and shake with crushed/ice cubes, strain and put in the freezer. Using this procedure the shakes become ice-cream and the pudding just has a different consistency. I am using the Chocolate with Fiber and Mocha Shakes and Chocolate Pudding.

I am also getting a little nervous about surgery Wednesday a.m., but I have my family's support and they all believe I will be successful. In fact, they all said they were surprised that I hadn't done it sooner because if they would have told me 8 years ago I would be double my weight I would have laughed in their faces. Not so funny now.

Here's wishing you luck.