Hi, jlynn. I had gastric sleeve surgery in September 13, just passed my 6 month mark. It helped me to be as knowledgeable as possible before surgery - I read a lot, and talked to people who had the surgery too. Sometimes their information was the most helpful!

There are lots of people here who will give you good advice - they have helped me in the past.

Seems you already have a good mindset, that the surgery is not a miracle cure.

I would recommend start looking for protein drinks and powders, to see which ones you prefer. I use Unjury unflavored protein powder, but there lots of them out there.

Let me know how things are going for you!

by mental I mean that I am trying to figure out what I really want when my tummy is full and my head is saying "EAT"

Hi there!! I am scheduled for surgery for the sleeve on April 9th, 2014. I am scared that I will fail. I have failed every diet I have been on and just cannot imagine anything working for me. The biggest thing I have had to overcome was what to tell everyone. I had to put time in at work so I just told my boss that I am having surgery for stomach issues. He did not go into it thankfully but now I feel ashamed. I work at a place where everyone is extremely active and I don't want anyone to look at this as the "easy way out." I hope to join everyone here with their activities after I lose the weight. Please stay on this community group so we can compare notes. I am curious on what everyone on here told everyone they were having done.

I am not getting rid of anything until it falls off of me. As I said, I will believe it when I see it. I am finished with all of my Pre ops. My GP was very excited for me. My nutritionist told us about the pre mixed protein shakes to try before the surgery. She told us not to buy anything in bulk because we will get sick of it and be left with it. She also told us that we can eat Greek yogurt without any fruit in it. She warned that we will only be eating a 1/4 of the container if that. I had a close friend who had the surgery last year and never followed any of the "rules and she looks great. I plan on doing what the dr tells me to do but my point is to relax. You will be fine. I am so happy I found this community page.

You will experience a wide range of emotions during this time. Many of them may not be what you're used to. I was absolutely OBSESSED with learning as much as I could prior to surgery. A good thing I guess. I went in fully informed. My procedure went pretty easy, I guess. I was the first patient on a Monday morning in mid October and was released form the hospital a day early, 24 hours after my procedure. I was sore and tired, but felt WAY better than anticipated. I was able to go back to work the middle of the next week. It will be hard to get your liquids and protein in when you first get home. Don't stress about the protein the first week. Get your fluids! If the protein goes down easy for you its a bonus, but don't allow yourself to get dehydrated. You'll probably have to plan a snack schedule for at least the first few months. I got scolded for not eating enough and told to get a few more calories by adding high protein snacks. Sargento cheese sticks worked well. Move as much as you can. You'll heal faster.

Don't pre-buy a bunch of products. Supplements, okay, you're going to need them anyway but protein drinks... Try some now, have a few on hand, but know that your tastes may change. Mine did. I preferred home-mixed Unjury chocolate or vanilla with mango pieces pre-op. Still like it on occasion, but my "go-to" is now Syntrax Nectar Iced lemon Tea. Many of the Nectar products mix with water and are simply easier to swallow, (not a rich) post-op. Other than that, I like the same foods I did pre-op and don't have any issues with anything in particular now at 5 months out except Chinese Fried Rice. Not all rice, just fried rice. Sushi goes down just fine.

This is a fantastic tool but you still have to "work it". I log every bite in MFP, burn 600 calories 5+ days per week in exercise and enjoy a small treat almost daily. I never feel guilty or deprived because I work it onto my meal plan of 1000-1200 calories with 75g of protein. It feels like I've learned to eat like a thin person. I have 27 lbs to go and it's still coming off at a rate of 1-2 lbs per week. At this rate I should reach my goal of 100 lbs gone before my surgiversary in October.

Good luck with your procedure. You're gonna do great!