[freebird]

so the post-op water challenge has got me thinking about what we as pre-ops could do to help each other in developing those good habits that we are gonna need for after the surgery. So i'm thinking of a pre-op challenge, "what have you done today that aides toward your surgery?" this could be anything from drinking and eating habits, to excercise or even just journaling feelings and questions about the upcoming surgery.
you could even tell us what you plan to do during the day and when you check in later tell us if you've done it or not.
so here goes
this morning i have had my breakfast shake and a bottle of water
i plan on doing more water all day
a banana break around 10am
visiting with you guys at about 10:15 or so
another shake for lunch
a veggie break around 3pm
housework (i am assuming this counts as excercise)
don't know what's for supper tonight but i have not been eating potatoes or bread for 3 days now
and since i mentioned it it has reminded me that i have not journaled about this surgery for about a week so i'm gonna find time somewhere today to do that.
so what have you done or are you planning on doing that's surgery preperation related?

[freebird]

well so far i've stuck to my planned day. I've also gone to the drug store to check out protien poders and bars. i know your tastes change after the surgery but i just feel more comfortable knowing i have found something that i can actually swallow and maybe like. I found the greatest protien bars. yummy. anyway, anyone else do anything towards preparing for their surgery today?

[Pillows]

Keep it up Freebird. You are doing great and will fare well through the surgery.
Janae

[freebird]

ok well i'll try one more day, i was weak yesterday and had oreo cookie ice cream so here's todays toward surgery plans
shakes for breakfast and lunch
excercise at least 2 5 min sessions on my recumbant bike
and journaling todays feelings
anybody else doing anything special to help prepare for surgery?

[fr1endly2]

I think its great free!
ITS never to soon to break these old eating habits.
THE surgery is only a tool...and the head needs to be
working hard to make the tool successful.
OUR brains havent changed. SO the sooner
u discover all ur eating triggers and replace them
with better habits the better your odds will be
for wonderful success.

[freebird]

i know about the brain thing, i've noticed recently that when it hits 12pm i'm like oh lunch and then realize i'm not hungry. i know with being diabetic they say to eat at regular times, even the dietician for the surgery said that but i'm trying to realize when i'm hungry or just want to eat because of the time or because i'm bored, upset ect. had an upset today though and the last thing i want to do is eat. Haven't been able to say that for a very long time

[netto818]

Netto here (a new newbie). Since my surgery is only a month away, I have started exercising, eating fruits and drinking v-8 instead of candy and chips, and I joined your wonderful group! I think it's important to get the head working the right way before the surgery too. That is why I have started changing now.

Then you face the questions that some people have which is "if you can do all that stuff now, then why are you even having the surgery?"
Has anyone else had this question asked?

This is a hard question for me. I know it's going to be a great tool, and it will change my life forever, but if it's true that I CAN start changing now, why AM I having the surgery? I think that it's in the mind. If I KNOW in my mind that I will not be able to eat sugar or it will affeect me physically, that's different from not eating sugar within a "diet." Because you know it won't affect you if you just cheat a little... but it does. Mentally. I've been through so many diets and always failed, I turned to this as a last resort to get healthy before I drop dead of something.

My doctor is putting me on a 2-week protein shake diet before the surgery, so it's really coming up fast! I am so excited and anxious at the same time. I have great support from family and friends and that is so important.

Netto

[DocSanae]

One thing that is known about this surgery, especially RNY.
It's been known for a while that for many obese people, even after managing to drop a considerable amount of weight, they gain back and gain some more often. This isn't just because old habits are very hard to change, and one gets lax after a certain amount of diligence.
One of the ideas that has been around for some time now, is that the level of the hormones secreted from the stomach that control hunger and feeling of satiation is out of whack, which keeps on making you feel hungry no matter if you have been eating in the maintenece mode.

A recent research paper reports that there are 2 hormones whose balance/production changes post op, bringing on a change which seems to keep the weight better in control. The change of these hormones don't take place in lap-banding.

If anyone asks you why not stick to diet and exrecise, you can tell them that there are results from medical research that indicates surgery is a viable option because of these hormone changes. (Also, with exercising, it you have pain and joint issues because of your weight, getting the weight off is mandatory for some, just to be able to exercise without hurting yourself.)

Of course, even with the hormones factoring in, the most important thing is to teach yourself healthy eating and healthy life style, while your body is losing, willy nilly.

[freebird]

way to go netto818, that's a great start. And Doc you always give such good information, i'm gonna print off that info for those who do ask.
Netto i've been asked constantly if i can make the changes i am and have been making why not just diet. People who are not this seriously over weight have no idea how frustrating dieting is when you lose and then as soon as you stop dieting you end up gaining back what you lost and more so i am totally there with you. it's alot different to have to lose over 100, in my case i'm hoping for over 250, lbs than it is to have to lose like 5.

What i did today was not give in to the urge to eat chocolate. Easter is hard because i love white chocolate and as a kid the only time i got white chocolate was at easter but i'm still trying to lose before the next dietician appointment, so i'm pretty proud.
You are doing awesome netto, and i'm glad your surgery is so soon, i hate this waiting for a date.
and thank you for replying because i was starting to think that no one wanted to share their preparations.

[freebird]

ok so today i'm going looking for which fitness center i want to join. There are only 3 in my town and the one i used to go to is closed. So will it be 'changes for women' 'curves' (for women) or 'total fitness' which is for men and women. i may chose one of the women one's (especially since i've been offered a free three month membership from one of them) but i think roo wants to work out with me too so i may be joining two. I'll let you know.
The other thing i'm doing today towards surgery is making a list of the things i want to take with me to the hospital. I have a pretty good idea of what i want/need to take but i don't want to forget anything so i think a list when i do pack is a good idea.
staying on the protien shakes and water water water
i was really good yesterday, no chocolate or desserts or potatoes.
i guess having a high fever and not going to moms for supper helped but the opportunity still arose for the chocolate and such but i said no. Yeah me
anybody else want to share a "yeah me" moment?