The beginning

[Junebugg]

Good morning, my first time blogging and getting ready for for surgery. Planning and nerves...... I am a RN and have had to fight my weight forever. Any pre advice would be great. I have read some blogs and they are keeping me inspired. Thanks and keep up the great work,you are beautiful

[Tamera2]

Congratulations on making this life saving surgery. I recommend getting professional help to figure out why you became overweight and why you were stuck with it for so long. I worked with a therapist for a few years before having surgery and he really helped me. I see to many on here that had the surgery lost all the weight then they sabotage themselves or gone through something and gain all or half the way weight back. So sad.

Recommend a fitbit watch. You keeps track of your exercise and walking, you can have it track your water and food intake. You have access to a lot of great information and put friends that have fitbit on your profile. You can have competitions against each other and cheer and motivate each other. Ive met peop,e on forums and have a nice list of people now.
Get a good pair of walking shoes, your going to be doing alot of walking. Since you cant do anything else for 6-8weeks.
Good luck with your journey. If you have anymore questions i'm happy to answer if I can.
i yuuû

[GigiUSA]

Hi Junebugg and congrats on your decision for sleeve surgery. My surgery is not scheduled until July, so I do not have any words of wisdom for you but I would like to encourage you and ask that you share your experience here. This is a wonderful motivating site with many inspiring stories and helpful suggestions for success. I wish you luck!!! (hugs)

[elle77]

Congratulations on making the decision to get healthy! I did a lot of research. Went to therapy. Kept a food log. Started exercise early so I would get used to it. I loved watching the Dr. A show on YouTube. He's a weightloss surgeon that is full of information. He will also answer any questions you may have. Everyone here is full of info and helpful. Try different things out. Every Dr. is different. What works for someone else might not work for you. Best of luck to you on your journey!

[ghost_ryder]

Hi Junebugg, my suggestions would be to start the pre-op diet early and slowly work your way into it. It helped me tremendously to slowly work protein shakes in to my diet 2.5 months ahead of time. Started by daily replacement of my breakfast for a shake then after a couple of weeks I added in a couple lunches a week then a couple of more and a couple of more until all my breakfast and lunches were protein shakes and a lean healthy dinner. I lost 22 pounds in the 2.5 months pre surgery and never felt denial.

As far as other suggestions, get good sleep and keep your mind busy to avoid distracted thinking. Take a small pillow with you to the hospital to hold on your belly post surgery, and take the most unattractive pictures in the worst light from horrible angles as you can before surgery. After surgery, when you hit your numerous stalls you can use them for motivation.

Lastly, if you listen to Podcasts I would suggest finding the podcasts done by Reeger Cortell. She is a huge help in many areas.

[LinJax76]

I am just a week out from surgery...just weighed in. Lost 6 lbs in my first week!

I thought the whole liquid pre-surgery diet part would be hardest...

then I thought recovery would be the hardest. It's been just fine.

And now to start seeing results!...this journey is underway. Having a couple of good forums as your support groups I think is key. I have my small home team that knows of the procedure---but watching the weekly diaries of fellow sleevers on YouTube was how I prepared. They were amazing motivation. We're all after the same thing---a healthier future. ��

[Christie13]

Welcome Junebugg! You've received tons of great advice already! My suggestion to add is to take a picture now in as little as possible (bra and undies, bikini, or tight tank and spandex shorts). Choose where you will do this on a regular basis. Then take your weight and measurements. This will be your starting point. Then continue that process every 2 weeks so you can have a wonderful way to track your journey. It is so inspiring to go back and look at your pictures to see the changes. I regret that I started to do that 3 days post op. Wish I had done it pre op. I lost 20 lbs pre op.