VixStats
03/14/13 - 279 Highest Weight Ever
03/26/13 - 277 Lost 2 lbs
04/23/13 - 268 Lost 9 lbs
05/21/13 - 256 Lost 11 lbs
06/25/13 - 256 Lost 0 lbs
07/23/13 - 256 Lost 0 lbs
08/20/13 - 257 Gain 1 lbs
10/01/13 - 260 Gain 3 lbs
Total So Far Lost 19 lbs
<>< ~ <>< Aloha everyone ><> ~ ><>
I did go through the dreaded but anticipated insurance approval drama, but in the end, all was approved and...
On October 21, 2013 I will be having Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. For any of you who are unfamiliar with the procedure, my surgeon will be cutting out up to 80% of my stomach and stapling the rest closed, leaving a small banana sized stomach behind. See image below.
I have a lot to do to prepare for a successful surgery. The dreaded Pre-Op diet is just around the corner. A Pre-Bariatric Surgery Liquid Diet is required beginning 5 days prior to surgery. Some surgeons require this diet 2-4 weeks before surgery. I am definitely grateful I do not have to endure the diet quite as long. Here's why..
The Pre-Op diet plan includes 3-5 protein shakes plus unlimited clear sugar free fluids.
And that's it. No other foods or drinks. I cannot mix milk or fruit into the protein shakes. Clear sugar free fluids include:
Water Propel Zero Crystal Light
Powerade Zero Sugar-free Herbal Tea Black Decaf Coffee
Sugar-free Jell-O Sugar-free Popsicles Fat-free chick, beef, or vegetable broth
Or any other calorie-free flavored clear beverages
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Sample Menu
BREAKFAST: Protein Shake
Clear Fluids: 16oz Crystal Light
LUNCH: Protein Shake
Clear Fluids: 1 cup fat-free chicken broth & 1-2 cups Powerade Zero
DINNER: Protein Shake
Clear Fluids: 1 cup fat-free vegetable broth & 1-2 cups sugar-free herbal iced tea
SNACK: Protein Shake
Clear Fluids: 4oz sugar-free jello, 2 sugar-free popsicles
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
It is going to be rough, for sure. Even more so since I can't exactly hide under a rock for 5 days. Starving myself but watching my family eat? I've heard after day 3 it gets easier. Here's hoping. So as of Wednesday, October 16 I will be starting this liquid diet. The liquid diet will continue through my hospital stay which should be 2-3 days.
A week before surgery I do have to do some pre-admission stuff and pre-surgery testing. My surgeons office has been a little vague as to what this stuff is exactly for. But common sense helped fill in the blanks. I will be spending the morning of the 16th at the hospital doing paperwork, blood work, and an EKG.
After surgery my stomach will only hold about 3-6 ounces of solid food at any one time. I can't jump out of my hospital bed and go have 3 ounces of turkey breast though. There are five stages of a progression diet.
Stage 1: Clear liquids for 2 days (in hospital)
Stage 2: Full Liquids for 1 week after
Stage 3: Pureed for 2-3 weeks thereafter
Stage 4: Soft foods for 1-2 weeks thereafter
Stage 5: Healthy solid foods forever
My progression through this diet will vary based on how I tolerate foods at each stage. It will be a guess and check game. As my journey moves forward, I will post more details about each stage and what exactly I can eat and what my new stomach is handling. So until then,
Peace and Carrots
<3 VixRevision