Will I really feel different?

Good! Long, hellish drive to the city and zero parking which made me ten minutes late, but I didn't even get in to get blood and the ECG until an hour after my scheduled appointment time anyway ;) The construction on Bathurst is just ridiculous! I usually park in the little lot off Nassau (right across the street from the hospital) but it was full, the hospital garage was full (at least that's what the sign said) and the parking by the front doors was full so I had to park blocks away and hoof it, and hope I made it in time before they cancelled my appointment. But the actual appointment went ok - I had a slight fever from a sinus infection I have but they didn't seem too worried since I have a week before surgery. Didn't love the groin swab but the nurse was pleasant and I'm sure they've seen it all ;) So all in all it went well. Glad I've jumped through the final hoop!

(And no one asked me if I had that binder either! And when I asked if I could get one they said they'd give it to me the morning of surgery? Guess it's not that important!) 

I'm in the middle of the second week (I have 3 total) and I can tell ya that I can't WAIT until I can eat food again....ANY food...just something with flavor, lol. I haven't cheated so far, and don't plan to but I know how you're feeling. You can do it, you are almost done....and then you will come back here and tell all the newbies how YOU felt and how great surgery is etc, etc =)

Good for you for not cheating :) It's tempting but not worth it. I have been close a few times, especially at the grocery store, but luckily I haven't caved. We are both almost done! and we'll both be back encouraging new people. I can't wait. 

It's amazing what a good cry and a good night's sleep can do, lol ;) I feel so much better today.

Well, not to encourage cheating.....but I have.  twice.  and I have 6 more days to go on my OPTI....it wasn't bad foods....but a few spoonfuls of coleslaw and a few bites of baked chicken.....I hadn't had my OPTI and felt so light headed so I just grabbed some food...drank a big glass of crystal lite and then made my OPTI.  I am only drinking it hot like hot chocolate...that is the only way I can "enjoy" it.  aka tolerate it.  I also "cheat" by having Lipton Cup a soup.....I cant just do broth.  There are no big noodles in it...but somehow I am justifying it....I have promised myself that I am not going to "cheat" for the rest of the six days.....and I will already be in a hotel room on Sunday and Monday, so I won't be around Thanksgiving food.  I have only lost 5 pounds in a week...but maybe it would have been a bit more if I wouldn't have "cheated"??  I don't know. I can't see how a couple spoonfuls of chicken and salad would do that.....but anyway.....I just crave variety and not really "bad" foods.....the limitations is what is making it hard for me....but I just need to have determination.  I am also not a thirsty person on a normal day and have not been getting my extra fluids on top of the Opti into my body.  I have been having dizzy spells.  Can't wait for the surgery to be over.  I will make a stew and puree it instead of baby food in jars.   

I think whether you cheat or not, it's your own decision. No one can say it's good or bad, only you can decide. I've been light headed but haven't cheated yet, just laid down. But luckily I work at my Dad's home office so the living room couch is ten steps away and I have a lot of freedom, lol ;) Have you tried the Bovril broth packets? They are way better than the OXO ones, they have more spice to them so it tastes like actual soup broth and not jus****ery chicken juice, lol. I definitely crave variety too, and mostly I crave protein. I'd love to have some chicken. But I've come this far so it's not going to happen. Maybe the dizzy spells would lessen if you sipped water during the day? I find a cup with lots of ice, a straw and a lid helps :) You're almost done, stick to your Opti and hang in there!

Sorry to hear that the Opti is sooo difficult for you :(  I start next week and I am sure I will have the same problem at times.  I hope it gets better for you, Take care!

I think I was just having a massive pity party last night ;) Blame it on being sick, being frustrated etc etc. Opti hasn't been easy but it's not like I'm going to be on it forever. Things always look better in the light of day! It might be tough the first few days for you but if you can hang in there it will hopefully get better. And even if you have the same experience I have had, just cut yourself some emotional slack and be *****y if you want. I find that helps ;) 

This part sucks!  and everyone is different... some people get over the hunger phase of Opti quickly ... some don't.   Here is what I do know...

You will lay down on that operating table... when you wake up.. food will be the furthest thing from your mind.

You will spend the next few weeks trying to get enough in.  Overnight (or from before surgery to after surgery) you will go from trying NOT to overeat to trying TO eat enough.

Will you still have cravings?  Yes, eventually.  From my experience so far... when I give in to a craving like "ripping a cookie from a babys hands".. it is way too sweet (post surgery my sweet tooth has been ripped out... I can no longer handle sweet) and not at all what I expected.  In other words I am often disapointed with what it is I 'thought' I wanted or craved...

It is impossible, even with all the research you can do pre surgery to fully understand the physical changes you are  about to go through.. it is an amazing experience and you will be surprised by how well you manage.  Try not to worry too much... when you go all herion addict.. take a walk... distract yourself with something else and know that this will end... Before you know it you will be trying to get enough in... YOU CAN DO THIS!

This was a great response, thank you so much :) I totally agree - it's impossible to understand the physical changes you go through when you're pre-op. I hear people say they no longer have a sweet tooth and what they think they want just tastes gross, but at this stage it's impossible to even fathom because I've had a sweet tooth my whole life. But I just have to trust that I will not be any different from anyone else and I will have the same response and my sweet tooth will take a hike. I was having a major pity party last night and I think I just needed a good kick in the pants and a reminder that I have plans set it place for the times when the head-hunger kicks in. I have distractions set up and ready to utilize but last night I just wanted to be a suck. But today is a brighter day, my cold seems to be subsiding somewhat and reading these responses definitely helped. Thank you so much for the encouragement :D I'm so glad you are doing well and those cravings, when you do give in, don't give you any satisfaction!

Hi Katie, I have to say you made me laugh reading your post, I can completely understand where you are coming from.  I think Opti can be difficult, but you have to keep telling yourself why you are doing this.  Drink lots of water in between your shakes, it will help keep you feeling fuller.  But, I remember having some cravings also on Opti.  But, honestly once you have surgery you will see that you will follow everything you should because you have a new pouch, you don't feel as hungry usually at the beginning anyway.  Those cravings are not the same, you are just trying to get in the food you need at each stage.  Stay focused, you have done it this far, don't give up because you will be so glad you hung in there.  It really does get better, honestly. 

Cathy xo Sending a little Angel to help you!