makemyownluck

I'm curious about this as well. I'm currently using gummy Fiber supplements, but I'm pre- op. I hate chewable stuff. HATE. That chalky texture grosses me out, so I can only imagine that it's going to be worse post op. I know that the gummy Vitamins are usually less potent, so I'm not sure if that's the reason they don't recommend them or if it has to do with the actual 'gummy' part, like if they are worried it won't digest properly or get stuck. But I chew my fiber gummy til it's practically liquid, so I don't see how it could harm me post op - then again, I'm not a doctor, so what do I know? I think if gummy is all you can take, then it's better than nothing. Definitely check with your NUT and see what they suggest. Also, puritan.com has a lot of liquid Vitamin choices: http://www.puritan.c...ter=Form|Liquid. I'm not as savvy as to what our Multivitamins should have in them, so I don't know which one to recommend, but they have several, so there has to be SOMETHING in there that will work. Good luck to you, update us on what your NUT comes up with.

2 weeks. I have a desk job. I tried to push him into letting me go back sooner, but he said I'd be doing myself a favor to wait.

I love the bolthouse stuff. They do have high carbs, if I remember correctly. try cutting them with Water or almond/soy milk (whatever you prefer) and adding a scoop of unflavored Protein powder (Syntrax makes a good one, you can buy it on amazon.com). That way it will be a flavor you like with less carbs and the same or more protein. The unflavored is undetectable in most stuff, so you can also add it to Soup, yogurt, pudding, crystal light... whatever you want. gas-x helps with the gasses they pump into you for the surgery. Walking helps a lot with that, too, but using gas-x could speed it along. I only think I'll need/use it for the first few post op days, I'm not expecting to need it forever (like how I'll need vitamins). In addition to the Multivitamin, b12 and calcium, you might want to get some chewable Fiber supplements and Biotin. Biotin will help your hair from thinning out as you're losing weight. For at home, I stocked up on gauze, bandages and some hydrogen peroxide because I didn't have much of that already. And I got some Milk of Magnesia, Liquid Imodium and extra strength Tums, simply because I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and have to go out and get it. On my list when I hit the store next week are just some convenience items. Cottonelle wipes (because it might be a little uncomfortable to wipe, so might as well get something that will clean up more effectively), spray on body lotion (because bending/stretching will be hard at first and my skin itches without lotion), and some disposable spoons and cups so I won't have a whole lot of dishes to do. I live alone, so I'm trying to think of anything that will make my life easier because it's gonna be JUST ME getting me through this.

Then maybe I will get one. I do have several people lined up to come by and help me with stuff, so I might not end up needing it. If that's the case, I suppose I could just take it back if I never use it! I do remember having issues bending over for a long while after my gall bladder surgery. It was the last post op pain to leave me... I felt great about 4-5 days after that surgery, but bending was still tender for over a month. Guess it would be better to spend $20 on a grabber than spend a month in agony every time I drop something...

Working out in the new bathing suit - LOVE IT!! Congrats on the NSV. It couldn't have happened at a better time than right after an intense cake craving! Good for you!

***adds face wipes to my hospital bag list*** Thank you TES! I'm taking listerine strips and biotene mouth spray with me, because I hate having funky mouth taste. Taking my toothbrush and toothpaste as well, obviously, but I'm a habitual gum chewer now so I always want that extra freshness and I know I can't have gum after surgery. I have some gas-x strips because I've seen them recommended a million times on these boards. But I also like peppermint tea, I've been using it for years to alleviate mild gas and to help with bloating from my period, so I think it'll be useful post-op as well. Plus, it's very crisp and refreshing, which will help with my aforementioned disdain for mouth funk. And for at home, make sure you have slip on slippers and/or shoes. Bending down won't be pleasant for a while. I'm grateful to be having this in May because HOPEFULLY it will be nice out (although Chicago's weather has been crap lately) so I can go without socks and wear my slip on flats to work. I'm thisclose to getting one of those grabber things... you know, like people with limited mobility use to pick things up or grab things from far away? I've actually wanted one forever, but thought it really represented the epitome of laziness since I'm not handicapped. But I live alone and I worry about having to bend over and pick stuff up (I'm a klutz, I drop stuff allllll the time). Not sure I'll actually invest in one, though. good luck to you! I'm wishing you a safe and speedy recovery - think only of the big picture. The post op drama will pass soon enough and your new life is about to start!

^^^ what ISleevedIt said! Think of how miserable you'll be if you DON'T do the surgery. Expect the best! Be prepared for the worst! Whatever is gonna happen will happen, so just do all you can to stay positive on your end and focus on your desired end result. I'm getting sleeved May 2nd. We're almost Sleeve Sisters! WE CAN DO THIS! Good luck!!

I had my gall bladder removed 6 years ago. Honestly, it didn't affect me at all. I was able to eat anything I wanted afterward. Some people had issues with fatty foods when it's removed (similar to IBS symptoms) but I never had that reaction. Some people also get "phantom pains" where they feel like they are having a gall bladder attack after it's been removed, but I never had that either. I do believe both of these are rare. Still pre-op for the sleeve, but I do know that the incision sites will be the same for gb. Probably similar as far as pain/recovery as well (at least that's what I'm hoping for, cuz that surgery wasn't a big deal for me). You do form stones when you lose weight rapidly, but they can also form from a bad diet. The bad diet is what caused mine, hence here I am 6 years later getting a sleeve... You'll feel better when it's out, right away (aside from surgery soreness). Also, there were no diet restrictions when I had mine out, so you should be able to resume your diet, which always makes surgical recovery easier when you can resume your eating habits. It won't be like with the sleeve on the staged diets (unless your surgeon says you need to for some reason, but I don't see why you would). Good luck, I wish you a speedy recovery!

I'm scheduled for May 2nd. I live in Aurora, having my surgery at Rush University in Chicago. I'm sorry you had a break down on surgery day, I've been feeling a little overwhelmed as well as the day is approaching. I'm just trying to remember that yes, these next few weeks/months may be difficult at times, but I WILL be okay and I'll get what I wanted from this and I'll have the rest of my life to live. They can definitely give you some Valium in your IV on surgery day, just try to take deep breaths and think of something else until you get it. You can do this!! Good luck!

I'm doing the preop liquid diet and I'm STARVING. All I can do is keep myself busy so my empty tummy isn't screaming at me. I'm already so over these shakes... it's starting to be a real struggle, and I still have 11 days of preop diet left, then all the post op stages until I can just eat something. I wish i could just feel satisfied with shakes. Sorry you're dealing with that post op. Hopefully it's just head hunger and it will pass soon!

There's lots of times I get recognized and wish I wasn't, so I'm kinda looking forward to have a skinny "disguise" someday. That's awesome! Good luck with your marathon!

That's awesome!!! I'm pre-op, but I'm celebrating 50 lbs gone today! YAY for us!

Thanks Amanda! I really need to take some "before" pics already. Because I didn't take any when I started and I WISH I could look at the difference already. Maybe I'll get someone to take some for me today. I have a goal to get below 400 before surgery. I have 12 days and 10lbs to go, I THINK I might be able to do it. I just remember when I started and I was reading how some surgeons require you to lose weight and I thought "BUT I CAN'T!". Ironically, my surgeon didn't ask me to lose weight, but I lost a bunch anyway. Funny how it works out sometimes. I'll definitely be on this site to post updates. I love this board!! Awesome support. Thank you!

That's awesome! I had a NSV just last week. We got a LOT of rain it the Chicago area all last week. At work, I park in a garage and have to walk across the street to get inside the building. One morning was downpouring really badly and I didn't have an umbrella, just a sweatshirt with a hood. I opened the door out of the parking garage and sprinted across the street to avoid getting soaked. Now, I haven't RUN to ANYTHING in years. I didn't even think about it, tho. I just ran to avoid the rain. And as soon as I got in the building and realized I had done it, I also realized I wasn't panting out of breath. It wasn't a long run or anything, but a year ago just WALKING QUICKLY when I was a little late to work could wind me. But I had just ran as fast as I could and wasn't affected at all. Not a huge NSV maybe, but it was something that caught me off guard. I'm by NO means 'in shape'. But I think it might be my body's way of letting me know it likes that I'm getting lighter.

AWESOME job! You look great!

thank you!

Thank you! My nutritionist suggested the Isopure saying that those tasted like Gatorade, but they are SO expensive and everyone on these sites seems to think they are awful. I think I'll stick with regular Gatorade for the first week or two. I realize it might be hard to get my Water in but I honestly didn't consider using Gatorade (mainly because I've never been a fan of it, but I know it works for hydration). Does Vitamin Water work like Gatorade? Because I like VW better than Gatorade, but I'll use whatever is more beneficial. I've always been the kind of person who could tolerate anything, tho. Like how some people can't stand Pepto or Alka Seltzer or whatever - while I may not LIKE them, I could always tolerate it for the sake of helping myself. I hope this continues to some extent post op. Sometimes I read the post from the newly sleeved and just think "Just drink the shake. Bad taste won't kill you" but I do realize that things change A LOT when you have this surgery and especially since I'm pre-op and really have NO IDEA what people really go through, I try not to judge those who aren't getting their requirements in. In a few short weeks, I might not have that ability, either. I appreciate the tip and the info! I do hope I can drink my almond milk, tho. I actually love it!

Not all surgeons tell you they are going to do the nicotine test. Not saying yours WILL test you, but they don't always say they will. I'm a former smoker, and pending surgery or not, I urge every smoker to quit. I wish you luck and lots of strength to conquer your addiction!

As professionals, the surgeons HAVE to tell you the risks - otherwise they aren't doing their job. You'd have most of these same risks if you needed surgery for anything - appendix rupture, gall stones, etc. Don't get me wrong, I have my moments of getting freaked out as well, but I just remind myself that the complication rates are relatively low. And many of the complications are avoided simply by following your post op instructions. It's normal to worry about it. The more you know about the potential complications, the more likely you are to prevent them. I'm scheduled for May 2nd. Good luck to us all! Sip, sip, sip! Walk, walk, walk!

Oh wow, I didn't think revision surgeries required the supervised diet stuff... I'm sure it varies by company. Anyway, good luck to you!

I'm POSITIVE that I bought more than I'll actually need! In fact, I'm really HOPING I don't need half this stuff! However, I live alone. I'll be staying with my parents for a night or two after I'm discharged, but I definitely prefer to be in my own home so I'll be on my own within 3-4 days post op. I'll have to be prepared for anything and everything because I don't have anyone who lives with me that's available to run out and pick something up for me when I need it. I have my parents and plenty of friends to help, but I don't wanna be having diarrhea and trying to call someone to bring me imodium, ya know? I just figured best to be safe than sorry!

I start my 2 week liquid pre-op diet on Thursday. I'm going to sort of ease myself into the liquid diet starting today. I had a strawberry body fortress shake instead of eggs and meatless sausage for breakfast. (I made mine with unsweetened almond milk and a splash of vanilla creamer - the creamer makes it SO MUCH BETTER), I'm having yogurt and maybe a cheese stick for lunch. And I have some Gardein Turk'y that I'll have for dinner with some asparagus. Then a shake if I'm hungry later. Since I started my journey, I have been focused on what I had to do to get approved for surgery, not what I had to do to get prepared for surgery. Some of these things go hand in hand - like changing your eating habits, losing a bit of weight, increasing exercise - but I have definitely not focused much on the emotional journey I'm about to go on. I've been more focused on the physical journey and the financial one. As a result, I had the tiniest of meltdowns at Walmart last night. I was doing "post op prep shopping" and it was like everything I picked up led me to unpleasant thoughts about what I'll be dealing with in just a matter of weeks. It started when I was at home and went online to make purchases from various sites for vitamins, supplements, protein powders, storage containers, etc. I mean, I spent nearly $200 right there simply because I'm definitely a sucker for "buy more, save more" specials. Even though I had a pretty long list going into the store, something about seeing these things pile up was just... overwhelming for about 22 seconds. I spend a good 45 minutes in the "Health" area - picking out gauze, tape, bandaids, ointment, lotions and a lot of other things like Milk of Magnesia, liquid Imodium, fiber gummies, Gas-X strips... just so much stuff. Just in case kinda stuff that I've seen over and over again in these forums that people need. And it's taking me a long time to get these things because I don't use any of these things now. I have a first aid kit that barely gets used... I don't currently get constipated, I don't get gassy, I don't get reflux, I don't get diarrhea... but I'm about to do something to myself, VOLUNTARILY, that will probably give me all of this and more, in combination with each other. And yet, I read over and over that people suffer through this and don't regret a single thing because it got them to where they want to be. So all of this went racing through my mind as I was in front of the fiber supplements (the last thing on my list for that section, the top shelf of the cart overflowing with all this stuff). No one was really around, so I sort of let myself go, for just a few seconds. I let out a deep breath and about 4 tears popped out of my eyes and I was done. I took another deep breath, wiped my tears, and picked out some fiber gummies. Did I come this far to back out? No. Do I want to stay where I'm at instead of having surgery? No. So I'm ready to face the emotions. This pre-op fear? Well, I'm as prepared as I can be. There's actually a lot of comfort in that. Expect the best, fear the worst. That fear is making sure I'm darn prepared so I don't have to bother going out and getting what I need when I'm already in trouble! Things are only going to get better... and better...

I've seen a lot of protein powders that have this on the packaging as well, it's not just the brand you're mentioning. Not really sure why, either...

Good luck!! Keep us updated!