pcindy

A little P.S. The really bottom line (in my opinion), is that your VSG is no one's business but your own, and you don't have to tell anyone anything (including a lie) if you don't want to. Your employer is legally prohibited from asking you about your health (you only need to tell them when asking for time off that it is for medical reasons). If you chose to keep mum and only tell the circle of people in your life in whom you trust, that is your perogative. Keep your head held high either way, and good luck!

I'm telling everyone the truth. People (even some of my collegues in the medical profession) are clueless, and sometimes insensitive. Their questions are sometimes probing and inappropriate. Sometimes their (unsolicited) advice is maddening. But sad fact is, a lot of the general public still think that fat people are stupid and lazy and lacking in self-control. Oh well. It's the last bastion of sanctioned prejudice. Can't change it overnight. But, I'm still opening myself up to the comments of these often-annoying people because I'm determined not to lie as if I'm ashamed of myself. If people respond inappropriately, usually a cocked eyebrow (if held long enough) eventually shuts them up. Sigh. C'?st la vie. This is my truth, and I don't give a sh*t what any one else thinks of it. On the flip side, with some people in my life, I reserve the right to simply not tell them anything either way. If they ask, I can just smile, shrug, and tell them to have a nice day.

Take 'em all out. They are potential sources of bacteria/infection. They can get lost. If you swell post-op, they can get stuck. Oral piercings can become potential airway obstructions so they WILL make you take those out. Nurses cannot wear artificial nails because study after study shows that they are filthy- major breeding grounds for bacteria. Nail polish less so, but not advisable, and colored nail polish interferes with pulse-oximetry (the probe they put on your finger tip to assess your oxygenation level). Bottom line, go in as naked as the day you were born, put all jewelry in a safe place (you can put it all back in afterward), and minimize the risks that can be minimized.

I posted this thread in the Success Stories section by accident. :confused1: This is where I meant to post it: Hi everyone! I see a lot of questions on this site about pre-op diets. I thought I'd post mine, just as a guide for those who aren't prescribed one, but think they might need or want one. Good luck to everyone. Pre-op liquid Diet It is recommended by your surgeon and dietitian to follow a low calorie, low fat, low sugar and high Protein liquid diet for ___ days prior to undergoing bariatric surgery. The purpose of the liquid diet is to reduce the size of the liver, reduce the risk of bleeding during the surgery and to show commitment to the program. Below are the nutritional guidelines for the pre-op liquid diet. You will need to measure your intake and keep a food journal. Depending on which items you choose to consume throughout the day, your intake should be approximately 1000 calories and 60-80 grams of protein. You will be expected to lose 5 lbs per week on this plan. The nutritional guidelines are as follows: UNLIMITED SECTION: These liquids can be taken in any amount since they do not contain sugar. 1. sugar free or diet beverages such as Crystal Light (Great Value @ Walmart), Sugar Free Kool-Aid, Sugar Free Tang, Diet Snapple, FUZE, Powerade Zero, Diet V8 Splash, Propel, Fruit 2 O, coffee, Tea and Water. 2. Low Sodium broth Soups (chicken, vegetable, beef- tomato Soup is not a broth soup). It needs to be a clear liquid and can NOT contain bit and pieces of meats, tofu, noodles or vegetables. Each 8 oz serving shouldn?t be more than 140 mg of sodium. Bullion cubes are not acceptable as they are too high in sodium. 3. Sugar Free Jell-O and Sugar Free Popsicles LIMITED SECTION: Please do NOT consume more than the maximum # of servings listed in each category for each day you are on the diet: 1. Juice: Limit intake to 2 cups or 16 oz per day. Fruit Juice(apple, orange, cranberry, grape, and grapefruit),Gatorade, G2, Vitamin Water, Life Water, Snapple, Powerade, Low Sodium V-8 juice and V-8 fusion ? limit intake to 2 cups or 16 oz per day. 2. Limit to 3 servings per day: ? cup of Regular Jell-O, Popsicles or NO ADDED SUGAR Fudgesicles. 3. Limit to 3 servings per day: 1 cup (8 oz) of milk (skim, 1%, Lactaid, Almond, or Soy), 6 oz of LIGHT or Greek Yogurt (no more than 110 calories and 12 grams of sugar/serving), ? cup of SUGAR FREE Jell-O pudding, ? cup of FAT FREE or LOW FAT Cottage cheese 4. Protein Shakes: Limit to 2 servings per day: The following are approved protein shakes: Muscle Milk LIGHT (costco, Target, GNC and major grocery chains), Pure Protein shakes (Trader Joe?s), Premier Protein Shakes (Costco), NO ADDED SUGAR Carnation Instant Breakfast (Target), EAS 100% whey Protein (Walmart), Isopure (GNC or The Vitamin Shoppe), Zero Carb Isopure (GNC or The Vitamin Shoppe), Body Fortress Protein Shots (Walmart), Body Choice Liquid Protein Shots (Costco). *** DO NOT BUY SLIM FAST, ENSURE OR BOOST ? these drinks are high in calories and sugars. If you chose a brand that?s not listed above please check the nutrition label first and make sure it meets the following criteria: less than or equal to 160 calories, less than or equal to 6 grams of fat, 15+ grams of protein and less than or equal to 6 grams of sugar. ***For those that are lactose intolerant please choose the following: Isopure, Zero Carb Isopure, Body Fortress Protein Shots or Body Choice Protein Shots. ***For those patients with diabetes, we recommend that you consume 15 grams of carbohydrates every 1-2 hrs. Be sure to monitor your blood sugars and contact your doctor if necessary. If your blood sugar is >150 mg, spread out your sugar sweetened liquids over a 3 hr period.

I meant to post this in the Pre-Op section... oops!

Hi everyone! I see a lot of questions on this site about pre-op diets. I thought I'd post mine, just as a guide for those who aren't prescribed one, but think they might need or want one. Good luck to everyone. :confused1: Pre-op Liquid Diet It is recommended by your surgeon and dietitian to follow a low calorie, low fat, low sugar and high protein liquid diet for ___ days prior to undergoing bariatric surgery. The purpose of the liquid diet is to reduce the size of the liver, reduce the risk of bleeding during the surgery and to show commitment to the program. Below are the nutritional guidelines for the pre-op liquid diet. You will need to measure your intake and keep a food journal. Depending on which items you choose to consume throughout the day, your intake should be approximately 1000 calories and 60-80 grams of protein. You will be expected to lose 5 lbs per week on this plan. The nutritional guidelines are as follows: UNLIMITED SECTION: These liquids can be taken in any amount since they do not contain sugar. 1. Sugar free or diet beverages such as Crystal Light (Great Value @ Walmart), Sugar Free Kool-Aid, Sugar Free Tang, Diet Snapple, FUZE, Powerade Zero, Diet V8 Splash, Propel, Fruit 2 O, Coffee, Tea and Water. 2. Low Sodium Broth Soups (chicken, vegetable, beef- tomato soup is not a broth soup). It needs to be a clear liquid and can NOT contain bit and pieces of meats, tofu, noodles or vegetables. Each 8 oz serving shouldn?t be more than 140 mg of sodium. Bullion cubes are not acceptable as they are too high in sodium. 3. Sugar Free Jell-O and Sugar Free Popsicles LIMITED SECTION: Please do NOT consume more than the maximum # of servings listed in each category for each day you are on the diet: 1. Juice: Limit intake to 2 cups or 16 oz per day. Fruit Juice(apple, orange, cranberry, grape, and grapefruit),Gatorade, G2, Vitamin Water, Life Water, Snapple, Powerade, Low Sodium V-8 Juice and V-8 Fusion ? limit intake to 2 cups or 16 oz per day. 2. Limit to 3 servings per day: ? cup of Regular Jell-O, Popsicles or NO ADDED SUGAR Fudgesicles. 3. Limit to 3 servings per day: 1 cup (8 oz) of milk (skim, 1%, Lactaid, Almond, or Soy), 6 oz of LIGHT or Greek Yogurt (no more than 110 calories and 12 grams of sugar/serving), ? cup of SUGAR FREE Jell-O pudding, ? cup of FAT FREE or LOW FAT Cottage Cheese 4. Protein Shakes: Limit to 2 servings per day: The following are approved protein shakes: Muscle Milk LIGHT (Costco, Target, GNC and major grocery chains), Pure Protein Shakes (Trader Joe?s), Premier Protein Shakes (Costco), NO ADDED SUGAR Carnation Instant Breakfast (Target), EAS 100% Whey Protein (Walmart), Isopure (GNC or The Vitamin Shoppe), Zero Carb Isopure (GNC or The Vitamin Shoppe), Body Fortress Protein Shots (Walmart), Body Choice Liquid Protein Shots (Costco). *** DO NOT BUY SLIM FAST, ENSURE OR BOOST ? these drinks are high in calories and sugars. If you chose a brand that?s not listed above please check the nutrition label first and make sure it meets the following criteria: less than or equal to 160 calories, less than or equal to 6 grams of fat, 15+ grams of protein and less than or equal to 6 grams of sugar. ***For those that are lactose intolerant please choose the following: Isopure, Zero Carb Isopure, Body Fortress Protein Shots or Body Choice Protein Shots. ***For those patients with diabetes, we recommend that you consume 15 grams of carbohydrates every 1-2 hrs. Be sure to monitor your blood sugars and contact your doctor if necessary. If your blood sugar is >150 mg, spread out your sugar sweetened liquids over a 3 hr period.

Thanks for the reassuring posts, everyone. I'm getting my sleeve in 2 weeks and the closer it gets the more I'm going to be sh*ting a brick. I'm an RN and know way too much about all the little details and possibilities and hope I won't be the world's worst patient! I hope the pre-op coctail is a double!!

Dear RDABGA: I'm getting my VSG in 2 weeks. I've never had any other weightloss surgery (although as a nurse, I've worked with a lot of post-op gastric bypass patients). I wouldn't have been open to a gastric bypass in a million years, and was turned off to the band for exactly the reasons you've described. I made the decision to have a VSG because for me, it feels like the last stagecoach out of Dodge for me- the last chance to be healthy and normal while still relatively young, last chance to get pregnant and have a family, etc... I really just wanted to say how brave I think you are, and to thank you for sharing your story here. I wish you all the best with your outcome; you really deserve it. Please keep us all posted.

I'm 5 days into a 3 week pre-op diet. It's hell. They say that it defats the liver, making it smaller, floppier and much easier to retract during the surgery (and therefore, safer). They are VERY strict about it (they will call off the surgery if the patient doesn't lose 5lbs/week). I'm cheating (a little- a can of low sodium/low fat soup every evening), but otherwise trying hard. Have lost 4lbs so far. I'm absolutely obsessing about food and feel like crud, but if it gives me a safer outcome (not to mention, keeps me from delaying the surgery- which insurance is paying for), I'm gonna keep my eye on the prize. Thank G-d for a very supportive (and tolerant) husband! Even if your surgeon doesn't require a liquid diet, you may want to consider going VERY low fat and low sugar until your surgery. Good luck and keep us posted. Go June!!! :biggrin0:

I'm scheduled for a sleeve with them soon- has anyone here had any experience with them? Thanks!

Add me to the list! June 29! :001_tongue: 1 ? Laurel80, Willbesexyboytoy 2 ? Kat1018, Gardinerwife, Nannieg 3- Lessofme2010, Steve-0 4 ? Dsarg1 5 ? 4meandmygirls, Rollermom 6 7 Kimber29 8 ? Avilda, NadiaLinISgoing2beThin, Texaschick,Mommyof4 9 ? Zephra, Tlynnles, Determined, Terry Frances, Brittu 10 ? Sparkle, Nsalex75, tbarnes18 11 ? Ntvtxn, Ads, CGshrink 12 13 14 ? BandMomsRock, Lotusflwr80 15 ? Chellebelle0880, Delawaregal, Sam30204, Syry180, Sunnyinaz, Bigkahuna, Cottoneye 16 17 ? Jenni80, Bryan2088 18 19 TDL 20 21 ? Jdavid, Asiancajunmom, Kalex21211, Songbirdkay, Dixienorco 22 Educationrulz, Anniegg 23 - Swany 24 25 MP8BTPC 26 27 28 ? CurvyJudy, Forcarolynk 29 Beentherewasthat, PCindy 30 ? Greenize,CavyGuy

Mazel tov!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wishing you good health and continued happiness!

Trust your CRNA/ Anesthesiologist. There usually isn't a lot of friction on the vocal cords (but if you're a singer, just let them know). Remember, the larger the ETT (endotracheal tube), the easier it is to ventilate you. Most sore throat or hoarseness is temporary (if you have any at all), but having brain tissue well perfused and oxygenated trumps all...

LOL! Don't fear- no candles used in surgery! A Bougie is: bou?gie / ˈboōjē; -zhē/ • n. (pl. -gies) Med. a thin, flexible surgical instrument for exploring or dilating a passage of the body. (some think the term is related to the French term, "bourgiosie," don't know why)The word French is used with many medical devices that are straw-like, with an internal lumen (opening). The number correlates with it's size, ie: a "32 French" is larger than a "28 French." I'm glad they're using a 32 for my VSG, although I hear some surgeons are using 28. I hope to God that my urinary catheter (Foley) is no larger than a 16!There's an answer from a nurse. Good luck!

Great question list, Sparkle!

I'm on June 29th. Today is day 4 of my pre-op liquid diet and I'm 2.6lbs down. Hang in there! :scared0:

Jillian, i'm glad you did go to the ER. I have not had my VSG yet, but I know I would not be ready for it had I not found recovery and support for my underying eating disorder long prior to this. I see the VSG as a physiological tool in fighting a multifaceted disease. Please visit www.OA.org, locate some meetings in your area, and try 3 different meetings before deciding if OA is for you. I wish you success and believe you can find the support you seem to need, and most certainly deserve.

hope by the time you've read this, you've gone to the emergency room.