Steevo

Hi all, first check in to the post-op group since my surgery on March 11. Do I need to be added to the group to post and keep up with all my other March Post op buddies? Lost close to 40 pounds so far and first post-op visit went really well. Two more weeks of soft solids then i'm back to the "real world" foods. Been having some stomach aches the last few days but other than that (knocking on wood...) everything's been going great. No diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, dumping or any of the other negative side effects from the surgery. 50 to 60 more lbs to go so I'm sure some of that may change once I start experimenting with what real foods I can/can't have. Wishing everyone lots of luck and dry farts Steevo

Ate a salad n protein shake about 6PM the night before surgery. Had my meds with water around 11:30PM. Nothing to eat or drink after midnight. If you're worried about it don't be. Too late for that now. Just concentrate on getting in the right frame of mind for after the surgery. Prayers for tomorrow.

First post op check in. Surgery was 3/11 at 8 AM. Got released from the hospital 3/13 at 2PM. Getting in n out of my memory foam mattress at home hurt a lot. No way to not use your stomach muscles when you sink in and need to roll over get up whatever. Moved to the recliner in the living room around 3 AM this morning. Gonna transition into the guest room for a few days now. My surgery took about an hour longer than it should have because my liver was still so large. Do not, I repeat do not ask your doctor about a last meal before your surgery. The pain of an extra hour on the OR table isn't worth it. That along with the two extra cuts into the stomach muscles to accommodate the tools just proves that was a really bad idea. Facts... You are going to be in pain after the surgery. Walking often helps. Yes, you aren't going to want to walk but do it anyway. IT HELPS. sugar free Popsicles are your friend. Yogurt helps getting the first BM going and keeping you regular. Not near as much gas pain here as I've heard from some of the other postops but haven't varied too much from my liquid diet from the hospital now that I'm home. God bless all and stay strong. Prayers going up for everyone.

Stay strong Mont. I go in Monday morn at 6AM. Surgery at 8. You can do it n ill b right there with ya. And thanks for all the honest feedback on the pain. I've already told my doc I'm a big baby when it comes to pain (but I guess most of you gals think that about all us guys). Gotta admit the pain really scares me but knowing its getting better really helps.

Preop visit to the surgeon this morning went great. Surgery date is still fixed for 3/11!! Preop visit to the hospital is scheduled for tomorrow morning. It's really starting to hit home now. Getting really anxious / nervous / elated / scared and whole bunch more adjectives!! One question, am I the only one who asked my surgeon about a "last meal"? He did actually tell me okay since I'd lost more than he asked and said he wanted me back on the liquid diet for at least two days before the surgery. Because of that we ordered take out from my favorite Chinese delivery tonight. I pigged out and now feel so bad and guilty about it. I know I can't slip into my old behaviors after the surgery or this all going to be for naught.

It does get better. Don't give up. And remember, Water is your friend

Whoop Whoop!

I really like the taste of the Premier shakes. No chalkiness at all. I read some reviews and some people complained about lumps but most of those were a year old or so. They must have gotten the recipe right because I haven't had any issues with that...all liquid, no clumps. It tastes like chocolate milk to me . The premier brand of protein bars I bought are about 25 grams of carbs so I've been limiting those to one a day. They have a yogurt covered peanut crunch that tastes really good. Two shakes a day, a protein bar and an apple or orange for a snack and then a reasonable dinner. But i went off course last night. We went to Souper Salad for dinner. Who would think you could blow your diet at a Souper Salad. Unfortunately they didn't have a low fat / no fat dressing so I went with oil and vinegar. Didn't count on the sugars in the balsamic vinegar...ugh.

Allright! Another guy in March! Welcome and hope the insurance approval comes through for you. I have Cigna and went through 6 letters of "...we don't find the surgery medically necessary and need more information...blah, blah." before I got approved. It actually took a peer to peer review with my dr. calling the Cigna dr. before I got approved.

Thanks Kathy! Very helpful!

Welcome and congrats!

Thanks LilBoo, yep counting the days ElleG, the water has been keeping me going. Been doing plenty of that for sure. The frozen dinners are a good idea too...hadn't thought about that since I usually cook most of our meals.

So I called my doctor yesterday to ask about my preop liquid diet. I was told to lose 10lbs and do the liquid diet to shrink my liver. They were very vague when I was asking what I could have (they told me to replace two meals with shakes and have a reasonable lunch or dinner). I told them I didn't get the brand of protein drink they suggested and they said that was okay as long as I was using something that had 60 grams of protein. They never mentioned how many carbs I was supposed to be taking in. Yesterday was my first full day on the diet. I skipped breakfast, had a protein shake for lunch (Premier brand from Sam's...liked the taste), a protein bar for a snack mid afternoon and then chicken breast, green beans and a salad for dinner. Total of about 1000 calories, 63 grams carbs and 122 grams proteins. Does that sound about right?? I need some help on this.

Great Article! Thanks for sharing!

Welcome and congrats! First day of my liquid diet...7:30 pm...both shakes and my meal down...still hungry. Hope I have your strength on my 4th day.

Okay, couldn't really tell by some of the names but from looking through the posts, I didn't see any guys on your list. Surgery date is 11 March. Start my liquid diet tomorrow. I've read a lot about the nervousness and anxieties about getting closer to the actual date. Gotta tell y'all from a guys perspective it's no different. The scary part for me is about the liquid diet preop. After years of being on the "diabetic roller coaster" ( as one of you ladies put it), I'm really not looking forward to having to check my blood sugars that many more times in a day. Especially in the business setting I work in. Maybe it's a guy thing about showing one of my weaknesses...don't know. Anyway, aside from all the anxieties I really am looking forward to having a new life. I'd be honored if you'd add me to the list for support and in return I'll offer all the prayers, support and well wishes that I can. Steevo

Hi all. Never thought I'd need a forum like this but here I am. 5'10", 285 lbs, uncontrolled type 2, lipids off the charts, sleep apnea, asthmatic, high blood pressure and the beginnings of neuropathy in my feet. Decided on the surgery May, 2012. After fighting with the insurance they finally approved it and I'm now 2 weeks out. I've been told to start the liquid diet and lose the 10 lbs. before surgery. After being so frustrated over the battle with the insurance company and now realizing this is actually going to happen I'm starting to get anxious and a little scared. I'm not that impressed with the support I've gotten out of the surgeon's office/staff so far and knowing the support I'm going to need after the surgery is making me even more anxious about the surgery. I'd appreciate all the feedback y'all could give. Steevo

Thanks all. And thanks Barb. I did do some searches for support groups and actually saw that my surgeons office sponsors a local one. Why wouldn't they have told me?!? It's things like that that really frustrate me.