Lizadaze

I'm sorry to hear of your gallbladder issues and am wondering if you took a gallstone preventative medication at all after surgery. I am taking Actigal which is supposed to help prevent gallstones. I am hoping that it works.

I really can't imagine someone getting this surgery on a Friday and going back to work the following Monday. That seems completely irresponsible and possibly even malpractice. Perhaps if you work from home and don't work full time hours maybe, but there is so much one has to do to take care of yourself after surgery, even in the best of circumstances. Additionally, you typically cannot drive for at least two weeks post surgery. My surgery went very well. I didn't even have any pain meds post surgery nor did I take the anti nausea meds. Three of my incisions healed in the first week and the other two quickly thereafter. I also had a visiting nurse service twice a week for the first two weeks. By all accounts, my recovery has been optimum and ahead of expectations. That said, I was in the hospital for three days and then when I came home, I needed a lot of sleep the first two weeks. Sleep, nutrition, movement, and minimum stress all aid in the healing process and I can't imagine working in the first couple of weeks. While I did check in via email and phone a bit, had I worked a full day I am sure my recovery would not have been so good. Between trying to eat and drink on a prescribed schedule every hour or so, exercise every hour for 5 minutes, do breathing exercises, take meds, etc. leaves little time to try and do any type of other work. While my exercise sometimes consisted of vacuuming and light cleaning around the house, it was in small time increments of 15 minutes or so during those first couple of weeks. By the third week, I was walking two to four miles a day, but I'd often need a nap within a few hours after that. I now feel like I've gotten enough of my energy back that I can get through a day at work, but I'm sure it will still be challenging the first week. Bottom line, if you are planning for this surgery you should not have expectations of going back to work quickly. All protocols I have seen indicate a typical medical leave of 4 to 6 weeks and that's If you have no complications. I think this could be pushed back to possibly three weeks if necessary, but it is really up to your surgeon.

I think it is good to be nervous and to make sure you are committed to the decision. I spent years considering surgery and doing research and diets. I then spent a year preparing for my sleeve surgery, but still had a panic attack two weeks before my surgery. However, I had done everything I needed to do and I felt good about my decision and knew it what truly what I needed to do for myself. On the day of surgery, I was not nervous at all, but had a strong sense of peace and determination. I knew it would not be easy and that the surgery would likely be painful and cause discomfort, would force a change in my eating habits and will require a commitment to exercise to fully realize the benefits of the surgery. It is not a quick fix or easy decision, but a major surgery and lifelong commitment, so having some nerves is not only common, but good, because this is a major life changing thing. My advice is to work through your nerves by being as informed as prepared as possible for the surgery and recovery. I created a very ambitious "to do" list for myself before surgery that helped me a lot, especially during my recovery. I used that nervous energy to do productive things that ended up giving me more and more confidence about my decision. I'm one month out now, had a successful surgery and am grateful for also a very speedy recovery. I'm so glad I made this decision, but it took a lot of preparation for me to truly feel like I could succeed. Good luck to you!

Four and a half weeks. I go back to work on Monday 3/31. I probably could have gone back sooner, but used the time to really get some personal things done as well take care of myself. I also treated myself to a spa day yesterday and got my hair done, so I feel really great about that and am ready to get back to work now.

I had a similar experience last week myself with baked fished that was way too dry. I felt horrible! I figure it is a good lesson learned cause I have definitely stayed away from over doing it since.

I'm on February 26th. Coming up quick and so much to do to get ready!!

After a year of preparation, testing and waiting I finally have my surgery date of February 26th. Now, I'm feeling almost in a panic about everything I need to get done before my surgery. I have so much going on at work to prepare to be out for a month. I've never been away from the office fir that amount of time. Then, I want to get my house completely cleaned up, laundry, bills, writing letters, etc it seems like I will never get it all done. Did anyone else feel this way leading up to surgery? What was most important to do for yourself prior to surgery? I am excited but also tend to worry about everything!

Nice!

You look awesome and rock the red sweater! Congrats!

Helpful article and discussion. Thank you!

Hi, I'm Elizabeth and hope to confirm my December date soon. Going for all my pre-op testing this week so it will be a busy time! Look forward to having some friends here to chat with along the way. It's funny, but I have been going through the process for most of this year to prepare for the surgery and get through all the pre approval process, which is now done. Yet it was today that I finally told my mother that I was doing this. I wasn't going to tell her (lots of family drama) but I'm glad I did now. She is supportive and wants to be with me so I'm feeling good about that. Anyway, hello everyone!

That's pretty amazing and I really thank you for sharing so much! It really gives me hope. I'm actually tearing up and crying right now as I write this. We have similar body sizes and I know I will need cosmetic surgery after my weight loss. I hate having surgery so knowing that it is possible to have so much done at a time gives me strength. I could simply say DITTO, that I will likely need all the exact things you did. Congratulations on your accomplishments.

Thanks for this advice! I'm pre-surgery but already deal with skin rashes. Just went through a horrible ordeal with an infection. I haven't taken pictures but will start documenting. My doc did prescribe meds now twice, so that is also on record.

That's interesting, because my doctor won't set the date until everything else is in place. I got my insurance approval in just one week. I do all my pre-op testing and blood work next week. Then, I see the surgeon and we set the date! I am hoping for the week of Dec. 16th, but we will see! So tips to get your primary doc to support you include the following: 1. Discussion of past attempts to lose weight and the outcomes of that over time. For me, each attempt eventually resulted in gaining MORE weight back than I had lost on various plans. So years of yo yo dieting is considered to be very bad. 2. Progressive weight gain year over year as you've aged. 3. Actual or emerging health concerns caused by or increased by being obese. 4. Physical and life limitations caused by your weight. 5. Therapist, family and or friend support of your weight loss goals. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Congrats! I am also hoping to get a December date set. I'm doing all my pre-op testing next week. Things are moving fast! Nervous, but also excited!

I think that having a good therapist is very important! It has helped me a lot leading up to my surgery and will no doubt help me through the challenges ahead. I feel your distress and have been there time and again myself. Stop beating yourself up about it and get some professional help to guide you through the emotional and mental side of this. For me, that's 90% of the battle! Good luck and keep in touch.