MrsSugarbabe

Your surgeon will direct you about taking your meds post-op. I was taking a couple of small pills while in the hospital and did fine with those. Most of my supplements weren't restarted until about one month post-op. Some meds have been discontinued completely, at least for awhile, because I'm now on Coumadin for at least another 4 months if not longer. I did not have any trouble with taking the meds/supplements other than I want to drink more liquid when taking them than what my new stomach will comfortably allow. Great suggestion by another member about asking your pharmacist for help re: crushing, splitting, and liquid alternatives.

My post-op experience was a challenge also. The surgery itself (on 11/10) and the 2 days in the hospital went fine. It was after I was home about 5 days that things started going south. I called my surgeon's office to schedule my first post-op appt. His nurse did not like how I was sounding on the phone so she had him call me later that day. He told me to go into the office the next morning (11/18) to see his PA (he was going to be in his other office so I wasn't able to see him) and have her check me out. After the PA checked me out, what she found was my O2 sat was 85 and HR 115, she conferred with my surgeon by phone and then told my husband to drive me to the hospital for a CT to check for blood clots. No clots were found, thank goodness. However, my hospital journey began as they admitted me in order to run more tests. Over the course of a few days, I had multiple CT scans, x-rays, blood work, etc. Ended up with a couple of drains for a hematoma in my stomach and for where bile was collecting under my diaphragm. These two things plus an infection caused my body to create "reactive fluid" in the chest area between my ribs and left lung which is what was causing me to be so short of breath. After draining off over 1400cc of Fluid, my breathing improved considerably finally. My hospital stay lasted 13 days with an additional 5 days in inpatient rehab to try and regain some of my strength and balance back. I lost a lot of weight and muscle strength during those 18 days. I could not walk without assistance I was so weak. Once I was discharged from rehab on 12/6, I continued with outpatient rehab through December. Today I'm doing so much better physically, have lost about 40 lbs. since pre-surgery days, and am working out regularly to lose more. All that said, despite the complications I experienced after the surgery, I would have the surgery again. It took me a long time to make the decision to have the surgery, and I'm glad I did. I may not be losing the weight as quickly as my surgeon is expecting me to, but I am doing all the homework to make it happen, i.e. Protein protein protein, tracking food intake, ramped up my exercise routine, and staying away from the junk food. It will come off in due time. When you consider how small our stomachs are now, it makes it easier (at least for me) to make better choices about what to eat since I can eat so little before I'm full. I encourage anyone considering having VSG to do it. I don't believe you'll regret your decision to do whatever it takes to improve your health. I'm no longer on my diabetes or blood pressure medications I will be very interested to see what happens with my fatty liver situation as I get farther down the weight loss road. So I had my surgery on January 20th. I am a nurse and have researched this for years before finally decided on the surgery. I went to all the pre-op classes, did everything I was supposed to do when I was supposed to and i thought I knew exactly what I was getting myself into. Holy crap was I wrong. No amount of prep could have prepared me for what was in store. Post op, felt great. a bit nauseous but ok. Went for a nice long walk, had my foley, i was Nothing by mouth and a dilauded pca with zofran around the clock. I feel asleep for a bit woke at 2 am and was super sick to my stomach. The discontinued my iv in the morning and asked me to start drinking. WHAT!!!!! I tried, please understand I tried...so hard....They gave me Roxicodone liqiud, which just made things worse. My Blood pressure went through the rood because of the pain and nausea so they gave me meds for that which sucked because my head was killing me. They ended up restarting my IV and i was a blubbering idiot, in tears wondering what the hell i did to myself. The nurse practitioner came in and gave me toradol. with the hour i was able to stand again, ate some jello and cleaned up which allowed me to get out of the hospital that day. It is now 5 days later. I am doing so much better. Still have some staples in place and steri strips. Water is going down easier, Jello as well. Still not a big fan of broth. I know with all my heart and soul that this was the right thing for me to do but I had my moment of weakness. I felt guilty and stupid about it but the NP told me that no one, no matter how much you know, can anticipate how your body will react to the surgery. Be patient. Forgive yourself for the doubts you have because you will have doubts and remember....it will get better.

Once I made the decision to have the surgery, with total support from my husband, I did tell my boss because I was going to need time off for the surgery and recovery. I had already talked with several co-workers who had been through either the RNY or sleeve themselves so they knew I was considering it. I told my sister (our parents are deceased), a beloved uncle, cousin, and aunt, a long-time friend, and my bonus daughters (3). I DID NOT post it on Facebook. Everyone I told was super supportive because they knew I had to do this for my health, it is more than just about weight loss. I did not want the complications that can come from having a fatty liver to be what takes me out of this world. Now that I've lost enough weight to be really noticeable and am back to work (after dealing with some post-surgical complications and a 3 week stay in the hospital & inpatient rehab), when someone compliments me and asks what I'm doing, I'm happy to tell them about the surgery......it is a TOOL to help facilitate weight loss and a healthier lifestyle, not a shortcut to weight loss.

After jumping through all the necessary hoops/appointments, I received my insurance approval last week and was able to get my surgery scheduled for 12/8, along with the 5 additional pre-op appts. Originally I was going to wait until February for travel reasons, but our travel plans have changed thanks to Ebola and some of my work benefits are changing in 2015 and I wanted to take the full benefit of my extended illness hours for time off for recovery. It finally seems more real, and I've finally wrapped my head around this procedure being an acceptable solution to weight loss, significant weight loss. Before it always seemed like an extreme measure to be taking, but my PCP was right, this is the best route for me at this stage in life. Also, after discovering this website and finding it to be a great source of information and support, I can now enthusiastically accept my decision and embrace all my supporters' support . I start my 2 week liquid diet prep the Monday before Thanksgiving which will be fine with me. My husband and I have a non-traditional holiday anyway so it won't be a big deal food-wise. If anyone has any suggestions or recommendations to share during this waiting period, and for the 2 days I'll be in the hospital, please do. I'd love to hear them. I know one of the main things is to walk, walk, walk . Also, because my husband and I are canceling our travel plans (a cruise to the Southern Caribbean in December), I would like to ask for prayers that we are able to get all of our money back from our travel insurance (since the surgery is medically necessary). My surgeon's nurse is more than happy to provide a letter for me to submit.

That must be a normal reaction to getting the phone call with your surgery date. I got the call on Tuesday that my date had been changed from 12/8 to 11/10 and that I should start my pre-op liquid diet that day since surgery was one day shy of being 2 weeks out. I kind of freaked out, too. Mainly because we had to figure out when and how to get all the pre-op appts. in prior to surgery, and still do my job at work. We got it all scheduled with the exception of one appointment which I will do sometime after surgery. Good luck and hang in there! We've got this!

Tashabella: Since I'm in a similar boat right now, I don't have any words of wisdom to offer other than to stay busy with other things and try not to worry. Anxiety will not serve us well. My surgery is on 11/10; just got the new date yesterday; was originally scheduled for 12/8. When I got the call yesterday, my mind went into overdrive thinking about all I have to do at work and home prior to surgery. Like so many others have said in different ways -- we are doing this to save our lives and improve our health. Everything will be fine, which is what I'm choosing to believe. Surgery makes me nervous too! But having had one other surgery in my entire life (I'll be 59 on Friday) and a few colonoscopies, I know this surgery will be the best nap I'll have had in a long time Hang in there!

I was originally scheduled for December 8th and got a call yesterday that my surgeon had an opening on November 10th, so I jumped on it. Granted, it meant I had to start my 2 week pre-op liquid diet yesterday (one day short of 2 weeks), but that was okay since I drink my Breakfast and lunch anyway during the week. I didn't start feeling anxious, nervous, excited, etc. until yesterday. We were able to get all my pre-op appts. scheduled for this week and next, except for the mental preparedness class which I'll do after surgery. My psych eval. was done in July and was my last hoop to jump through prior to insurance approval. Now all I can think about is everything I need to get accomplished at work and home prior to surgery. Trying hard to keep any anxiety at bay. If you want an earlier date, check in with your surgeon's nurse/scheduler periodically and ask about any cancellations. My surgeon only does surgeries on Mondays, and then only 3 each Monday, so options were limited. I just happened to check in with his nurse yesterday via email about any cancellations and it wasn't 5 mins. later I got her phone call. Hang in there!!! Your surgery will be here before you know it!

Be careful what you ask for!!! I was previously scheduled for surgery on 12/8 and just got a call that there is a cancellation for 11/10 and did I want to do it then. I'm spinning every which way on the inside right now! Thinking of all that I need to get done appointment wise in the next two weeks and paperwork. Thank you, Lord!!!

HELP!! I've had to cancel my December cruise plans because I got a December 8th surgery date. Now I need to have my surgeon write a letter to the travel insurance company explaining why this surgery is medically necessary and why the surgery has to be done on this date, in order for me to get the remainder of my travel fees refunded (cruise line will refund half and travel insurance company will reimburse other half for "covered event.") Does anyone have such a letter they could share with me, please? My surgeon's nurse told me to let her know what the letter had to say and she would take care of it. I'm not sure just how much information needs to be included in the letter, or exactly what to say. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks!

Happy (early) Birthday!!! Hang in there! You didn't travel this far just to chicken out. I'm turning 59 later this week and received a call this morning telling me my surgery date was moving up to 11/10 (from 12/8) if I wanted that date. I said YES!!! So ready to get this behind me so I can get past the post-op process. Have to start my 2 week (minus 1 day ) pre-op diet today so there won't be any going out to supper on my birthday , but we'll Celebrate another time.

I was handling the waiting okay for the most part. Now feeling anxious about getting all the appts. scheduled, paperwork ready, telling my boss again that the date for everything has changed (again), and finding folks to cover my desk while I'm off. Needless to say, I have to start my 2 week pre-op liquid diet TODAY, which really isn't too much trouble since I drink Breakfast and lunch anyway. Of course, now all I can think about is FOOD!!! It doesn't help that I'm physically hungry at this point. My hubby was excited for me when I called to give him the news about the new date.

HELP!! I've had to cancel my December cruise plans because I got a December 8th surgery date. Now I need to have my surgeon write a letter to the travel insurance company explaining why this surgery is medically necessary and why the surgery has to be done on this date, in order for me to get the remainder of my travel fees refunded (cruise line will refund half and travel insurance company will reimburse other half for "covered event.") Does anyone have such a letter they could share with me, please? My surgeon's nurse told me to let her know what the letter had to say and she would take care of it. I'm not sure just how much information needs to be included in the letter, or exactly what to say. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks! This may not be the best forum for this topic, but I wanted to start somewhere

Thanks for the suggestion of the Synthrax nectar Protein, Txdogmom. I just ordered my sample pack, although she told me a shaker bottle does not come with the samples; that's okay because I already have one. I need to be trying out a variety of protein sources, too.

2New - I'm a fan of the unjury Protein powders and have been using them since last May mainly because they are convenient and taste good to me. My NUT told me not to get too stocked up on any one thing because a lot of times our tastes will change post-surgery. The Unjury in powder form is very low carb, 100 cals., and 21 gms protein. I mix the chocolate splendor and vanilla with skim milk. Sometimes I'll mix in both flavors, add a little coffee for a mocha blend. I plan to get some samples like many folks have suggested to see what might work for me post-op. I'm sure we'll both get it all figured out before our dates get here. Good luck to you!!

Wow!!! Lots of great information, Bufflehead! Thanks! I'm pre-surgery also and have some of the same questions and concerns about post-op shakes and other food. Another place to check for some options is Aldi's. I enjoy a couple of their Protein bars even though they aren't loaded with lots of protein, the 10 grams works for me for a snack some days. Once we're eating regular whole foods again, I'd be curious if anyone out there enjoys beef Jerky from time to time, and is it allowed? Too much sodium, but lots of protein Good luck, 2NewBeginningsxoxoxo

Thanks for the suggestions, Ginger Snaps. I tried googling last week and came up empty handed; tried again today with different phrasing and got some info as well as accessed the website for the travel insurance co. the policy is through where I found a physician statement form and list of documents required when submitting a claim. I may not even have to have my surgeon write a letter. I'm sure there are bound to be others out there on BariatricPal who may find themselves in a similar situation. Hopefully all the info and suggestions posted here will help them out as well. BTW - ginger snaps are my husband's favorite cookie currently

Well said!!

Congratulations!! You're looking great! Keep up the great work!

My hubby will probably react similarly after I have my surgery - 12/8 (if not sooner, hopefully). He's a natural comic and our life contains lots of comic relief

Thanks for this link! My surgery is scheduled for 12/8 and I've been wondering about things I can do food-wise post-op that are in line with what my plan will be.

I like the Budget Saver brand of SF popsicles which are the least expensive and which I can buy at Walmart. Check online for a coupon. I also like the POPSICLE brand of SF pops. Good luck!!

unjury has a chicken Soup Protein powder that is quite good. I also add a touch of chicken boullion to it.

If you have not discovered them yet, check out the brand of "Budget Saver" popsicles in sugar-free - they have a variety of flavors. I buy them at Walmart.

You have made incredible progress!!! Congratulations!!! And I agree with everything you've said. My surgery is scheduled for 12/8.

I don't plan to change my current routine until time to start pre-op liquid diet - surgery on 12/8, liquid diet to begin 11/24. My current routine consists of unjury shakes for Breakfast and lunch, Mon-Fri, one or two on Sat. & Sun., regular dinner and other meals, as low carb as possible (hubby is an insulin dependent diabetic). I drink lots of Water already and my coffee and tea are half regular, half decaf blends.