phazer08

I start soft diet on Monday and can't wait. I'll follow this discussion and drool until then. BTW...is pureed diet and soft diet the same?

While I'm pretty sure my doc did great in surgery (everything seems to work so far) and she is super up-beat and happy, there were a few small details she left out of the pre-op overview. My doc did not mention that I couldn't have ANYthing post-op of the day of surgery - no Water, no ice chips, nada. I was so thankful someone had mention Biotene mouth rinse as it was a life saver. She did not say, "where we take out your port (I was lap-band to bypass revision) is going to be really sore for probably 4 weeks. You might want to a) be mentally prepared for that and buy an abdominal binder. There was no offer of a block of any sort. The first time I stood up, I thought someone was ripping out my innards. She prescribed Lovenox injections for a week (blood thinner for clot prevention). She mentioned this in an off-hand manner during final pre-op appointment. She didn't say how I, who had never done this, was supposed to magically learn to. She did not say (despite looking at my chart in pre-op appointment) Oh - you're on hormones, you'll need to do these shots for a month, not just a week. And then forget to call the pharmacy with new scrip twice after I called her office to remind her. She also used a hospital that had nurses who were experienced with bariatric patients. Of the 5 or so RNs that I had, 4 were top notch. One in particular was amaze-balls and he showed me how to do injections and talked me through a bunch of stuff. I {{heart}} you Dustin! Any others have similar things to add?

You make me out much more upset than I am. I just thought by starting a thread of the 'little things', it might help someone. I didn't really need a lesson. This is about my 8th abdominal surgery.

I just had band to bypass on Monday including a hiatal hernia fix. Where they took out the port is what hurts the most (the good news is the other incisions hardly hurt at all in comparison.) just be mentally prepared for the pain. I wasn't. Evidently the port is attached to muscle and they have to work it out (mine had been in 11 years, so more than you). I feel like I've been hit by a truck. The first day was awful - stay up on your pain meds. Every day is better. I know that's hard to hear, but it's better to be prepared Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I've had hypoglycemia all my adult life (I'm 57). Things I've learned - during an episode you crave sugar, but that just works for a little while then you crash again. Don't fall in that trap Things with artificial sugar can trick your body into thinking that it's sugar and cause an episode...especially on an empty stomach. Trail mix is good - has quick pick-me-up with M&Ms, medium-quick pick-me-up with raisins and long-term pick-me-up with peanuts. (I'm pre-surgery so I have no idea if this something you can eat afterwards). Protein drinks and Carnation sugar-free Breakfast drink are good during an episode Listen to your body...if you feel the shakes coming on, get something in you quick. Always carry glucose tablets. they are great. I buy the big bottle and the tube that carries 10 or so and always refill the tube and carry that. The way I was diagnosed was a 3-hour glucose test. Went to the lab on an empty stomach and drank glu-cola (sickly sweet cola drink) for 3 hours and they tested my blood every 30 minutes.

August sure is a loooong month. So many of you have had your surgery and moving towards eating again. I, on the other hand, start my one-week pre-op liquid diet tomorrow. Have had my final pre-op appointment and gotten my meds. Surgery is the 29th. Did any of you have to give yourself Enoxaparin injections? The doc just sort of glossed over this - I'm hoping the hospital nurses will show me how?

I need to read more carefully...I read "I use an ice pick" in that area. Glad things are going well...I am nervous and excited and looking forward to my surgery on the 29th! Keep posting, please!

August 29th here. LB to RNY revision. Got 2 weeks away a year ago and changed my mind. A year later and I'm kicking myself - I could be thin by now!! So if you're nervous and wondering if you're doing the right thing...don't do what I did! Go for it! @@MrsMonroe - I'm from Waco but having my surgery in Dallas with Dr. Hodges. She is who I was scheduled with last year (not HER fault I got nervous). She was with Barker Bariatric but she and another doc there went off on their own. I'm self-pay and her price actually went DOWN $3,000! Sweet. All you early-August gals...Best of luck!!

I'm scheduled for revision on August 29 - a Monday...taking the week off and then will have Labor Day off as well. My husband will be there for surgery and 2 days in hospital and bring me home...but then has an event out of town on Thursday that he wants to go to over the weekend. I was single when I had the lapband done and managed just fine. I have friends I can call. I am fine with him leaving, but just wanted to get some reassurance for both him and me. He feels bad (sort of) and I want him to go. Just need some idea of the condition I'll be in that first week. Thanks

Good observations James. The good news is he's driving, not flying, so can cancel at the last minute. Good thoughts on the walking too.

August 29 here in Texas. Being revised from lapband to RNY. Have been unfilled for 5 years now and regained all the weight I lost. Ready for a new start!

I know this is an old thread, but I'm wondering how your anti-depressant experiences have been. Have you found that extended-release, like Effexor XR, has worked ok. Or not?

Great question...I, too, want to know the answer

@@fayeu One of my concerns is health problems - just getting older type issues - after GB. You had strokes post bypass...did it affect anything in your recovery? Anyone else have GB as they work through other health issues? I was 2 weeks away from Lap Band to Bypass revision last summer and changed my mind. Now I'm thinking about it again...

I am scheduled by RNY on July 22. I am getting some major concern/lectures from my daughters, ages 30 and 32. One is just concerned with the possible surgical problems and potential complication but she sees is as totally my decision and she'll support me no matter what. My other daughter, the health nut, is a different story. She is an 'expert' on finding things online to support her views - which include being an anti-vaxxer. She questions anything mainstream medicine. But she is my daughter and I want to address her concerns. My situation is that I had a lap-band in 2005 when I weighed 245. Did well with it for 5 years, lost down to 170 and was happy with that. Then started having problems with reflux and getting food down and fell into bad food habits. It has been unfilled for over a year and my weight is back to 240...BMI of 35. I originally wanted the sleeve, but the doctor was concerned with my reflux issues as they generally come back to stay with the sleeve. I'm 56. As far as co-morbidities, my blood sugar levels have been creeping up to the pre-diabetic area. I haven't had a recent sleep study but my husband says I snore a lot more now that I've gained weight. I have high cholesterol. Otherwise, healthy. So, their concerns: 1. Taking Vitamins for the rest of my life. Health nut says that can't be 'good' that food is the preferred way to get nutrients. She's concerned about the malabsorption issue. I would appreciate any thoughts/input you may have about this. 2. Hypoglycemia - I have had this my entire adult life. It went away during the 5 successful lap band years. But I'm seeing things on this board about episodes of it that can be dangerous. I told them I knew the signs and carried glucose tabs for that reason. What are your experiences with this post-surgery? 3. I'm not "that" fat. C'mon mom, it's not like you can't function. Hubby (their step dad I've been married to for 7 years) still loves you just as you are. It's not like you're 20 and looking for a husband Granted, this is totally my decision, but I don't want to totally blow off their concerns. Part of the reason I'm doing this is cosmetic...I don't like the way I look. I just can't be 'Melissa McCarthy happy' with my body. The other part is health concerns going forward. Any input would be appreciated.

2 weeks to go and I'm an indecisive wreck. I change my mind 3 times a day! It started when I noticed all the low blood sugar posts. I already have low blood sugar! So I'm like the perfect candidate to have more episodes. I've started a topic that no one has responded to (it's here...maybe I should move it). My group of girlfriends had a get together this week, wine & drinks being the norm...will I ever be able to imbibe again (no flaming...I get it that I'm changing my lifestyle, but NO drinks EVER again??). My surgery is in Dallas because Waco has NO bariatric surgeons. What if something goes wrong? Do I drive to Dallas or go to the ER here and hope for the best? OH..and my surgeon had her baby a month early so now I have a different surgeon I've never met! Then I look in the mirror. And think about my blood sugar numbers that are creeping up to the diabetic range. And my high cholesterol And how I want to be healthier. And how I was successful with the Band for 5 years and lost weight and felt great. I have my pre-op appointment with the nutritionist today and will be grilling her on the hypoglycemia. Maybe I can put my mind at ease. Any encouragement would be welcome

I've read of folks having episodes of low blood sugar after the surgery. As someone who already has this condition pre-surgery, I'm wondering if it'll get worse after? Or perhaps the folks that have had problems with it didn't recognize the symptoms of an episode as quickly as I would. Or can I expect it to get worse? When my lapband was effective, I actually had very few low sugar episodes. I'm hoping this will be the case with the bypass as well. Would love to hear from anyone who had it before the surgery.

Thanks...I appreciate the encouraging words. TX Missy...where are you in Texas? I'm in Waco and there is no bariatric surgeon at all here. I'm having the surgery in Dallas at Barker Bariatric. Maybe I can find an online support group. I hadn't really thought about my co-workers and haven't told anyone other than my boss. I'll have to think on that.

I hear you on #3. But their mental picture of someone who needs this surgery is just skewed. And we did have the 'lay it out there' conversation today. Conference call with the 3 of us. I listened, told them I heard what they were saying. Told them I'd look into their specific concerns. Which is why the questions #1 & #2. They aren't going to change my mind. I'm just looking for some answers to put their mind at ease. Yeah...Health Nut. Went from being my wild child in high school to like this uber granola mom.

Waco,TX. Scheduled for July 22 with Dr. Hodges at Barker Bariatric in Dallas

Mine just got changed from July 29 to July 22nd. Yikes! a week earlier. sooo excited and nervous. Band to Bypass revision

Anyone tried beef Gelatin? When I was trying the Paleo "diet", that was suggested as something to add to shakes. Not the Knox kind but beef gelatin, like this http://amzn.com/B000MGR302. It was great for my nails and hair at the time (tho I didn't have hair loss issues). Also good for joints. And it has 9g of Protein in a tablespoon! I will be adding it to mine to see if I can reduce that side effect

Check your pain meds...hydrocodone (sp?) gives me a splitting headache. I was prescribed it after gall bladder surgery and it finally dawned on me that IT was causing my headaches.

wow...great thread for me to be reading right now. I had my initial consult yesterday. Went in totally sure I wanted a Band to Sleeve revision. but she told me that almost ALL of her sleevers get reflux. I had horrible reflux when my band was filled and hated, hated it. So now considering bypass. I had thought I was not obese enough, but she assured me I was ; ) I sort of have to start the research all over again, but this thread really was an eye opener.

Has no one used Dr. Barker/Barker Bariatrics? I saw a recommendation elsewhere and just went through this whole thread with no mention.