WLSResources/ClothingExch

@@MissRobin -- "Who are we do judge HOW people educate themselves." You're correct. Speaking for myself, though, and perhaps for some of the others, there's sadness and frustration when it becomes apparent how many people in the world are ill-equipped to navigate the ordinary tasks of living. Not that bariatric surgery is ordinary, but taking initiative to get needed info from first-string sources is. So many people are unable to connect the dots. I recognize that surgical offices are remiss, too. When some BP participants appear to judge, it's more a matter of frustration and letting off steam. Someone always comes along to answer the endlessly-repeated questions that would properly have been answered elsewhere. I completely agree that no question is dumb or silly. What matters is that they are asked and correct answers obtained. That said, there's no way around the human element. Maybe it takes a little steam-blowing to get down to business. P.S. (came back to add this): Why are people timid about requesting the information they need? Will we be fired by the surgeon's office? It's the job of the staff to provide info. We employ them. I'm not suggesting a power struggle, but it is more than reasonable to expect a complete package, especially when the subject matter is unknown to us. P.P.S. (and this): If resentment accompanies the answers, perhaps it's time to fire that practice? Much has been made here not only about patients who don't do their homework, but also WLS offices that are negligent.

@@CowgirlJane -- That's what I thought you were referring to, but wanted to verify. Your skinny, tiny dietitian friend reminds me of another problem patients encounter in their bariatric practices (not to say that it applies to your friend). Some RD's and NP's who've never had weight problems and "run" support groups are utterly clueless beyond the nuts & bolts do's and don't's and seem not to care much. They are robotic when doing their presentations and answering questions or commenting on the patient discussions. Others, however, are super; they really do care and make it their business to somehow gain insight into the souls, if you will, of obese people. I had a long talk with one about this. Slim all her life, she learned by listening and asking and, as an actor, tapping her own experiences that gave her similar emotions.

@@sarinemaniss -- Will it calm you if you simply acknowledge that you can choose to "back off?" I'm not suggesting that you walk away, but pointing out that the whole shebang is a matter of the choices that are in your hands. You have the power. Reminding yourself as much may give you new perspective. @@jennaggie, too, and anyone else who has yet to have surgery: I do recall keeping myself busy with my part of the preparations in the days before surgery and changing the sheets/making the bed more perfectly than I ever had that morning. When I arrived at the hospital, I was occupied enough with paperwork, answering questions on my medical history and such for hospital, anesthesiologist and surgeon's records, and general pre-surgery prep. When it came time to go in to the OR, I stood up, expected to sit in a wheelchair to be rolled in. Seeing no point, I opted to walk. It felt as though I were walking the last mile to the gallows, but what a surprise when I stepped through the doorway. There I was at what felt like a masquerade surprise party with me as guest of honor. The nurses and other OR people were bustling about, already scrubbed and masked. Upon my entry, each looked up and called out the most cheerful, warm greetings. Nervousness evaporated and I hopped -- as easily as a 300-pounder hops -- onto the operating table. I hope you have the same.

Good. Now do us both a favor and stay away from the Ryvita today. Same for the mashed potatoes. You thought you'd sneak that one by me in a separate topic? Ha! I'm on to your tricks.

I'm considered educated by all standards and the English language and communication are the bases of my livelihood. When I found the earliest instructions confusing, it was because of anxiety over making mistakes. I was a bit compulsive about requesting clarification and repeating it back to be absolutely sure I was following. Soon enough things made sense and subsequent instructions weren't confusing. Lots of other bariatric people have told me the same. The difference may be that yet others don't ask for clarification or don't even know they're misunderstanding. Please explain what you mean by "supported population," a new term to me, and whether it's the recipient of "supporting a bariatric program?"

And I promise that you're not marching to a guillotine on the other side of the OR door. People have had jitters before you and people will have jitters after you. This is your turn and nothing more. Keep yourself busy for the coming week. On the morning of surgery, change the sheets and towels as a last bit of busy work and so that you come home to a fresh, crisp bed if you want a nap.

Ryvita? Uh-oh, you must have added 12 pounds of fat to your liver. "Anyone else done/felt like this?" No one is ever the only one. You're fine. Be cool and positive and you'll be a champion. Best wishes for tomorrow.

Agreed on all the points made so far. One other factor in the new-person questioning is that some just dislike what they were told by their surgery practices. They come here to take a poll and then either do whatever anyone has done and is what they wanted to hear or so that they can go back to their practices and squawk about the easy life other people have.

It sounds more that you need a little emotional-intellectual prep, but you're not terrible at all. Your worry is understandable, given that you've never had anything done before. Here are a few ideas. People I trust and so many articles of the past few years say that meditation goes a long way. If you're not a practitioner, you can find lots of videos and and classes. You can borrow videos from the public library to see which suits you. A life-long skeptic, I'm going to try meditation just for living every day. Some basic yoga with meditation. I discovered that, when facing anxiety-inducing situations, including surgery (but I'm an old hand at it now, I think), keeping occupied with even the most simple-minded tasks leading up to the event works well. It's really as simple as being occupied. Example, during 4-7 days before your surgery date, stock up slowly on the things you'll need once you're back home, the things like proteen drinks; whatever you'll use to keep incisions clean; anything. Space it out so that you still have things to do. Do some housecleaning in those days so that you come back to a clean, neat, comfortable space. Change the sheets and towels on the morning of surgery -- another simple but occupying task which results in a fresh, crisp bed should you want a nap when you get home. You'll be fine. Promise. One of the worst things about general anesthesia isn't the anesthesia at all; it's the pesky nurses who peskily wake you when you still want that deep, deep, delicious sleep.

@@TeamMe, according to your reasoning, your screen name itself is unChristian. If your faith doesn't require you to provide your social security number and bank statements to everyone around you, why are you required to make your personal medical choices public matters? I can't fathom how being an individual is sinful.

It may be that your surgeon will prefer you to lose some weight before surgery. The idea is to reduce fat on the liver, thereby making it more flexible for maneuvering and mucking about during laparascopic. My surgeon told me that she didn't care. At first I thought, "Oh, good, I'll stay as I am and begin to lose after surgery." Then I realized that, if I were truly serious about losing weight, I'd begin right away for a head start. I managed to lose 11 lbs in the three weeks before surgery and was glad for it. Please be aware that, even after surgery, it takes commitment and work to lose weight and then maintain the weight loss. Surgery is a magical solution to neither. For your overall well-being and long-term success, it's imperative that you understand this and have realistic expectations of surgery. I say this because you didn't touch on any of this in your note, but implied that you think surgery is the answer to everything. I hope that isn't the case for your sake.

@@tbella67, stay positive for now. It's premature to worry about being denied surgery. A friend who is 20 years older than you learned in recent years that he has a hole that didn't close. I don't recall what he was experiencing that brought the situation to light, but maybe it's more common than one might think. He was offered a choice between corrective surgery and medication (to the best of my recollection) and was advised that the medication should serve him well. I can't say what he's taking. It's the hole in my head.

It sounds as though it may be reflux, which in turn suggests that your band may be a tad too tight now. I get the feeling that reflux is what you're thinking? Use the tablets as prescribed. If you're referring to lying down for the night, don't eat after 7pm. In general it's a good idea not to lie down within a few hours after eating if you're talking about a nap or just unwinding during the day. If the burning sensation doesn't stop in a few days or so, call your doctor again. She'll probably have you come in to remove a decimal point or so of the saline. In case you haven't heard, the band is known as a fickle bitchh. An unpleasant effect at one time doesn't mean it's for all time. No need to get discouraged.

@@Margie122, one suggestion. If you're fine with the shakes at lunch and dinner, okay, I guess. If, however, they bear even the slightest frisson of deprivation or any form of punishment, don't do it. You know you'll lose weight by eating real food that you enjoy and lets you feel normal. Signed, A proponent of no punishment

@@JustWatchMe, talk about NSV's, you just took the category to a new level. Your note is such a great pleasure to read.

@@dlh16, @@Dar200 -- I meant what I wrote, but didn't intend to be harsh or demeaning. Had I had more time I would have edited myself. After hearing the "last meal" question for six+ years of support groups at four local medical centers and a couple of months at BP, my eyes can't help but cross. DLH, don't do it. A big splurge before heading to the OR really won't mean a thing to you and isn't something you'll remember fondly (e.g., unlike the first date), but it is a day's setback from new ways of thinking about food and your relationship with it. Excelsior.

As @@jane13 suggested, here it is: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/356712-has-anyone-done-this-without-any-family-etc-at-the-hospital/

Gluttonous eating 'one more time' won't make life better. Someone who is serious about losing significant weight won't indulge a pointless exercise. Beyond that, It's often a sign of magical thinking: That one has no responsibility for losing weight, that the surgery is what loses weight. If you're embarking on a grown-up endeavor, why not put away the juvenile and/or disordered behavior now?

Gluttonous eating 'one more time' won't make life better. Someone who is serious about losing significant weight won't indulge a pointless exercise. Beyond that, It's often a sign of magical thinking: That one has no responsibility for losing weight, that the surgery is what loses weight.

@@280journey -- I may be repeating an earlier note; don't have time to read through the whole thing. In general, hospitals require that a surgery patient be escorted off premises, not necessarily all the way home. It's a matter of their insurance requirements. Once you're out the front door of the building, they aren't responsible. As to your personal items, most have lockers in the OR prep area. Just leave valuables at home; no need to tempt fate. You'll be occupied before being taken in to the OR, so your own company pretty much would be in the way. A few different people will come to you with questions for various records, whether your surgeon's or the hopsital's and whatever/whomever else. The questions are repetitive, so if you can, try to have them all at once. I did that 30 years ago for a night-time appendectomy. As people came to me with their clipboards in staggered fashion, I asked them to wait a few minutes so that we could all work together. A small thing, but I felt a great sense of power over the system. And saved being bored from repeated question and repeating myself.

You have the attitude of a winner, which means only one thing....

It's great that you have the opportunity for a fresh start. I'm not sure what you mean, though, about not knowing what to expect. I'd think that you'll be filled gradually rather than having a major infusion, but I don't know if your doctor is a cowboy about adjustments. Or is it something else that you're questioning?

@@bugsy72, it's great to hear you sounding so upbeat. Your list of clears, Jello especially, reminds me that those first days post-op are the worst. No appetite, but having to ingest things that imply illness is such an imposition. I loved jello when I was a child, but that was long ago.

@@mariahmathea_ -- I'm a firm believer in "I don't want surprises." Your experience may be as easy as the tiny pinch described before or, depending on the skill of the person who does it, there may be a couple of attempts to hit the port head on. In any case you shouldn't find it painful beyond belief. Just some discomfort at worst, and it's over quickly. You'll probably be told to do a moderate crunch so that the port becomes easiest to hit (depends on how it was positioned during surgery) on first attempt. As soon as the needle is in, you'll be told to relax. Most fills are successful on the first try. Some practices do them under fluouroscope, which makes it even easier (my practice doesn't as a rule). Some give a little local anesthetic by needle. It's dumb, in my opinion: Needle is a needle is a needle, as Gertrude Stein was fond of writing. As soon as it's done, you'll be given a little Water to be sure it goes down comfortably enough. That is, to be sure it doesn't feel like a lump in your chest or that it doesn't gurgle too much. In either case, a bit of the saline might be extracted on the spot. They don't want to send you home if it seems the band may turn out to be too tight. My practice bills as though for a separate visit if a patient returns after the next day for readjustment; I don't know if that's the usual. You'll be fine.