leebick

My date is July 7 but I'm out of town July 2-6, flying back the night before surgery so I'm working on this list. Have to have everything ready for the hospital and immediately postop before I leave on the 2nd. Here's what I have so far: - make sure I have at least one of all of the allowed post op liquid options stocked and reachable (broth, tea, protein powder all come down from the high shelves. Popsicles in the freezer and ready made drinks in the fridge) -fill my prescriptions before I leave town - clean bed sheets to come home to (always the last thing I do before traveling anyway) - place heating pad by the bed in case I need it - braid my clean hair the night before surgery (so I don't have to worry about it!) - make sure I have antibacterial soap on hand (hibiclens) - fill all the ice cube trays - clear my schedule for the days immediately following surgery - stock up on some library books and fresh reads for when I'm around the house (looking forward to this!) - set out some comfy, easy to wear breezy clothes for around the house - clean the house (in case I'm too tired after) - pack for the hospital (phone charger, gas x strips, eyeglass case, face cream, headphones) That's all I have so far. I'm recovering alone so this list may look strange to anyone who has help! Should you have Liquid Tylenol on hand maybe- so you don't have to go out and get any? (Because I am hoping you won't need the heavy-duty prescription drugs for post-op pain!)

I'm also scheduled for July 18! This is my second scheduling; the original was postponed as I had a horrible chest cold. The anesthesiology nurse listened to me cough on the phone and said no way, no how were they doing surgery the next day! OF course, this was on day 13 of the 14 day, pre-op, liquids-only diet! I missed 2 graduation BBQ parties during that 2 week time period, and let me tell you, there was some amazing food at those parties that I missed out on! ANYHOW... I am rescheduled for July 18 and cannot wait. I am OK with the 2 week pre-op diet; already did it, so I know I can do it again! My 60th birthday is July 26, but I'm having a surprise going-away party for my daughter that night. Sure hope I'm feeling well enough to pull it off. We are having it at a local pub, with pizza, wings, beer, etc. I am not worried about the food- I know I won't be cheating that night- just hoping to feel strong enough 10 days post-surgery to BE there!

I'm going to jump into this thread as I was wondering what I can take post-op for bowel issues. I was originally scheduled for surgery in May, so did my 2-week, high protein, liquid-only pre-op diet. I was SO constipated, I started taking psyllium (I'm not sure what brand... one of the OTC that you stir into water). It helped a little, but I KNOW it's not allowed post-surgery. My surgery was canceled (on day 13 of the pre-op diet... grrr... at least I know I can do it, though) and now I'm rescheduled for July 18. I am thinking that this time I'll take the psyllium pre-surgery and the Miralax post-surgery. Should I wait a few days before starting the Miralax, or just go with it as I can tolerate it? I've asked my surgeons but honestly, they don't have much to say about post-op experience (just follow the diet and keep the appointments). I REALLY don't want to be trying to deliver a "butt baby" after surgery!

I use Syntrax Nectar made with Almond Breeze unsweetened vanilla almond milk. The Nectar is whey protein isolate and mixes completely with the almond milk. Nectar is no fat, no carb, 100 calories a scoop and the almond milk is no carb, 30 calories per 8oz, so lower in calories than skim milk. I also make the Nectar with just water sometimes. I use a shaker bottle for making the drinks.

I had a similar experience with my BWL surgeon, of all people. First one looked at me and asked what meds i was on for high blood pressure and diabetes. I said none, I don't have either of these. He had the damn records right in front of him, all the documentation from my PCP, and he STILL issued the lab work and had the NP take my blood pressure. This thread reminds me of the very first episode of "House" that I ever watched. A very overweight guy (around 500lbs) ended up in the hospital because of some breathing issue. The staff was 100% sure that the problem was his weight and try endlessly to test him for diabetes. He refuses, knows he's not diabetic but also knows without a doubt that something is very wrong. Long story short, he wasn't diabetic; he had lung cancer and it was too late to do anything... but nobody'd been looking for anything to be wrong other than something associated with his weight. Not that there's any prejudice against overweight people...

My program does not offer the duodenal switch; just lap band, bypass, or sleeve.

I have read the term "slider" in many posts, but I'm not quite sure what you mean by this. Can someone explain/give examples?

I stuck to my liquids, mostly, but it was a challenge. I hosted a college graduation cookout for 20 people on the first Saturday, then went to an amazing BBQ/grad party the second weekend. I was fine with the party at my house and didn't eat any of it, but my husband forgot to bring the cooler when we went to the second party, so I had no Protein Shakes with me. I drank lots of Water and had a small, grilled, boneless/skinless chicken breast while there. I figured I had to eat something, especially with being there all day and having to drive 2.5 hours to get home. I cannot TELL you how good it tasted to eat that chicken breast!

My left knee is a mess. When I was in high school, I was a dancer and gymnast until the day I missed landing on the balance beam and landed on the floor, dislocating my knee and tearing up a meniscus. In 1972, the "cure" was to trim it up and let it be. Since then, I've aged (40+ years) and gained about 160 pounds, neither of which has been good for my knee. I have crepitance and chondromalacia, as well as an uneven development of my quadriceps. Basically, there is lots of inflammation in the knee and my kneecap is pulled out of alignment, so the crap floating around in there gets stuck in the joint. It's incredibly painful when that happens, and effects my stability; basically, the knee joint "gives out" due to the junk and pain. Anyhow, I know this now only because I finally found a wonderful dance/sports orthopedist who was willing to put in the time to find out exactly what was happening. Before that, I had several different orthopedists tell me the only thing wrong with my knee is that I am fat, and if I'd lose weight everything would be fine. What jerks!! You can see the misalignment, hear the clicking, feel the grinding... but nothing's wrong, I'm just fat. Right.

I was having the same dilemma. I want to make sure I do everything I can to be successful, because I'm only doing this surgery once. I was leaning towards RNY because my NUT told me that I would lose more weight than with the sleeve, but not necessarily that much more. I was leaning towards the sleeve because of worries about dumping syndrome and malabsorption (of food and medication- not that I take anything at this point, but still...) if I had RNY. I made "friends" with a woman on a different forum (totally unrelated to BWLS) who has been fantastically successful with her sleeve... and surprisingly, when I posted my indecision about which surgery to have on THIS forum, she answered me here! Small world, huh? Her experience gave me a more-positive outlook on losing with the sleeve. Additionally, I have 3 friends who've each had RNY. One sticks to her eating plan religiously and looks great, lost all her weight. The second did well for about a year but then loosened up her eating regimen and has regained close to 100 lbs. The 3rd woman has had nothing but problems since her surgery in October. She's had hernias and intestinal torsion, extensive hair loss, and looks skinny and ill. These are all things I'd been turning over (and over and over and over) in my mind, while trying to decide. At the first meeting with my surgeon, I told her I'd do RNY and spent the next week agonizing over it. I finally called and changed my choice to sleeve, and I've been satisfied with that decision ever since! I was originally scheduled for surgery on 5/26 but cancelled due to illness, so now I'm on the schedule for July 18 and I CAN'T WAIT!! Anyhow... They are BOTH effective procedures, IF you stick to your meal/exercise plan. Do whatever you feel you'll be most comfortable with, knowing that if you follow your plans, you'll lose all the weight you need and want.

I hear ya! I did the 2 week pre-op just liquids (so shakes, soup/broth, sf jello/popsicles) before surgery only to have surgery cancelled the day prior because I had such a terrible chest cold. Anesthesiologist said sorry, reschedule!! ANYHOW... I am now scheduled for July 18, meaning my pre-op diet is supposed to start July 4th. We'll be on vacation, coming home on July 6th. I'll start the pre-op diet on July 7th. I'm currently doing 2 Protein shake meals and then one sensible "regular" meal every day and will continue to do that until 7/7. I'm not killing myself on vacation for a diet that seems to be so incredibly variable, at best.

My doctors say no air travel until after the 6 week post-op visit. Before I had to reschedule my surgery (due to having a horrible chest cold- anesthesiology said NOPE!), we were planning a trip that would occur at 5 weeks post-op. My NP said her only concern was that IF I was to have issues, I'd be too far away to be seen by my doctors, obviously. She said that if it was earlier than 3 or 4 weeks post-op, they'd strongly recommend against air travel because of the blood clot issue, and of course, being far away. I wasn't worried, as we are flying on Southwest; I figured if I had to cancel my flight, at least I'd get my money back. Of course, this is no longer a concern as my surgery has been postponed until after we return from our trip, but those were the concerns my medical group has about travel.

I know what you mean, OP. One of the hardest parts of deciding to do this surgery was realizing that I was going to have to change how we have fun... because "having fun" means hanging out at the local taproom, drinking beer with all our townie friends, a couple of nights a week. Sometimes it's just a pint of microbrew, sometimes it's a lot more, but we always have an amazingly fun time. I KNOW this has to change. Just like going out for 2-for-1 Burger Night, 50cent chicken wings, or to the Japanese hibachi restaurant will also have to change. But here's the thing: After 6 or so months, these activities will CHANGE but won't necessarily be GONE from your life. As my 22 year old daughter pointed out, I'll still be able to eat, and maybe even drink. It just means that I'll bring a storage container for half my burger, skip the roll (which I already do), and sub a salad or green for the fries. I can order the kid's portions and take some home, or an adult portion and take MORE home. Five wings are cheaper and less caloric than the 15 wings I usually consume. We'll still go out, still have fun. A friend who helped motivate me towards this surgery even still drinks beer. I'm not saying that's necessarily wise, but she'll have one or two 5oz. tasters in an evening instead of 3 or 4 pints of beer. Life will STILL be fun, if this is your idea of fun. You just have to take control of the situation and make it work for you. I, personally, am looking forward to having the other kind of "fun" with my husband again. Through no fault of his, we haven't been very "fun" because I am not at all comfortable with my size or having "fun" at this size. He is a dear sweet man, and I miss having fun with him. We both deserve to have fun again, even at our advanced ages. SO? We'll see...

I was going to mention Syntrax Nectar. They make lots of fruit flavors- grape, iced tea, cherry, apple, fruit punch, lemonade, grapefruit, to name a few, that are best when mixed with water, all 100 calories of isolated whey protein. Go to Sio3.com and run your mouse over the upper right quadrant (says monthly special or something like that). The screen will clear and give you the phone number to call and order a sampler pack. They send you individual shake-size samples of all 15 flavors they make, for $16.99 (that includes shipping). It's one pack per customer, but it's a great way to discover which flavors you like. They ship pretty quickly, too. I order my 2.2lb containers through Vitamin World for about $34 plus shipping/handling.

you should go by what your doctor says, not what random people online say. Just because someone has one particular experience doesn't mean it will be the same for anyone else. The best thing to do is to go by what your doctor says, they know you and your medical history and the details of your particular procedure. At the practice where I am having my surgery, I honestly don't think it has anything to do with my medical history and the details of my particular procedure. I was told on the very first day I was there, attending a support group/info meeting, that BWLS patients are NEVER allowed to have alcohol again. Now... the surgeons weren't even there. Only one of the five NUTs was there, along with a bunch of post-surgery folks and about a dozen of those of us who were just starting our journey There is absolutely no way anyone there knew my medical history or my procedure. Heck, I hadn't even decided IF I was going to have BWLS, much less what type of surgery. I just think this practice is opposed to "wasted" calories and also cautious about the effects of alcohol on the body due to a redesigned/rerouted digestive system, so they say, "Nope, nada, never again" when it comes to alcohol. I can promise you that I'm not going through this surgery (VGS) to find ways to cheat the system, to try and eat all the crap that got me this fat without gaining weight, but I also know that when my daughter gets married or I'm at a family celebration or something of equal import, I am more than likely going to have a glass of wine or other adult beverage. I can avoid carbonated drinks if I must (although I love a good stout beer or Dark&Stormy), but I am 99% sure that I will not abstain from alcohol forever. Therefore, it's helpful to hear about the experiences of others who've already been down this path. I appreciate the opinions of those who have gone against what might be recommended as much as I do the experiences of those who stick to the straight and narrow. It's all information- not permission, not judgement, not edict- just information that's always handy to have.

My program is a Center of Excellence, and surgeons from around the world come here to train with my surgeon to learn to do BWLS robotically. My surgeons require a two-week, high Protein, full liquid pre-op diet, basically the same diet that we follow for 2 weeks post-surgery. I, too, have been wondering about the variation in pre-op diets. They say the goal of the pre-op diet is to burn glycogen from your liver, which makes it smaller/firmer, and therefore easier for them to manipulate during surgery. I don't know. I understand that logic, but I don't understand why some surgeons don't bother with a pre-op diet at all, some only do a couple of days, some do 2 shakes and a mini-meal, etc. I had to cancel my surgery due to illness, the day BEFORE the procedure, so I've done a 2 week pre-op diet. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't a picnic. I have rescheduled my surgery, so my 2 week pre-op diet is supposed to begin while we are on vacation. I have no qualms about postponing the start of the diet for 3 days, until we get home. I'll do 11 days instead of 14, and I'm not going to worry about it. I am, however, going to continue with my "healthy" eating regime: Protein shake or yogurt shake for Breakfast and lunch, with a moderate, high protein/low carb meal for dinner. I have no doubt that I'll be fine.

I had to file paperwork with the principal at my school so I could have the time off and get subs scheduled. I have enough sick days, just had to get the principal to sign off. He did so without question, until I was almost out of the office, the quietly said, "Um... is everything OK?" I just said, "Oh, yes, nothing serious." He looked relieved and said, "OK, good," and he let it go at that. I am 99.9% sure he asked because he is a genuinely nice guy who is concerned about his faculty.

Mine was liquid only, from high protein whey isolate shakes, unsweetened almond milk, cannon light and fit greek yogurt, and the occasional healthy choice soup, for 2 weeks. It was probably about 600 calories a day. As much as I don't love the idea of doing two weeks of liquids-only, you are right, now I know I can do it. I think I lost about 20 pounds on it, give or take. I am down about 35 pounds since the beginning of 2016, and I know I lost 10 of that by my surgeon meet-n-greet on March 23rd, so the rest came off between then and now; not sure how much of it was careful eating (probably not much, lol- there's a pretty incriminating pic of me on FB, enjoying a 32 oz Flirtini- or 3- on Mother's Day!) and how much was the pre-op. I am a little scared about keeping it all off and losing more before surgery, but I'm working on an eating plan to help with that. Right now I am thinking protein shakes for b'fast and lunch, very low carb/high protein dinner supplemented with plenty of veggies. We'll see.

Thanks. Today, I am really OK with rescheduling. It felt kind-of "end of the world-ish" for awhile yesterday, but today although I am feeling better I'm still coughing up gunk so it was the wisest decision. Also, we have several family issues happening and now I can deal with them rather than be stuck here at home because of travel restriction while my husband attends a memorial service, a family wedding, etc. I am far more calm in my mind about this now. We can hold cyber-hands and keep each other motivated until July 18th!!

I can get the EAS AdvantEdge carb control RTD by the case at Sam's and BJ's too.

Count me in! I was scheduled to have my sleeve surgery tomorrow, but I have a bad chest cold. When the anesthesia dept. called this morning for the pre-op check-in, the NP listened to me cough and said no way would they do surgery on me at this point! With their requirements and my schedule, I'm rescheduled for July 18th. I just finished my 2 week pre-op, liquids-only diet but of course can't keep doing that until july 18th! I need a way to encourage me to stick to healthy eating before I go back on liquids-only (July 4th) so this is GREAT!!!

Surgery is supposed to be TOMORROW. I've been living on Protein shakes, broth, s-f Jello, and air for 2 weeks. I've lost 35 pounds since January. I'm ready to be sleeved!! On Monday, I started coming down with a cold. I have almost no voice today, tight barking cough, and the NP from anesthesia says no way will the do surgery tomorrow. This is SO disappointing. I get it, I am sick and honestly don't want to have surgery when I'm sick like this, but still. They want me to wait a month before rescheduling, but that would mean I'd have to cancel my 4th of July plans, lose the airfare, miss the family reunion, etc. I could do it right after 4th of July, but I am not sure that I can stick to liquids only while surrounded by family, endless BBQ, clambakes, beer/wine, etc. I am SO stressed about all this right now!! I think I'll probably reschedule for mid-July and do the liquid diet after coming home from the family reunion over 4th of July... but I'm just so disappointed. I was SO ready.

I am rescheduled for July 18. I could have had an earlier date, but my daughter is having her wisdom teeth out the next day and my husband wasn't sure if he could be in 2 places at once, much less worrying about her and me simultaneously! It also would have compromised being able to go to the family reunion over 4th of July. There has been a ton of serious illness in my husband's family this year and it's important to him that we all go and touch base, visit together, mourn those we lost, etc. I realized that, while it's frustrating to wait, waiting will also give me the best chance of being successful when this finally happens. I will start full liquids on July 4th, which is the day before we come home from the reunion but will be OK. It's Independence Day- kind of fitting, in a way, that I start liquids then... the start of my independence from a life of unhealthy eating habits!

Not sure about the grams of sugar in the yogurt. My NUT recommended Dannon Light and Fit Greek yogurt. Most of these have around 8 grams of carbohydrate; about 7 of these seem to be sugar but I think most of that comes from lactose (the sugar in milk) as the ingredient list doesn't indicate any form of sugar being used (no corn syrup, HFCS, etc., just an artificial sweetener). The headache isn't uncommon- I think mine was gone by day 5 or so. Take tylenol for the headache and you should be OK.

July 18 is my date, also! Actually, tomorrow WAS my date but i have a terrible chest cold. When the anesthesia nurse called this morning, she listened to me cough and said I'd have to cancel. Honestly I feel crappy enough that I am OK with this- can't imagine having surgery on top of how I feel now- but I've finished 14 days of liquids-only pre-surgery diet only to not be having surgery! I know it's the smartest decision, though. Be reallyreallyreally careful about your weight and BMI. I had to make sure not to lose too much weight between my initial appointment weigh-in and the weigh-in 3 months later, when I met with the surgeon. Most insurances take the initial weigh in, but mine wanted the weigh-in on the day of meeting the surgeon. It's a catch-22. The program says "lose X pounds by this date to show you can stick to the diet" but they KNOW if you go below a 40 BMI that the insurance wouldn't approve the surgery. Anyhow... you know all this and you'll watch your diet carefully, because after waiting 6 months, you deserve to have your surgery!