TimeToDownSize

My surgery was originally scheduled for 4:30pm Friday afternoon, it ended up being delayed until 7pm. Other than the delay causing me to be extremely thirsty and a horrible time getting my IV in (1 nurse, 2 anesthesiologists, numbing, and laughing gas), it went really well. I had no pre-op liquid diet, just ate lightly the week before surgery. They kept me in the hospital 2 nights, which was planned prior to the surgery to make sure I could get my liquids properly, and I was able to come home Sunday afternoon. Everyone was right, I didn't even bother to open the book, watch tv or use much else of what I brought. I mainly slept and got up to walk. I was fortunate and had no nausea and had no issue keeping fluids down, but the desire to drink at all was lacking though and required some effort. Ice chips were great, but I know they don't sit well with everyone. I did not have much gas pain, but I did and still do have a lot of pain at the largest incision site, the one they manipulated the most, under my left ribs. I am taking the pain killers they gave me and they have been helping. My surgeon told me everything is healing well and will slowly get better each day, which it seems to be true so far. I have my follow up appointment next Monday. I do have more of a desire to drink now, but it feels like I am constantly drinking to keep up with the 4 ounces an hour which I am slowly getting used to.

I'm December 1st too! Just a few more days.

My surgeon said there is very little literature on the efficacy of vitamin patches for bariatric patients and he does not recommend them based on the lack of research.

Hi Everyone. I'm new here, been stalking for a few weeks now. I really appreciate the support and advice everyone provides here, it has helped me navigate the beginning of my journey. I had my first consult today. My surgeon agreed with me that my choice of Gastric Bypass was the best choice for me, due to my life long issues with acid reflux. I was very nervous going into the appointment, but found the doctor to be really informative, kind, and I appreciated he took his time when meeting with me. However, two parts of the meeting really surprised me. First, my surgeon, and the practice for that matter, does not require a 2 week pre-op liquid diet. He stated I was the third patient to ask about it in the last week and he was unsure why. He stated he only does that with patients over 500lbs and would rather have his patients not risk malnutrition prior to surgery vs. minimally reducing the size of their liver (his words not mine). I was really surprised by this, as every single surgery story I've read required this pre-op liquid diet. As a personal choice I think I may start switching to protein shakes and liquids a few days prior to surgery to help myself mentally prepare for the change. The doctor said this was fine. Second, I was shocked to find out my insurance does not have a 6 month wait/monitored diet requirement. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield NJ Direct. I have to have 1 meeting with a nutritionist, 1 psych eval, a letter from my primary care doctor, and the usual preoperative tests. The care manager had me pick a tentative surgery date today. At first she suggested 11/3/17 and due to the appointments needed and personal commitments I chose 12/1/17. This really threw me for a loop, I was not expecting to choose a surgery date at my first appointment. Don't get me wrong, I am very thankful my insurance is this good that I do not need to wait, I just expected more on my part and was prepared to have to do more/wait. It was a surprised nervous feeling, never expected things to move so quickly. I was wondering if anyone else ran into these topics, especially the lack of need for the pre-op liquid diet?