lizonaplane

I haven't had surgery yet, but I've read that many people go through a "buyer's remorse" stage for the first 6 weeks or so, because they sometimes feel pretty bad. Also, eggs can be pretty hard for many people to digest for a while after surgery, even though they're listed as an "okay to eat early" food. If you've been okayed to eat other soft foods, try things like refried beans with a bit of cheese, or ground meat, or soft fish. Hang in there!

I would just keep asking questions, and keep doing your own research on here and by watching YouTube (I recommend Dr. Matthew Weiner). That's what I've done to keep myself sane during this 6 months I've been waiting. I have found the wait to be incredibly frustrating because my surgery center is understaffed, so I have to wait a long time for the scheduler to call me back for the next appointments - like weeks! So I've just read everything I could. I think I would feel a lot more scared if I hadn't read so much. The Mayo clinic (Mayo.org) is also a good resource. They have good health information on everything, including weight loss surgery. Also ASMBS.org (the bariatric surgery professional group).

I had to take a "quiz" when I met with the psychologist the last time. It was based on the materials presented to me regarding the pre-op diet and other information I was given in the pre-surgery classes. It was an oral quiz, so I don't know what they would have done if I had gotten questions wrong, most likely re-educated me. I got them all right; I'm a good student. 😁

I am in the US and I have done all of my visits for the whole process (six months so far) over Zoom. I finally got a surgery date for Sep 13 and the only thing I will need to do in person is have labs drawn. Then I will just go in the day of my surgery. I have had several meeting with the surgeon, nutritionist, and psychologist alone plus some group classes. I found them very helpful and they all allowed time for me to ask many questions. I'm concerned that you weren't given a time to ask questions about the pre-op and post op diet. I had a lot of questions, but maybe your diet is just liquid so very simple. My diet is going to be low carb, low fat, high protein, so I had to ask a lot of questions about what I can and cannot eat before surgery. But, don't you have a number you can call, or a patient gateway system you can message your providers with questions? Good luck!

I just read in the pre-surgery packet they gave me that surgery causes a change in saliva that can cause dry mouth. That's why dental hygiene is so important after surgery.

I understand the nerves - I have also put off the surgery for about 10 years. I think the best thing you can do is remember how low the level of complications are, and think about how you're doing this because the risk of death/illness from obesity is much higher than from surgery. But anxiety before surgery is totally normal!

I don't think it's the fat neck thing, because I have had dry mouth at my heaviest weights. For me, it's from medications. I think there are lots of causes of dry mouth.

The pre-op diet, whether it's the shakes or just low-carb high protein is meant to shrink your liver so it's easier to move out of the way during surgery. You don't want your surgeon to have trouble getting around your liver because any damage to the liver could be bad, especially since people who are obese tend to have fatty, damaged livers already. It also makes for a faster, smoother recovery. It's very important to keep to the diet your surgery center gives you. I've seen posts here where people's surgeries were cancelled because their livers were too enlarged to proceed.

I think you need to go back to your surgeon and keep pushing. If you're not even able to keep liquids down that could be a serious issue. Can you talk to the nutritionist? Can you drink protein drinks or any other fluids? Good luck!

I had another one last week to come back from Spain, and man, it was rough, way worse than any other I've had. I could still feel the burn a few hours later. I think a lot depends on how deep the person performing it thinks they have to go.

Best of luck!!

Oh man, night shift is sooo hard on your mind and body. Is there any way to get a day shift? I assume you have a reason for doing night shift, either by choice or necessity, but if there's any way to switch, I would consider it. I agree with @kristieshannon that packing your meals and avoiding the vending machines and fast food at all costs is the way to go. Also, tracking your food. And aiming to get as much sleep as you can when you get home - get black out curtains and shut off your phone. The more tired you are, the more difficult it will be to stave off temptation (I am currently jetlagged and eating like crap!). Good luck.

I've heard that story too, about being intubated and having the stomach perforated. I would ask your surgeon if they think it's really necessary. I don't plan to wear a medical alert bracelet, but I'm having sleeve, so I don't think it would be the same issue. Needing to have an urgent intubation is really not that common, and I think of medical alert bracelets for things that would occur more commonly, like anaphylaxis and blood sugar issues. But if it makes you feel safer, I don't think most people would be able to read what it was for - although if you get one that doesn't look enough like a medical alert bracelet, would the EMTs know to read it?

Maybe talking to your surgeon about what their plan is to prevent clots, and having the surgeon work with your specialist who manages your clotting disorder is a good idea. Then you can tell your family you've done your homework. That may not help; families worry! Good luck!

I would mention this to your surgery center. I would also track your foods to see if, like @NovaLuna said, it's specific foods that are giving you issues. Although, it sounds like you don't even feel like eating. Are you able to keep up with your liquids? If not, definitely call your surgery center right away because you don't want to get dehydrated.

Congrats on your success so far!! Don't forget to celebrate how much you've already accomplished. I know it's hard to pat yourself on the back when you feel you're so far from your goal, but try to give yourself a thank you - whether it's a new outfit, getting a friend to give you a mani-pedi, or just a new haircut, celebrate the milestones along the way. You'll get there!

I'm sorry you're facing this. I hope you get it sorted out! Good luck!

I lost about 80 lbs about 10 years ago and when I came back from Colombia, my passport picture showed me as much heavier, and the guy asked me if I had another photo ID. I showed him my driver's license, which showed me as just as heavy, but he just said, "congratulations on the weight loss" and let me in. I have a new passport, which shows me as heavier again (I gained back the 80 lbs, then lost 100, and gained that back, which is why I'm going for surgery). This passport is good until 2029. Hopefully the next one I'll be thinner!

I don't think two scrambled eggs is too much. I don't know how much bread was in the sandwich, but I was told to focus on protein and not eat too much carbs like bread, which is simple carbs. I was told protein first, then veggies, and only if still hungry, complex carbs (like quinoa or brown rice). You might just be in a stall, but you could also contact your surgery center's nutritionist to make sure you're on track with your eating and exercise. Good luck!

It's crazy that some states require a weight for the driver's license. I've had a license in 3 states - PA, FL, and MA, and none required me to put a weight. Anyway, Congrats!

You should reach out to your surgery center and ask if they can recommend a therapist and also see if you can get a different anti-nausea medication. You sound like you need some support from a mental health standpoint. I know it's common to have "buyer's remorse" for a time after surgery, but it sounds like you may be suffering from depression too, although I certainly can't diagnose you. Definitely reach out to the surgery center and let them know you're struggling. Keep us posted!

Most places don't make you stop coffee permanently - I have to stop caffeine 2 weeks before to a month after. But you can probably take imitrex for migraines, since it's not an NSAID. I take it and they didn't tell me I'd have to stop it. Or topamax, I take that too, and it helps with weight loss (has some not wonderful side effects like forgetting words, but I'm used to that now). You can also work with your doctor to find something that works for your arthritis, and it may get better when you lose weight and can be more active (depending on where it is).

If you're talking about the pre-surgery nutrition classes, for me it was a joke. They didn't talk about how to eat after surgery at all, just like "did you know french fries are unhealthy??" There are also classes that introduce you to the whole program, like what the surgery does and how you prepare for it, and what to expect in terms of weight loss, and what the visits you will need are.

If your hunger is gone, you have eaten enough. Our brains want more because we are used to over-eating. Our brains are not going to be satisfied with "just enough". That's pretty much the definition of head hunger. That takes therapy.

I agree. Sounds like head hunger. Try brushing your teeth or going for a walk. Or, work with a therapist to see if there are other issues that need to be resolved. But make sure it's a bariatric trained therapist, or they won't have a clue how to help you. Good luck!