Mariann812

Morning fluid a game changer for me as well. I love your protocol. If I get up in the middle of the night, I will have a sugar free popsicle. I sleep with a SWELL bottle on my nightstand with some kind of crystal lite flavored water in it. I will sip before I even get out of bed.

That was the one I bought when I decided I hated the premier. The Gatorade IS an improvement over the Premier imho.

I was on clear liquids while in the hospital and allowed to have shakes when I got home which was Day 2 post op. I hate all of the clear protein drinks. They are sickeningly sweet. I lucked out in the hospital because I had debilitating nausea and I was given a pass on the clear liquid protein. I was on a steroid cocktail in the hospital for the nausea which worked amazingly well. I had jello and broth on my hospital trays. When I went home, I was able to have shakes

Be very excited! I wish I had been more excited and less nervous! My surgery was Wednesday 6/8 and I already feel 25 years younger and just fabulous. I had a massive hiatal hernia repaired, gastric bypass, and gall bladder removal. This surgery was the best decision I ever made. shopping: you may be bloated from IV Fluid when you go home. I bought a pair of shoes 1/2 size larger and it’s a good thing that I did. TEGADERM PATCHES: I was able to shower 2 days post op, but you don’t want the Water beating down on the laparoscopic sites. sugar free ICE POPS: I bought about 6 boxes of these because a couple of weeks ago, they were scarce. If I wake in the middle of the night, I’ll have an ice pop. BROTH: low sodium. SMALL HAND HELD STRAINER: so you can strain cream of whatever Soup. YOUR favorite Protein Shake. Mine is premier Peanut Butter chocolate. CRYSTAL LIGHT: pick your favorite flavors. I go through this like crazy. FAIRLIFE SKIM or 1% MILK: my nutritionist told me to buy it to thin shakes, put in soup. She was right. I bought Nespresso pods and K Cups in Decaf because I do miss the taste of coffee. STOOL SOFTENER: I bought Miralax. BLOOD PRESSURE MONITOR: my surgeon wants me to monitor my bp and get in touch with my PCP when it starts to come down. I wore hospital gowns in the hospital but had some nice lounge wear for when I got home. BANDAIDS: I’m on an oral bloodthinner for a month. The tiniest scratch will bleed like you can’t believe. SUGAR FREE JELLO:  so many packs of that. B COMPLEX VITAMINS: tiny capsules…easy to swallow. I’ll let you know if I think of anything else.

I do not like having my photo taken, but here goes. My surgery was a week ago today. The photo in shorts was 3 days post op. Photo in white pants is one week post op.

You will do great! I am one week post op, and I would not ever have believed that I could feel this great! Best of luck!

Thank you. I am amazed! One of my daughters is a doctor, though, and she tells me that the diaphragmatic breathing is vitally important to our good health. I never had a clue about any of this, never verbally articulated the shortness of breath EXCEPT to attribute it to a long term term effect of COVID. Obviously, I was wrong. 🤦🏻‍♀️ https://blocktherapy.com/2014/07/diaphragmatic-breathing-important/ WHO KNEW? Certainly not me.🤷🏻‍♀️

Thank you for your kind words. The best advice I would give anyone is to ‘be compliant.’ Follow your doctor and nutritionist’s protocol to a ‘T.’ I read some posts here and the difficulties people are having, granted, sometimes, yes, crap happens. But some of the stuff I read here boggles my mind. People pay little or no attention to the protocol they have been given. I cannot for the life of me understand why someone would sabotage themselves that way. if someone had told me one week ago how amazing I would feel right now, I would have not a single second of nervousness or anxiety. I have a friend who had VSG done in October. She is also extremely compliant. She has lost 90 lbs and is at her goal weight. She is off her thyroid meds, and she says this surgery is the best thing she has ever done. I feel the same way about my surgery and I’m not even a week out. im already on a lower dose of my blood pressure meds. Follow the protocol, follow the process. Don’t cheat. These people know what they are doing. Good luck and let me know how it goes! You will rock this!

My surgery was Wednesday 6/8. Greatest non scale victory: I can breathe. 2/3 of my stomach was in my chest because of a massive hiatal hernia that caused me enormous discomfort BUT I just felt crappy and had no idea till after surgery that the hernia made me feel that way.

Hi, vabs: My surgery was last Wednesday, 6/8. I have never felt better in my life…I had a massive hiatal hernia that was repaired via gastric bypass. I found it helpful to have a pair of shoes that fit rather loosely to wear home from the hospital. It’s unavoidable to be bloated after surgery, and you will need comfy shoes till the Fluid dissipates I had a supply of sugar free popsicles in the freezer. I had about 6 boxes of them because a few weeks ago they were impossible to find. Broth…check the sodium levels. You won’t want to be retaining fluid. If you have a favorite Protein Shake, stock up. I was off Clear Liquids and on Protein Shakes from the day I arrived home which was 2 days post op. I also stocked up on sugar free Jello, crystal light, unsweetened ice tea, and I had ice packs in case I wanted to ice my incisions. I never needed a heating pad. I had a box of tegaderm Patches even though my incisions were covered. I used the tegaderm as a safety precaution. I had 45mg per bottle Fairlife Core shakes on hand because it’s a super easy way to get our Protein requirement. My nutritionist also highly recommended Fairlife Skim or 1% milk so I stocked up on that. And Decaf coffee pods. That’s all I can think of. I packed really lite for the hospital. I wore the hospital gown and I was given compression stockings in the hospital when I was being prepped for surgery. That’s all I can think of. Best of luck to you. You will do great. ❤️

I am the same way. I will welcome any loss after years of walking/running 4-5 miles a day and never losing an ounce. I am already so thrilled at how different I feel just from the hernia repair. 2/3 of my stomach was in my chest for probably 15 years and I didn’t know. Today I’m 4 days post op and I am amazed at this feeling of calm that I haven’t experienced in forever. I wonder if it’s because things are back in place where they should be.

My hernia repair, gallbladder removal and gastric bypass were last Wednesday, 6/8. I’ll try to answer your questions: I started the process in January of this year. Surgeon suspected and diagnosed a massive hiatal hernia- 2/3 of my stomach was in my chest. It explained my shortness of breath and heartburn. I was approved by CIGNA, surgery date was set. I was given a 6/8 surgery date on 5/16. I researched extensively prior to selecting my surgeon. There are quite a few MDs in my family (sister, daughter, etc) and I leave no stone unturned when I research. I looked up ‘complication’ rates, everything. My surgeon’s practice is a Cigna Bariatric Center of Excellence. I am 1000% totally pleased with every aspect of the care I have received. My doc’s personality and bedside manner is/was perfect for me. I relate well to intelligent professionals in the medical field and my doc and I communicated with very level footing. He never spoke down to me, we were very conversational and he has a great sense of humor which is an absolute must for me. He told me my stay would be one overnight but possibly two. It did end up being 2 nights. I do not metabolize anesthesia well, and he got my nausea under control immediately when it was obvious that the usual protocol was not going to work for me. I saw him prior to going into the OR. He was upbeat and positive as was I. He was leaving the next day on vacation and we chatted about that. His practice has a protocol of ENHANCED RECOVERY AFTER SURGERY, and it has been a great outcome because of that. The anesthesiologist saw me prior to surgery and he used a nerve block on each side of my abdomen an hour before surgery. He said it would last for 3 days and I believe him. I did not ever need pain meds post op. Amazing, right? The biggest issue for me was debilitating nausea and it was addressed immediately and the outcome was positive. My care in the hospital was five star! I could not have asked for anything better. My husband was in my suite with me 24/7. The suites are new and resemble hotel studio suites. No kidding. Two flat screen TVs. Spotlessly clean. Everything one might need to be comfortable was there. We checked in on 6/8 at 8am with surgery scheduled for 10:20. My doc was running ahead of schedule and he had booked the OR for 4 hours because of the extensive hernia issues. He completed the procedure in 2 hours. He told my husband it was textbook and I was a very easy patient. 🤗 My husband and everyone else whose loved ones were in surgery wait in a large area. They can follow the patients progress on a tv screen using an ID number for their loved one. It indicates pre-op, entering OR, procedure underway, procedure completed, surgeon on way to talk to family, recovery room, etc. I’ve boarded cruise ships that didn’t have as smooth of a boarding process as WakeMed Hospital and their surgical department. LOL I was in my room at 3:15- there was an emergency unrelated to me and I was held in recovery a little longer than is typical. Once in my room, my RN, and his nursing assistant were always there tending to me. The nausea issue developed immediately and was addressed immediately. I have used only ice for discomfort at one laparoscopic site, and I have showered and I am walking. I was nervous and antsy but the hospital staff was totally in control, responsive to any questions, and their manner put me and my husband at ease. I packed very little. Extra long phone charger, toiletries, extra undies. I went home in the clothes I wore to the hospital. Thankfully I had loose shoes. I think one might expect to be bloated with Fluid and air. The gas pain scenario that most seem to mention was not an issue for me. My husband would rub my back and ‘burp’ me…lol…for every burp I had, my husband would burp 6 times. 🤣😂 Seriously. Ask me anything you want to know. And good luck to you,

I love that soup idea! When was your surgery? I have the Gatorade clear protein drinks that you mentioned and I am not liking them…I find them less sweet than the clear premier protein drinks but still way too much for me. I’m loving broth and I’m careful to do no salt. I was up every hour during the night and thankfully peed away 8 lbs of water. 😳 I figure all of these are temporary steps in the process, and soon there will be things I really enjoy. Right now, Jello and crystal light ice tea are going to have to do IT for me! Thank you for the soup idea. My nutritionist and I met when I was in the hospital and she did share the same recipe that you did, but I have to check my notes. I’m not sure I can have that yet.

Hi. I had gastric bypass, hernia repair and gallbladder removed on June 8. Today was my first full day home. I had no difficulty getting in my liquids but the protein is another thing. I hate the sickening sweet taste of the clear protein drinks. I would be lost without sugar free popsicles. Other than that, I’m playing a lot of candy crush and drinking Crystal Lite. And resting when I’m tired. welcome!

My gastric bypass, hernia repair, gallbladder removal were Wednesday June 8. I got to my room on Wednesday at 3:15pm. Surgeon told my husband it was a textbook case, and I was an easy patient. My hospital does ERAS and it was fantastic. I had Tylenol, gabapentin and a nerve block on both sides of my abdomen. And an anti nausea patch. I do not metabolize anesthesia well and I was incredibly nauseous afterwards. Phenergen helped, but not the way I needed help. My surgeon switched to a steroid/ zofran cocktail and it works. I’m getting ready to go home as I write this. Will update. Ask me anything you want to know.

Does anyone's hospital/practice have a protocol called ENHANCED RECOVERY AFTER BARIATRIC SURGERY (ERAS Bariatric)? I'm curious. Thanks in advance

Surgery at 10:20 today. Leaving for the hospital in about 90 minutes. Positive thoughts, prayers greatly appreciated. I’m having gallbladder removed, hernia repair, RNY. Best wishes and good luck to everyone who went yesterday, who is going today, and who is anywhere on this path. ❤️

Thank you! Leaving the house in about 90 minutes.

My surgery is 10:20am tomorrow. I just finished school. My kids (8th graders) were so sweet. We have a group text on our phones so my husband can let them know when I’m out of surgery. 🥰 I’m having my acrylic tips removed right now, and I’m thrilled at the length of my nails and how healthy they look. Trust me, though, if I can be back here on Saturday getting myself put back together, I will be. DH purchased the extra long phone charger, and I want to get PJs and maybe other stuff. Shopping keeps me occupied. 😊 That’s it for now. I’ve been 800 calories/day since last Tuesday. Yesterday I was hungry and had hunger pangs. I kept having ice pops and drinking water. Today I’m good. My go-to drink has been zero calorie blueberry iced tea but it’s kind of a purple color and my pre-op instructions say nothing red or purple 48 hours prior to surgery. My Covid test yesterday was negative which thrilled me because it is going through school like wildfire. Wishing you all heartfelt prayers for easy surgeries and uneventful recoveries.

My surgery is tomorrow at 10:20am. I'm 67. Fingers crossed. I'm keeping super busy, and that is helping. My school day ends in 15 minutes.

Thank you! Tomorrow is the day! 🎉🎉🎉1 more sleep!🎉🎉🎉

🤦🏻‍♀️ Just another error today. Can’t even count them at this point. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Thank you for your good wishes. My surgery is 6/8…🤦🏻‍♀️

Here I am on the appropriate board for a June 6 surgery date. I previously posted this on the May board. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Anyway, my Covid test is negative. 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 Already emailed the results to my surgeon’s office. My 2nd oldest daughter who has gone through med school, reminded me of this: Narcotics deprive you of your deeper stages of sleep that your body really needs to heal. That being said, being able to use a non-narcotic will help one recover more quickly. 🎉2 MORE SLEEPS TIL SURGERY🎉

UPDATED TO ADD: I have no idea how this ended up in May surgeries! 🤦🏻‍♀️ Suffice to say, I have been an absolute space cadet today. I don’t even know what day it is. I ONLY know it’s NOT Wednesday…which is my surgery date. 🤦🏻‍♀️

So, my Covid test is negative and I cannot tell you what a relief that is. 🎉2 MORE SLEEPS TIL SURGERY 🎉 My 2nd oldest reminded me of this: ‘Narcotics deprive you of your deeper stages of sleep that your body really needs to heal.’ She’s gone through med school, and she is well-schooled on this stuff. The sooner one can stop the narcotics, the sooner they are on the road to recovery.