DianeF

Hello! I'm a brand-newbie and am scheduled for surgery on September 5, 2024. I've gone through 6 months with a dietician, sleep study, endoscopy, all of the usual suspects. Now I'm in the official countdown to actually having the surgery and I thought it might be interesting to hear from some folks who have been through it and what they wish they would have done in this timeframe. Should I be working out more? Is it too early to start a liquid diet? What should I get ready in my house for when I come home afterwards? Any advice is appreciated!!! Diane

I'm so glad this came up. There's one reference to caffeine in my prep book, but the doctor and dietician have said nothing else about it. And I wrote coffee on my diet plans, but nothing about decaf. I'm going to ask them about it, but I'm now realizing that I will have to cut out caffeine. I'll have to start a weaning process. This might be the toughest pre-op process for me.

This is great advice! You're absolutely right about overthinking. I'm kind of feeding my anxiety by over-researching, but it's better than feeding my face! haha! I'm taking it all in. I'm a pretty patient person and I like to hear a lot of differing opinions before I make up my mind. I'm definitely going to take your advice on measuring out my water. Especially because you have to have so much afterwards and can get so little at a time. How soon after did you start gentle workouts?

I love this and love this and love this plan! I kind of get the feeling my doctors are in at the beginning and then you're off on your own afterwards. It makes me a little bit nervous. But that feels like a good plan. I have good insurance, but I need to be more proactive in MAKING appointments instead of waiting until I NEED them.

I haven't heard of hairburst, but I'm looking it up now! One of my fears is losing too much hair. I hadn't heard of the spray vitamins until I started this forum. It seems like a great idea. My friend had WLS and had to have a blood transfusion due to her anemia, then they put her on injections of vitamins because she just couldn't keep them down. How often do you still talk to your dietician?

I made a video and asked myself questions in it so that I could look back and see me and hear my answers. Can I ask what you use for constipation? I only just realized that I won't be able to take the same remedies I have available to me now. Can I also ask what vitamins you take?

I wasn't happy with the wait, but 4 weeks seems like not enough time. I was ready to go after 3-4 months, but all of the legwork and doctor's appointments took forever. Thank you for the advice!

My friend failed the psych evaluation twice. She had unrealistic expectations of the surgery and for herself. She wanted an easy way and the psychologist feared she was going to hurt herself. So... she went to another and then another. The third one approved her and she had her surgery in 2015. On the other hand, my virtual psych evaluation was 20 minutes, cost $40, and I don't think the woman even looked at me. I absolutely agree that it is not warranted or necessary for the surgery. Doctors need to make that decision regarding their patient's care. As far as my surgeon was concerned, it was another box to check off and nothing to worry about. She didn't take it seriously, but did require it only to meet the insurance company's requirements.

(I just figured out how to respond to something directly!) I can't do food funerals. I would binge like a mad man! The thought is fun, but my reality would be awful. In one of my weight loss classes they gave the advice, "Go to the wedding, get the biggest piece of cake, look at it, smell it, take the smallest bite, then throw it away. And remind yourself that you're better than that." My immediate thought was, What world do they live in? Because I knew I couldn't do that.

I had not thought about constipation. Thank you for the advice! I've only recently heard of proffee and I'm planning on trying it beforehand. I even tried Postum as a potential coffee replacement. I love coffee!

Great advice! A home-deep-clean is definitely on the horizon. And I'm definitely going to try the protein shakes to see which one works the best for me. Thank you!

September 5th for me!