JoiaRox

Hmm...how to describe the inability to get water down? I feel stuffed, like I just don't want any. When I force it, because I need to, my belly is all gurgly. I know that's partially to the gas from surgery. Just have to keep forcing sips constantly! I will say that my Unjury protein shake (heavily watered down) seems to be going smoother.

I'm officially sleeved! I'm about 48 hours post-op now and feeling better than I thought I would! I vomited up some blood after transition from the recovery room to my private observation room, but the staff immediately gave me some good anti-nausea drugs and I was good to go for the rest of Friday (op day). I spent the majority of my time at the hospital sleeping, having vitals done (blood pressure, temp, pulse) - damn, it seems like they woke me up all of the time!! Saturday morning was much of the same - I was taken down for a barium swallow and the results pleased my doc. Although, back in my room I began to vomit again (not so much blood this time; Fluid and a few pieces of dried blood). My doc suspected it was from the gastric thinner they gave me prior to the barium for the test, but they loaded me up with more anti-nausea meds through my IV and I was good. After letting me rest for another 3 hours, continuously working on sipping Water, I was released and bound for home! Since being home yesterday, I've been sleeping and sipping - that's my job for now! I have more energy today than I did either of the previous two days and I'm monitoring my liquid intake to get the minimum 64oz. Later today, I'm going to move on to thinned Protein shakes. As for meds, I've been taking my anti-nausea meds (they dissolve on my tongue) religiously since I've been home - vomiting HURTS and I certainly don't want to land back in the hospital! I've taken my pain meds a few times, but not necessarily because they were essential - just an extra precaution, in my opinion. I've been awake now for 3 hours, which is the longest stretch I've been awake since the surgery. I make sure I get up and walk, and my kitty cats have been very kind to me - I often wake up to find one sleeping on my lap . My boyfriend is the absolute best after-care nurse I could have asked for, as he whipped up some sugar free Raspberry Ice (crystal light-type drink) this morning for me. I'm doing great 2 days post-op, and I wish all the same for you! I see my doctor on Thursday for my post-op follow-up. Happy sleeving!

Give your insurance company a call; they should know!

Interesting to read everyone's thoughts - I was sleeved yesterday and all I can manage is sleep and forcing sips of water when I'm awake. Hope to find some energy within a few days of this! Although, the forced laziness IS awesome. I'm planning to return to work on the 17th.

Call your doc!

Just purchased my last "must have" for surgery - a plushy robe to wear as I stay the night in the hospital! Still have to pack, shower, take off all jewelry, etc., but I'm ready! In fact, I just put my "out of office" auto replies on my work e-mail...I'm off until the 17th now! YAY! Just hope everything goes textbook smooth with my surgery so I can return then .

I went to my doctor's support group on Monday and met a sleeve patient of his who is 10 weeks out. She recounted a couple of incidences where she was tempted by the smell of food (i.e. teacher who had a pizza party) and knew she physically wasn't hungry for the food...and chose not to eat it! I'm amazed at her stories (and those I've read on here) of simply not being hungry; I think that's the biggest hurdle for me! If I'm hungry, I know I overeat. Damn near every time. Having this forced behavior modification of a sleeve will force me to examine whether or not I'm actually hungry, because the effects of eating when you're not, or forcing too much food down a banana-shaped stomach, will end badly. I'm good with that . Surgery tomorrow!!

Don't know who "Ready4AChange" is, but I'd recommend that you speak with your doctor about it. Everyone's pre-op diet is different in length and in allowed food. As an example, my doctor had me on 10 days of no more than 50g of carbs per day - that's lucky compared to some who have a 2 week liquid diet! Surgery's tomorrow!

What was the goal of the pre-op diet? There may be many reasons you're not losing any weight; never fear, it will happen one way or another! Your anxiety/stress may be causing the weight stall - many reasons outside of nutrition cause stalls

I'm with johnlatte above...think about why you felt the need to self-sabotage so close to your surgery and reflect on that. While the one splurge may not hinder your June 6th surgery (I'm on the 7th - yay us!), you need to come to peace with the fact that food just won't be the same anymore for you. Are you ready to separate from that? Luckily, my doc didn't put me on liquids pre-op. I can eat anything I want as long as I don't go over 50g of carbs per day - although I'm getting sick of meat, cheese and carb-friendly lattes, it's definitely better than liquids! Hang in there - we're almost at the beginning of the rest of our lives!

Knowing that you have a plan of attack is great! It's tough to be anxious or worry about things we think are coming...my advice? Let go of the worry. It only takes energy that could be used for more positive things!

Just take a deep breath; it either will or won't affect you, but you can't possibly know that until your appointment tomorrow. Although easier said than done, giving energy to worrying isn't productive. Put a smile on your face and let tomorrow be what it will.

Can't say enough about how easy it was to transition to e-cigarettes...and they're (my) doctor approved! I don't miss smoking at all!

I converted to vaping (e-cigs) a few months ago prior to my LapBand removal. Having sleeve surgery on Friday and my doctor is completely fine with me inhaling liquid nicotine. Don't know much about ******, but removing the 4,000+ toxins from tar, tobacco, etc. is what has pleased my doctor. He feels that nicotine will be, eventually, proven to be as safe as caffeine in our bodies. :::vaping Butterscotch flavored nicotine as we speak:::

Are you getting up and moving around? I agree with others above; consult with your doctor.

Have you tried e-cigarettes? I LOOOOVE mine! I switched about 3 months ago to e-cigarettes, right before my LapBand removal. In consultation with my doctor, he told me that he's perfectly fine with me "vaping" nicotine liquid - essentially, I didn't go through the withdrawal problems many have when quitting smoking because I was still able to get the nicotine (which is what we're addicted to!). My doctor feels that nicotine will eventually be proven to be as safe as caffeine in our bodies...it was the 4,000+ toxins from tar, tobacco, etc. that was the problem for healing from my surgeries. I know your topic didn't directly address this, but I thought it was worth mentioning!

I stockpiled Unjury protein powders and supplements (both multi-vitamin and calcium carbonate). Before ordering, I ran the choice by my nutritionist to ensure I was getting what I needed.

Run it by your doctor - ultimately, s/he has to be your partner in this. Keep him/her informed of what you plan to do, what you're doing, etc. and they'll walk the path with you! If you don't have a doctor you feel that open with...well, from my former, horrible LapBand experience...find a new doctor.

5 days left here - YAY!

Depends, really, on what the purpose of your pre-op diet was. My doctor doesn't care if I lose weight, he just wants my liver shrunken so that he can access my stomach. I was put on a strict low carb diet for 10 days (I'm finishing Day 5 now) because the liver processes it's own fat if it's deprived of carbohydrates...ta da, shrinkage! My doctor's quote was, "I don't care if you eat 10,000 calories a day, just stay under 50g carbs!" He did say I'd lose weight anyway, though, and I'm down 7 pounds in 5 days!

The pain will be a distant memory soon enough - welcome to your new life!

I'm on a 10 day pre-op diet (finishing Day 5 tonight) and am allowed anything I want, as long as I consume no more than 50g carbs/day. BUT - follow your doctor's orders. If needed, call him/her sooner than your appointment. Each doctor has their own, specified pre-op diet based on their own preferences.

5 days...5 days...la la la la la...YAY!

I find it interesting the various pre-op diets we're subjected to. Every doctor has a different flavor, for sure! My doctor put me on a 10 day diet that allows me to eat as many calories as I want to...the only caveat is that I can't consume more than 50g carbs per day. I'm halfway through, as today is Day 5, and I'm sick of meat and cheese! LOL! Luckily, I found some other options while grocery shopping today - and even got a low carb hint from a barista at Starbucks! SOOOO happy to enjoy a latte today! The countdown's on...only a few days left now!

Looks like this group is just getting started, so I wanted to say HI! My surgery date is June 7, 2013 in Northern Virginia - I'm so stoked, y'all! I'm required to be on a pre-op diet (low carb) for 10 days, but chose to jump start that with a low-calorie diet starting today. 18 days!!!! Did plenty of preparation shopping this weekend...my cupboards are full of Protein powders, supplements, broth, etc. I also made sure to buy my chapstick, tummy pillow (just a fun hot pink frayed throw pillow!), sippy cups (go Tinkerbell!)...what are you doing to prepare?!