Upside Down Twisted and Caffiene Deprived!

[Miss Hope 1]

My surgery is scheduled for tomorrow. I get confused after this. The patient advocate called this morning to tell me that I'm approved for surgery, BUT they only cover band and bypass. Which makes me go HUH? I am on military retired insurance and I know the sleeve is offered on base (where I DO NOT want to have this done) so we are all confused as to why it won't be covered out in town?!? She is a total sweetheart and feels that if all the red tape isn't straightened out by end of today, my surgery can happen this Thursday. Okay...I can live with snags and such...it's how life rolls at times.

Thing is, I have to do a 24 liquid diet before the surgery. I know that's like a dream compared to what others have had to do in preparation for their own. I couldn't have coffee. coffee. O.M.Geeeeeee. I am dying here, people!!! Headache, drowsy, irritable= me right now. Now, she tells me...get this.....STAY on the liquid diet because magic does happen and surgery could still happen tomorrow.

GAH.

Please send some prayers and good thoughts my way that things will work out! Thanks and know that I am keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers, too!

[MeMeMEEE 206]

Sending good thoughts and prayers your way - I know there are lots of people here who have dealt with military, maybe someone has some suggestions!

[Adri 40]

I know that caffeine withdrawal is a BEAR!! Drink plenty of fluids and get lots of sleep if you can. If you're at home, put your most favorite comedy in the DVD player or watch America's Funniest Home Videos! (honest, it helped me )

I wish you the best!

[Jimmy James 0]

So, Hope, what happened?

[MeMeMEEE 206]

I know she posted somewhere, it's something along the lines of What a Difference a Few Days Make - she had RNY

[Miss Hope 1]

Hi! Thanks for asking, I did have RNY. I'm a week post-op and have lost around 9 lbs thus far. It was a whirlwind couple of days and all I can say is I am so glad that's over with. Still recovering physically, but feel pretty much okay. My energy level is low, so I would love a boost of energy at this point. I'm having my grieving moments over food that I was totally unprepared for. Can't believe I want to SOB because I can't eat what I want to eat. That tells me I got alot of head work ahead of me, too, huh? I haven't left the board yet because I want to see how the rest of August sleevers are doing. I feel kind of bad lurking, but know you all are in my prayers! Here's to us and here's to being in control of our health again!

[MeMeMEEE 206]

So glad you are still around! Glad to hear you are doing good!! My doctor kept telling me "Sleeves have a slower start" as far as drinking and such - are you doing good on fluids? Any problems getting them in?

[Miss Hope 1]

I'm soooo tired of drinking! No lie. I've managed to get in my daily liquid requirements, but the past couple of days, it's been a struggle. When I have a shake, it's almost a relief to wait 20-30 minutes before starting back on the Water. LOL Yesterday, I let myself sip a little bit of the broth off of Cambell's chicken Noodle Soup. I think I had a religious moment. Best taste of the week hands down.

We've all ready the do's and don'ts of WLS. We know what each procedure requires. We've read from those who have gone before us tricks and whatnot in order to be more successful. I truly didn't "get" the whole waiting to drink until the other day. I had taken my daily meds with my shake. After I finished the shake, I wanted to drink Water. Then I realized if I did that? I would push all that stuff on to the intestines without even a chance to digest. I know most of you are probably going "Duh, how did you not know that??" I did know it but didn't fully grasp it until that point.

How about incision sites? Mine are itching me to near death. I wake up at night scratching at my stomach so I gauze and tape them up before sleep to make sure I don't scratch open one that isn't quite healed (per my regular family doctor). Is anyone else having this? I'm also having issues bladder issues from having had the catheter. My bladder gets traumatized easily (thank you sweet three kids of mine! LOL) and takes weeks to recover. I don't have "the urge" to go so that's been a pain in the rear to deal with, too.

[MeMeMEEE 206]

Someone along the way (Nutritionist probably) told me drinking with food is like pouring Water on a clogged drain - that it will come back up, but the pushing it through makes sense to me too - but I do take my meds with water, no food, and my Vitamins that way too - because those are NASTY and require something to wash the taste away lol! That is one of the things about the VSG though that our stomach still works as it always has so we shouldn't be pushing it in to our intestines - hopefully? I have been told too though to treat my Protein Shakes as fluids so I don't follow the no drinking rule with them, or with popsicles, Jello.< /p>

[Jimmy James 0]

For my wife who had a RnY, it is definitely like pouring Water on top of a clogged drain. If she drinks too fast after eating, it all comes up. I think it probably just depends on the person and the situation whether that happens or things get shoved along. I do think particularly with a RnY pushing things through too fast is a problem because malabsorption is a problem to begin with.

I find myself having to remind myself not to drink for that half hour period. I can handle not drinking while eating, but I often want a drink afterward. I'll get used to it, I'm sure.