need some wisdom

natashiki · July 30, 2006

I am starting my pre op fast. I am excited, does anyone think it is too much to cheat and take my left over not expired Meridia?

Going to eat alot of broth, Gazpacho, SF Jello, Protein shakes. I bought Sdurce of Life Energy drink, has all Vitamins ans minerals and 15 grams of Protein per scoop.

What should I stock up on? My surgery is 17th. i bought source of life, myoplex, and whey in vanilla and plain, sf Jello, not a popsicle fan..(maybe when i am starving)

I am determined to make this work. I am in customer service..Is it unreasonable to go back to work 4 days after surgery?

Any tidbits of wisdom?:help:

ralheit · July 31, 2006

Looks like your getting ready. Make sure you have chewable or liquid Multi Vitamins, tylenol, etc. There is a thread on here that I read before my surgery and it listed anything and everything you would need. Should be able to do a search for it. Many people have said they went back to work in less than a week. I was off for two. Best of luck to you.

mousecrazy · July 31, 2006

I don't know about the Meridia, so can't help you there.

It is hard to say whether 4 days will be enough time or not, because everyone is different in their response to pain and surgery. What is your usual pain tolerance? How do you handle physical stress?

If you don't already have some, I'd get some liquid Gaviscon or baby tummy drops (simethicone) for the gas pains most people deal with for quite a while after abdominal sugery...I also used one of those plastic bottles with a screw on top (like Eddie Bauer, sold at Target) to pour my Protein Drinks in, since at first I could only drink 2 oz at a time. (Think: baby amounts). Then I could cap it, and refrigerate until the next "feeding."

Good luck!

Cindy

Leila · July 31, 2006

Check with your surgeon, there is a possibility it could affect bleeding or interact with anaesthetic. The anaesthesiologist will have to know if you decide to use it pre-surgery, like any other meds/supplements.

Stitchy · July 31, 2006

I stocked up on a lot more stuff than I needed. You will not be confined to your bed, so you will be able to go out for anything you need. Get your pain meds before your surgery so they will be there for you. Liquid Tylenol is good. Remember chewable Vitamins. Also something for gas - maybe. (I didn't need it.)

I was away from work for a week. Went back and got extremely tired. Full time was too much. I worked a shorter week the next one and that was good. However, you are 25 years younger. I think that if I was younger, I would have recovered sooner.

Sound like you have everything under control. You'll do fine. And congratulation!:clap2:

health1st · July 31, 2006

Don't know about Meridian but why not just follow the Doc's recommendations.

For a protien drink, I liked Isopure that you can get at GNC. I still use it in the morning now when I am tight or just want to give my stomach a rest. Or need a quick Protein and don't have time to fix something. It tastes OK, easy to get down and has lots of protien.

health1st · July 31, 2006

One more: It may be too late since you are on liquids but I practiced chewing a lot before I swallowed food pre-op. It really helped when it was time to do the real thing.

My wisdom to you is after surgery follow the Docs orders, don't eat solid food until they tell you to, drink lots of Water, don't push it, take your time, let your stomach heal, its been thru a lot. Some say the sugery is a breeze. Mine was not, it was several weeks before I had normal energy. I could have worked but I took the time to take care of myself and get into a routine of eating 5 small meals a day. Hard to do when you are working.

Loving-It · July 31, 2006

I'm the same age as you and I thought I'd go back sooner than I did. I had my surgery on a Friday and went back the following Wed./Thurs.? But I couldn't do full time until the following week. Just take it easy and don't rush it. For me, getting up and down out of my chair was the worst because it worked my ab area. If you can have someone drive you to and from work I'd do it. That way I was able to take my pain medication and not worry about driving and suffering the effects of being drowsy while on the road. I also had the person who drove me use their van so I stepped down rather than having to lift myself out of a car.

One thing I did was during liquid was get my favorite chicken noodle Soup and strain the chunky stuff out. Then I had this delicious flavored broth. Soooo good. Crystal Light or something like that is good to have. Buy several flavors. Water alone got really fishy tasting which was a result of getting into ketosis. I was so happy I had that Crystal Light. Straws? I drank everything through a straw for the first two weeks, but that was per my doctors directions. Soup, Water, Crystal Light...through the straw.

GOOD LUCK!! :clap2: