tomorrow's surgery, scared to death?

[Guest ukomisv]

I'm having my surgery tomorrow and I just read something about leaking? what the heck is that? does everyone? I'm so hungry, have lossed 7 1/2lbs fasting these last 6days, can't focus on my high pressure sales job, my apt. was flooded a few days ago, dishwasher doesn't work, hungry again and my back is so tense and tight. I'm so nervoussssssssssssssssssssssssss.

All the info, insight I can get last minute on post surgery, please share. Thanks!

[donali 57]

No last minute advice, just lots of congrats, and looking forward to seeing you on the other side.

Breathe, breathe!

[DeLarla 22]

I'm the Queen of Leaking! Also known as "weeping wound." It sucks, but it eventually stops. No, I don't think everybody's incisions weep. When my port incision started leaking, I totally freaked out. I nearly had a panic attack, but I learned that it's completely normal.

The liquid that comes out should be clear with a little orange/pinkish tint. If the liquid is infected, then you need to contact your doctor. Some leak a little - I leaked like a faucet. I like to believe that the Fluid contains some fat, so I let it leak freely when I was at home. Just kept using tissue or gauze to dab it up every minute.

So while weeping is really annoying, it's something coming OUT of your body. Anything coming out of your body has weight to it, right?

But I was a real DUMB BUNNY this morning. Yesterday my leaking finally stopped! I was thrilled because my incision finally dried up on the way to recovery. The dumb ass me took an extra long hot shower this morning, thereby soaking my dry wound. I got out of the shower and smacked myself upside the head as I noticed that my incision was all fresh and open again. DOH!

So here I am at work, with my panty liner stuck to the inside of my shirt again. Darn!

And don't be nervous - be exicited!

[Debra 0]

Hey, like Donali said ... Breathe, Breathe! Whatever you do, meditation, prayer, candles, garden, whatever calms you, go do it!! This is just one more step along your journey. The hard part was researching, making the decisions, getting approval (if it's ins. pay), pre-testing. Now you're ready. YOU ARE READY! It's natural to be nervous, but let some good thoughts in too!! There are so many people here who can help you post-op, and of course your doc isn't going to just shove you out the door w/out preparing you! Just remember to be good to yourself, don't rush your healing, pamper yourself even! Best of luck to you tomorrow! Post as soon as you are able ... we'll be waiting!

[DeLarla 22]

I have to "second" the advice on pampering yourself. A good percentage of overweight women are givers and doers. I'm one of them, and I thought I'd be Superwoman and go back to work 4 days after surgery. I only stayed 4 hours the first day back, then took one extra day. During that time, I decided that it was MY time. I hired 3 neighbor kids for the day. They cleaned and catered to me till hubby came home. They even took my dogs for a walk and let me take a nap. Pamper yourself!

[claraluz 2]

I hope your surgery is as pain- and problem-free as mine was and that the surgery helps you achieve your goals. And that is quite likely, actually. Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

Nancy

[GeezerSue 7]

Originally posted by ukomisv

I'm having my surgery tomorrow... I'm so hungry, have lossed 7 1/2lbs fasting these last 6days, can't focus on my high pressure sales job, my apt. was flooded a few days ago, dishwasher doesn't work, hungry again and my back is so tense and tight. I'm so nervoussssssssssssssssssssssssss.

All the info, insight I can get last minute on post surgery, please share. Thanks!

Relax and think of this: you're gonna get some really good drugs.

EGBOK (Everything's gonna be okay.)

[Alexandra 55]

Deep breaths, deep breaths, and then try to think about something else. I HATE waiting for things, so I've gotten really good at distracting myself. There's always plenty to fill the time.

Good luck, and PLEASE remember to think of yourself first for the next few days. Now is your turn to be selfish and take every opportunity to rest and heal. This is a big step!!

You'll be fine. EGBOK, indeed!!

[GeezerSue 7]

Of course I'm a week away from MY surgery and completely insane. (But the band surgery is a piece of cake. You should be in and out in less than an hour.)

[Neicy 0]

It's a week away for my surgery too, so here I am reading about everyone else's experiences, so I can be mentally prepared. I'm really excited about getting the band, not scared of the surgery, but anxious about the unknown, the what afters, what ifs.

What if it is the best thing I ever did for myself? I'm thinking it will be, and at 51 years old, I'm hoping to have control of the food, instead of it controlling me. Best wishes and prayers for all those in need! Denise

[New Hope 37]

I'm ready to live healthier. May 26,2004 is my Lapband surgery day (also having my gallbladder removed, too). I hope I do as wonderfully as so many of you have done. I've learned so much from your shared experiences. I haven't gotten nervous yet, just ready to start living LIFE.

[DeLarla 22]

I don't want to scare anyone, but think it's important for everyone to have honest answers, and this surgery certainly wasn't "a piece of cake" for me or the other 5 that had it when I was in the hospital. It wasn't the worst surgery I've been through, but it certainly wasn't cake.

My biggest advice is to give yourself a little extra time to get better. I wish I could have taken 2 full weeks off of work, but I went back to work after one week. Wearing clothing was really uncomfortable. Sitting in a chair all day was too much pressure on the port and band. Everyone heals differently, and I personally could have used a couple extra days of pain medication. I also highly recommend buying an extra large heating pad, which was my savior since my back hurt so bad right after the surgery. Then my back felt better, but 2 weeks post op the pains came back a lot worse.

Everyone on this board told me to give it a full two weeks before worrying that something was wrong. I seriously thought something went wrong because I had severe lower abdominal gas and diareah for 2 full weeks - totally miserable. However, the angels here were 100% correct, because today is 2 weeks plus 2 days post-op, and I'm starting to feel pretty darn good!

I'm afraid to talk about weight loss because I might jinx something, but I've lost over 20 pounds. Prior to the surgery, I'd eat anything not nailed down whether I liked it or not. Today there are things that make my face squinch up that just sound gross to me. This is a whole new world. I learned that I hate malted chocolate milk. I bought both chocolate-malt and plain chocolate Instant Breakfast for my morning shakes. The malt was so gross that I poured it out. ME, throwing away a chocolate malt Instant Breakfast? Unheard of! And prior to the surgery I had a bad coffee habit. Today I tried having my usual coffee with thick sweat Creamer (Liquid Hazlenut flavor) and it was too sweet so I spilled it out. ME, spilling out flavored coffee????

So, the band surgery is no party, but worth every miserable minute!

[donali 57]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who wasn't up to a walking tour of Europe the day after my surgery...

DeLarla, you are going to be even more surprised at the things you won't eat now that you have to actually CHEW and TASTE them!!! I was like you - if it could be eaten, it was fair game!! Now, though, I really don't like certain tastes or textures when they actually have to be chewed (and therefore tasted!!) BLECH!!!

And some things taste okay, but are just too much work. Like subsandwiches and burgers. And some things just aren't the same if they can't be eaten the old way - a big bite of hamburger patty just isn't the same as a big bite of a full fledged burger - the taste and texture is missing. Same with pizza. If I just eat the topping off, it's just not the same as a great big mouthful of warm, soft deep dish bread with sauce and melted cheeze...

So, it's not that some of us are "saints" for what we've given up (or greatly reduced) - it's just that eating these things don't give the same pleasure as before, so we're not as drawn to them.

I am lucky that has kind of applied to french fries, chips, and baked goods for me. Now if I could just get it to migrate to chocolate, Oreos and Cheetos....

[~c~ 1]

Those darn cheetos get me every time!!

Chantal:D

[DeLarla 22]

First: Cheetos - yum. What about Flamin' Hot Cheetos?

So, if you can't eat subs, burgers, fries, etc., what do you eat? I'm lucky that chicken is my favorite food, but will I be able to eat at least a bite of my hubby's pizza or his sub? What about tortillas?

Hmm, life without Italian Subs. Hmmm.