Being banded on 3/29 - questions!

[Syrah 0]

Freaking out a bit here. All kinds of random thoughts are going through my mind!

Did anyone else worry that they might die during the procedure? From anesthesia or something else?

I am having a bit of edema in my legs. I think it's from my blood pressure medication but I'm afraid to mention it for fear they will not do the surgery. I know, I'm weird.

At the nutrition seminar I went to, they said not to use straws. But I can't recall the reasoning. Anyone?

I also heard that milk does not go down well at first. I love Tomato Soup with just a touch of milk in it, then mostly Water. Do I need to worry about this?

I didn't really have a pre-op diet. I didn't overeat, and stuck with healthy food / ate nothing fried / very little sugar. I am afraid my liver will be gi-normous and this will complicate things. Should I do a liquid diet tomorrow?

Any thoughts are welcome. Thanks!

[Kat817 19]

I responded to your question in the other thread....while you were moving it I would guess!!!

Kat

[Syrah 0]

Thank you Kat. That was very helpful.

My doctor does things a bit differently. As if the lack of a pre-op diet wasn't strange, they also want me to start mushies after 3-4 days.

[finluv 0]

Syrah-

I just want you to know that I FREAKED OUT before surgery! All I could think about was dieing and how much I still wanted to do in life, and then my friend reminded me that I was doing this for my health and LIFE! And that if we are meant to die on a certain day we would whether it was from surgery or being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Life is life and we live it. Just remember if you are like me you are doing this to live longer! I have a 4 year old and I think that is why I was so freaked out...but just know most people "freak out" in one way or another! I am 1.5 weeks post-op btw...

[Autumn444 0]

Syrah-

I just want you to know that I FREAKED OUT before surgery! All I could think about was dieing and how much I still wanted to do in life, and then my friend reminded me that I was doing this for my health and LIFE! And that if we are meant to die on a certain day we would whether it was from surgery or being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Life is life and we live it. Just remember if you are like me you are doing this to live longer! I have a 4 year old and I think that is why I was so freaked out...but just know most people "freak out" in one way or another! I am 1.5 weeks post-op btw...

I soooooooo understand this! Yes, i am freaking out about dying on the table.... I have 3 kids that are all very upset with me going through with this. However, my husband is the one that has been keeping a level head through this all. Go figure, he never has in the past in most cases, but he really has been there for me through this! He knows that I have battled with the idea of doing this for the past 4 years. I was even about to cancel my surgery 2 weeks ago because of the what if's... And he pulled me through that with complete suport.

Yes, I am beyond nervous, yes I am freaking out internally.... But all in all, I know after the fact, I will be okay.... I will have to face the other demons that brought me to this procedure.... Like, my eating obsession... I recieved a message earlier that really opened my eyes... Yes, i am afraid of the operation, but maybe I am afraid of the life changes that come with it all the more... food for thought... pun intended.

I wish you well with your operation. And as I lay on the table, I will have all your wonderful advice and suport cheering me on....

Blessed Be -

[Crishell 0]

I was nervous because it was my first anethesia experience. I prayed on it and let it go. As we know, they monitor you throughout surgery (breathing, heart rate, blood sugar etc.). During my surgery, my blood sugar spiked and I had to recieve insulin injiections during and about three after surgery before I went home (which I did not have prior to surgery). I doubt if the leg swelling would be enough to stop the surgery but if it were me, I would mention it or call and ask prior to surgery.

[RAYSBABE 1]

i've thought about canceling a few times and i don't even have a date yet!!! i understand what you mean. i'm freaked out too. hang in there, i'm sure we will all be glad when the surgery part is over!

[Syrah 0]

I am one-day post op and very relieved to have it over. This was the biggest step for me. I got home today. It was a good experience. Now I am eager to get past the pain (though it's not horrible). Good luck to all!

[Brewa2000 1]

Congrats Syrah! Glad you're doing well...

Bruce

[Doula Lea 0]

Freaking out a bit here. All kinds of random thoughts are going through my mind!

Did anyone else worry that they might die during the procedure? From anesthesia or something else?

*No, it never really was an issue for me. My mother had just passed away a couple of months earlier from complications from taking the Medifast diet (incorrectly diagnosed gallstones lead to acute pancreatitis) and I was getting the surgery to get out of the death trap that is chronic dieting.

I am having a bit of edema in my legs. I think it's from my blood pressure medication but I'm afraid to mention it for fear they will not do the surgery. I know, I'm weird.

*Walking will help that Fluid move. It is very important that you mention it to your doc. Heck if he is good, he should notice it when assessing you.

At the nutrition seminar I went to, they said not to use straws. But I can't recall the reasoning. Anyone?

*You can swallow air with the straw. I personally don't have a problem with straws, but some do.

I also heard that milk does not go down well at first. I love Tomato Soup with just a touch of milk in it, then mostly Water. Do I need to worry about this?

*At first only Clear liquids. That means you need to be able to see through it. You cannot see through milk. You need to wait on that until you are allowed a full liquid diet.

I didn't really have a pre-op diet. I didn't overeat, and stuck with healthy food / ate nothing fried / very little sugar. I am afraid my liver will be gi-normous and this will complicate things. Should I do a liquid diet tomorrow?

*You can palpate to try and feel your liver yoursef. Normally, it is not easily palpatable. Lying on your back you hook your fingers under the left sige of your rib cage. You really need to hook those fingers in deeply. Now, while taking a deep breath in you see if you can feel the liver pressing down against your fingers. It often feels just like a brush against them, but if your liver is enlarged it will feel like a significant pressing down on your finger tips. That said, if your doc doesn't require fasting pre-op be happy and eat!

Any thoughts are welcome. Thanks!

Good luch and best wishes!

[sfeliz001 0]

syrah congrats on having everything go well. I'm being banded on monday heading to mexico today and the dying part has definitely crossed my mind. When i start to get nervous about it I tell myself that worrying isn't going to prevent something thats going to happen from happening so that helps me to keep from worrying to much.

[Syrah 0]

Good luck Sarah!

[finluv 0]

Congrats! I'm glad you did good.

[Syrah 0]

Ack.

I overdid it.

I was feeling good and cleaned out the turtle tank. I walked past it and it was nasty with a skin on top of the Water. I thought I could do a partial cleaning but it got involved. Now my incision sites are a bit tender from hauling clean Water, even though I was sure to keep it under 10 lbs. per container.

To make things worse, people in my house keep dropping like flies from the stomach flu. Including my mom, who came here to help me out. My husband leaves for a biz trip tomorrow.

And I am *possibly* returning to work tomorrow.

[Autumn444 0]

Oh you poor thing Syrah!

I dont know what to say except I will be sending you positive energy that you will not get sick. I can not imagine how to handle that right now.

Dont stress... It will only make your band constrict tighter...

Hope you can hold off a couple of days at least from work. It seems that you need the extra benefit it can give you.

Keep us posted.

Autumn