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Squeezing Surgery into a Busy Schedule



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This is my first post so here goes...

I'm trying to schedule surgery into a busy schedule. There are so many things to consider that I won't go into them here. My question is when should I expect to be back to myself after surgery? Should I plan a vacation before surgery or after surgery? Will a 10-day high protein/low carb pre-surgery diet be something I could follow while on a vacation? Or should I wait until we get back to begin that diet. The way it looks I won't have an open 2-3 weeks until mid-June so I'm wondering if I really need that much of a time block.

Any advise anyone has would be appreciated. Thanks.

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This is my first post so here goes...

I'm trying to schedule surgery into a busy schedule. There are so many things to consider that I won't go into them here. My question is when should I expect to be back to myself after surgery? Depending on what kind of work you do, a week to 10 days should be sufficient. I know people who went back to work within 2 days, but I don't recommend counting on that! It took me that long just to shake the anesthesia. I just got really tired durinig the day for about 10 days...otherwise felt fine.

Should I plan a vacation before surgery or after surgery? If it were me, I would definitely plan the vacation before banding...or no sooner than a month after (with no fills).

Will a 10-day high protein/low carb pre-surgery diet be something I could follow while on a vacation? Absolutely. I low-carb'd it for 2.5 years! It's not difficult....just think 'meat and veggies'...that's mostly what you'll be eating.

Or should I wait until we get back to begin that diet. I would go ahead and start the diet ....IF you think you can stick to it!

The way it looks I won't have an open 2-3 weeks until mid-June so I'm wondering if I really need that much of a time block.

Any advise anyone has would be appreciated. Thanks.

Good luck to you!!

Edited by TerriDoodle

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I squeezed my surgery into an extremely busy schedule. Its doable. I would take my vacation first. You want to be around in the event you need to see your surgeon after the surgery.

This was my first ever surgery, so I didn't know what to expect. I took a week off from work and then worked a shorter day for the week I went back. I experienced some complications, so I had to put a business trip on hold, but was back to the 50+hours a week and the two business trips a month, 4 weeks after surgery.

Everyone reacts differently, some people here have gone back to work in 3 days.

Good luck in whatever you choose. Its the best thing I have ever done for myself.

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Thanks so much for the advise. I'm leaning toward waiting so I'll plan my vacation with my daughter as early as possible. We're thinking Washington D.C. I haven't been there since I was a kid.

BTW I didn't really introduce myself. My BMI now is 47.5. I'm a busy single mom of one adopted daughter (11 years old now). In addition, I'm responsible for the caretaking of my elderly father who currently lives on his own but nearby. I suppose I'm typical of the sandwich generation. I'm also VP of my company and we've just been awarded two huge contracts. End of school year activities and a concert that I'm singing in, all during April and May, adds to the schedule. So it looks like mid-June for sure to be banded. I hate waiting but I see no other option at this time. I'll take this time to gradually get off carbs and caffeine.:scared2:

Thanks again for taking the time to respond.

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I had my surgery on 3-25-08 and today is the first day I got out of bed and felt really good. I have been to the store shopping and out visiting friends but just don't have the energy for a full day of activities. I need to rest by mid-afternoon. I know I am not ready to go back to work on Monday. I did have some additional surgery with lap band. My Dr. ended up removing my gallbladder and repairing a hiatal hernia. I was very surprised about both. One night in the hospital but I needed to get to my own bed to rest. I don't know if the additional work will slow down my recovery. What I do know is that I am ready for something besides Clear Liquids. On the up side I was 14 lbs. down from the day of surgery this am. Makes me smile, however, I know most of it is just Fluid which could find me again at any time.

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