THANK YOU!

Thanks so much to the wonderful responses I received from my earlier post. I don't feel so alone any more! Your thoughts and ideas were very solid and helpful. I AM ready for this. I've been ready since I attended my surgeon's orientation meeting way back in September! My real source of anxiety has to do with not fully "getting" the routine immediately upon returning home from the hospital. I wish there was an easy, step-by-step instruction book that tells me what to eat and drink when and how much! The rest will be cake! (sorry). Thanks again. By the way I tried to post before photos (ugh!) at my profile site but can't figure that out either. Any tips? STAY CONNECTED MARCHERS!! Maureen

Hey, Maureen... Does your dietician or nutritionist have materials she can give you? I sort of knew what I'd be doing immediately post-op, but was really trying to figure it out by myself. Wasted a lot of time and a couple good headaches that way...when I met with my nutritionist, she had everything written down for us...menues, things to get for surgery, foods I'll need, etc. I mean, it was like someone turned the lights on when I started reading the stuff! My precious Mom, who's gonna be staying with me the first few post-op days, was concerned about what she's going to need to 'feed' me, etc (she's a worry wart...in the WORST way!). I handed her my binder, she saw the papers from the nutritionist, and said "Oh, yes, dear...even I can figure THIS out now...it's all right here..." I'd suggest calling your surgeon's office and telling 'em you're trying to prepare for post-op, and ask if they have any materials like mine they can send you. All surgeons' aftercare programs are different, but if it'd help you, I'd be happy to send you copies of mine... Kimmer Queen of the Niners, Instigator to all Marchers, High Priestess of Giggles Zero-minus-19 and counting!

If they haven't already done so, I'm sure you will get full instructions while you are in the hospital. Don't let them leave until you completely understand, or you will end up having to follow a mixture of all of our diets! (That would be confusing--no 2 are totally alike!) Joy (3/1)

The office I was dealing with gave me a paper with a "basic outline" which answered NONE of my questions.. I called the office and explained I was going shoppng and wanted a "list" and they told me.... "You're on liquids until your 10 day follow up so buy clear liquids and lots of water...." This made me very uneasy.. (well that's not all but that's another story LOL)

My surgeon went through the routine with me at my consult. What to expect in the hospital, and then when I went home, up to seeing him for my 2 week post op visit, then the next few (2 to 3 weeks), then adding solids back one food at a time. I was concerned because we will be gone for almost 2 weeks when I am barely 2 months out, but since we travel like turtles (with our home on our back .. i.e. the RV) I wasn't too worried, because I can control my environment and my food. Have you been to any support group meetings in your area to meet other pre op and post ops? There is a weekly meeting of my surgeon's patients, on Thursday nights. Unfortunately at the distance, I can't make that weekly, but there is also a Saturday meeting the first and third Saturday each month. I have those marked out on my calendar for the NEXT year. It really helps to hear from his other patients, because each doctor has his own spin on things and you may get conflicting info here on the board as a result. Hugs, Mo (doing the happy Mo dance )