Final Doctors Appointment

I had my final appointment with the surgeon today. My date is now set in stone, 7/18 at 10:30 in the morning. I need to be there at 9 am. The only thing I need to still do is a stress test. The surgeon said he does not want any surprises but that he does not suspect there will be a problem. I do not have to watch what I eat ahead of time, I just have to do the colon cleanse the night before. I LOVE MY SURGEON I am now even more exicted Nancy

Nancy that is so good, I'm happy for you cause I know how I would feel if I knew for sure about my date. Even though I have one, who knows if it's set in stone. I hope to be there with you having my surgery on the same day. God bless you!!!

CONGRATS Nancy, how exciting. Do me a favor though, even though he doesn't require a pre-op diet, please consider a strict diet at least 2-3 days before surgery. I was at my support group last night and a patient of my surgeon was telling me that her husband ate right up until his surgery 2 years ago and had one complication after another, she did the diet my surgeon now requires 6 weeks ago and didn't have one complication or pain pill, she said she felt no pain after. I know everyone is different but find out about your surgeon's complication history and consider the 2-3 day diet. It's the reason my surgeon now requires it, he's had too many patients with complications when they eat up until their date. I know it sounds great to not have to diet before but the more I hear the correlation between eating and complications the more convinced I am that it works. There WILL be people who ate right up until their date that were just fine but I think the other side would outweigh them. Everyone I've spoke to about this is so happy they had to do the diet beforehand. I'm just thinking of you Nancy and anyone else reading this. Just something to consider.

You are not the first person I've heard suggest this. My cousin who is 17 months post-op told me the exact same thing! LOL I think one can never be too careful. I've also heard that liquid diets - or some simblance(is that a word?LOL) thereof - also helps reduce the liver. Is it true? .... Who knows! Is it worth considering? .... SURE! HUGS Kimberly

What kind of diet are you talking about? Do you mean making sure we don't take in tons of fat??? Or do you mean a liquid protien diet....???

This week has been on giant doctor's apppointment for me. Satruday was sleep test. Monday was upper gi, chest x-ray, abdominal sonogram Tues was pysch consult Yesterday was full pysical with primary dr. I still have to get blood work done on monday... and see the nutritionist on Wed. (If anyone wants to know details of pre-op tests -- I have it all in my profile. I am trying to write the profile as a REFERENCE for pre-ops as well as a journal.)

I have all my pre-op tests done. (although I havent seen the results just yet) My final pre-op visit is june 23rd. I am a bundle of nerves! Melanie

Janice, what diet are you referring to? And is 2-3 days enough or would a week be better? I want to do everything possible to increase my chances of no complications. Sue

What I'm referring to is a high protein, low carb pre-op diet. Whether it be from liquid only or adkins I don't know the comparison. From what I've read, the pre-op diet shrinks your liver, cleans out the toxins and increases the flexibility of your skin so that when the doctor is using his laproscopic tools it causes you less pain after. Don't quote me but I think a week might be enough, only 2-3 days might be pushing it. Please remember, this is only my opinion and research results, I'm not a medical professional. Good luck!!!

My doctor requires you start an Atkins type diet for 2 weeks prior to your surgery date. (High protein low carb). And then I have a liquid diet 2-3 days prior to surgery. He says this will help shrink the liver. He also says any weight you loose prior to surgery will lower your risk and complications. You know already the lower your BMI the less of a risk you are. Which basically translates the less you weigh the lower your risks. I am trying to look at it all positive and think how I am already going to begin loosing some weight that I will never see again!!!!! I know that it isn't fun. But I am trying to make the best of it. I am even risking doing a 3-4 week diet by starting mine early. The reason for starting it early is that my date isn't set yet. (It should be somewhere between July 3rd and July 15th. More likely closer to the 15th. ) And if I have started the diet- it leaves more options open. Linda