Any dvice for a rookie?

Hey everyone,
I am in the process of getting approved for my WLS.  I have done my 6 month diet and now I must complete my psych eval, EGD, and dietician consult on 7/28/08; then I will be done!  Any advice on anything?  This is all very new to me.  I am excited and nervous at the same time.  I have been losing some weight before the surgery (hopefully it will be in September) but I am nervous about the surgery, hospital stay, post op, new body, etc.  Any advice? 

THANKS!!

You have come to the right place.  WELCOME TO THE BAMA BOARD!  We are here for you.  Ask all the questions you like.  I promise....someone will have answers for you.  hee hee!!!  You are going to do just fine.  It's been 6 years for me and I'm still alive and kicking and maintaining my weightloss.  I've been a complete success.  Good luck and may God bless you.

My surgeon is Dr. Ronald Clements at UAB in Birmingham.  I am nervous about the pre-op - what do you have to do?  Someone told me that there is a '2 week liquid diet' that you have to do right before surgery?  Is this true?  I am in school - how long does it take to resume normal activities?

Welcome to the Bama Board!  Sounds like you're close to getting there!  It's natural to be nervous.  Any surgery/hospital stay is scary and this particular procedure is sure life-changing.  But I believe it's the best thing you will have ever done for yourself. Just get all the steps done and stay on top of the submission to the insurance company and you'll be there before you know it.  I've heard a lot of good things about Dr. Clements!

Can anyone tell me about their personal experience?

It's been a long time ago but I still remember my hospital stay - it was only overnight and believe it or not I was back at work the next week - only part time but I was there!!! I think I went back fulltime after that first week. I had no complications. I didn't need pain medication and had no problems once I got back home. The first night home I slept in the recliner because I have one of those high bed with the feather top mattress and I was afraid to try to crawl into that big old thing. The next night I tried it and it was fine. I was on clear liguids that first week and at the end of the second week my doctor told me to eat whatever I wanted. I had problems with meats - they were just too tough and would come back up. Also, anything rich - foods with mayo, sweets, they would make me sick. Rice still gets stuck now and then so I don't eat a lot of it. I really have to be careful when I eat out at Chinese places - for some reason their food can make me sick faster than anything. I kep****er by my side constantly and I drank it when I didn't think I could drink anymore. Make sure you take all your vitamins, calcium, B-12, etc. Make a habit!!! If you have any questions, fire away.

WELCOME!!!!

DebbieDoo

Oh i agree, its perfectly okay to be nervous.  Feel free to ask any questions, someone will jump in and pass on their experiences.  Best of luck!

~Heather

Can anyone share their experience with me?  Im curious about the first week post op and the hospital stay. 

Welcome to the Bama Board!!!!  I agree...nervousness, excitement, etc are all very normal.  I am so excited for you.  This is a wonderful journey and you are going to have so many wonderful moments and new experiences.  Again,,,,welcome!!!