Questions....

Hello To all, hope everyone is well. I have a couple of questions or maybe I am just looking for opinions and reassurance. I am having RNY on 6/6/06 (I know bad date) and I have had to stop smoking for a month prior to surgery. My problem is that I am gaining weight. The doctors office told me that they frown upon weight gain prior to surgery,they do not want to see people binging prior to surgery. I totally understand this and it is not at all what I am doing. I am however sucking on lollipops and eating a bit more frequently than I normally do. I have tried surgar-free gum and candies but it makes me sick to my stomache after a while. I have tried empty pen sleves ect. The things that seem to work are the ones that I should not be using such as tootsie pops. Funny part is I am not a sweets person and people are shocked to see me with candy of any type, now bread and other carbs that is a different story, but the tootsie pops work to get me though the day. I am so scared that they will tell me that they will not preform the surgery on me. Has anyone had any similar issues? My other big question/ worry is that I live with a smoker. He does not smoke in the house or cars however when he gets in bed at night I can smell it on him. I know that this is enough to elevate my cotine levels a little bit. Will they take into account that my husband still smokes and my levels are low proving that I do not smoke anymore? I am so so nervous as Dr. Yood would not even submit my request for insuance approval until I had assured him I had quit. I am trying desperately to do everything right I want this to get healthy so therefore smoking makes no sense anymore either. I am planning to get into shape and run a small marathon with my brothers. How great would that be and without the weight and the smoking I should be able to in about a year. Anyway thanks for reading this post I know it is a bit long, any stories or thoughts that you would like to share would be enjoyed. Thanks again Terri

Hi Terri! You may want to share your concearns with your doctor. I'm sure they will offer suggestions to get you thru these tough times leading up to your surgery. If nothing else he will know ahead of time what you are facing so you can at least remove that worry from yourself. Good Luck! Julio

Hi Terri, I know a person that went to "Smoke Enders" program and they suggested that you put a pretty thick elastic band on your wrist and when you get the urge to have a smoke, to snap it really hard. It's a behavior modification technique that seems to work very well for a lot of people. I didn't smoke, so I didn't go through what you're going through prior to surgery. I don't think that the passive smoke smell from your husband will raise your nicotine levels that much. Ask your surgeon about it. You can try SF popsicles too. They're sweet but sugar free. You do have to watch sometimes how much sugar alcohols you take in cause they do cause stomach cramping and diarrahea in some people. The sorbitol, manitol, etc. Try to also snack on salad or pea pods or something crunchy. I lived on raw pea pods prior to surgery when I needed something. Crunchy. High protein snacks are a good thing right now too. The more protein in your system before surgery is great for healing of your wounds. Start your protein now. Can you just get up and take a short walk when you're stressing for a cig or nervous about your surgery? Before my surgery, as it was getting closer, I was antsy and would take a brisk walk to relieve myself of my nervous energy..Instead of eating, etc. Even if it was 10 at night, I'd get up and go out for a short walk. It did help. Hope some of this helps...you want to be as healthy as you can be going into surgery. Drink lots of water, too. paula