4 weeks from today!
Hi from Atlanta everyone! I just wanted to share that I am scheduled for my RNY in just 4 weeks. I am so excited and can't wait to be on the losing side. Everything has happened so fast. I have researched this for about 3 years, but since I am self pay (UGH) once I made the decision things really got rolling. It seems like May 8th will never get here and it also seems like I won't have enough time to get everything done in time. Anyone have any tips for me about what to buy/do to prepare for surgery? I go for my consultation with my surgeon on the 19th and will have my preop on May 7th. My emotions are all over the place. I can't wait and am so excited, but I am terrified of gaining the weight back. Any and all advice would be great! Thanks!
Hey Sandra! The best advice I can give you... don't stress too much 
Don't over prepare, and think positively. I went in with the attitude that everything was going to go smoothly and my new life was going to begin soon... and it did! Don't get me wrong, it's been hard and it take a LOT of dedication, but it'll be worth it! Before surgery, scrap the "last meal" syndrome... if you can eat healthy and lose weight before the surgery it shrinks your liver and makes it easier for the surgeon to get through! Have a couple of samples of protein shakes ready (don't bother trying them beforehand... they'll taste and settle in your stomach a LOT differently afterwards). Talk to your friends and family and let them know that you'll need their love and support to make the road ahead easier. Open the door for communication so that they can voice their concerns and so can you. I know you already have a support group (hee hee, you just suggested them to me!), ask someone to be a mentor so that you have someone to call if you're having a bad day. Most of all, stay positive and come out fighting Best of luck to you!
Michelle
Don't over prepare, and think positively. I went in with the attitude that everything was going to go smoothly and my new life was going to begin soon... and it did! Don't get me wrong, it's been hard and it take a LOT of dedication, but it'll be worth it! Before surgery, scrap the "last meal" syndrome... if you can eat healthy and lose weight before the surgery it shrinks your liver and makes it easier for the surgeon to get through! Have a couple of samples of protein shakes ready (don't bother trying them beforehand... they'll taste and settle in your stomach a LOT differently afterwards). Talk to your friends and family and let them know that you'll need their love and support to make the road ahead easier. Open the door for communication so that they can voice their concerns and so can you. I know you already have a support group (hee hee, you just suggested them to me!), ask someone to be a mentor so that you have someone to call if you're having a bad day. Most of all, stay positive and come out fighting Best of luck to you!
Michelle Hi Michelle!
Thank you so much for your response. I am trying to remain calm and not obsess about everything, but I can't think about anything else. I hope that you are able to come to the support group meeting next month. If you can't come to ours, I hope that you will be able to find another one that works for you. I think that Dr. J. K. Champion's website has all of the info about where and when ours meets. There is a direct link from this website to his. I have been trying to avoid the last meal syndrome. My doctor does not want me to try to lose weight because I am a "light weight" (yeah right!) but he does want me to start changing my behaviors, not drinking with my meals, work out more and chew, chew, chew. I think the not drinking part will be the hardest for me. I drink most of my fluids with meals. I am trying to get into the habit though. Are you liking Atlanta so far? It is a big change from where you came from. Didn't you say that you were from New Jersey? When we lived in Maryland, we took a trip every spring to Ocean City, NJ. I have lived all over and I know how hard it is to relocate. I've lived in Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, Maryland, Connecticut, South Carolina and here. Georgia is my hometown. Anyway, thanks again for the info. Take Care!
Sandra
Sandra I can completely understand where you are! I couldn't think about anything but surgery for the month before or for a few months afterwards! It was such a HUGE change (no pun intended 
. Yeah, I always found the phrase "lightweight" funny. I don't think it's so much about what you weight, but how you feel, how your health is, and what the diet yoyo has been for you. I NEVER thought I'd get into the whole NO DRINKING WITH FOOD thing, but it gets a lot easier, especially the first time you drink something and whatever you're eating gets stuck... NOT a good feeling. It's good to try to get used to it now. Honestly, when you first have it done it's easier, it's when you get further out that you have to keep reminding yourself. I'm going to do my best to make it to the meeting. I used to go to one every week, but most of the ones I've heard of down here are once a month, so maybe I'll go to a couple. I'm LOVING Atlanta! I moved down here to get out of the crazyness and negativity of NJ. Everyone here is SO nice and I've already found a great job and a great apartment w/ my cousin. I've lived in NJ for as long as I can remember, but I've never been happier than I've been here in the last month. Thank you for welcoming me! If you have any questions or you need anything, let me know! My email is [email protected] and I try to check it every day.
Peace,
Michelle
. Yeah, I always found the phrase "lightweight" funny. I don't think it's so much about what you weight, but how you feel, how your health is, and what the diet yoyo has been for you. I NEVER thought I'd get into the whole NO DRINKING WITH FOOD thing, but it gets a lot easier, especially the first time you drink something and whatever you're eating gets stuck... NOT a good feeling. It's good to try to get used to it now. Honestly, when you first have it done it's easier, it's when you get further out that you have to keep reminding yourself. I'm going to do my best to make it to the meeting. I used to go to one every week, but most of the ones I've heard of down here are once a month, so maybe I'll go to a couple. I'm LOVING Atlanta! I moved down here to get out of the crazyness and negativity of NJ. Everyone here is SO nice and I've already found a great job and a great apartment w/ my cousin. I've lived in NJ for as long as I can remember, but I've never been happier than I've been here in the last month. Thank you for welcoming me! If you have any questions or you need anything, let me know! My email is [email protected] and I try to check it every day.
Peace,
Michelle 
Hi Sandra
Congratulations on getting your date. There will be a place waiting for you on the loser bench. Aside from the sf jello, popsicles, juices, and broths you will need immediately after surgery, the best suggestion I have for you is to have everything on a counter within easy reach for you. This would include your dishes, vitamins, some kind of blender, measuring spoons, scale, etc. This also includes a shelf in the refridgerator. You won't want to be bending over or stretching when you get home. I also picked up stuff from my second stage foods (full liquids). Like cream soups (and soups I could cream myself), boxed sf pudding (1 Tablescoop mixed with 3 oz of skim milk), Low fat (or fat free) small curd cottage cheese, no sugar added applesauce, crystal light, and eggs.
Good luck and any more questions...feel free to ask me.
Pat
Most Active
Recent Topics
