feeling overwhelmed and unprepared

HI group,

my date is a week from today on the 19th. I called my surgeon last week after seeing how many were doing the 2 week liquid diets. The office told me I only had to do 3 days per opt. liquids and no cleansing.

My surgeon/surgery is about an hour drive from home and I'm not sure where and if I'm supposed to go to support groups?-- surgery in Kanakee, IL anyone have Dr. Dong Kim?

Sometimes I think its all just alittle too laid back, I want more rules and more visits, (no "late per opt. apt") scared and feeling blind at this point. I want to be ready, but don't feel that way at all. 

Fellow Jan. dates, please give me an insight on what you are doing and eating and or drinking...i. e. clear liquids includes what other than water, etc.?

After reading some posting, i ordered some samples of Unjury. I have only tried the chicken soup flavor so far. you can not heat the water warmer then 130*, it was not that bad if i gulped it, the first two drinks made it down ok. I was at work and got busy for a little while and went back to it, now cold, it was not so easy going down, felt queasy. managed to sip through it, any suggestions on protein, what kinds and how much per day?

what vitamins do i take? does my Dr tell the pharmacy that my meds need to change to liquid ones or do i call them and tell them?

I have a per opt. apt. for my PCP on the 15th any questions i should ask?

I have had 3 children, my tonsils removed, a pituitary tumor removed, my gallbladder removed, a cyst from each breast removed, and IUD that had to come out in day surgery, the surgery part doesn't freak me out as much as the not knowing. I felt prepared for things with all other surgery's and I'm telling ya, I have never felt completely out of my league with this one.

When I first started this journey back in 05' with Dr. Gusky I had a support group in place, a nut/dietitian on call, with vitamin info, some "recovery" drink that i was to take before surgery, the handbook ,diet post opt. ideas, etc. With this Doctor, I'm grateful for the approval, but feel in the outfield. thank God for all of you on this site, for your postings, questions and answers and experiences, fears, and best of all your achievements. thanks you for the support I have already received and hope to continue receiving.

feeling like a new kid at school and alone, please shed some light..
Thanks

Dear Rita:

Welcome to the Illinois board.  There are lots of friendly people here.

I am not sure why you changed doctors....it sounds like an insurance issue.  Do you still have all the information from Dr. Guske?  Use that as your guideline if the new office is not helpful.  Some guidelines are better than none.

Clear liquids are anything that you can see through......apple juice, water, broth, sugar free popsicles (a life saver) and sugar free Jell-O.  The liquid diet that I had to do was very detailed.  If you PM me, I can send you a copy.

As for protein, at first, I used the "Body by Fortress" whey powder that you can get at Wal-Mart.  I blended it with water and ice and sometimes added sugar free syrups and fruit to change it up.  I now use IDS Multi-Pro Whey Isolate, and Matrix that I order from www.bodybuilding.com.  I have found them to have the best prices on protein and the delivery is awesome.

Is it possible to talk with your doctor's office to express your concerns?  Does he have a nutritionist?  I am not sure what a "per opt. apt" is, but please, ask ALL these questions at that time.  You really should feel prepared and ready to make this COMPLETE LIFE CHANGE and I would make sure to discuss all of your concerns with your doctor BEFORE surgery.

Hello!

First thing I would have to say is that you need to feel 100% comfortable with your dr & their program. I looked at a few different programs and choice Methodist Weight Loss & Surgery Center in Peoria, IL. And I have never regretted my decision and have felt 100% comfortable with them there and they are a little more than an hour away. I have called them or emailed them with any questions I have ever had. So I think you need to call your dr and get all the answers.

Some drs do things differently. As I'm sure you read the reason for the 2 week preop diet is to reduce the size of the fatty liver to make sure the surgery is safe. Secondly I feel some drs do it to make sure you can stick with this since you will be on liquids for awhile after the surgery.

I think you have alot of unanswered questions that you need to call your dr about. And honestly I would go ahead and put myself on a liquid diet to make myself feel better. It can't hurt!

Best of Luck! Call your dr tomorrow! Get your answers!!!!

 I had to be on a liquid diet for two weeks before my surgery,  This consisted on protein drinks that provided me with 60-80g of protein.  The drinks had to be meal replacements (on the label you would see vitiamins and minerals listed as well as protein).  I could have up to 80-90g of carbs a day ****pt it lower).  And the calories had to be at about 600-800 per day.

I used a combination of Muscle Milk Light powder (25g of protein in two scoops and 195 calories) and EAS AdvantEdge Carb Control in a chocolate flavor (Sam's Club sells it by the case) (17 g of protein in 11 oz and 110 calories)

I used two scoops of Muscle Milk light for my two morning meals (1 scoop per meal) and two scoops of Muscle Milk Light for my two evening meals.  I also drank two containers of the EAS for my daytime meals (6 meals a day).  This gave me 84g of protein and 610 calories per day.  

Some GNC's carry a protein powder called Max that is 20g of protein for 1 scoop and has 118 calories that is also a meal replacement.

The day before surgery, I had to switch to clear liquids (Apple, white grape, white cranberry juices diluted 50-50(I really liked apple, couldn't stand the white grape or white cranberry), broth, decaf coffee without cream, decaf or herbal teas, crystal light, sf popsicles, SF jello).  I also had to drink 2 bottles of magnesium citrate 6 hours apart for a bowel cleanse.

As far as vitamins, I was told to have a chewable or liquid multivitamin, B complex and calcium citrate.  This is before and after surgery.  Any prescription meds after surgery should also be liquid or chewable or you would have to crush them and mix them into some liquid.  If you are taking NAISD's (like for arthritis pain), I was told I had to stop taking them 7 days before surgery and 8 weeks after surgery.

You said you gulped the Unjury.  After surgery, you cannot gulp, you need to sip and do it slowly.

 I don't know if there are any support groups in your area.  My doctor's support groups are open to his patients.  Otherwise, this board is a great place for support.  Or, you might need to check out a weight loss group like through a church or Weigh****chers.

I hope this helps.   Good luck and keep in touch.