SURGERY -- in 12 days!! HELP!

I called Duke this morning and Beth said I had been approved last week - - I was so happy I about fell out of my Chair. Then she said my surgery is scheduled for 9/19. I freaked . . . I was happy, excited, scared . . . I am hoping to meet some friends and supporters that can guide me and help me prepare. I have a million questions for you guys. First, what do I need to pick up this week to have at home, for right after the surgery . . . Protein drinks?? Any suggestions?? What kind of Vitamins . . .Kids? Liquid? Chewable? What brands? Do I need a timer to make sure I'm drinking every 15 minutes. Do I eat soft foods or no food? Will I be able to take pills for pain? Please someone help me get ready. I work in a family business, commute over 90 miles one way to work and work about 50 hours a week plus I have two grandparents that have just been admitted to a nursing home and just have not had the time to get myself up speed on pre-op and post-op questions. I find that I always put my family and work before me and could use some tips in that area too. Okay . . . ya'll probably think I need a psychologist by now. I could use some help also on how to set up a ticker thing, upload photos and how to create a profile. I'm 6'1 and last weigh in was 362 . . .which is not my highest weight by far. Sorry for the LOOOOONNNGGG Post!!

WOW!  That's amazing that you got a date so soon!  Beth told me they were scheduling surgeries 2 months out.  I'm still waiting to be submitted to insurance.  Hope all goes well for you!  Did you get to pick your surgeon?

Hey Ashley -

Great to put a face to the name! I hope to see you at the breakfast in the morning.

Barb

P.S. I also had my surgery at Duke ... You can check my profile for details.

 

Welcome to the board!!!! Your surgery is the day after mine is I bought my whey protein powder and ordered liquid iron. b12 and calcium at www.bariatriceating.com They have a wonderful website and great prices! I bought Centrum chewable multivitimins at Walmart and Special K protein water. I also stocked up on broth and sugar free jello popsicles. My doctor is going to give me liquid pain medication since I wont be able to swallow a pill I would ask your Doctor what he wants you to eat and what diet to follow. Mine gave me a ton of paperwork a month ago to read about the different stages of the diet I will follow. You need to take time for yourself and get prepared girly!!!!

For your ticker go to www.tickerfactory.com
For your profile click on user settings located on the side bar.... hope that helps!!

Darcie

Hi Lisa,

Congrats on the approval and date. All in one big swoop. Lucky you. At least you don't have a long time to worry over everything. The most important thing for you to have for right after surgery is protein drinks or shakes. Your MD or NUT will guide you about your post-op diet. All surgeons have a schedule they will want you to follow. My surgeon told me Flintstone Chewables but they were way too tart for me. I know take Centrum Chewables (adult). Liquid should be fine, too. I was given a prescription for pain meds to have filled before surgery so they would be there when I got home. I only took one. I didn't use a timer, I just keep a drink with me all the time to sip on, expect for the 30/30 rule.

What was helpful to me (yes, we all have the same questions as you) is to search the boards. There are suggested menus broken down week by week, list of what to take to the hospital, OTC drugs we can and can't have and on and on and on.  Chances are if you need a questioned answered, someone else did too. So searching is a good way to get feedback.

I think the fastest way to get an answer is to post on the main board. That is the most active and view boards and several people usually respond within minutes.

My only other suggestion is that you PLEASE put yourself FIRST throughout the surgery and recovery. Let someone else take care of everything and everybody until you gain your strength back. It can take up to six months to get all your energy back. If you push yourself, you may have complications or set-backs. Be easy and kind to yourself!

I'll leave the ticker/profile/photo answers for someone else because my post is way too long even without giving you specific answers. But again, WELCOME AND CONGRATULATIONS!

Karen

 

Lisa -

First of all ... CONGRATULATIONS! It sounds as though they might have had a cancellation or something to get you in so fast. Normally Duke takes about 4 to 6 weeks to get you in once you've been approved.

Re: what to expect and what get ... Call Patrick ... He's great and will provide you with some support. Yes, you will be able to take medication, but they generally have you take things that are easy to swallow. If you are on diabetic meds ... like Metformin ... you might be off of it when you come out of the hospital ... if not then, maybe soon after. I'm off all of mine now :-) I didn'nt need to use a time to drink constantly, but you will need to remember to drink your protien at the top of the hour. When I had to take meds too, I'd take them at the half hour. You can expect to have to slow down physically for a while after surgery. It take 4 to 6 weeks to heal after lap RNY, but most folks are able to be back at work w/in 3-4 weeks if they don't have any complications.

If you visit my profile, I have a list of suggested items to take. It also lists what I could and couldn't have after surgery and when I came off the liquid diet and started soft foods at 3.5 weeks. You'll want to have some Carnation Instant Breakfast, Ensure, Boost ... Only get a little of each ... You might not like the same thing all the time.

re: the ticker thing, photo uploads, etc. I'd be glad to help. Go to the Roux-en-Y forum. At the top of that forum is a post that tells you how to do the ticker, photos, etc. If you need more help, just holler!

There are two support groups that are happening in Raleigh tomorrow that might be of interest to you. Both are on Capital Blvd. The first is at Perkins Restaurant at 10am, the second is at Mimi's Cafe at 11am. The first one is a group that is mostly folks from OH ... some others. The second group are people who had Surgery at Duke. I'm going to try to make both of the meetings. (I have some Boost, Ensure, etc... that I haven't used that I'm going to take the support group ... You can have some of them if you want.)

Congratulations again and please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.

Barb

THANK YOU!!! This helps so much. . . I'll try to get a pic up sometime this weekend. Darcie what brand is they Whey Protein . . . have you tried them? Do they come in flavors?

Ashley ,they just assigned me Dr. Pryor, they didn't give me a choice. But she is supposed to be the advanced laporoscopy surgeon for WLS. Which is great for me since I have had 5 other lap's done and I'm sure lots of scar tissue to deal with.

Lisa
Yes they have a TON of different flavors to choose from depending on your tastes

Darcie

Congratulations on your date!  Whey protein powder is just a type of protein.  They come in Whey, Soy, etc.  We are told to get Whey protein because soy has little to no absorption post op.  I buy mine at Walmart for 15 bucks a can.  I call it a can, it looks like a small barrel really.  If you have a Vitamin Shoppe near you, they're a good source for vitamins and protein supplements.  When you are looking at protein bars, watch the sugar alcohol, if it's got a lot, you'll most likely get diarrhea.  Just a tip... Your doctor should have his own post op protocol to follow.  Some are allowed soft foods immediately, some not.  I was not, we had to do two weeks of liquid afterwards.  If I ever see another can of boost again it'll be too soon! Good luck and let us know how it goes as soon as you can. Take care. Ellen

Hurray, Lisa! Good luck to you, girl! xoxo Mare