NERVOUS
My surgery date is February 13th and my pre-op is February 10th. That doesn't give me much time to prepare. How should I prepare? I don't know how ling I will be in the hospital or how long (esimated) I will be out of work. I don't even know what to bring to the hospital with me, or what type of foods I should shop for before hand. 
Delainya
Delainya 
Hi Delainya,
It's okay; we are/were all nervous before surgery! Hey, this is a major life-altering event, if not *the* major life altering event in your life!!! 
I don't know which surgery you are having, but when you go for your preop, they will explain that. In most cases, folks tend to stay in hospital around 2-3 days and how long you will be out will depend upon which surgery you had. For the RNY with my surgeon, they estimate you should plan for 4-6 weeks, depending on how you're doing post-operatively, and whether you have a sedentary job or one that requires a lot of physical exertion, and whether you had open or Lap RNY. I have heard of plenty of folks who went back to work after 2-3 weeks. 
As far as what to take to the hospital, there is an excellent hospital checklist online: http://teklawgirl.biz/ncwls/
Just scroll down to the links and you will see it there.
What types of foods to shop for beforehand, again, will depend upon which surgery you're having and your doctor's protocol, but will likely include liquids for some temporary period initially, so getting a few protein drinks to keep handy isn't a bad idea. There are tons to choose from at places like GNC, Walmart, even the grocery stores, but whichever one you choose, it should be the very low carb variety, no sugar added. Some good choices for getting you started that are easy to find: EAS AdvantEdge Carb Control, available ready-to-drink at Super Walmarts and Kroger, Atkins Advantage, available at Walmarts and elsewhere, EAS Myoplex Carb Sense, available at GNC, and if you go to one of the National Discount Nutrition stores if there is one in your area, they have *tons* of different kinds ready to drink that you can buy one each of.
The link above also has an Online Cookbook for the WLS Patient, and has an entire section of liquid diet recipes which is huge, and if you will be required to be on liquids for a couple of weeks or more, this could help with the monotony of liquids by giving you a lot of ideas and variety. Keep in mind that your taste buds may be all whacked out for a while after surgery (most folks are to some extent), so don't be too surprised if what you liked before surgery you don't like after surgery, at least for a while. So don't overbuy protein drinks, but have enough to cover you for the first few days after surgery at least and then you can see how your tastebuds are doing.
Delainya, use this time between now and your surgery to get as much education as you can about what you will need to deal with after surgery. Read everything you can, start exercising, even if it's walking, if you're not already doing it, and put your affairs in order. Expect to get tired easily for a while after surgery. Your body needs time to heal and adjust to the many changes, as will your mind!
Good luck, and let us know if you need anything!
With kindest regards, Donna Earley
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NC_WLS_Information_and_Support/join 
I don't know which surgery you are having, but when you go for your preop, they will explain that. In most cases, folks tend to stay in hospital around 2-3 days and how long you will be out will depend upon which surgery you had. For the RNY with my surgeon, they estimate you should plan for 4-6 weeks, depending on how you're doing post-operatively, and whether you have a sedentary job or one that requires a lot of physical exertion, and whether you had open or Lap RNY. I have heard of plenty of folks who went back to work after 2-3 weeks.
As far as what to take to the hospital, there is an excellent hospital checklist online: http://teklawgirl.biz/ncwls/
Just scroll down to the links and you will see it there.
What types of foods to shop for beforehand, again, will depend upon which surgery you're having and your doctor's protocol, but will likely include liquids for some temporary period initially, so getting a few protein drinks to keep handy isn't a bad idea. There are tons to choose from at places like GNC, Walmart, even the grocery stores, but whichever one you choose, it should be the very low carb variety, no sugar added. Some good choices for getting you started that are easy to find: EAS AdvantEdge Carb Control, available ready-to-drink at Super Walmarts and Kroger, Atkins Advantage, available at Walmarts and elsewhere, EAS Myoplex Carb Sense, available at GNC, and if you go to one of the National Discount Nutrition stores if there is one in your area, they have *tons* of different kinds ready to drink that you can buy one each of.
The link above also has an Online Cookbook for the WLS Patient, and has an entire section of liquid diet recipes which is huge, and if you will be required to be on liquids for a couple of weeks or more, this could help with the monotony of liquids by giving you a lot of ideas and variety. Keep in mind that your taste buds may be all whacked out for a while after surgery (most folks are to some extent), so don't be too surprised if what you liked before surgery you don't like after surgery, at least for a while. So don't overbuy protein drinks, but have enough to cover you for the first few days after surgery at least and then you can see how your tastebuds are doing.
Delainya, use this time between now and your surgery to get as much education as you can about what you will need to deal with after surgery. Read everything you can, start exercising, even if it's walking, if you're not already doing it, and put your affairs in order. Expect to get tired easily for a while after surgery. Your body needs time to heal and adjust to the many changes, as will your mind!
Good luck, and let us know if you need anything!
With kindest regards, Donna Earley
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NC_WLS_Information_and_Support/join Donna,
Thanks for the vote of confidence. I haven't started walking because of a pulled muscle in my leg but I have cut down on sodas, I am drinking more water and have a chewable vitamin every day. I work at the local hospital and have been talking to a few people that have had the surgery. I am having the lap. And I do have a job where I sit all day long.
Thanks again,
Delainya
Stacey,
Girl I've been there. Try sugar free popcicles. They're not too sweet and they will keep you from getting dehydrated. I had my surgery 14 November and I still have issues with some foods. I eat alot of soup. One thing I have noticed is that your tastes do change after surgery. So you just have to experiment but be careful you don't want to be throwing up right now. Good luck. Keep us posted.-Val
Hey Lisa...Glad to hear everything is going well as far as your weight lost and surgery.....Girlfriend don't feel bad about bring up your ex boyfriend.. I am going through it with my boyfriend of four years....He is freaking out on me thinking after the surgery I am gonna to leave him. If he is going back to his ex before you that mean that he has the issue. Its not you!!! and don't except that if he tells you some bullsh@# like that. Just focus on you now and healing. You will be the person you want to be and Mr. right will come into your life when you least expect it. I am praying for you. Keep your head up.Karen
Hi Del, Here is a link to a friend of mine's WLS Tips page. She has some good info on there!!
http://hometown.aol.com/lovemysoldier2/gastricinformationindex.html
Best to you, Donna
I am sure we will both learn some good information at our preop appointments. 
Most Active
Recent Topics
