I'm home from surgery!

My surgery was yesterday morning. I am sore, but on Lortab Elixer so it's not bad. I have been sleeping and walking and drinking, that is about it. I'm so excited that it is done! I had some bad gas pains and after taking one Gas-X strip I realized,"hey, this is for intestinal gas not gas pumped into your abdomen!" (no way for the Gas-X to gain access to the gas that was pumped in) Walking and moving my arms around are what helped. I had the clear liquid diet for breakfast and lunch at the hospital. When they brought the lunch tray I said,"I'm still not done with breakfast!" I had about 1 oz of yogurt for dinner. (I am on full liquids, not clear anymore.) I forgot about the surgery (I was on strong drugs) at my first meal and swallowed a cube of gelatin whole. I think I will probably always remember how that felt. Ugh. Oh, and an update: I had been stressing BIG TIME about not being perfect on the pre-op diet. He said that my liver "was big, but normal sized for someone who is overweight." (reminded me of being told, "you have such a pretty face....") anyway, it was all fine. I did a lot of worrying and putting myself through a lot of grief for nothing.

Welcome to the loosers bench and I'm glad that cheating didn't postpone surgery!

Congratulations, Take good care of yourself. Best of luck on your WLS journey.

My 10 day diet starts today and I am stressing about it - like you said ""BIG TIME". so, what you are telling me is,  if I am a big girl, my liver is going to be big anyway??, this 10 day thing isnt going to do any good? but stress me out??  I have heard alot of Dr's dont even require it. he just scared me saying if you dont follow it, and its big, that he could cut into it or your intestines or stomach by accident. I will try my best.

Just to clarify the issues, following a 10 day pre-op diet can shrink the liver up to 30%! So, yes, the pre-op diet will definitely make it safer for you and easier for your surgeon. Although it may still be possible with being non-compliant, it isn't advisable and you're only going to make it more difficult for yourself.

It is essential to follow your pre-op diet as prescribed. It is to your benefit.

THANK YOU...KEEP REMINDING ME. I MADE IT THROUGH THE 1ST  DAY!!!   I CAN DO THIS. 

Sue, Yes you can and you will. Just take one day at a time and keep your eye on the prize. If you need anything give me a shout, Rita

Following the pre-op diet is essential.  You don't have to be perfect just do as good as you can.  The diet will shrink your liver and the weight loss will give the docs more room to work in there.  Ask Lisa on the VSG board what can happen if you blow off the pre-op diet.  She didn't do what she was told and her liver was really big.  The doctor nicked her liver requiring 2 units of blood.  It is really stressful the first few days and then gets much easier.  Don't stress- just do it.  How many crazy diets have we been on in the past??  At least the pre-op diet prepares you for a healthier life.  The majority of our livers are bound to be big because WE are big.  They have a major job in our bodies and the bodies are big.  Be nice to yourself and do what your doc wants.

I am definitely not going to tell you that it is okay to cheat on the pre-op diet. What your liver looks like depends on so many things: diabetic status (I'm not diabetic), gender, BMI, etc. And, what your diet was to begin with. I will tell you that what I "cheated" with was things like: grilled chicken, a small piece of grilled fish, tuna straight from the can, boiled eggs. High protein selections, no junk food. I do wish that he would use a more doable diet for pre-op. I am now post-op (obviously) and I ate a couple of tablespoons of malt o meal and that was enough! It is had to get all of the liquids in because I feel so tired, but I imagine that that will get a bit better everyday.