Surgery date
If you start feeling like you are on an emotional roller coaster, its normal. I went between feeling excited and scared and wondering if I was making a mistake several times in those last couple of days. I would do this again in a heartbeat and pay twice the money - don't tell Dr. B!
It helped me out greatly to read the main VSG message board as well as the Oklahoma board during the week that I was recovering. It just helped knowing there were others out there going through the same thing. I found someone who had surgery the same day and we ended up emailing quite a bit and it helped having someone that was at the exact same place int he process as I was. I also followed some others like happycat and glittergal who were a couple of months ahead of me because it gave me hope to know I was headed where they were.
Don't weigh during the first week after surgery because you are retaining a ton of fluid and it will freak you out to have surgery and then look like you gained or didn't lose any even though you are not eating. Wait for a week before jumping on the scale.
Hang on for the ride that will change your live forever!!! Plan now to follow the rules and work that tool because when you get farther down the road the evil carbs are waiting for you....
It helped me out greatly to read the main VSG message board as well as the Oklahoma board during the week that I was recovering. It just helped knowing there were others out there going through the same thing. I found someone who had surgery the same day and we ended up emailing quite a bit and it helped having someone that was at the exact same place int he process as I was. I also followed some others like happycat and glittergal who were a couple of months ahead of me because it gave me hope to know I was headed where they were.
Don't weigh during the first week after surgery because you are retaining a ton of fluid and it will freak you out to have surgery and then look like you gained or didn't lose any even though you are not eating. Wait for a week before jumping on the scale.
Hang on for the ride that will change your live forever!!! Plan now to follow the rules and work that tool because when you get farther down the road the evil carbs are waiting for you....
190 lbs lost
VSG 07/2008
lower body lift 10/2010
upper body lift 11/2011
My advice:
In the month before your surgery, I recommend putting into place as many of your post-op lifestyle habits as you can. At least so none of that feels "new," at a time when so much feels new.
For example, get in the habit now of sipping, yet still getting in 64 ounces. Don't drink when you eat. Work on cutting your food in small pieces and chewing well. If you aren't exercising, begin now. Find chewable vitamins, calcium citrate, and iron now, ones that you like. Get some groceries--things for each post-op eating stage (clear liquids, full liquids, pureed, mushies, etc.). Homemade broth tastes much better than canned, so you might make up some chicken and beef broth (strained, of course), and freeze in ice cube trays (because you won't want too much at one time). Buy Gas-X strips, to have after surgery--just in case. Buy MiraLax (or whatever your doctor wants you to take, to avoid constipation). Even though your doctor may not want you to rely on protein shakes, purchase a few samples (I like the ones from Bariatric Fusion), to have on hand after surgery, for when you get to feeling kind of weak. Take your Before picture and write down your measurements. That way, you'll keep a good record, and when you hit a stall, you can see that you're losing inches. :)
Stay busy these next few weeks. Clean house, write letters, purge your kitchen cupboards and refrigerator of food that won't serve you well after surgery, because when you're hit with head hunger, it's much better to have temptations out of the way.
If you tend to be an emotional eater or are dealing with any releationship issues (or whatever) and you aren't in therapy, begin. Begin attending a support group regularly, and keep going after surgery.
Finally, attend not only to yourself physically and emotionally, but also spiritually. There is great comfort in entering surgery knowing that you and your Maker are on good terms. :)
Be excited for every new day and every new experience, and if you have any questions or need extra support, don't be afraid to ask. We've all been there, done that [or at least someone has], and that's why we're here. :)
Blessings,
Mary
In the month before your surgery, I recommend putting into place as many of your post-op lifestyle habits as you can. At least so none of that feels "new," at a time when so much feels new.
For example, get in the habit now of sipping, yet still getting in 64 ounces. Don't drink when you eat. Work on cutting your food in small pieces and chewing well. If you aren't exercising, begin now. Find chewable vitamins, calcium citrate, and iron now, ones that you like. Get some groceries--things for each post-op eating stage (clear liquids, full liquids, pureed, mushies, etc.). Homemade broth tastes much better than canned, so you might make up some chicken and beef broth (strained, of course), and freeze in ice cube trays (because you won't want too much at one time). Buy Gas-X strips, to have after surgery--just in case. Buy MiraLax (or whatever your doctor wants you to take, to avoid constipation). Even though your doctor may not want you to rely on protein shakes, purchase a few samples (I like the ones from Bariatric Fusion), to have on hand after surgery, for when you get to feeling kind of weak. Take your Before picture and write down your measurements. That way, you'll keep a good record, and when you hit a stall, you can see that you're losing inches. :)
Stay busy these next few weeks. Clean house, write letters, purge your kitchen cupboards and refrigerator of food that won't serve you well after surgery, because when you're hit with head hunger, it's much better to have temptations out of the way.
If you tend to be an emotional eater or are dealing with any releationship issues (or whatever) and you aren't in therapy, begin. Begin attending a support group regularly, and keep going after surgery.
Finally, attend not only to yourself physically and emotionally, but also spiritually. There is great comfort in entering surgery knowing that you and your Maker are on good terms. :)
Be excited for every new day and every new experience, and if you have any questions or need extra support, don't be afraid to ask. We've all been there, done that [or at least someone has], and that's why we're here. :)
Blessings,
Mary
"Don't tell God how big your storm is; tell your storm how BIG your God is!"
ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and Support Group Coach
ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and Support Group Coach
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