Tomorrow is the big day

I can't believe this got here so fast. Two week pre op diet went by really fast. Today is all clear liquid diet. I think it has finally hit me that this is really going to happen. A little nervous.

Any last minute pointers?

Tink

When I was nervous I looked at before and after picks.  Also how many times has it been written on OH "I wish I had done this sooner"?  Welcome to the bench tomorrow.

Thanks!

A last-minute pointer: The surgery is the easy part. Recovery is much harder. Expect to feel lousy and exhausted for the first few weeks. It takes time to heal from this surgery. There have been so many newbies who have written posts about how they are struggling to drink the required amount of water and protein in the first few weeks post-op.

If you have trouble with drinking enough water, please don't be shy about getting help from your surgeon in the form of a Zofran prescription. It eases nausea, enables you to drink water more easily (crucial to your recovery), and makes you feel better in general.

psychoticparrot

I am going to counter PsychoticParrot on this one. Do not expect to feel lousy for weeks after VSG. I say expect to wake up feeling positive and excited to begin your new life. Be ready to accept the pain of the incisions and power through that pain to get up walking as soon as you can. Know that your job is to stay hydrated above all else for the first few weeks. Know that drinking may be difficult, but that you have the strength and resolve to get the liquid down. I cannot say enough about the power of a great and positive attitude when it comes to the healing process. Even if you are having some issues, know that they will soon subside and you will be on your way to a new normal life very shortly.

Do not be afraid to contact your surgeon if you are having trouble staying hydrated. If you need IV fluids, get them before you begin to have severe symptoms of dehydration.

You are correct, kairk, that a good, can-do attitude will help tremendously during surgery recovery. Perhaps I should have said, "Don't be surprised if recovery is harder than expected. Be prepared to deal with complications if they arise." Staying positive is the better way to approach the surgery and recovery.

psychoticparrot

Your surgery will go well. Be sure to tell the nurses if you're in pain or uncomfortable, thats what they are there for. The hardest part for me was the first 4 weeks on liquids. I loved sugar free popsicles during this time. Tomorrow will be the beginning of your new life! Best wishes.

My advice for going into surgery, try and be calm and take slow easy breaths.  If you feel yourself starting to panic, or second guess your decision... Ask for something for anxiety.  I did, it helped.  A lot.   

I woke up with some feelings of I can't believe I did this?!!  That passed very quickly for me as I got on with healing, walking and sip sip sipping over the next few days.

Post op will be your own experience, everyone comes through that time a little different.  I had an extremely easy time of it but I know that doesn't hold true for everyone.

Wishing you good luck! Let us know how you are doing.

Hi Tink,

Its Tiff - having VSG on Dec 1st too 

I've been thinking about you. 

Wondering how you're doing. 

Sooo exciting. I'm not nervous at all yet.  

Clear fluids w/o calories day before?

Im in Ontario - having surgery in Toronto. 

Wishing you you all the very best,

Tiff

Hey Tiff!

Made it through the liver diet phase pretty darn good if I say so myself.

I don't know if it's really nervous but anxious to get it done and started.

Yep clear liquids for 24 hours before surgery. I've hydrated over the past few days as much as possible so it's easier to find the vein for the IV.

Thanks for the well wishes! Good luck to you too! Let me know how things are going.

See you on the loser's bench!

Tink