PRE OPS: Never had surgery? Here's what to expect!

If you have pre-operative .. preparation?  Before and After.

If you didn't...  After.

Sometimes for weeks.

This thread needs to be stickied.  Maybe it would cut down on the half dozen new threads every day about each of the issues covered in here. . . that I no longer bother reading.  Just sayin' 

Excellent thread Elizabeth! My addition is that my urine was bright neon ORANGE, baby! And no diarrhea, regular movements.  Everything else in right on time....  Anita

 

Pre-op Diet -20 lbs / Surgery 10/19/10

This post is NOT mine, but from a very wise person named "Lisa" from Renewed Reflections Boards > www.renewedreflections.com/forums/  (Which is an excellent and very supportive group).

You WILL have these thoughts POST Op at sometime or another....

..." Postop Day 1 through Week 2:
“What the hell did I just DO to myself???"
“Why am I/am I not hungry?"
“I’ll NEVER be able to get in all the fluid/protein/food they want me to."
“I can eat TOO much – did I break something?"
“I can’t eat enough…will I die of starvation?"
“I can’t believe how badly this hurt! ~OR~ I can’t believe I even had surgery, because there’s so little pain!"
“Why do I have no energy?"
“When can I eat….fill in the blank?"
“Will I ever be able to gulp water again?"
“Why did I GAIN 10 pounds???"
“Wow, I’ve lost 10 pounds!"
You think you've hit your first plateau. Nope. Odds are VERY good you haven't

Postop weeks 2 through 12:
Post op remorse usually fades during this time period. What a relief that is!
You TRY hard to stick to your doctors diet regimen/protocol and wonder if you’re evil when you slip off the wagon by eating….fill in the blank.
You think you've hit your first, 2nd or 3rd plataue Nope. Odds are VERY good you haven't) Nearly everyone experiences a stall during the first 3 months.
You accidentally gulp water and freak that you’ve broken your pouch.
You accidentally forget to chew something to death and fear you’ve plugged your stoma.
You FEAR strictures, fistulas and leaks every time you burp, get nauseated, have diarrhea, feel a muscle cramp, etc. This fear is not abnormal and you ‘could’ have one of these since this is the prime time for it – however fear is no way to live. There are common symptoms attributed to these. Hopefully you’ve researched them postop and can shelve the fear and keep a reasonable eye out for them.
Post op remorse usually fades during this time period. What a relief that is!
You TRY hard to stick to your doctors diet regimen/protocol and wonder if you’re evil when you slip off the wagon by eating….fill in the blank.




Months 3 through 18:
You worry you are a slow loser and have days you doubt the tool will work, or wonder if it’s broke. I am NOT mocking. Some people’s tools DO break during this period of time, but it is in the minority, not the majority.
You wonder if you’ll ever get to goal.
You made goal and worry you’ll not stop losing.
You worry because you can eat TOO much.
You worry because you still eat too little.
You worry about getting in enough protein.
You worry you’re getting in too much protein.
You ponder whether carbs are evil or not.
You question again whether diet pills are evil. (They ARE!)
You compare your losses against everyone else’s.
You discover that you had an exercise guru hidden within you and are now an exercise maniac.
You discover that you HATE exercise and try and force yourself to get moving.
You may have hit your first plateau don't panic! - Have you noticed a reoccurring theme?

Months 19 and beyond:
You may hit a plataue don't panic!
You reach goal and worry you'll regain.
You wonder if you'll stop losing!
You wonder if you'll EVER make goal (you've likely heard about the dreaded window and fear it closed at 18 months -
You may find yourself sliding; eating the wrong foods; slacking on exercise; and freak when you regain 10 pounds. Time to get back on track!

I am sure many can or will relate to these things! I know i can!


__________________
LISA "


I post this because these are the very questions we ALL have had! As a Pre-op/newbie, you will wonder if any of the above apply to you...They DO!
Warmly,
Jackie

Thanks so much for all the info!! The hospital I am having my surgery at-in 3 weeks!!!-for some reason doesn't require that nurse class that tells you everything for pre/post op care. I appreciate your bluntness, I don't want it sugarcoated and downplayed, I want to really know what to expect. :)

Can you add something about women getting their periods before/during/right after surgery.

I don't want to make fun, but I see so many of these posts and just wanna smack myself upside the head. Women get periods all the time and by the time they get weight loss surgery they have had probably hundreds of them. It's so not a big deal and it isn't a bother for the medical personnel. It's just a period for goodness sakes, not rocket science or a medical mystery.

Rant over and sorry in advance to anyone I've offended.