Finally Got My Surgery Date!!

I could hardly wait to get home so I could post this. Finally after 11 months of pushing my insurance to make a decision I finally have a surgery date. April 14, 2015 is the day. It's been a long road getting here but I'm glad I hung in and didn't give up. For anyone who is jumping through the hoops with their insurance company keep going and be the squeaky wheel if you have to. I was and here I am. I'm not nervous yet and I have been reading lots of posts so I think I'm pretty ok on what to bring to the hospital. The patient coordinator at my surgeon's office will be sending a packet to me with instructions, my pre and post op appointments and other information. I do have a couple of questions though.

My surgeon isn't requiring a pre-op diet has anyone else done this? I thought perhaps I would start two weeks before anyway in anticipation of the post liquid diet. Any thoughts?

I've read lots about dumping and don't even want to chance it but I see posts about sugar-free Crystal Light and other non-carbonated drinks. Even though Crystal Light is sugar-free it has an artificial sweetener so wouldn't this trigger the same symptoms?

I work in an office where I'm up and down from my desk helping customers. I will be off work about 3 weeks. I usually bring my breakfast (coffee always included) and lunch with me and eat at my desk or the breakroom. I assume I will probably still be on the liquid post-op diet when I return. I will be weaning myself off coffee because there are times it gives me a stomach ache now and I don't want to start off on a bad path. Any suggestions on how and what to pack while transitioning through to solid food?

My husband is very supportive and we both know we will be eating different things for the first few months until I can tolerate solid food. What should I stock up on now to have when I come home?

I just want to say Thank You. Although I haven't posted the last 11 months I was reading and learning. The fact that everyone here has been in the same place I am makes it less lonely. I'm not ready to tell everyone what I'm doing mainly because I don't want to hear their uninformed advice. I plan to take advantage of the support group offered as part of the program through my surgeon's office and I will definitely be taking advantage of the wealth of knowledge from all of you.

So excited...for now

Hi caliannie

Congratulations on your surgery date!  

Here are some links to information you may find helpful:

http://www.obesityhelp.com/articles/photographing-your-weigh t-loss-surgery-journey/

http://www.obesityhelp.com/articles/weight-loss-surgery-hosp tial-stay-what-to-pack/

http://www.obesityhelp.com/articles/four-on-the-floor-self-c are-after-weight-loss-surgery/

We can't wait to hear from you post-op!

Well done! I am still jumping through hoops with the surgeons office - trying to get them to submit my package so I can start jumping through hoops with insurance! LOL Good for you for never giving up.  I hope to join you on the losers bench soon! 

First congrats to you. As far as telling you what to stock up on is kind of hard. I think all surgeons have different protocol. Mine was a week of clear liquids after surgery, some I know got to go to full liquids. I then start pureed now in my second week and will do that for 3 weeks then get to go to soft start of month 2. Your provider office should provide you with some type of guide as how they will advance you. I will say this If Isopure or New Whey shots are on your list...think twice...these are the nastiest things  ever put in my mouth. Could not stomach them. Told my NUT this yesterday...she said yes she did not recommend anyone get much of those and hoped I didn't. Said maybe I could donate them to a nursing home or something. I told her I would not do that to those poor old people!! LOL

Congrats!  My surgery is next Wednesday and I am on a pre surgery diet so that my liver will shrink...I don't know why they wouldn't make you do that too.  Laurie