Preop diet support!

I don't want to worry you, but I do want you to be prepared for not having much energy. Regarding the house full of family on Christmas week, is getting some help from a friend or relative an option?

My recovery was quick and pretty much followed the textbook. Waking up after surgery I had some very mild nausea and discomfort (I wouldn't call it pain). After 24 hours, I felt absolutely fine, and felt guilty for taking so much time off work. But I did get fatigued very quickly. I'd go from "hey, this is great, I'm completely recovered" to "OMG I need to lie down NOW" within the space of 5 minutes. You'll probably be in good shape to sit on the sofa and socialise with your family, but I expect you'll need some naps. Doing much more than that, e.g. setting the table, organising things, making sure everyone is having a good time, would probably be too much. If you're planning on cooking or cleaning, frankly, I don't see how you can do it.

This is exactly what I needed to know.

The family knows I'm having surgery, they all don't know its bypass. The ones that do know aren't real happy with the timing. Even asked if I could reschedule for January. Well, yes I could, but that changes a lot including having my deductible met.

In preparation I'm cooking a lot ahead of time and freezing. Also have all my shopping done, gifts wrapped, etc. I'm trying to think of as much as possible.

I will have someone cook, lots of cleaning help. I think my role will be sipping water and watching the little ones play. I think I'm feeling guilty of changing everyone's holiday.

Don't feel guilty about taking control of your health. If you fell and broke your leg, you wouldn't feel guilty, you'd just do what the dr says. Sounds like you are doing everything you can to make sure no one is inconvenienced, which is very thoughtful of you.

Just had my surgery 4 days ago and I must say that people have been more supportive than I ever could have imagined! It is heart warming. I still have some "pain" on the left side of my abdomen which feels more like an uncomfortable stitch. My energy level still isn't back up to where it normally would be so I couldn't even imagine hosting or even partially hosting Christmas events.

As for the liquid diet. I was on Optifast for three weeks prior to surgery and it was trying to say the least. I didn't like the taste of the shakes at all. That being said though, I don't really like the taste of the shakes post-op either and I'm counting down the days until I can have some pureed food. It is going to be very hard for me to supplement my diet with protein shakes because I actually dread having them. I'm going to have to rely on adding protein powder to acceptable food choices.

Good luck with your upcoming surgery and know that you'll get a lot of support from this forum if you are feeling blue or feeling uncomfortable. Take lots of time for yourself and know that each stage will pass quickly and you will be on to pureed food and then more solid type food before you know it.

Thank you. Glad to hear you are doing well. How are you doing with your water? Any tips?

I just have to mentally accept this is my surgery time and go with it. I keep thinking I should postpone.

I've yet to get the full amount of water in but I'm doing pretty well! You just have to keep reminding yourself to sip, sip, sip. I haven't felt the "full" feeling yet but I'm not pushing it either. If I were you I would keep your surgery date. You've already gone through the pre-op liquid diet and your body is almost ready for surgery. I know it is hard over the Christmas season but the faster you get your surgery, the faster you will be recovering!

Thank you so much for your encouragement. 6 more days....

i hope you continue to do well.

You are so right. People just don't understand unless they've gotten to this point. My immediate family thinks I'm having hernia repair. They just don't understand why I can't wait.