feeling VERY overwhelmed and unprepared

HI group,

my date is a week from today on the 19th. I called my surgeon last week after seeing how many were doing the 2 week liquid diets. The office told me I only had to do 3 days per opt. liquids and no cleansing.

My surgeon/surgery is about an hour drive from home and I'm not sure where and if I'm supposed to go to support groups?-- surgery in Kanakee, IL anyone have Dr. Dong Kim?

Sometimes I think its all just alittle too laid back, I want more rules and more visits, (no "late per opt. apt") scared and feeling blind at this point. I want to be ready, but don't feel that way at all. 

Fellow Jan. dates, please give me an insight on what you are doing and eating and or drinking...i. e. clear liquids includes what other than water, etc.?

After reading some posting, i ordered some samples of Unjury. I have only tried the chicken soup flavor so far. you can not heat the water warmer then 130*, it was not that bad if i gulped it, the first two drinks made it down ok. I was at work and got busy for a little while and went back to it, now cold, it was not so easy going down, felt queasy. managed to sip through it, any suggestions on protein, what kinds and how much per day?

what vitamins do i take? does my Dr tell the pharmacy that my meds need to change to liquid ones or do i call them and tell them?

I have a per opt. apt. for my PCP on the 15th any questions i should ask?

I have had 3 children, my tonsils removed, a pituitary tumor removed, my gallbladder removed, a cyst from each breast removed, and IUD that had to come out in day surgery, the surgery part doesn't freak me out as much as the not knowing. I felt prepared for things with all other surgery's and I'm telling ya, I have never felt completely out of my league with this one.

When I first started this journey back in 05' with Dr. Gusky I had a support group in place, a nut/dietitian on call, with vitamin info, some "recovery" drink that i was to take before surgery, the handbook ,diet post opt. ideas, etc. With this Doctor, I'm grateful for the approval, but feel in the outfield. thank God for all of you on this site, for your postings, questions and answers and experiences, fears, and best of all your achievements. thanks you for the support I have already received and hope to continue receiving.

feeling like a new kid at school and alone, please shed some light..
Thanks

To answer your first question, I'd cross post on the Illinois state forum to see if there is anyone there who has your surgeon.  I'm sure there are some of his patient on there that can give you some feedback.

I had a 5 day liquid diet which was full liquids for the first 3 days (could include dairy and protein shakes) but clear liquids for the last two days - fruit juices, powerade, water, crystal light, etc.

Do you have the handbook from your previous surgeon?  If so, most of the information from surgeon to surgeon is similar.  I was on soft foods for the first six weeks.  Moist chicken, fish, thinly sliced deli meats, eggs, mashed potatoes, refried beans, SF puddings, yogurts, cheese and no fresh fruit or vegetables, they all had to be canned.  Daily protein goals were 60g of protein and at least 60 oz of fluids (no caffiene).  I had to supplement with protein shakes for about 2 months and then pretty much was able to consume my daily protein requirement from then on.  I like my Unjury chocolate, and I did start to get sick of it, but I don't mind it now.

After 6 weeks I was cleared to move into other foods like shellfish, tender beef cuts, hamburger, tender pork, etc and SALADS!  I was also cleared to start an exercise regimine outside of just walking.

I was on 2 diabetes medications, 1 high blood pressure medication, high cholesterol medication pre-surgery.  They took me off the diabetes and cholesterol pre-surgery and the blood pressure they continued me post-surgery for 6 weeks.  I had to crush all of my meds.  We were also put on prevacid and actigal (which helps the gall bladder not to flare up).  I had to cru**** all and it was gross but I got through it.  After 6 weeks, they took me off of my BP meds but I had to continue the others.  The prevacid was pretty small and I just split it in two and swallowed it but had to continue to crush the actigal for another 4 months.

My vitamins consisted of a chewable, complete, multivitamin in the morning, a sublingual B-12 (put under the tongue to dissolve) with the multi.  These were morning and evening.  Then I had chewable calcium citrate 4X a day, not with the multi vitamin because of absorption.  It's best to take them separately. 

It's normal to have so many questions, and I feel like you will have a lot of them answered when you get to your pre-op meeting with your doctor.  Nevertheless, you can get a lot of support from the members here on OH, but it's best to follow your doctor's advice first.

I hope this information helps.
 

Hello and Welcome!

I know this can both be a frustrating and exciting time in your life.

I was very lucky in that I got into/chose a very regimented program, something I really needed. I was placed on a 2 week liquid diet prior to surgery and told by my surgeon that if I did not stick to it and lose weight he would not do surgery, even if it meant canceling the day of surgery. I totally believed he would do as promised.

I had to follow a two week liquid diet after surgery, then day 15 after surgery I could start eating soft foods. It wasn't until 30 days after surgery that I was cleared to "eat anything I could tolerate." I had strict rules about what I could and couln't eat, like no peanut butter or nuts for the first year. I also had a rule that every bite that went into my mouth was protein first.

One rule I try very hard to follow is to not eat "The Six White things" - those are flour, sugar, pasta, rice, potatoes and popcorn. Not all believe in this but it works for me.

My surgeons program is very strict about blood work-ups and follow up appointments. They follow you for 3 years as part of the initiate package. I had follow-ups at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 18 months, 2 years, and then at 3 years. After that they want you want you to come back on a yearly basis.

I was told chewable vitamins are the best for us, our bodies can start absorbing right away. There are some bariatric vitamins that are really good, Celebrate and Bariatric Advantage are both designed for WLS patients. What you'll need to take is something your DR will have to talk to you about, it varies. Multi and calcium are something we all have to have.

I only take liquid medications like Tylenol or Tylenol cold, other than that I take regular pills. At first you have to crush them, but as you get farther out you'll be able to swallow pills. If at all possible there are things you shouldn't take again such as Non steroid anti inflammatory drugs like Motrin and Advil. These can do damage to your pouch. Always be sure to tell any DR you've had weight loss surgery.

Protein is something that is different for everyone and even Dr's have different take on it. We all know it needs to be the most important part of your new way of life, besides water, but how you get it in is another story. Some Dr's say protein drinks everyday and other Dr's like mine don't want you drinking them. I stopped all protein drinks at 6 weeks post-op and I get all my protein through the foods I eat.

In my opinion it's not possible to be totally prepared for this surgery and all the life changing things it brings with it. No matter how many classes I had to go to, or books I read I still didn't "get it" until I went through it. It's different for everyone.

I do encourage you to find an OH Support group. Go to your state board and post a request for info on local meetings.

Here are some of the very best tips I can give you for after surgery -

Walk as soon as possible and don't stop! Every time you get the chance while in the hospital or first home walk, walk, walk!

Take a pillow with you for the ride home, it helps to be able to hold it in front of you.

Keep a water bottle near you and sip, sip, sip all the time.

Now then,  you keep asking questions as often as you think about them. That's why we're all here!

Best wishes to you as you begin your journey!

Thank you so much Kathy & Jandell
I really apprecate the info, everyone here has been very helpful