New Around Here, Surgery Monday

Hey guys, still learning my way around OH.  Surgery is scheduled for Monday afternoon.  Not too incredibly nervous yet.  Look forward to joining the rest of the "losers" around here!  If you could give a new post-op one piece of advice, what might that be?  Thanks, look forward to getting to know you guys!  Steve

Hooah, Steve.   The nerves will come but, just know that this will be the best thing you ever did.  Life changes are scarey but, this is a good thing! Jeff

Thanks Jeff!  I've actually been looking into the surgery since March 2004, so it's a bit crazy that it's finally happening!  I'll probably really get the nerves Sunday night/Monday morning, like when they have me change into a gown!!

I'll throw out a few.  The first few weeks you won't be able to get in all your protein and water.  Your dr. knows, we all know.  Just do the best your can.  The pounds will fly off you.  Guys lose it more quickly than women.  We have a stronger muscle structure and we usually move more.  Do not buy new cloths (unless your Paris Hilton).  People warned me not to, but I didn't listen.  Ask friends and family for their old cloths till you level out (check out Goodwill or the Salvation Army stores).  I had dropped about 40 pounds then bought about $200. worth of clothes.  I wasn't nearly done losing.  At some point you will level off then go for it.  When you have to go to puree, consider tuna and egg salad.  I add alittle light mayo and non sugar (Mt. Olive) pickle relish.  Sip sip sip, the number one reason that people end up back in the hospital after WLS, dehydration!!  Your taste will change.  Do your exercises.  Go to support groups when you can.  You get alot of good insights.  I kept alittle water or protein (cottage cheese) on my night stand.  If I had to pee in the middle of the night I would either get some fluid or protein in then.  It helped.  Spinach helped me too.  It has iron  and potassium and is a good vegetable, (Popeye was right!!).  Hope these help.  Ask questions, take everything with a grain of salt.  Check with your doctor.  Do not be afraid to call at any hour (your Doctor), if you need to.  Later, Brian

Hey Brian. Wow, thanks for all the helpful information!  Lucky for me, over the years, I've accumulated clothes in all different sizes, so that will help hopefully!  Really great tips, I'll be sure to keep a little water on the night stand.  I'm sure I'll have tons of questions as time goes on, great to have a place like this to hear your guys great advice.  Thanks! Steve

Steve = congrats and to let you know.....I am having mine on Monday also.  We can both be loosers together....

Hello, congrats on your surgery Monday!  Look forward to being a loser with you!

I will add in a few more in addition to what has already been said...Bring a bottle of mouthwash with you, after the surgery and for a while thereafter you will get what I call "bariatric breath" When you are in the hospital chances are they won't have anything for you except a wet sponge on a stick to clean your mouth out with until after you pass your leak test.  If you have a CPAP for sleep apnea, BRING IT, at my clinic they have rescheduled surgeries for people who forgot theirs!!!  Don't invest a lot of money in protein shakes before surgery, your taste may very likely change after surgery, I know that sounds hard to believe but it IS true. I just went to the Vitamin Shoppe the night before the surgery and bought a whole bunch of individual ready to drink flavors to try after the surgery, I wound up hating all but about two of them. If you get nervous waiting the morning of the surgery, ask for anxiety drugs and or if you are a believer in God, put all of your trust in him, I did and felt an overwhelming peacefullnes from then on out even though they did not give me anything until five minutes before they wheeled me in. I actually fell asleep during the two to three hour wait in the anasthesia holding / prep area. Good luck, keep us posted, and don't forget to turn to us when you have more questions after coming home, I sure you will!

Hi Michael, Great idea about the mouthwash, I never thought about that!  Plus it's not like I'll be able to pop a mint or altoid!  Luckily no CPAP here, so I lucked out there.  I haven't bought a lot of protein shakes, just a supply of stuff that I've been using for my preop diet.  I'll be interested to see how my tastes change after surgery.  Yeah, I'm probably going to get really nervous once I get into preop holding area.  I would be happy to fall asleep while waiting to get back into the actual OR!  Thanks for your support!

Welcome Steve, Stay on top of the pain. Mine was not that bad but I remembered Dx's advice and took it. By staying on top of the pain it allowed me to get up and walk about two hours after surgery and I tried to walk every hour. I think it helped me work out the pain and the gas. They wouldn't let me drink anything till after the leak test the next day. That first sip of water was wonderful. So my advice is to stay hydrated and get moving.  pan head