It'****ting Me Now

Well I just got a call from the hospital, tommorrow at 7:30 am is my surgery in Brooklyn NY. Wish me luck guys, I just hope everything goes find, and Im back typing on the boards in no time. Any advice ??

Great news for you! My advice is to follow your doc's instructions and, when you can, walk, walk, walk and sip, sip, sip. Walking regularly soon after surgery is important as is keeping hydrated. It'll take a bit of practice to get in the habit of sipping water almost constantly at first, but boy it sure pays off. Also, you might plan on sleeping in a recliner the first few nights or so after you're home. Many of us found that to be helpful. Mostly, just trust the docs and nurses and expect to come through fine. We'll be looking forward to seeing on the Loser's Bench.

Have fun!  Remember to walk around the hospital corridors as soon as possible, and do your breathing exercises alot...even though it hurts a little. You'll be glad you did!  Don't worry!  (easy for ME to say...right?) Nobody was more scared than I was!

You will certainly be in my families prayers. I will be asking for yours, soon, I hope...:) You will be fine, enjoy it...and give us a report as soon as possible/ peace..ken

Walk, walk walk walk, and then walk some more.  It really helps with the gas and other pains post-op. See you on the Loser's side! JP

Best of Luck!   We will see you back here real soon.   As a matter of fact I heard they are dusting off part of the looser's bench for you.  Your seat will be ready.   As Doug mentioned, Just follow the Doctors orders and walk & Sip, walk & Sip.   I'm two weeks out and doing great.  I still am a little weak, but for the most part the discomfort is gone and that was last week.  Best of luck, see you back here soon. Mike Ray

Best of luck to you - i'm 4 1/2 months out and evey day i'm amazed at what a gift this surgery is.     I took my robe and was very glad i did (i'm six foot ten, and my surgery weight was 525, so i had a lot to cover up)............. i slept in my recliner for about 10 days - and i walked a lot in the house.  You'll do great - and, get ready for a wild ride - it's amazing!!!!    

I'll tell you the same thing my surgeon told me, and here I am a little over a year later and down about 350 lbs ... 1.  Eat very slowly - one bite every 10 minutes, a half sandwich over an hour. 2.  Nothing to drink 1/2 hour before, and 1/2 hour after eating, otherwise drink! 3.  First three weeks, soft foods - thinned mashed potatos, yogurt, pudding, stuff like that, broth - all with protien powder added.  I used Profect protein powder, and it worked great. 4.  Second three weeks, soft foods.  Regular mashed potatos, soups, stuff like that.  Again, add the protein powder. 5.  Regular foods - take it slow and easy, as you'll be learning what your body can tolerate without dumping.  Avoid refined sugars and high carbs.  If you're a drinker, be careful - you'll be a complete and total lightweight now. Good luck!!

Just think of it as going on a really strict diet for a year, starting with those liquids and purees the first weeks. Some people think that it's going to be life as usual only to be shocked the first weeks post op. As long as you realize you have to make some big life adjustments the first months, you'll be fine.

I always say, pretend as if you haven't had surgery and diet and exercise a little on the extreme side.

My method was protein shakes only until dinner, then another protein shake and anything from the other food groups that I felt I needed for dinner, but keep in mind that's  a radical approach that only some nutritionists will approve.

Good Luck,

Dave

Be nice and they will take good care of you. Go to sleep and when you wake up,... you'll be on the other side Dorothy and you won't be in Kansas anymore. You'll be a loser like us, May the FARTS be with you! Joe