going for surgery may 19

well im a lurker to the site and just was pointed to this forum by another member. i go in for surgery on monday may 19th. i wasnt nervous for the past 10 months going in for the pre op work at the drs, but as the time is ticking down to monday i am getting more nervous. im sure everything will go fine and i will have nothing to worry about. my question is, the liquid diet for 4 to 5 weeks post op. how did you guys handle it? did you even feel hungry? how was your energy levels? how was the pain? how much work did you miss?

Hey Jonnyh, first off let me welcome you to the Men's Forum.  There are a lot of great guys on here who are very knowledgeable.  So feel free to ask any questions you might have.  Someone is usually able to help you.  I believe getting a little bit nervous before surgery is fairly normal.  Just try to keep it in prospective.  And remember that you are doing this to get your health and your life back.  My liquid diet was only for 2 weeks.  I found the first 2 or 3 days the hardest.  After that, I guess my body got use to it and it wasn't too bad.  After those first couple of days, I really was not hungry and my energy level was about the same as always.  As far as the pain goes, I think everyone is different.  I had "open" rny so my level of pain would probably be different from yours.  But most people say that their surgery really isn't as bad as you might think.  Just remember that the doctor will prescribe pain medication for you.  Be sure to use it and you should be alright.  Most people seem to be off work around 2 weeks with laproscopic rny.  But a lot of that depends on you and your doctor.  I hope I have been able to help with some of your questions.  And I wish you a fast and safe recovery on your upcoming surgery.

Welcome aboard - glad ya quit the lurkin and joined in!   Due to a mess up, my surgery was postponed for 2 weeks,  so I actually was on a liquid diet for a total of 3 weeks, instead of the usual 8 days.  It really wasn't that bad. My energy levels stayed about the same, and the extra 2 weeks increased my liver shrink, which helped make my procedure go very smoothe. As for pain, I had mentally prepared myself to handle pain equal to being shot in the gut with a 12 gauge shotgun. But to my surprise, I had very, very little pain after my surgery! There was some soreness and tenderness, but nothing too hard to handle with more than a tylenol or two! Congrats on getting a date and good luck!  You'll be on the Loser's Bench before ya know it!!

Hey Jon, Glad you clicked the link! Welcome to the Men’s Board. Growing Anxiety as your day approaches is as common as deep navels out here! Check an older post here from a few weeks back- Pre-Op-Anxiety As for the Post-Op restriction? Once your ‘chittlins’ are cut on, It takes 3 to 4 weeks for them to wake up and start to get over the trauma of surgery. Staying “true to the Doc’s Program” is easy-street then. Most really don’t feel like eating Anything early on. Then, bit by bit as you reintroduce foods There has been enough of a break from former eating habits So that you get the chance to create new habits from the ground up. Yes? There is a huge difference between staying compliant On a strict dietary intake those weeks before surgery, And those weeks following. Pre-Op, if you break a “diet” and eat something off the doc’s list No repercussions beyond a touch of guilt. After Surgery? Break from protocols and the drawback could be throwing your Newly healing guts up. Quite a deterrent to “cheating.” Yes? AND - Sugar-Free Popsicles are a Great thing. Early on, you can keep one in your mouth 24/7! By the time you get around to being able to eat real food You’ll be so blown away by the weight loss that Re-focusing on Life with a new relationship to food Becomes not only possible, but most likely. For Most, Energy levels start in the can the first couple of weeks And steadily improve until they surpass what they ever were Pre-Op. Pain?   I’m a bad gauge for that one… Expect it to feel like you were hit by a truck, Then when you actually feel better than that It’ll be a bonus. Have the Greatest Next Monday! Best Wishes- Dx

 

Johnny, Welcome to the locker room!  As a recent post-op, now on my 10th day of clear liquids following surgery, I can say that I have really not been hungry in my gut since surgery.  I have felt a momentary craving in my head for some of the really bad foods I've seen around me, but that whole gnaw your leg off kind of hunger - not at all.  As for the liquids, they are starting to get old, but I keep telling myself that I'm taking care of my new plumbing and to keep it up.  I'll be starting on soft proteins next week. As for pain, for me, the third day was the worst.  I felt swollen and bruised like someone had literally beaten me in the abdomen with a Louisville Slugger.  Since then, the pain has been very slight.  I still have bruises at my incision sites, but no actual pain.  I was able to return to my desk job after one week, and have also been back on my regular schedule of running the kids to day care, Little League, etc. Best of luck to you!  Sounds like you are following the Dr. instructions, so I'm sure you'll do great.  We'll be looking forward to updates on your progress.

thanks for the responses guys. i take a look at that pre op anxiety article after this. i gotta call the dr on friday to get my time for monday. i just hope i dont get too bored while in the hospital. ill keep all the tips in mind. thanks a ton fellas. glad to be part of the locker room.

Jonnyh, its funny, It has been practically a year and a half since I have been on this site.  Almost three since my surgery.  I want to wish you the best of luck.  I can remember when I used to Lurk this site for a year prior to my surgery, before I made a comment.  Yes, I was nervous, anxious, etc!  I went back and fourth about whether it was the right choice for me.  Dx was a huge inspiration and gives vast amounts of knowlege, as do many on this site, so your not alone.  I wont go through my whole story (411lbs to 225.  56 inch waist to 36.  plastic surgery, etc) but needless to say, it was all worth it.  Just relax, and let the process happen, and hang on for the ride!  God Bless.

Welcome to the Board Jonny, and congratulations on getting so close to your big day!!!!!!!!!  I was scared for my surgery, but also "ready" for it.   You're going to do great. I was so surprised at how NOT hungry i was in the weeks following surgery.  The pain was very minimal, and I was walking the same day, and very mobile from day one.  I had taken 2 weeks off work, but could have easily returned after 3 or 4 days.   I was also a high risk surgical candidate - I surgical weight was around 525, and BMI around 55 when i had my surgery.   Hang in there, and come back and post often.  There is a lot of support and great information from the guys here.  Let us know how you're doing, and CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!

Just had lap-band surgery on Monday, May 12.  My observations so far: I wasn't really nervous at all beforehand.  I concentrated on the freedom from obesity I was about to gain by deciding to have WLS.  I'm sure not everyone can look at it that way since this involves doctors cutting on your body, some pain, and a lifestyle change, just my personal take on pre-op. The liquid diet is tolerable.  I think my stomach is just today healing and/or waking up, so it is growling a lot and I actually feel sort of hungry every now and then.  However, a few sips of broth or juice satisfies me quickly.  I've also eaten a sugar free popsicle last night and jello today. Energy is up and down, about what I'd expect from surgery.  I woke up every day so far at my normal time of 6 am with energy but feel drained by 11 am.  I am self employed so the boss doesn't mind if I miss!  I have performed some work-related tasks such as bookwork, short trip to the bank, etc. but not looking to get into much more than this for the next week. Pain comes and goes, worst part is a pain from my left side up to my neck that the doctor said was caused by the laparoscopic incisions.  This pain is very annoying and sometimes causes  a headache.  I can only assume it will get better as I heal.  The incisions hurt some on day 2, but there was a remarkable improvement in the incision pain today (day 4). Good luck jonnyh, if you want to know more, just ask, I tried to hit it all.

thanks for the replys guys. i really appreciate it. im sure going to add you guys to my friends list or whatever its called. good luck to everyone. and thanks for the answers. i cant wait to jump on the bench may 19th!