Coming up so fast. Good and bad.

Well here goes.  I am moving lots closer to my surgery, RNY. In the program I am in all I have left to do is meet with surgeon and then set a date oitherwise I am all approved. I meet with Dr next thursday. Given that surgery would be probably mid August.  Have not told my boss yet. It will go over like a lead ballon.  Have not figured out what protien drinks I might like or where to get them. Have not figured out how to get my hands on a recliner as that seems like the only way I am going to get through the days after suregry with any sleep. I do not feel prepared.  Fears one minute about 'is this right for me?' to the next minute 'I can not wait to beat weight and know I can!' Anybody else found a way through this mess? Anyone got pointers on where to start so I can focus? I know I need to work in little bits to get ready but looking at the whole damn picture is driving me crazy. And this mad house here and the other site is poor timing for me. I('ll just have to get over that. OK I do like the spell check on the other site. Marc - long winded but it is good to get it out.

ok bro.  Take a breath. You sound like the same "type" person as me.  I was in a very familiar sounding situation right before my surgery.  And here's how mine went: I never got a recliner or access to one, yet I got plenty of sleep. I let my bosses know and they were fine with it and had no problems.  ( I had no vacation time at that point in my job tenure - I had just started the job!....  but they were awesome about it) I went out and bought several different kinds of protein drinks and tried them.  Some were the **** others just tasted like **** and others just made me ****  LOL  Just make sure this is something YOU want to do and YOU are committed to.  Everything else will fall into place!

When I told my boss (bosses) I explained they would get a more healthy, able bodied person to do the job they hired me for. They were pretty supportive and my Superintendant has given me numerous attaboys since. Protein drinks - There are lots of posts around here about which ones. I think the general consensus is find one you can stand the taste of and that is most cost effective for you. I did OK sleeping in bed. I used a foam wedge for the first week to keep my head elevated a bit and did just fine. However, if you want a recliner (which I wish I had at the time) and can't afford to run out and buy one, or don't want to run out and buy one, consider a rental. One of the furniture rent to own places. You should be able to get one that you can rent a month or two and then return. Prepared? What is that? Just keep your eye on the finish line and know that many of us have been through it and would do it again tomorrow for the benefits we have reaped. You CAN beat the weight, and will. I was pretty calm going into my surgery. I had full faith in the doctors ability. Mine truly is there to help people, not just run us through and make a buck. I knew he would take good care of me, and he did. He mentioned to me the morning of surgery that I seemed very calm and relaxed. I told him of course I was, I was just going to lay there, he was the one that had to do all the work. Trust me brother, in 6 months you will be right here posting to someone else how glad you are you had this done, and how much better you feel.

----- 
Even the toughest criminals become remarkably docile 
 once separated from society by six feet of soil. 

Thanks guys. I am just freaking myself out. Hard not to do when you are jumoing into a big unknown. It could go great. It could go really crappy. But my odds are better for good. Maybe meeting the surgeon will help settle me. Now to just go ouit and find some protien drinks. So many choices and so little idea how to choose.

Mct, I got all prepped up and wound up not using any of it.  The sugar free drinks I loved before tasted awful post-op.  The carnation instant breakfasts I became lactose intolerant post-op and couldn't use.  The only thing I got that I used post-op was bed-room shoes, walking shoes, and water.  I wound-up with protein powder (ISOPURE from GNC but price drove me to Body Fortress Whey at WalMart) I mixed with water, juice, or lactose free milk.  I used Boost diabetic for a while post-op too but my tastes changed after about 12 weeks and the stuff that tasted great didn't and I wound up giving that stuff to other because I bought by the case to save a buck,....duh.  I sleep in my bed though it was for 2-3 hour blocks at first that progressed to 4 hr and 6 hr before I got to a whole night at a time.  You will just work a routine that works for you of protein, supplements, water, walk, sleep, repeat durin the 4-6-8 week healing postop.  You will do great.  Yuo wouldn't be so worried if you were so concerned about getting it right.  Thats a good thing.  The what am I doing this fo syndrom is also a normal stage that in like cold feet before getting married.  I had a couple of minor complications in the begining and my only regret is not doing this sooner.  Your are going to love the post-op you.  Go for it Dude!!!! 

Let me throw my 2 cents in here for you Have not told my boss yet. It will go over like a lead ballon. I never told mione. Just took vacation time. I was back to work in two weeks though. You might be surprised though about your boss. I found out I could have taken more time off
Have not figured out what protien drinks I might like or where to get them. I bought samples from vitalady.com It is a non OH sponsored site and they are awesome and very helpful. There are others. They sell little packets. ISOPure was the one I ended liking the best and also Nectar because it was fruity and not milky. 
Have not figured out how to get my hands on a recliner as that seems like the only way I am going to get through the days after suregry with any sleep. Did not use a recliner and never had a problem.
I do not feel prepared.  We all experience that. It is normal. Hang on and enjoy the ride. It gets worse. That's why were here man. 
Fears one minute about 'is this right for me?' to the next minute 'I can not wait to beat weight and know I can!' See right above. You are normal in this. I think we have all experienced in this to one degree or another.  Hope this helps

Your boss does not have much say about your surgery, I believe this falls under FMLA.  Just go in a be straight with your boss.  Getting the time off was no big deal for me.

Never had a problem sleeping in our bed.  I only had a problem getting our of bed because it would hurt for 10 to 15 seconds, but getting out of a chair hurt about the same amount

Protein drinks, I have tried several have not really liked too many of them, just found what I can tolerate and is not too expensive.

I am not sure what you mean by not being prepared.  If it questions resource type not prepared.  Ask away, there are very knowledgeable guys here and don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions when you see your Doc next week.

Good Luck

Jim 

I thought a recliner would be a good idea, but didn't want to rush into buying one, so I did without.  The first few days or week were slightly uncomfortable, but going to bed with a few swigs of Roxicodone syrup certainly helped.  I was certain that I was going to split my guts open if I wasn't in the "correct" position in bed, but it turned out not to matter.  I survived with my stitches and guts intact!

You can find a lot of protein powders and drinks at your local CVS, RiteAid, GNC or even at the supermarket.  At the very least, skim milk with sugar-free Carnation Instant Breakfast should be fine to start with.  SlimFast "Low-Carb" ready-to-drink shakes have 20g of high-quality protein and are available just about everywhere.  (Look for the "Low-Carb", though; the others, even the "Hi Protein" have less protein!)

Do you have a copy of "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies"?  I studied that book before surgery like a Southern Baptist studies the Bible.  I can't quote it chapter and verse, but it put my restless pre-op soul to ease.  Pick up a copy if you don't have it already.  It's like the distilled wisdom of everything here on OH without the drama.

/Steve

What is your support system like? I was pretty lucky because my wife got the same thing done a month after me. Don't kid yourself, you need someone to talk to and drama aside, this is still an excellent place to express your fears and ask questions like you just did.

When I told my boss, I just came out with it. He's a really good guy but even if he wasn't he has no say in anything.

Protein? I like New Whey bullets the best EXCEPT FOR ORANGE.

I slept in bed and got 8 hours a night.

As for the "is this right" question, it's totally normal. Expect more feelings of doubt. This is a big, big step. The way I got through it was self-education. I immersed myself in reading. Every night I read a wikipedia article on something relevant to the procedure on my smartphone in bed. I lurked here and asked questions. I called my surgeon's staff constantly.
If you're a churchgoer, talk to a member of your clergy like a priest or minister about your fears. Ask for scripture to read. I'm more of a scientific type, so I like to let God talk to me thru science.
Meditate.
Go to support meetings.
Do a pros vs. cons list.
Talk to your parents if they're still around.
Lean on other people to help you. One thing this journey has taught me was who my friends REALLY are.
Think about what your life will be like during recovery and beyond. This is the step I neglected and I wa**** with MAJOR buyer's remorse.
Fantasize - about kayaking, rock climbing, sky diving, the women you can chase, fitting into a roller coaster, dancing, wearing clothes you can buy from normal stores, etc.
Do yourself a favor and make that date. Once you have a goal, you'll do much better.

Best of luck and don't be shy. I asked a LOT of stupid questions and they all got answered politely.

I have been back and forth on the recliner.  Today I test drove a couple. Takes as much stomach muscles to get out of that as a bed or regular chair. Who the hell knows.

Thanks for the tip on the slim fast. I have been using the High protien on and off. I will try the Low Carb this next time.

I did find two places for a few protien samples. Vitalady was one. I will see what I like. Thanks for the tiop. Little thing but helps me feel a little prepared.

Science is one that usauslly does it for me. But meditation is probably what will help at this point. to setlle my nerves.  

I do have a copy of WLS for Dummies. I kinda skipped the 'food' part the first time through. I think it is time to give that my full attention.

Thanks guys. I am sure I will come up with more silly questions.

Marc