Surgery date fast approaching (maybe)

My surgery is coming up I hope and in preparation for that I have a few questions I thought of asking. If everything goes well with the insurance I should have a surgery date maybe hopefully around July 10th. From experience I would guess that the actual surgery date will be in mid to late August or maybe September? 1) Ive stocked up on chicken broth. I got the brand with the most protein (about 4 grams per serving). I have EAS chocolate protein drinks, three different kinds and flavors of whey protein, and ISOPURE drinks from GNC. Basically I have enough to try them out after surgery and I will re stock whatever I like. Any suggestions? 2) I have this image in my head of someone coughing, sneezing, or throwing up and tearing loose their staples. Also I wonder about range of motion after surgery and its effects on my staples. I know these fears are unfounded but I would appreciate hearing your experiences especially if you did some of the things Ive mentioned. 3) I have really bad knees and so I bought an elliptical walker to exercise on. My feet never come off the machine so its much easier on my knees. My plan is to walk on the elliptical walker at least 30 minutes a day to start and build it up from there. Ive got a gym membership and maybe Ill go there once Im a few weeks out just for a change of pace? Eventually Ill move on to jogging and working with weights but that would take a while right? What was your experience? Were you able to walk 30 minutes at the start or did it take you a while to build up to that? 4) I know it varies a lot but how soon were you able to go back to light work? Its seems about 85% of the patients who have WLS have either no complications at all or very very minor complications. I would assume that they could return to work in 10 days to 2 weeks? Thanks.

Congratulations on getting to this point. I will pray that all goes well with your ins and that you get a quick reply. I will try to help answer the best I can: 1) I found that once I drank my 3-4 protein shakes a day (to get in my calories and protein), I didn't really want much else! I did have chicken broth once, just to have something warm. Otherwise, I ate a few sugar free popsicles and that's about it. I was able to drink the Isopure drinks before surgery, but can not stomach them afterwards. It seems true what many others have said...what you can tolerate before surgery, you may not be able to tolerate afterwards. I have used the Profect or New Whey vials that have 25 g of protein...I can get it down in 5-6 swallows/sips. 2) After surgery they actually encourage you to cough and do lots of deep breathing. It hurt, but not my stomach, it hurt around my lungs/ribs. Other than general soreness, I did not have any real limitations with movement, etc. Of course, you will have just had surgery and for a few days, everything will be a struggle. I had surgery on a Monday, came home on Wednesday, and honestly, by Sunday or Monday, I felt pretty much normal. 3) I have an eliptical machine also, but I have yet to get on it. I have stuck to walking (either outside or on the treadmill). I will begin using the elliptical soon, but it winds me very easily...so I am going to ease into it. For the first 2 days I was home from the hospital, I walked twice a day for 15 mins. each. I increased a little and now I walk (briskly) for 30 mins. each day. As more weight comes off and I feel stronger, I will add to that. 4) I am a school teacher, so luckily, I am off wor****il August. (I thank God that my surgery worked out that way. It gives me the whole summer to recoup and get used to my "tool". However, I was doing most of my normal housework/activities about 1 week out. I waited until my 2 week check-up to do things like vacuum and mow the grass. I felt like I could have returned to work at 2 weeks. I know I'm not a wealth of information, but I hope I've helped a little. I wish you the best! Susan

My tastes completely changed after surgery and I couldn't tolerate any sweet shakes of any brand or flavor...I still can only stand the Isopure fruit drinks because they are not too sweet. I was back at work in less than a week (surgery on Tues, at work on Monday)...I am an engineer so I sit pretty much all day. I also moved to another apt. within two weeks after surgery. I was sleeping on my tummy three days after and went shopping with my Dad two days afterward. I remember no pain and never felt like I would tear anything. Exercise is another issue. I used to be a fitness fanatic (15 years ago), but despite gaining weight I've always been active. I still have not gotten up to the energy level I think I should be at...I do exercise, but I want to do more. According to my surgeon though it takes about six months before your energy level builds back up. I don't know what to tell you to expect there. I would think it depends on how you feel before having the surgery...I felt good before surgery and I feel good now, but I want to feel GREAT...so my expectations might be too high.