Schedule Surgery 9/15. Need Guidance-anyone from Huntington area?

It took 2 years to receive insurance approval and now not quite prepared for what's coming.  I'd love to speak with someone who has had RNY recently and can give me an idea where to start to prepare for the upcoming surgery, i.e. food, mindset, etc.  Any guidance would appreciated.

I had Sleeve and am in Nassau. I'll send you a friend request.

Thanks for responding.  I'm feeling overwhelmed by the upcoming changes.  I spent a lot of time reseaching weight loss surgery, a few years ago.  When I received the original denial from my insurance company, i stopped thinking about it.  Now, with approval, I'm going forward but focus is gone.  I don't really know what I should be doing in these 2 weeks before surgery date to get ready?  I've never tasted a protein drink, never taken supplements.  Any suggestions/recommendations where to start?

I think support is the key. I hope you have support at home from friends and family as well as groups like OH. I'm sure MaryEllen would love for you to join the LIPO support group...BTW not that far from you.

You should also make sure that you have a medical support group. Sounds like you definitely have a surgeon but make sure you have access to a nut as well. They can make sure that you are taking the right supplements. Although you can find out alot of information on these boards always be cautious about medical advice. As far as protein drinks. I found it best to wait after surgery. I found my tastes changed and the drinks I used Pre-op, I no longer liked. There's plenty of places to get samples online as well as local stores like GNC, Vitamin world, etc...

You should focus on obtaining the things you will need to make your post op recovery better. Stock up on things for your post op diet ie Broth, Jello, yogurt, etc. Remember you may not be able to drive due to the drugs you maybe on. That's were it helps to have support from friends and family to get the things you need.

The one thing I wished that I would have gotten sooner was a recliner. It maybe uncomfortable for you to sleep in a bed the first couple of days home from the hospital.

Hope this helps.

I had my final pre-op appt with my Surgeon (Gellman, Manhasset), and he tells me that everyone is nervous before surgery... I feel a bit better.  Your comments are very much appreciated as I was thinking that I should be better informed but maybe I just need not worry so much and once I speak with the nutritionist, on Sept 2, I'll get a better handle on this whole food thing.  Thanks for helping.

 Please check with your surgeons office too. They should have some services there for you in regards to this. I can answer all sorts of questions for yo since I am a RNY post-op but it is no substitute for your doctor, nutritionist, etc. 

Where are you having your surgery? Do they have a pro-op program? 

Feel free to PM me with questions. 

Clare,

Don't worry. Like Mike said wait till after surgery protein. Or log on to: www.nashuanutrition.com for some samples. Also www.netrition.com . There a cheap single serving sizes and inexpensive shipping. THere are several FREE samples you can get too!
Chike.com
Gotein.com
Smartforme

I know I have more. Let me see if I can find my folder with pre-op stuff in it. I colllected lots of info on foods, blogs, recipes, etc

When you get home don't worry about getting protein and foods in. Just remember to stay hydrated. I think people worry because they are not eating but really if you just drink you will be fine. Food will come later. My surgeon was never really concerned with calorie or content of my foods. Stay hydrated. I drank alot of water, sometimes with a tiny bit of crystal light or koolaide flavors. Stuff tasted really sweet so I just bought the single serve packets and used a tiny bit of the packet. I did drink tea and decaf coffee too. I just remember everything being to sweet and watering stuff down. When I began to eat I had cream of wheat, mash pots w/ gravy, cream soups etc. This stage was short for me because I could eat egg salad, tuna, chix, ham salad, eggs, ricotta cheese with sauce, refried beans with melted cheese I think in like 2 weeks post op. My doc just said to take it slow. Small tastes, chew well and that my pouch will let me know if it likes it or not.

I also did not bring anything to the hospital but the clothes I wore in (I wore home) with the exception of a change in undies. I did bring chap stick. Mouth gets very dry. I used thier gowns, toiletries etc. Honestly you will not feel like reading or anything and the time really does go by fast. Anestheia stays in your system for awhile so sleepy you will be.

Keep logging on here and research blogs and recipes. The pre-op was a fun, exploring time.

Also check out sites: www.meltingmama.net -she is hysterical
www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.com - great recipes and stuff

Have  fun and when is the big day??

Lisa

Good to know that I don't need to worry so much about getting all the food (or liquids) before having the surgery.  Would you say the best thing to concentrate on is to drink water?  When everyone speaks of broth, can I make my own or should I buy the canned stuff at the grocery store(Colleg Inn, i think)?  I know this sounds crazy but do i actually make the jello the standard way or do I need to prepare it differently.  I suppose I'm thinking way too much into this but I worry about doing the wrong things and suffering the consequences.

I only drink homemade decaf ice tea with a little spenda, can I continue to drink this?  In fact, I never drink plain water, but I'll change that.

I won't bother with what I'm taking to the hospital.  It sounds like they will give me whatever is necessary.

Thanks so much for your insights.  I am going to try and not spend so much time worrying.  Even the surgeon told me that everyone gets nervous before surgery and that things will work out. 

Sorry, my surgery date is Sept 15.

The one thing I have found out from this board is that every Dr. has a different diet plan pre op as well as post op. For example I was on liquids for a month after my surgery. I read other people that were eating food a week or two after surgery.

Your best bet is to follow the nutrition guidelines from your doctors office. They should provide you with the right guidance. That being said I'll tell you that my wife whipped up a special broth combination. She used College Inn but she added alot of stuff and strained it out to give it more flavor.

Diet Sugar free Jello...I ate it plain.

I drank Diet Snapple Ice Tea (Lemon or Peach). Also drank Crystal Lite.

This was my first six week diet plan (office utilizes the same paln for both sleeve & RNY):

Week 1 & 2
  - Broth, Diet Jello & Water
  - High Protein Liquid Supplement ( < 10 grams of Carbohydrates)
  - Goal: 60 Grams of protein per day
 
Week 3 & 4
  Add in (For 1 - 2 meals per day):
    - Low fat/nonfat yogurt
    - Low fat/nonfat cottage cheese
    - Low fat/nonfat ricotta cheese

Week 5
 Add in Soft Protein Foods (for 1 - 2 meals per day):
    - String Cheese, Baby bell, Laughing cow
    - Re-fried beans
    - Lentil, Split pea or black bean soup
    - Miso or egg drop soup
    - Tofu

Week 6:
 Add in (for 1 - 2 meals per day):
    - Chicken (soft, moist, fresh, canned, or thinly sliced deli. No BBQ or Fried)
    - Turkey  (soft, moist, fresh, canned, or thinly sliced deli. No BBQ or Fried)
    - Fish (soft, moist, fresh, canned or shellfish)
    - Egg (soft boiled, poached or scrambled) & if there is room 1/2 slice of toast
    - Small amounts of nonfat or low fat dressings to moisten food

Daily:
    - 50 - 60 ounces of water
    - 8 ounces of Crystal Light, Fruit2O, Diet Snapple or any low calorie/non-carbonated beverage
    - one cup of decaf tea or coffee (you can use splenda, sweet-n-low, nutra sweet, low fat milk.