Got a date, lots of questions!

oh yes they give you something for the gas pains!!! when i was about to go for a walk my dr came in to see me and about that time i about went to my knees in pain with gas so bad....i didn't know it was gas tho but he sure did and told them to give me something for it...they did and i was better really quick!!! and yes i forgot about the loose fitting clothes to wear home after your surgery!!!! you will be bloated up some so make sure you have something nice and loose fitting to wear.

remember we are all here waiting to help you and no question is a silly one here with us!!!!

good luck!!

hugs

Thanks Judy. I have my really stretchy waist pants all ready packed! I start my liquid diet tomorrow, Felice

Felice, The others gave you excellent advice. I'll toss in my 2 cents worth. In the morning I filled a jug of water in the fridge. My goal was to drink at least half by noon or 1:00 PM. We get up super early in the morning so that was a good half-way point for me. It seemed to help me to have the visual of my progress. My dietician said to concentrate more on hydration than protein the first week or so.  I had to write everything on paper or I would forget what/when I ate and drank. From the beginning I have never skipped my supplements but have had recent issues with bone loss in the hips. That is the reason we keep on top of scheduled labs and tests. That way our doctors can intervene with supplements as needed. Some things happen due to age and genetics, not just WLS. Good luck Annette

That is great advice. I will have to try it. Thanks

Hi Felice, Congratulations on getting your date, it was a very exciting time once I got that and the nerves kicked in for me a day or two prior to surgery. . . I think prior to surgery you should be able to use you fat free creamer, though afterwards you will only be allowed decaf and you need to have sugar and fat free in what you are drinking.

Sugar free plain jello would probably be what he is telling you.

Robe, slippers, if your feet get cold, a pair of socks, tooth brush/paste, hair brush, any facial creams or body lotions you like, hair care products, if you can't go the 2 days without them, your ipod or such device, a book, magazine, though I never opened mine, lip balm, as your lips might be dry, comfortable clothing to change into and or go home in, and a pillow for the ride home, which can be a bit uncomfortable.  Many times the hospital where you stay provides some of the things (ie, toothpaste, lotions, etc.), but it's better to have them and not need them, then the other way around.

As for what to expect, it depends on the facility, some are better and know how to deal with WLS patients, most times you will gotten out of bed about 4 hours after being brought to your room, walking helps release the gas that they pump into your body to access your innards, so if they don't get you up, tell them you want to walk and then try to walk a couple of laps, the sooner you get up and about, the better.  Chances are they will have you using a spirometer or some such device to keep and clear out your lungs from anesthia, it's annoying but beats the possibility of pneumonia. As for catherization, my doctor did not use a catherer, she wants her patients up as soon as possible and I was grateful not to have to have a catherer, each doctor has their own preferences where that one is concerned.

Chances are you will be taking chewable vitamin supplements right from the beginning and my best suggestion for that is to create a schedule so that it becomes a part of your daily routine, example for me is I take my chewable and vitamins B-1 and B-12 in the a.m., at about 3 or 4 p.m. I take my 2nd chewable and before bedtime I take my calcium supplement, as this cannot be taken close to anything that has iron in it.   So come up with your own schedule for taking your medications along with your supplements, so that it becomes 2nd nature, as the supplements are a lifetime commitment and not taking them can have serious health consequences.

Getting all your liquids in, in the first weeks post-op can be challenging, but remember, all liquids count towards that goal, such as broth, jello, sugar free ice pops, in addition to the water/decaf drinks, remember no caffiene whatsoever in the early days and when you are finally allowed caffiene, for each cup of coffee/tea, you must drink an extra cup of water to offset it, as caffiene is a diruetic.

How long before you are able to do physical things such as cutting the grass, hauling the garbage and recycle bins to the street, etc., my doctor recommended very strongly joining a gym at 3 weeks post-op to do moderate exercise/weights, resuming all normal activities at 6 weeks, prior to that I was to limit physical activities to walking.

Having had a hysterectomy at 49, no periods.

I think heredity and taking calcium supplements are a necessity for the issue of osteoporosis.

Even though I have have researched the hell out of this, and am confident about my decision, I have these fleeting doubts that cross my mind. I worry about some of the things I read on the main board about seizures, hypoglycemia, and all sorts of things that I don't have now, that might occur once I have the surgery.  As for the doubts, I don't think too many of us did not have fears or doubts going into this, but I know I tried to focus on the positive aspects of what this would bring into my life.   Having several people in my own family who have gone this route before me, some of them 5 years out, seeing their positive results are what I chose to focus on, so while some of what you read can be frightening, this is a lifelong commitment to making right choices, such as protein first, supplements, hydration and exercise of some kind. It seems as though you've done your homework and are now in the homestretch of changing your life, what I can tell you personally is almost nine months later, I am, at 53, living the life I always dreamed of, but never thought I could, a year ago, moving about was hard, Friday, July 4th, I walked a 5k with several members of my home support forum, I came in 127th out of 273 with a time of 50:53, I didn't even dream of such possibilities last year!  I started this journey a tight size 22/24, 3x, I am now a size 14, still not where I want to be, but a whole lot closer and if this were to be it, I'm thrilled, but I will keep on going forward and believing that I can be a size 10 by the end of this year! I cannot state enough the importance of support, support from a peer group, whether online or locally, those who lose weight successfully and keep it off are the ones that continue to utilize support, it's a way to share our successes and challenges and stay honest.  You are having surgery on your stomach, not brain surgery, so the behaviors of a lifetime, the reasons you overate, etc. will continue to be a part of you, it can be changed but not without vigilance.  Besides oftentimes, our friends and families, while well meaning, really don't get it.  Good luck, remember this is a journey of a lifetime, one day at a time! Prayers, hugs and positive thoughts, Laureen

Laureen, I forgot the socks! Thanks. A 5K, that's great. Something I am thinking of doing as one of my goals. Thanks so much, Felice

Felice, My surgeon gave me an info sheet for the liquid diet. It said I could have coffee or tea. I normally have ff creamer in the coffee, can I have that? - if it's a clear liquid diet, no, you can't have FF creamer I also noticed it said plain jello, not fruit. I am assuming it means not adding fruit to the jello. Otherwise it would be the Knox gelatine. Is that right? - SF flavored Jello is OK, just don't add fruit to it What sorts of things did you take to the hospital with you? - insurance card, driver's license (hospital admissions required a photo ID, lip gloss, toothbrush, toothpaste, water bottle and loose clothing (I also took a novel but was too dopey to read it).  A pillow would be nice for the ride home (the hospital gave me one). I  am supposed to have the lap rny. What can I expect during my stay in the hospital, that is procedures, catheter, no catheter, etc.  If I had a catheter, they took it out before I was transferred to my hospital room.  IMO, a catheter is no big deal (had one for my hysterectomy and it didn't hurt while it was in or coming out).  You will have an IV stuck in your hand, which may or may not hurt a little bit when it's placed. Once I am home, during those first two weeks of liquid diet, do I take all my vitamins and other medications during that time? Follow your surgeon's instructions.  Depending on what you're taking, you may be asked to discontinue some several days before surgery.  I was able to take my meds (crushed) and vitamins (chewable) as soon as I got home from the hospital After reading the forums I wonder about staying hydrated if I can't get all my liquid in during the first few weeks. What tips do you suggest?  Just keep sipping.  The hospital gave me a 1-ounce plastic cup (same size as the dosage cup that comes with liquid Tylenol) and told me to do 1 ounce every 15 minutes.  It was not a problem for me, but some people do struggle a bit at first.  Just do your best. How long before you are able to do physical things such as cutting the grass, hauling the garbage and recycle bins to the street, etc.   I was not allowed to lift anything heavier than 5 lbs for 2 weeks, nor could I drive during that time.  I was told to start walking immediately, but wasn't given permission for other kinds of exercise until 6 weeks post-op. Did you start getting a period after surgery? No, because I've had a hysterectomy, but I've noticed from observing others that that the trauma of surgery (as well as weight loss) can mess up the menses I just turned 53 and I worry about the long term effects for osteoporosis. For those of you long timers, what sorts of issues have you faced as you "age"?  Weight loss alone (never mind the malabsorption aspect of RNY) can reduce your bone mass.  Faithfully take a calcium & vitamin D supplement and make sure you get adequate protein.  Here is a link to some interesting info about the effect of diet on osteoporosis: http://arthritis.about.com/od/nutrition/a/osteoporosis_2.htm I had WLS at age 54 and all I can say is that the health benefits so far have considerably outweighed any health risks. Good luck with your surgery! Jean

Jean, Thanks for all of your suggestions. I'll be ready the article of osteoporosis tonight. Felice

Hi Felice: Where in Northeastern Wisconsin are you? I have a friend who's a nurse in Wausau; are you anywhere around there?  I'm sure most people answered your questions. Jello: SF jello is fine, just don't add fruit to it. Any flavor will do. You can buy the premade snack cups if you're lazy like me. Coffee creamer: Don't know about that one, because I don't use creamer. I'm sure someone answered that. Things to take to the hospital: I took a robe, slippers (I use sandals), my own soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, etc. (I'm fussy about fragrances so everything has to be fragrance free, and I like my own stuff), a magazine or book, glasses, pillow. Don't bring any money or anything valuable; some people bring cellphones, but I never have been tied to one so I didn't bring that. I liked having my own robe and slippers for walking the halls because I didn't want anyone looking up my backside, if ya know what I mean ...

At the hospital: When you arrive, they'll check you in, do pre-op labs, make sure everything's OK with you (for instance, they check your potassium levels ... if you're low, they may delay the procedure for a few hours to get your potassium up ... they did this to me); they will put in a catheter, but you'll be  under at the time; they will probably intubate you too but it'll be out by the time you're awake again.  The catheter comes out on the first day. Yes, you take your vitamins and other meds when you get home; your doc will send you home with instructions.  Sip, sip, sip all day long to get in your liquids. Do the best you can, don't worry if you can't get in the total suggested; few do. Just do the best you can.  Didn't have to cut grass; I pushed the trash bins to the curb the first week out, cleaned litter boxes, etc, and everything else, the first week out (I also had lap); the first few days it'll hurt a bit to bend over. I live by myself, so I had to do a lot by myself; I sat down to clean litter boxes (still do, in fact).

I don't get periods anymore, so I don't think I had one after that either ... I was barely spotting at that point. As for osteoporosis, you have to take your calcium and get calcium rich foods in ... think yogurt and cheese. But most importantly, take your calcium. Most docs add that back in at about 3 months, I think. I just turned 53 too ... I had my surgery at 49 ... best thing I've ever done ... it saved my life!

Thanks Eileen, I'll have to get some of the snack cup jellos. Good idea. I'm near Green Bay. Wausau is about 2 hours from me. Felice