What should I be doing to help to me get ready for surgery

darlingshell2005
on 2/24/16 7:25 am

RNY on 06/06/16

my surgery is scheduled for June 6th and I've heard others talking about their baratric program prior to surgery. I'm beggining to think my surgeon does not have an extensive program prior to the surgery. I have met with the nutritionist and she was great and she did go over what the stages will be after surgery and what is expected from me and she also went over my doctor's 3 day diet prior to surgery and that is the extent of it. I just feel like I should be doing something now to get myself prepared for the changes that are coming up in life. I've been trying the various foods I'll be eating after surgery to get a feel for what I'm going to like but other than that I'm eating whatever I like.

chulbert
on 2/24/16 7:32 am - Rochester, NY

RNY on 01/21/13

I recommend you live the long-term post-op lifestyle as best you can. Start living now how you're going to live at the 6-month mark: low-fat, low-sugar, protein forward, vegetables, whole foods. No junk.

(deactivated member)
on 2/24/16 7:37 am

Here is a good place to come. One thing I did was clean my house out of all crap. I also started not drinking with meals. It was an adjustment not drinking. I was one of those who would talk all through dinner then shovel it down then wa**** down with water.

I was going to see a nutritionist and she made me journal all my food. She had me also write down what I was feeling at the time. She wanted me to write something positive about myself to. I know that may sound odd. Being the type of person I am. I have a habit of thinking bad about myself.

Educate yourself about the surgery. Come here ask questions. There are a lot of people who are here to help us. No one really knows unless they have been obese in their life.

Your taste buds will change. I know mine did. I thought I would never eat salmon. I love it now.

Good luck to you.

Maria27
on 2/24/16 7:37 am - Chicago, IL

RNY on 03/17/15

I suggest tracking everything you eat in myfitnesspal. This really helped me learn about my eating habits and how to make better choices. Don't worry about the goals initially, just get used to measuring and tracking everything you eat. Once you have done this for a couple of weeks, you can start to analyze what you are eating and see where you should start making changes. Even if you don't make many changes before surgery, you will gain valuable insight into how you eat and the nutritional value of different foods. I also did a hard core cleaning out of my pantry and freezer. I pulled out all of the things I knew I wouldn't want around after surgery and went on a baking/cooking spree. I hate to waste food, so I used the time to eat as much of the food I had laying around that I could so I wouldn't have to throw so much away later. I made lasagna, chicken pot pie, and spaghetti with meat balls. It was great.

Height: 5'5" HW: 290 Consultation Weight: 276 SW: 257 CW: 132

Grim_Traveller
on 2/24/16 8:59 am

RNY on 08/21/12

All great advice above. If you can work most of that in before surgery, you will have a fantastic running start.

6'3" tall, male.

Highest weight was 475. RNY on 08/21/12. Current weight: 198.

M1 -24; M2 -21; M3 -19; M4 -21; M5 -13; M6 -21; M7 -10; M8 -16; M9 -10; M10 -8; M11 -6; M12 -5.

shery11ynn
on 2/24/16 9:39 am

What everyone above said - plus I would add finding a great therapist to the mix. As I was going through my pre-op "diet" I realized, after not losing weight but just maintaining by the skin of my teeth, that I have a problem. I didn't want to invest my time, money and body into something that had a good chance of failure.

At that point I dropped out of the program and started seeing a highly recommended therapist who specializes in eating disorders. Nine months later, I went back into the program, and lost 35 lbs in the three months before my surgery.

Just over two months post op, I'm down an additional 45 lbs. I am still seeing my therapist, albeit not as often. I imagine that I'll continue to see her periodically for a long time in the future, because I intend to be successful for my lifetime!

Another bonus, therapy helped me deal with life's issues in a healthier manner, which I believe will greatly reduce the chance of cross-addiction.

Oh yeah, I gave up alchohol when I restarted the "diet" last September as well. I don't think I'll never drink again, but it will be a good while in the future!

Sheryl

shery11ynn
on 2/24/16 10:03 am

P.S. If you don't mesh with a therapist pretty much right away, find a different one who you can relate to. Some years ago, after exhausting several different weight loss plans (not to mention my wallet), I was referred to a different therapist who had the same specialization. I wasted almost two years seeing her, because at the time I thought she was my last hope. I finally broke up with her (that's what it felt like, anyway!) and moved on to my next 60-70 lb gain. Thank goodness I didn't give up, and found the right person for me (years later, better late than never, right?).