Newbie looking for advice!

I just joined this website yesterday, so I'm new to the scene. I am a self paying patient, therefore, I have been fortunate enough to skip all of the stress of dealing w/ my insurance company. Perhaps the easiness of this process alone might be turning me in to a skeptic. For me, going to schedule surgery was as easy as going to a restaurant and ordering off a menu. Should this kind of decision, on my surgeon's part, have been this easy? I started out wanting LapBand surgery, but after my consultation w/ my surgeon, and talking w/ my parents and husband, I've decided to go back to my doctor for another consultation for Gastric Bypass. Today, I will schedule my new surgery date. It would be extremely helpful if anyone would like to share there tips for preperation and/or keys for success. I have been doing research on bariatric surgery for almost 2 years...I have scoured the internet for support groups/discussion forums/before and after pictures/stories of triumphs and tribulations...but I would be most appreciative for personal advice. I wouldn't be honest if I said I wasn't scared, but for 3 years, almost 4, I've been very ill w/ various medical complications, so I'm trying to stay positive....I'm positive that this surgery will help me in so many many ways. Thank you in advance to anyone who choses to respond to this post. Amanda

Amanda, It is very lucky that you did not have to deal with the stress of insurance companies, because if I could give you any advice at all, it would be to curtail as much stress in your life as possible for the duration of your recovery. Your support person is key in your recovery process. I was lucky enough to have my mom come stay with me. She helped in so many ways. There is a lot of calculating and measuring and reminding to drink or eat that is so important at first, and you will not be able to focus enough to do it on your own. My husband is great too, but mom really hung in there and made me do the right thing. Get someone on board with you that you trust to make you do the right things for the first 3-4 weeks. After that, it becomes easier and you can take over fior yourself. One or two other things that I wish someone had told me about are as follows: Expect to get real weepy during the first month or two. I would cry for no reason and I normally never cry. I was overcome by a feeling of not wanting to be left alone. If you knew me, you would know how crazy this is for my personality. I got over this as soon as I was able to take b-12 vitamins. Another thing it might be good to know is that it is very normal to feel overwhelmingly tired for the first month or 2. I would go to bed everyday at 6:00pm at first and sleep all the way through. Allow yourself to do this so that you can heal. I was worried about this enormous need to sleep, but I got on the web and found it was very normal. I am just now getting all my energy back, and I can stay awake until 11:00 pm now. I am glad because I missed John Stewart's Daily show.I wish you all the luck in the world with your surgery, and if you need someone to talk to I am at [email protected] Good luck, Delynn

Some things I did as preparation for the lifestyle changes after surgery were: not drinking with meals - I wanted this to become a habit before it was a necessity. started having a protein shake for breakfast - this allowed me to try various protein samples and find out what I truly could not stand the taste of. It also increased my protein intake which, I believe, helped me keep my hair. started taking 5mg (not mcg) of Biotin every day - this was also for my hair. I have not experienced any hair loss following surgery and I am 11 months out. I'm sure you struggled with the decision to have this surgery, just as the rest of us did. The fact that you are self-pay just means that you didn't have to endure the additional struggle of dealing with the insurance company. Continue to keep a positive outlook. This will be the greatest gift you have ever given yourself. Good luck and let us know what your date is! You are going to be at Centennial, right? Susan

Yes, I will be having the surgery at Women's Centennial. My original date for surgery, for the LapBand, was February 1st. However, I've decided to go for the end of February, since I'm changing procedures. I just feel like I need a little extra time to absorb the changes I'm making...for over a year now, I've been set w/ the idea of LapBand, now I've changed my mind. So, hopefully, the extra month will help ease my nerves a bit more and give me more time to prepare. Which protein shakes did you try/like? Where did you buy them? I like the idea of trying things out BEFORE the surgery, so I don't waste my time/engery/money/nerves/etc after the surgery. I am lucky that I had already changed my diet where beverages are concerned...all I drink is SF/non carbonated drinks, unsweet decaf tea, no coffee, and lots of water. I've also given up the diet sodas, so that will help too. And, because my husband is diabetic, I'm a fan of SF Jell-O and SF popsicles, but I will have a hard time giving up my sweets.

You will get Unjury in Centennial . I also do EAS cab control the chocolate fudge You will find your taste will change after surg so something you may like now you might not like later . Ask the dietitions at the center for samples they should have some of the protien and the vitanim and calciun . If you do go with EAS Walmart is about the cheapest place I have found . Good luck Laura

Thank you, Laura....I have set my surgery date for February 26th, HOWEVER, one of the psychiatrist at The Evelyn Frye Center doesn't agree w/ my choice in procedures. He only approved me for the LapBand surgery, and now I've decided to go w/ gastric bypass. I have to meet w/ the psych again, and see if he changes his mind....which I'm starting to feel is a huge waste of my time....I mean, if he changed his mind, he would have to retract his whole "diagnosis of my personality", not just how stable I am in the present tense. I'm discouraged, but I'm trying to hang in there. Blows like this make me feel like I'm not ready to go through with this, then again, they also make me mad as hell and give me extra strength to pursue what I want. Thank you for your advice! Amanda

I remember my experience with the Evelyn Frye center. The psychologist I saw said that I fell within normal range of the types of personalities that a lot of overweight people have but he said that I was really overly concerned with my health. I wanted to say no %$&* sherlock... I'm wanting gastric bypass surgery, of course i'm overly concerned with my health. At any rate, it was quick and painless for me.. kind of an in and out situation. The longest part was taking the personality tests. At any rate, I don't understand why he would support the Lapband and not the gastric bypass. In my opinion, it takes ALOT more discipline with the Lapband than it does the gastric bypass because you can still eat things with the lapband that might make you have the blahs or even physcially sick with the gastric bypass which in turn keeps you from eating those bad evil things. I thought the whole point of the psych eval was to see if you could mentally handle the many challenges that come along with any weight loss surgery procedure. If he thought you could handle the lapband, I don't see how he would think you couldn't handle the gastric bypass. Best of luck to you Amanda. Don't be discouraged. It is just another hoop to jump through. Preservence pays off in the end! As for the protein drinks, I never tried them prior to surgery. I was forced to drink the foul stuff the nutritionist wanted (They've changed to better tasting stuff now). But, I did the EAS AdvantEdge drinks from walmart for the longest time, then I discovered AchievOne protein drinks (they're pricer, but soooo worth it!) They're similar to a Starbucks coffee drink that you get in the glass bottles and they have a bit of caffeine in them for that pick me up feeling. I have one for breakfast every morning... 120 calories, 5 carbs, 20 g. protein. Every once in a while, if I feel my protein intake is low, I will have Nectar Fuzzy Navel. I have tried the lemon tea and lemonade flavors too but Fuzzy Navel is the best (kind of tastes like Sunny D). 1 scoop has 90 calories, 0 carbs, 23 g. protein. April

I purchased samples from bariatriceating.com and was given samples at my surgeon's office. I found that I like the Unjury, Designer Whey and Any Whey powders and EAS Carb Control Ready To Drink. I have to order Unjury online as I haven't found anywhere local to purchase. Designer Whey is available at GNC and The Vitamin Shoppe. Any Whey is an unflavored powder that doesn't clump in warm liquids. I get it at GNC. I also love the protein pudding powder at The Vitamin Shoppe. This could even be used during the puree stage. It comes in Vanilla and Dutch Chocolate flavors, you simply mix the powder with water. A 6 oz serving has 25 grams of protein and has the taste and texture of Jell-o instant pudding. My favorite EAS Carb Control RTD is the Cafe Caramel but I also like the Strawberry Cream and the Rich Chocolate flavors. I keep these on hand for those mornings that I don't have time to make a protein shake before heading out the door. I also keep them in the fridge at the office for when I need an afternoon protein boost.

From: [email protected] Date: Fri, January 5, 2007 7:44 am To: [email protected] Priority: Normal Options: View Full Header | View Printable Version | Add to Addressbook | Bounce | Report As Spam | View Message details | Allow Sender | Allow Domain | Block Sender | Block Domain Amanda, Of course you did not write too much. It is important for you to think about where you are and how you got there before this surgery. It is interesting to hear about all your illnesses. One thing I thought about while reading your letter was about the effect of steroids. I wonder if you were given a lot of steroids to make y0o better. I know everytime I have been given steroids, I gain 20-25 lbs. Do you take a lot of motrin, aleve, etc? They have steroids in them. After surgery you will only be allowed to take tylenol. If you have gtubes and drains left in after the surgery, your new recliner will be a god send. I hated those tubes and felt so much better after the doctor took them out. But my mom did have to inject protien drinks and water into the tubes for me to get in all of my liquids at first. Please be patient with yourself and know that you are loved. I kept asking myself at first "What have I done to myself?" But now, 3 months out, I feel and look great. I have lost 53 lbs. I have found a new product for getting in the protien. It is called profect. It is a 2.5 oz vial of 25 grams of protien. If you can stock up on these before surgery. I got mine at MyVitaNet.com. These will be a big help after surgery with getting in your protien. Finally, walk! I was walking around the block the first week after surgery, slowly of course. Make your suppport person walk with you. Walk 2 to three times a day the first week home. I am sure that helped me recover quicker. Good luck on your journey. When is yur surgery date? Contact me anytime you need support. For some reason your e-mail came back as undeliverable when I sent it from my email address. Delynn

Amanda, I think I understand what is going on in your head. I too was self-pay and things can go pretty quick when you don't have to jump through hoops. Read my profile. I too started wanting Lap Band, then thought I would have RNY and was okay with the decision. When I found out that I could have Lap Band I was almost disappointed. BUt not now! I am very very pleased with my decision. I think it is just normal to wonder if you are having the correct procedure for you. With me it was that fear of failure. Yes, your Dr should have a big part in which surgery you have. Even if you do not have to fill you all the diets you've been on and how you dieted he should know and take that into consideration. It played a big part in my Lap Band. I must say that now I know that my lap band is a tool that seems to be working just fine. It lets me know when to stop eating with a gentle pressure that is not comfortable. If it was not for that I think I would keep on taking just one more bite. Being scared is also part of it. It keeps you sharp. Oh by the way you will have the thought "what am I doing?" before the surgery and after.