First Post be gentle please!

Hi Jenny, Welcome to another VA Beacher! Congrats on finally getting your date. Now I'm gonna be brutally (but gently) honest with ya about the bowel prep and how long it lasts. I started drinking my stuff about 24 hours before surgery and, 24 hours after surgery, I was still suffering the effects. LOL maybe I just needed a whole lot more cleaning out than most folks. When the surgeon told me I could go home as soon as I had a BM, I said, ain't no problems in THAT category, if anything it's the opposite. I think they all looked at me a little strange at that point, so maybe I was the different one and everyone else is all cleaned out after 24 hours. At any rate, I would definitely have someone trained to back me up at work if I were you. Since you're going to be out for at least a few weeks anyway, that shouldn't be a problem with your supportive coworkers. Good luck to ya, Carole

I appreciate all your quick response and support. I have updated my profile so you can read more about me if you wish. I have prayed for many of you and watched your ups and downs. I guess I haven't felt like the "real deal" until I got my surgery date. Now I truly feel the need for the support of others. I have 3 friends at church that have had wls and they are supportive as well. My family is great but I am the only obese one on the family roster. I gained weight as a teenager while my mother was dying of breast cancer but lost it before graduating from HS and stayed around 125-130 until I had my first daughter 25 yrs ago and gained 40lbs with her and it has been a downhill battle ever since that blasted hormone fairy hit. I had 3 miscarriages after my oldest and 6 yrs later was on daily hormones during my pregnancy with Kelsey but only gained 10lbs. My youngest came along 2 yrs. after Kelsey and he is here because of the grace of God. I had a civilian dr. for Kelsey hence the hormones. The navy dr. with Kyle said "we don't do hormones" so Kyle is here because God has plans for him. I only gained 13lbs. with him. I have tried it all just like ya'll. Going on blood pressure meds was the final straw for me and I asked for a referral. My Dad died of a AAA abdominal aortic aneurysm. he was a medical train wreck anyway but I decided not to push genetics any further. Sorry to be so long the rest is on my profile.

Congrats Jenny The first day you will want to be near the bathroom

Congrats! Just FYI if you don't eat a lot you won't poop a lot. So stick to liquids for a few days before...you know just be cool about it. Nothing solid in..not much solid out. I had to do the bowel prep. I was on liquids for 2 weeks before the surgery, took the "Stinkin' Stuff" at 4pm pooed a few times a lil bit then not again till in the am when I woke...pooed a lil more that was it. As far as I know...I think you will be fine...and if you are really creeped out by the prep wear a skirt and a form fitting depend. No joke. At least if you have a weak moment you will have something there to "Back" you up. BEst of luck and congrats that your number finally was called!!! Hugs! Shele

Thanks Shele, I have decided to just stay home and have a pile of books and a case of Charmin ready. I am going to work some overtime a few days before and just take it as comp time. I figure after a day of colon blow I won't feel like working anyway especially when there is always food around. The day before surgery I have to take some major antibiotics and I don't want to take a chance of those causing more potty time. Did you have to take the antibiotics? Hugs Jenny

Hi Jenny, I didin't have the bowel prep for surgery but I did have it for a kidney x-ray - i thought it was the worst experience of my entire life! Looking back of course it really wan't lol! It does make your veins hard to find for needles because you become so dehydrated so watch out for that..... anyhow soon you will be on the losing side and you won't care about the Fleet stuff anymore. Good luck! Jackie