pre-surgery advice
i am having the sleeve on may 31st. does anyone have any advice about emotions, getting ready for surgery, and the TRUTH about how i feel after? also i am feeling a lot of pressure about not failing once i have the surgery. overeating/portion control has always been my problem and now that i have a surgery date, its even worse!!! can anyone offer tips?
Hello...I just had my sleeve 4/25. I was a nervous wreck before, had to have anxiety meds getting ready for surgery at the hospital!
The first week home from the hospital I should have rested more, or better yet, allowed myself to rest.
I don't cry, ever, and now that I am 12 days out, I just had a major meltdown because I am sick and tired of liquid, I wanted to make a protein "smoothie" and we had no ice. I do believe that my hormones are running rampant and this, too, shall pass. (I was pre-warned about the melt-downs)
On the other hand, I just keep thinking I will be healthy for my children, and to suck it up.
I seem to be on the more extreme side, having read lots of other posts of people the same time out.
That's as real as it gets for me. Just be prepared, be knowledgeable, and have your goal in mind at all times!
The first week home from the hospital I should have rested more, or better yet, allowed myself to rest.
I don't cry, ever, and now that I am 12 days out, I just had a major meltdown because I am sick and tired of liquid, I wanted to make a protein "smoothie" and we had no ice. I do believe that my hormones are running rampant and this, too, shall pass. (I was pre-warned about the melt-downs)
On the other hand, I just keep thinking I will be healthy for my children, and to suck it up.
I seem to be on the more extreme side, having read lots of other posts of people the same time out.
That's as real as it gets for me. Just be prepared, be knowledgeable, and have your goal in mind at all times!
Hi! I had my surgery on Monday, May 2. I think I was pretty much in the right mindset due to the liquid diet I was on the week before surgery. I'm now home and on clear liquids until May 17. I was always an overeater and usually ate large portions as well, but that changed once I started the liquids. The stomach will definitely let you know when it's time to stop. I have found that I am sleeping a lot. Today is the most I've been up at one time! The main thing is to remember to take it slow and easy! Best wishes on your upcoming surgery!!
~amy
~amy
I can relate to the pressure about failing. I had the lap band 5 years before the sleeve and I never lost weight, so I wasn't totally sold on the Sleeve working, even though my nutritionist told me that there isn't anyone who doesn't lose weight after the sleeve (they may gain it back without good habits, but they always lose initially). But now that I am six months out, I can tell you that this is totally different than the band and I have consistently lost weight each week since surgery. Many have stalls along the way, but they break and the weight continues to go down.
So my advice after having this last six months behind me is the ensure you have a good support system, that your family is aware of the procedure and will support your needs, and that you have a good medical team including a nutritionist. You have to have someone to ask questions to along the way.
My road wasn't horrible, but I did have some complications along the way. But I took it one day at a time and now I am at a point where I eat pretty normally, and feel great.
I also started seeing a therapist when I made the decision to have the surgery because I did not want to lose the weight only to regain again due to emotional issues. I also remember that this is a life change, not a temporary thing. My choices must be healthy choices for long-term health.
The good news is that you will absolutely have portion control with the sleeve, allowing you to develop good habits. One of the complications I had after sugery was my stomach stopped working so I was able to eat very little, and I always felt incredibly full. This resolved with time and now if I don't eat for quite a while I will feel hungry, but otherwise I have no troubles.
Everyone's experience with this surgery is unique. There is no guide that will tell you what to expect because I have read a series of posts all with different experiences. Even our diet guidelines don't match. So I would recommend finding someone you trust who runs a support group, someone you trust who can be your nutritionist (bariatric nutrition not a regular nutritionist because they don't understand the limited diet), and a surgeon who is available to you along the way. If you have that, all should be well. Remember to take it one day at a time and not get hung up on the ultimate goal. You will get there along the way, but you will also learn why you eat the way you eat, and how to change bad habits into good habits.
Good luck with your surgery.
Lori H.
So my advice after having this last six months behind me is the ensure you have a good support system, that your family is aware of the procedure and will support your needs, and that you have a good medical team including a nutritionist. You have to have someone to ask questions to along the way.
My road wasn't horrible, but I did have some complications along the way. But I took it one day at a time and now I am at a point where I eat pretty normally, and feel great.
I also started seeing a therapist when I made the decision to have the surgery because I did not want to lose the weight only to regain again due to emotional issues. I also remember that this is a life change, not a temporary thing. My choices must be healthy choices for long-term health.
The good news is that you will absolutely have portion control with the sleeve, allowing you to develop good habits. One of the complications I had after sugery was my stomach stopped working so I was able to eat very little, and I always felt incredibly full. This resolved with time and now if I don't eat for quite a while I will feel hungry, but otherwise I have no troubles.
Everyone's experience with this surgery is unique. There is no guide that will tell you what to expect because I have read a series of posts all with different experiences. Even our diet guidelines don't match. So I would recommend finding someone you trust who runs a support group, someone you trust who can be your nutritionist (bariatric nutrition not a regular nutritionist because they don't understand the limited diet), and a surgeon who is available to you along the way. If you have that, all should be well. Remember to take it one day at a time and not get hung up on the ultimate goal. You will get there along the way, but you will also learn why you eat the way you eat, and how to change bad habits into good habits.
Good luck with your surgery.
Lori H.
I have a couple questions...when did you start the VSG journey and how have you been managing your eating up till now knowing your were making this lifestyle change for better health...and how much weight have you lost on your own so far?
Don't worry about over-eating...you won't be able to! Your capacity will be less than a cup of food or liquid for quite a while...and after one time of overeating...trust me, you won't do it again. Let's put it this way...when I wasn't home for holiday dinners, my family would call me w/a ceremonial James groan (all in unison) to let me know they missed me at the table...potion control...sure I've always exercised portion control...I'd eat 3-4+ portions per sitting! (I'm quite satisfied w/my little portions today!)
If you've had surgery before, or if you haven't....it's called recovery...and everyone's is different...I was lucky enough to have 4 weeks off work w/short-term disability. I could have gone back after 3, but was grateful my doctor insisted on 4. There will be a little pain, and gas....and a Little warning, while on full liquids, beware of protein farts...if you think maybe...then run to the bathroom! LOL...Working in solids via soft, mushy, pureed, and slowly solids will be over before you know it...those first 5-6 weeks of reintroducing food will feel like a breeze once you're past it...a day at a time will be your motto...and before you know it you'll be saying "that wasn't that bad after all!" Thanksgiving was my last hurrah...and I didn't overeat...one plateful instead of my typical 3 over-filled plates...and while everyone else was feasting on lobster & beef tenderloin for Christmas, I was enjoying a wonderful pureed black bean & jalapeno soup...it was delicious!
I think you meant feeling pressure about failing...as not failing would = success!
As far as emotions...I had a good handle on it...I was ready and my head was in the zone. I have almost 24 years of sobriety under my belt which I know helped me incredibly when it comes to dealing with things in general...to accept the things I cannot change, have the courage to change the things I can and have the wisdom to know the difference...another one of my favorite sayings...turn it over & let it go...and by no means give any bullsh**, drama or fear "free rent in your head!" Name...claim it...and get rid of it! OK, so there are a few favorite sayings I have...LOL
For me, I started the journey in September/October 2009...two wake up calls...it wasn't the one I had 10 years ago when my gastro in Boston saying that not if, but when I needed a liver transplant...I'd never got on the list and even if I had a donor, they would not perform the transplant at my old size, way too risky....It was dear old Mom...Sept/Oct 2009...the nail in the coffin...so to speak...at my biggest she *tried* hugging me and could only touch the tips of her middle fingers...she said "James, if you don't do something about this...I'm going to end up burying you before you bury me...(can you say knife in heart & twist...sure you can!) She continued with "and besides, YOU'RE suppose to take care of us when we're old & funny" to which I replied 'But Mom, you ALREADY are old & funny!" Yes I got a little slap for that one, and she followed up with "Well, I can't keep giving you the double finger/bird behind your back!" Leave it to Mom to make the point and follow up it w/a laugh...
The first Dr I met with refused to do the surgery due to my liver issues & chronic low platelet counts...I didn't qualify for bypass & there was no way in hell I was going to get a band, so the sleeve was my only focus....He also referred me to a walking study at the Weight Loss & Diabetes Research Center here in PVD. The goal for this study was to determine the effectiveness of increasing exercise for WLS patients pre-surgery. I started w/a baseline of about 4500 steps/day...each week I increased the amount of time I dedicated to walking and up'd my step count by about 500 steps/day each week to eventually doing 10-14,000/day.
In Jan 2010 I attended another seminar at a different hospital, spoke w/the surgeon and made an appointment...his response was 'Let's put you through the 6-month program Cigna requires and see if we can get you approved.' I started meeting w/a Nutritionist monthly and I started tracking all my food intake on FitDay.com, counting calories, and of course continuing my walking...I ended up walking 15-20 minutes at lunch & 20-30 minutes at night before bed on a regular basis. To determine what and how much I should be eating, one of the tools I used was a caloric deficit calculator (google it-there are plenty out there) and I found to stay at my then current weight, maintenance caloric intake would need to be about 3700 cal/day...I cut myself to 2800/day and then a few months later down to 2500/day...and the weight fell off...so I've been portion controlling religiously for over a year...and have become quite obsessed with it! The two addictions I've taken up to replace food are exercise & food logging...very healthy alternatives!
I topped out at 394 in Oct/Nov 09...I was 380 when I first met w/nutritionist (down 14 from walking & eating better), and by November when I scheduled my surgery for December 14th I had averaged 320-324...70# lost on my own....
One of the things I'm glad about was that it took me so long to get approved...Cigna was not approving the sleeve when I started, but began approving it in April or May last year. I was officially approved on September 26th but I needed approval from my gastroenterolgist in Boston. I also wanted to make sure I wanted and was ready to do this....sure I had second thoughts...I think everyone does. But I wanted this tool for me...I'd already made the lifestyle changes I felt were important to make in order to make the rest of my journey successful...my mind was in the game, I was ready and I was determined for success.
In one week I'll be 5 months out...I've lost another 80+ pounds...I am 153 pounds from my peak 18-19 months ago...I am a miracle and I am so thrilled I took the step, jump, leap to my new life. My mother WILL NOT be burying me before I bury her, I am leading a healthy lifestyle, I am healthier man and I'm getting my ass back in shape...and I'm damn proud of myself.
I work in a bank...my company, coworkers and my customers (along w/family & friends) have been SOOO supportive. We have a new Branch Manager & Assistant Manager in my location...one day about two weeks ago they both came up with a plan..."James, for every person that comes in that door and comments on your weight loss...we're going to show you pictures of our kids..." They both ran out of pictures on their phones in less than an hour!
I guess through my rambling on...what I'm trying to say...you have to be ready, and if you don't think you are...then wait...you have to be ready to and really already should have made and committed to the lifestyle changes. I've seen so many people who go from seminar to the table in 3-4 months and it blows me away...I know for me, I would not have been ready to go through with the surgery so soon...and again, that's just me. That's why I say, FOR ME, I'm glad the journey took as long as it did...by the time surgery came, I was not only ready, willing and able, but determined with a positive outcome as the only option. I had made the changes in my life and was ready to take advantage of the gift of this TOOL...remember, it's a TOOL not a cure!
Good luck...keep reading, keep posting...GO TO SUPPORT GROUP meetings and if you think it will help, therapists can work wonders...family & friends are important to have for love, support & understanding, but sometimes a neutral party is just what is needed when others don't get it or you need someone else to talk to that's not 'so close'....
James
Don't worry about over-eating...you won't be able to! Your capacity will be less than a cup of food or liquid for quite a while...and after one time of overeating...trust me, you won't do it again. Let's put it this way...when I wasn't home for holiday dinners, my family would call me w/a ceremonial James groan (all in unison) to let me know they missed me at the table...potion control...sure I've always exercised portion control...I'd eat 3-4+ portions per sitting! (I'm quite satisfied w/my little portions today!)
If you've had surgery before, or if you haven't....it's called recovery...and everyone's is different...I was lucky enough to have 4 weeks off work w/short-term disability. I could have gone back after 3, but was grateful my doctor insisted on 4. There will be a little pain, and gas....and a Little warning, while on full liquids, beware of protein farts...if you think maybe...then run to the bathroom! LOL...Working in solids via soft, mushy, pureed, and slowly solids will be over before you know it...those first 5-6 weeks of reintroducing food will feel like a breeze once you're past it...a day at a time will be your motto...and before you know it you'll be saying "that wasn't that bad after all!" Thanksgiving was my last hurrah...and I didn't overeat...one plateful instead of my typical 3 over-filled plates...and while everyone else was feasting on lobster & beef tenderloin for Christmas, I was enjoying a wonderful pureed black bean & jalapeno soup...it was delicious!
I think you meant feeling pressure about failing...as not failing would = success!
As far as emotions...I had a good handle on it...I was ready and my head was in the zone. I have almost 24 years of sobriety under my belt which I know helped me incredibly when it comes to dealing with things in general...to accept the things I cannot change, have the courage to change the things I can and have the wisdom to know the difference...another one of my favorite sayings...turn it over & let it go...and by no means give any bullsh**, drama or fear "free rent in your head!" Name...claim it...and get rid of it! OK, so there are a few favorite sayings I have...LOL
For me, I started the journey in September/October 2009...two wake up calls...it wasn't the one I had 10 years ago when my gastro in Boston saying that not if, but when I needed a liver transplant...I'd never got on the list and even if I had a donor, they would not perform the transplant at my old size, way too risky....It was dear old Mom...Sept/Oct 2009...the nail in the coffin...so to speak...at my biggest she *tried* hugging me and could only touch the tips of her middle fingers...she said "James, if you don't do something about this...I'm going to end up burying you before you bury me...(can you say knife in heart & twist...sure you can!) She continued with "and besides, YOU'RE suppose to take care of us when we're old & funny" to which I replied 'But Mom, you ALREADY are old & funny!" Yes I got a little slap for that one, and she followed up with "Well, I can't keep giving you the double finger/bird behind your back!" Leave it to Mom to make the point and follow up it w/a laugh...
The first Dr I met with refused to do the surgery due to my liver issues & chronic low platelet counts...I didn't qualify for bypass & there was no way in hell I was going to get a band, so the sleeve was my only focus....He also referred me to a walking study at the Weight Loss & Diabetes Research Center here in PVD. The goal for this study was to determine the effectiveness of increasing exercise for WLS patients pre-surgery. I started w/a baseline of about 4500 steps/day...each week I increased the amount of time I dedicated to walking and up'd my step count by about 500 steps/day each week to eventually doing 10-14,000/day.
In Jan 2010 I attended another seminar at a different hospital, spoke w/the surgeon and made an appointment...his response was 'Let's put you through the 6-month program Cigna requires and see if we can get you approved.' I started meeting w/a Nutritionist monthly and I started tracking all my food intake on FitDay.com, counting calories, and of course continuing my walking...I ended up walking 15-20 minutes at lunch & 20-30 minutes at night before bed on a regular basis. To determine what and how much I should be eating, one of the tools I used was a caloric deficit calculator (google it-there are plenty out there) and I found to stay at my then current weight, maintenance caloric intake would need to be about 3700 cal/day...I cut myself to 2800/day and then a few months later down to 2500/day...and the weight fell off...so I've been portion controlling religiously for over a year...and have become quite obsessed with it! The two addictions I've taken up to replace food are exercise & food logging...very healthy alternatives!
I topped out at 394 in Oct/Nov 09...I was 380 when I first met w/nutritionist (down 14 from walking & eating better), and by November when I scheduled my surgery for December 14th I had averaged 320-324...70# lost on my own....
One of the things I'm glad about was that it took me so long to get approved...Cigna was not approving the sleeve when I started, but began approving it in April or May last year. I was officially approved on September 26th but I needed approval from my gastroenterolgist in Boston. I also wanted to make sure I wanted and was ready to do this....sure I had second thoughts...I think everyone does. But I wanted this tool for me...I'd already made the lifestyle changes I felt were important to make in order to make the rest of my journey successful...my mind was in the game, I was ready and I was determined for success.
In one week I'll be 5 months out...I've lost another 80+ pounds...I am 153 pounds from my peak 18-19 months ago...I am a miracle and I am so thrilled I took the step, jump, leap to my new life. My mother WILL NOT be burying me before I bury her, I am leading a healthy lifestyle, I am healthier man and I'm getting my ass back in shape...and I'm damn proud of myself.
I work in a bank...my company, coworkers and my customers (along w/family & friends) have been SOOO supportive. We have a new Branch Manager & Assistant Manager in my location...one day about two weeks ago they both came up with a plan..."James, for every person that comes in that door and comments on your weight loss...we're going to show you pictures of our kids..." They both ran out of pictures on their phones in less than an hour!
I guess through my rambling on...what I'm trying to say...you have to be ready, and if you don't think you are...then wait...you have to be ready to and really already should have made and committed to the lifestyle changes. I've seen so many people who go from seminar to the table in 3-4 months and it blows me away...I know for me, I would not have been ready to go through with the surgery so soon...and again, that's just me. That's why I say, FOR ME, I'm glad the journey took as long as it did...by the time surgery came, I was not only ready, willing and able, but determined with a positive outcome as the only option. I had made the changes in my life and was ready to take advantage of the gift of this TOOL...remember, it's a TOOL not a cure!
Good luck...keep reading, keep posting...GO TO SUPPORT GROUP meetings and if you think it will help, therapists can work wonders...family & friends are important to have for love, support & understanding, but sometimes a neutral party is just what is needed when others don't get it or you need someone else to talk to that's not 'so close'....
James
Honestly, no emotions really hit me until about 11 o'clock the night before my surgery when my dad and I were driving to a hotel we would be staying at while I had my surgery (I had surgery 2 1/2 hours from home) I pretty much thought "Woah, I'm having surgery in like.. 8 hours. This is gonna change my life forever." For most teenagers that have WLS, my surgeon perscribes Lexapro for two weeks prior to surgery and usually keeps them on it post-op as well. I tried the Lexapro, but it caused severe headaches, so I quit taking it (which was fine by my dr.) Pre-surgery, I wasn't worried about failing post-op, but rather if my liver will shrink enough so they could do it lapriscopically. At 4 1/2 months post-op, I sometimes find myself worrying about whether I'm going to be able to control my eating in the long run. I reassure myself that I have a loving family and a wonderful medical staff around to support me and those worries go away (: Like many people have previously stated, everyone's different.
My biggest problem was overeating/portion control as well. When my parents would cook dinner, I would usually eat as much, if not more than my dad, who is 6'6 and around 435lbs. Since I've had surgery, when I eat 3-4 bites of steak, it feels like I've eaten an entire 14oz ribeye and if I eat another bite, I'll never want steak for the rest of my life. My grandmother always asks me if I miss not being able to eat as much as a normal person, and I always reply with "I feel like I've eaten more than them. If I can feel like that without actually eating those extra calories, then no, I'll never miss it."
As for tips, all I can tell you is to not psyche yourself out. Stay strong and reach out to the tools that are offered to you (medical help, family/friend support, etc) I vowed to myself that I wasn't going to let ANYONE know about my surgery except for my parents and my grandmother, but I've learned that your true friends won't judge you, but they're there to help you.
I have great faith that you'll do great and if you would ever like to talk, you can always message me. I'd be more than happy to help you!
Take Care,
Elizabeth
HW:324/SW:301/CW:240/-84lbs
My biggest problem was overeating/portion control as well. When my parents would cook dinner, I would usually eat as much, if not more than my dad, who is 6'6 and around 435lbs. Since I've had surgery, when I eat 3-4 bites of steak, it feels like I've eaten an entire 14oz ribeye and if I eat another bite, I'll never want steak for the rest of my life. My grandmother always asks me if I miss not being able to eat as much as a normal person, and I always reply with "I feel like I've eaten more than them. If I can feel like that without actually eating those extra calories, then no, I'll never miss it."
As for tips, all I can tell you is to not psyche yourself out. Stay strong and reach out to the tools that are offered to you (medical help, family/friend support, etc) I vowed to myself that I wasn't going to let ANYONE know about my surgery except for my parents and my grandmother, but I've learned that your true friends won't judge you, but they're there to help you.
I have great faith that you'll do great and if you would ever like to talk, you can always message me. I'd be more than happy to help you!
Take Care,
Elizabeth
HW:324/SW:301/CW:240/-84lbs
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