Pre Op Jitters

So, as it gets closer and closer to Tuesday I find myself obsessing over before and after photos. Comparing other people's starting points and my own. I am also trying SO very hard not to cheat on the pre-op diet (Lost 9 pounds so far!)


My question to you all is, what did you do in the days leading up to your surgery date, to keep from going bananas?

I was getting informed as much as I could and preparing my home, buying things I was going to need for surgery and I had a list going so I wouldnt forget things. All I could think about was surgery...... Good Luck with everything!

 It sounds goofy, but one of the things that I did was avoid OH for a couple of days...it just made me worry about all the things that could go wrong during and after surgery.  Once I was home, it was fine, but in those last few days it just made me anxious.

I also did a lot shopping in preparation.  The best stop I made was Target where I bought sippy cups and these baby spoons with normal length handles, both of which have been wonderful since surgery, even if I do feel a little ridiculous sometimes.  I also made my way through all the cute Target clothes and imagined how nice it will be when I can wear those things...reminding myself why I was putting myself through this whole thing.

I also made sure I had a bunch of movies from Netflix waiting for me when I got home from the hospital.  I'm a reader, but had a tough time getting comfortable while holding a book the first 4 or 5 days.

Anyway, after all the anxiety, I'm about a month out now and haven't regretted it for a moment since I left the hospital 28 hours after surgery (the anesthesia and I did not get along, so I'll admit I regretted it until they got the anti-nausea stuff into me).  It's a challenge but I'm already feeling pretty good and excited for what's to come.

Good Luck!
-Gillian

Before my surgery I was jittery too. I found it helpful to keep a journal of my thoughts and my dreams for the future, etc.

I also think tha****ching favorite movies, reading a book, and other quiet activities is always a good idea.

And, I loved going to websites of all the clothing stores I could never fit into and made wish-lists of smaller sized clothes.

Hang in there!

i was actually very calm prior to surgery.  My best suggestion to you, prepare your home.  Its really hard to lay flat or on ur tummy for about a week after surgery...I suggest a recliner...and a tv tray with a note pad/pen, kitchen timer, and any pain meds ur dr has given you for post op.  make sure your bag is packed for the hospital.  They dont let you drink anything or put anything in ur mouth (mine wouldnt even let me brush my teeth) for the first 12 hours after surgery...your mouth is gonna be SO dry...i suggest smuggling some mouth wash in so you can at least rinse your mouth out.  a pillow needs to go with you, the ride home will be rough...youll wanna press the pillow up against ur tummy.  i got my fridge ready also, i made my fav jellos put them into small 2 oz containers...etc. make sure you grocery shop prior to surgery, and empty your fridge of anything that will tempt you to eat it that your not supposed to!!  oh and hide the scale!!  youll want imediate results, and they dont happen as quick as you expect the first week or so.  get a small hand weight (about two pounds) so you can get some form of exercise cause i promise you wont feel like getting up and walking around all that much the first couple days.  at least i didnt.   btw, if your having bypass, your poop will be funny for the first couple days...get the wet wipe things and dont freak out like i did!!  i think i called my dr a million times that first few days.  lol.  (no one warned me of that either!!)

i know this is a lot, but its pretty much everything i can remember. after the first few weeks. life is a breeze!!  just buckle up and hang on!  oh yeah, get a scale to weigh your food...once you get to the stage of actual food, it will come in really handy!!

Good luck, and well see you on the losers bench!!!

wow, thanks everyone for the advice.  my surgery is scheduled for Sept. 14.  I have already prepared "care packages" - small boxes with the correct fluids I need when I get home, one for each day so I don't have to look for stuff  (except for the things that have to be refrigerated, like Jello), but I didn't think about the soreness on the drive home!  Thanks again for the suggestions - Ruth