Approved & Scheduled!!!

Just wrote a blog post but want to post it here too to share! 
I have been approved and scheduled for RNY bypass - November 13th! I can't wait to get started Any advice out there for what to do in the month before the operation? I've got to clean out the closet, clean out the pantry, take some before photos...what else?! 
xo
Tali

HEY TALI!

Here is what I did pre-op:

#1: Take a cleanse of some kind. I use "Detox and Cleanse" (there is a picture of the bottle on my blog somewhere lol). Trust me, you need to clear out at much "junk" from your intestines as you can! I did the cleanse twice before my surgery... once after my 'binge eating" of all my favorite foods...and then once on the liquid diet.

#2: Get a REALLY good protein shake with lots of protein.... even buy whey protein to add to it...the more protein, the longer you will feel full...and trust me, being pre-op at the stage you will be at...the liquid diet is awful when you constantly feel hungry!!

#3: DRINK LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER! I know they say to do this after surgery too...but it's sooo helpful pre-op! It keeps you full, and hydrated. It also keeps your veins hydrated so you hopefully won't have a problem with the nurses finding a place for the IV.

#4: DO SIT UPS: I did not do this...and I know a few friends who did...and boy does it make a difference. Your stomach really is your "CORE". After surgery, even getting out of bed or standing up is going to hurt your belly. The more your muscles are worked out before the surgery, it will help....even if it's just a little.

#5: Start your vitamin regimin! Even if your surgeon doesn't deem it "necessary"-- do it just to get into the habit of taking lots of pills everyday!

#6: Don't fall in love with one kind of drink, chewable, etc. .... I did, and bought a large quantity of it (shakes) and now that I'm post-op, I absolutely HATE the taste. Your tastebuds will change so much after surgery. I would suggest going to Celebratevitamins.com or syntrax nectar and order SAMPLES.

hmmm... I think that's it for now haha... hope that helps!

thanks kaila that was really helpfull!!

NO PROBLEM! That's what I am here for.

I love helping my fellow pre-op'ers. Just like vets helped me when I was pre-op.

 Hi Kalia! Thanks so much for the great advice! All of those sound like great things to do while I have some down time and am not in pain ;)  I'll check out that vitamins site. I actually don't know much about the protein and how much we need or how to get it in. It seems like they're arranged for someone to talk to me about it all post-op, which doesn't really help me now! I'll have to do some more googling... what kind of drinks do you get? shakes? protein powder (like what men use after the gym??) is crystal light allowed to help get the water in? thank goodness for this site!!!!  and for nice people like you! 
it sounds like you did a liquid diet pre-op? I've only been instructed to cut out carbs for the two weeks prior (minus two pieces of bread per day). then only one day of liquid only, the day before the surgery...will I be hungry after?? ohhh so many questions!

Tali,

1. Protein intake should be about 60g POST-OP. This should tried to be achieved pre-op also because this allows your body to be nice and strong.

2. Protein drinks/shakes... there are many kinds. You want to get a shake that is under 150 calories, less than 3g sugar, and at least 20 or more grams of protein. (And no, you are not getting the ones the guys use!!! That's to bulk up... hehe). Here are a few brands: Syntrax Nectar (it's more of a "crystal light" type of protein drink)... or the kind I was using, there is a picture of it posted on my blog. But... as I suggested before, SAMPLES SAMPLES SAMPLES!!!

***Since you don't need to do a full liquid diet pre-op...just get as much protein in as you can with your food.

3. Unjury.com-- this is where you can get PURE MEDICAL PROTEIN. I have gotten the unflavored kind and the chicken soup kind. The unflavored you can add to anything to up your protein intake.....and the chicken soup kind is strictly for making protein chicken broth so to speak... its REALLY good!!! 

4. CRYSTAL LIGHT HAS BEEN MY SAVIOR! So, yes! You can definitely use crystal light or Mio with your water.

5. Will you be hungry after? After what? your 1 day liquids? probably not... especially if you cut down on portion sizes..it shouldn't be too bad. Will you be hungry after surgery? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Some people experience hunger--- but sometimes it's "head hunger". I still haven't been "hungry"... I just constantly crave different flavors.

 

Kaila D., thanks for all the helpful info. I am hoping to have surgery in January and am always looking for helpful hints. Glad everyone else has good questions too!