Not Prepared for Surgery!

My name is Ruthie and I live in Rockland County, New York.  I was recently approved by my insurance and I am scheduled for the Verticle Sleeve on March 2nd.  While this is very exciting, I am actually wracked with nerves. 

As much as I LOVE my doctor, I feel like I'm not nearly prepared for surgery.  I feel like I need a lot of hand-holding to help guide me and I'm not getting that from the doctor's office.  I asked for a list of protein shakes and I was told they gave me a list... um, what?  Okay, so I looked at everything I had and yes, there was a list.  But it was tucked away in this Patient Handbook and I had to really search for it. 

I've heard that my taste buds will change, I will have to have liquids for 3 weeks post op!!!!  3 weeks!  OMG!  Okay, I guess I can do this but how does one only have liquids at the office?  Am I just to bring in my protein shakes and sip all day long? 

Also, my pre-op rules:  full liquids two days prior, clear liquids the day before, nothing after mid-night.  Does that sound right?  I'm not even sure what the heck full liquids are!

At my last visit with the doctor, he realized that I have not had my endoscopic procedure and so he gave me a script for it.  If they find polyps, the surgery is cancelled but with a possibility of changing it to the Band.  That is causing me great amounts of stress.  What's the likelihood that polyps will be found?  I really want the Sleeve and not the Band. 

Anyway, I guess it's all in God's hands.  He's taken care of me till now and I just need to chillax!

~Ruthie

ruthie, just sit down and go thru all the paperwork that your doc has given you. read the handbook and take notes if you have to.  i know i was overwhelmed also.  you need to clarifiy with your doc what a full liquid is. also just try to put one foot in front of the other and do the next right action.  if you pray, try praying for the courage to do god's will.  you don't know if u will have the band of not until after the endoscopic procedure (if you have polyps).  i used to book weight loss surgery for dummies and it helped to explain a lot about all the different surgeries.  try to stay calm. everything is going to be ok.  feel free to personal message me anytime or just post on the board here at buddies,  i will be glad to help all i can.    breath in, breath out, breath in, breath out.   you can do this, yes you can. vick

Thank you, Vicki.  I feel alone in this process and your help and guidance is desperately needed. 

I looked at all those protien shake websites and I just get more confused.  I just wish I could go to the store (or website) and it would be clear what to buy for post op VSG surgery.  Is that asking for too much?  LOL! 

Anyway, you are right, breathing is good.  :)

Hi Ruthie, I agree with Vick, reread everything from your surgeon, write a list of questions.  My MD spelled out the pre-op diet in detail. Yes, three weeks, I did it, wasn't as bad as I expected.  The protein supplements helped keep me full.  Work kept me distracted.

Make yourself a list of benefits and risks of surgery and of not having surgery.  The list will help to clear things in your mind.  Pray on it friend.  My patient handbook spelled out all the requirements.  Listed the labs needed for the next couple of years, the follow up appointments (approx. schedule) for the next couple of years.  The pre-op diet was spelled out for me.  Post op supplements listed.

Being nervous, scared, afraid, excited, all bundled up together is super normal.  There is an article in the blog area to the right that talks about expected mood changes, with rapid weight loss.  The article helped me understand some of the changes I was going through.

As far a shake recipes, check out Cleopatra_Nik's profile, Pam T's profile, the world according to eggface for a great selection of shake recipes.  Yes, our tastes may change after surgery, have samples of various proteins available to get you through the first couple of weeks after surgery and try them for palatability.  When you find some that you can tolerate consider buying a larger tub of the protein powder.

I am here for support and encouragement.  Supporting your decisions.  Hugs my friend.

Welcome to the group, Ruthie. 

The first thing I would like to say is BREATH!  It is perfectly normal to have nerves especially this close to surgery; you're only a few weeks away.

I don't really know anything about the polyps or the likelihood that you have them so I can't speak on that.  I wasn't required to have an endoscopy.

The best possible advice I can give you is to sit down and read the handbook you were given.  I was given a 3 ring binder from my surgeon and there was a world of knowledge contained there.  It may answer a lot of your questions and concerns.  I had RNY so I don't really know a lot about the requirements for a sleeve or band patient.

Full liquids usually mean things like your protein shakes, cream soups, milk, sugar free pudding and things like that.  Clear liquids are just that.  Diluted apple juice, chicken broth, sugar free popsicles etc.  Your handbook most likely lists what you can have.

Once you have had the surgery, liquids only won't be very hard.   Good luck and please ask all the questions you need to.  There are people on this site who know a lot more than I do.

Colleen

 Ruthie, I was a lot like you at first.  I felt very alone and isolated, and I wasn't given a whole lot of literature in the beginning.  Of course, I got a binder of info on 1/26 - and I have my surgery in 3 days!  So it was a bit late in coming, but it did spell everything out and I know exactly what to expect every step of the way.

I can't answer much on the polyps part, but I have been going through a lot of the other things you are feeling and dealing with right now.  Many of the protein powder sites offer samples.  You usually have to pay a buck or 2, but it's well worth it.  Same goes for vitamin, calcium, and iron supplements.  I don't want to post any links because I don't know the rules for it here, but there are several websites (eggface, melting mama, and more) that have links and lists of different things to try.

Also, be sure to read a lot of the message boards here.  If you have questions you can ask here, or on the VSG board, the nutrition board... there are many resources here at your fingertips.  And remember, the only dumb question is the one you're afraid to ask.  Ask anything and someone will usually have an answer for you - and never be afraid to call your doctor's office with questions.  Remember, THEY work for YOU, and you have a right to know what they have planned for you!

Congrats on your pending surgery!  Read, research, and send a few words up to heaven if you like.  You'll get through this, and we'll be happy to help!

Hi Ruthie! Welcome to our group. I have to keep my reply kinda short as I am preparing to fly out in the morning and have much to do yet.

I never had to be scoped for polyps, but I had RNY, not the sleeve. Is it possible your surgeon would do RNY (gastric bypass) if he cannot do the sleeve?

The advice yu got above was great! Only thing I have to add is I like unjury brand protein. You can find it at www.unjury.com  Best of luck to you. and read everything you can. The more you know the better you will feel about it all. AND if you are not ready for it, you can always reschedule. Meanwhile, come here and let us "hold your hand " a bit for you!

Hi Ruthie

I believe I'm the only other VSG in this Group. Like you, I was very nervous about the operation and the slightest negative word that came out of my surgeon's mouth I took for the end of the world.  I wouldn't worry much about polyps unless you had other abdominal operations. I had TWO ops before and still no problem with polyps.
I did not have much info pre-op either - the doc gave me the info docs the day AFTER my operation, but I did do a lot of research on the net beforehand, both on the Sleeve AND on my surgeon. Surgeon had impressive credentials: 488 VSG's done, no complications, so that made  me feel easier. The Sleeve is turning out to be THE way to go with WLS, by far the most successful op with the least complications and the best long-term success (visit the VSG forum in OH).
I did not have a pre-op clear liquid diet at all, was just told to stop eating at 8pm the night before, but I had a full week of NOTHING the 1st week and 1 week of clear liquids the 2nd week. I'm just starting on mushies now. The first 2 weeks were not fun, but if I survived it, anyone can! LOL
I wish you loads of success in your upcoming op, and don't forget - We are here to do all the hand-holding you want!

Hi Ruthie,

I can't give you any advice, cause I'm a newbie...but I wanted to say hi!  I'm in Orange County, NY, having my RNY at Good Sam by Dr. Pucci.  If you need someon local to talk to, or walk with at any point....let me know!

Carolyn   

Everyone here can tell you that I was A TOTAL MESS before surgery.  I had mine on February 3rd. It sucked just like you know any surgery is kind of a downer.  I am a busy body and hate sitting in the hospital. 

Sitting in a foreign hospital where you don't speak the language came with its frustration too, but..... IT WAS TOTALLY FINE.  I am actaully now giddy with relief.  I was talking to a friend on the phone and I was so high with relief that she asked me if I was still on drugs and I was not. 

Being where you are is scary.  I was as messed up about it as anyone I had read about online.  I actually stopped all internet because it was making me crazy.  I only came to this one site. 

I cried daily and had to choose carefully who I told about the surgery because I had to be willing to have a total nervous breakdown in front of them.  We live away from our family so I had to tell several people so my husband would have backup for his backup.  Each and every time I bawled uncontrolably.  But I am on the other side now and I am totally wired.  Today is the first day back and I am not taking any pain meds and I feel great.  Even stupidly walked too far today.  (got to far out in the park and had no alternative but to walk back.)

I know it is unlikely that I will breeze through every day of this, but after what I went through beforehand I can say with certainty that whatever happens after the surgery is better than the anxiety you are going through now.  If you can believe in yourself and make it through the surgery day you will be like me.  Floating on the clouds because at least the decisions and "what ifs" of the surgery are OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Complications can occure, but they should be totally managable compared to what I put myself through before.  I have never felt better.

You can do it!!!

Rebecca