excited and nervous

Hi - im brand new here. Surgery is next Tuesday. I am excited and ready to start the next phase of my life and tackle my weight but I am really nervous. What was life like the week before your surgury??  Any special diets or restrictions.  Any last regrests.  All advise is welcome (and needed)

Welcome to BB! Congrats on your upcoming surgery, I know you must be very excited. For me, the week before my surgery was like the weeks before since I was not required to follow any special diet. I was simply told to stop eating at 6pm the night before. I did overeat the days before my surgery from an irrational fear that I'd never be able to eat things I liked again. I had no regrets until they hooked me up to the IV's - then I kept thinking, O.K., I can still stop this! Of course I didn't and everything has turned out for the best.
Besides packing lip-balm and a change of jammies I have no more advice to give you. Be prepared for a bumpy road post-op, it is after all major surgery, although I hope everything goes smooth as silk for you. I was hooked on IV's and not alowed to eat or drink for 6 days, but that's probably because I had many co-morbidities and my doc was over-cautious. Most people were released on the third day.
Best of luck in your surgery and we'll be waiting here on the loser's bench, making room for you and ready to cheer you on!

Amalia

Thanks Amelia, I have an apt tomorrow with the surgeon and nutritionist and I know they put me on a liquid diet beforehand. (By the way, I am having the band). I think it is interesting that some people are on the liquid diet for three weeks before, some one week and some not at all. I am following my doctor’s orders to a t because I really want a quick recovery but I was surprised by all the differences. I was also told that I will be released the same day.   Hopefully I’ll get more info tomorrow as I feel a bit in the dark and really want a quick recovery. (I work full time and have three little kids so rebound is a priority for me)

As I've heard, recovery time for the band is much faster than for other forms of WLS. You should do fine. The variations in pre-op requirements are due to each surgeon's assessment of the risk for each patient and should not surprise you. If the surgeon believes that a patient's liver is too large for a safe operation, for instance, the patient may be required to lose some weight pre-op. Following your surgeon's orders is a vital part for the success of the operation.
Even the simplest operation requires some recovery time beyond the hospital stay. If you have not done so already, please find someone to help you for a couple of days with the kids post op and don't rush back to work if��you can arrange it.

Congrats on your upcoming surgery. The week before surgery for me was mostly excitement and a feeling of real hope. I used this time to get everything possible in order at home, so I didn't have much to deal with post op. Many struggle with the preop diet, which most surgeons require. BUT know that it is so worth while in the end.

I do not regret my decision for a moment, never have, and doubt I ever will. It has given me life again. I can run and play with my grandbabies, and bend over to tie my shoe and still breathe, I can comfortably reach to wipe after I potty, lol There is so much freedom I have gained by this decision. Is it easy? NO.. not usually. It takes comittment, determination and lots of effort to make the changes that must be made to ensure our long term success, but I know I am worth it... and so are you!

I am down 115 lbs. In a comfy size 10 pant after being in a tight 24 prior to surgery. No more high blood pressure, or many other discomforts and health issues I had pre- wls.

You are really inspiring me. I’ve been toying with this for years, scheduled and rescheduled the surgery several times over the past year and now I am really ready. More than ready, I am excited to take control. Had a long talk with my husband last night on the support I am going to need from him and now I wait. Tomorrow I meet with the surgeon one last time and Tuesday is the big day. It can’t come soon enough. If I could move it up to this week I would!

How awesome! You hold tight to this wonderful feeling of inspiration and excitement. It is going to be so empowering to you on more levels than i can even begin to tell you. Congrats to you on having the foresight to talk to your husband about what your needs are and will be. It is so much easier for us when those around us understand. AND they can't unless we explain it to them. So Kudos to you for taking this important step!

get all of your vitamins / supplements etc ready before you go to the hospital, and have the liquids and "foods" you will need the first several days at home and ready. this will save you a lot of stress after. You also may want to consider getting extra pillows to use for postioning yourslef at home after surgery. It will be a bit most likely before you can lay in any position but your back, and I know i got some pretty good backaches after a few days. Once I started using pillows to help chANGE MY PRESSURE POINTS AND SHIFT MY POSTION A BIT, IT HELPED TREMENDOUSLY!  Opppps.. sorry about those cap**** the cap lock key..lol

Big hugs! i am really excited for you!

Welcome to the BB family Nancy.  Best advice is to follow your surgeon's plan.  Each and everyone has a routine thaqt they find works well for their patients.  And the plans do work, even with the wide variety.

Congrats on having a surgery day for your band.  This last week will zip on by.  Pack lightly, lip balm and a pillow for extra padding of the seat belt on your way home.  Wear something with a stretchy waist.

I had my RNY 7 months ago and am so happy that I finally did this great thing for myself.  Go into the surgery know that you are doing something good for yourself.  Come back here often to share your progress.  We are here as a sounding board for all.  Looking forward to reading of your success.  Hugs