Question:
im just getting started what can i expect

   — bchicks42 (posted on August 24, 2007)

August 24, 2007
I can tell you about RNY gastric bypass. Recovery was easier than I expected. I took pain meds for 2 days (mainly to catch up on sleep). I was nauseated for about 6 weeks ONLY because I wasn't eating/drinking enough. I absolutely hated the diet before surgery, but it's VERY important to shrink your liver to make surgery easier for you and your surgeon. I'm now 11 weeks out and feel GREAT. I eat almost a whole Lean Cuisine and am very satisfied. It's the best thing I ever did for myself. I've lost 48 pounds so far. I hit a plateau for about 3 weeks, but my clothes were fitting looser. Best of luck to you. Please listen to your surgeon and your nutritionist. They are experts and know what they're talking about.
   — mosie555

August 24, 2007
I am just getting started also. My consult is next Friday. I already have an appointment with a dietician and a psychiatrist in the next 3 weeks. I am trying to have the surgery before the end of the year bc of insurance purposes and the surgeon's ofc is working with me to accomplish that. I have been doing a lot of reading and talking to individuals. I am nervous but at the same time excited also. I know that I still have to go on a 4 week diet protein shake diet before surgery and am not looking forward to that at all. I have noticed that different areas have difference requirements and preps before hand. Good luck!!
   — Crystal H.

August 24, 2007
When you say you are just getting started.....does that mean pre-op? If so, get ready for a full time job. It is a lot of work, but well worth the end results. I am just 2/12 weeks out and have lost about 10 pounds. How many times have you dieted and lost that much in this short of time? I can't say the surgery was a piece of cake, but relatively easy compared to the many other operations I have had. I only took Tylenol Extra liquid for pain after, because I only had pain like I'd done a bunch of sit ups the day before. I had NO nausia and no food intolerances after.....so far. I think you will thank yourself health wise and apperance wise if you continue on through the process.
   — bderuiter

August 24, 2007
I had lap band surgery 3 months ago. It was not painful, more irritating. I did feel like somebody had put a noose around my stomach and cinched it up for about 2 days. And the gas they use to blow up your abdomen is not comfortable for about 2 days. Not really "pain" just uncoomfortable. Walk, walk, walk like they will tell you. It felt like I had stuffed myself with a really big meal and then ate some more - but the good news is, the small incisions didn't really hurt and by the third day, I felt OK. It is kind of weird getting used to. Eat what they tell you - liquids for a couple of days, and then soft solids like cottage cheese, etc. I lost like 16 pounds right away, but then didn't lose after I started eating regular foods for a couple of weeks. I guess we lose a lot of water after that first week of liquids. I was discouraged, but now I am losing again and not really paying much attention to it, so I am pleasantly surprised when I step on the scale. I had my first fill at 6 weeks out, then another at 2 months. The 2nd one was too much and I couldn't get hardly anything down - very uncomfortable, so I went back in to have some fluid removed yesterday and I feel fine now - can eat. Any way, its not a piece of cake, but I am glad I did it. Just be patient and the weight will come off. Not as fast as gastric bypass, but eventually it will come off. It is a "tool" not a cure but you'll get there - Best of luck to you!
   — beckiemclarty

August 24, 2007
well i can tell you what happened w/ my own surgery...i don't know where your @ (in the just starting phase) I had to see my PCP first who sent a referal out to my ins. co. right away. I was approved within about 2-3 weeks, i went to a weightloss seminar held by my surgeon; i then had my consult with him and was told to start the liquid diet @ this time. I had to take (2) 4 hour nutrition classes. I personally was'nt required to see a psychologist; but unless you have your own i think they require that. My entire process from seminar to surgery date took 9 mos. I think this all depends on the size of your surgeons practice...my doctor is super busy!!! about 2 weeks prior to surgery i had a pre-op apt. where the entire surgery was explained to me and where i had the opportunity to ask any Q's i had forgotten to ask previously,i had to go pre register @ the hospital 7-10 before surgery and take standard tests which are usually a blood work up, EKG, and chest xray (If you have other health issues you may be required to take further tests , or see a cardiologist,etc..) I was required an only clear liquid diet 48 hours prior to surgery and had to drink a foul liquid to clear my bowels the night before surgery. I was originally schedualed to have laproscopic RNY (but did'nt follow the pre-op liquid diet) so i was converted to an open procedure; keep in mind if you have a strict surgeon that requires weightloss prior to surgery your date may be cancelled if you gain. my open procedure took almost 5.5 hours. I had a morphine pain pump right after surgery for 2 days then was switched to a shot every 4 hours. My hospital stay was 4 days for the open procedure but will be less for the lap or band procedure. I was up and walking the next day after surgery and stop taking the pain meds about 6 days after surgery. You may feel nauseated after surgery i didn't, you may find it difficult to even drink water but push as much in as possible (food was actually repulsing to me for about the 1st 4-6 weeks & fluids were hard to get down for me) But it did get better. Exercise as soon as you feel up to it...the sooner you get into a regimine the better, even if you start out slow. try to get in as much protein as possible, for me i started to lose some hair at about 3-4 months post~the more protein you consume the less likely you are to have a deficiency and lose hair.if you have any other questions don't hesitate to email me or post more questions...we are all here to help and offer our support
   — tiffany E.

August 24, 2007
Expect the worst and hope for the best, this way you will not be let down or frustrated later. Expect some delays, expect to micromanage the process, expect to get mad, sad, freaked out, excited, anxious - expect the full gamat of emotions through the process. Expect to be nervous before surgery, it's normal. Expect some pain at your incisions when you wake up from surgery. Expect to take the pain meds - keep yourself comfy. Expect to need help when you come home with lifting things (laundry, the kids, etc.). Expect to find the first 2-3 weeks to be difficult. Expect to second guess your decision after surgery. Expect to be thrilled with your weight loss. Expect that everyone is different and every body is different - expect NOT to compare yourself to other people and their weight loss. Expect to go through sizes of clothese QUICKLY. Expect it to be expensive in the beginning (new undies, socks, shoes, clothes, bras, etc.). Expect people to treat you differently. Expect people to treat you the same. Expect people to be jealous. Expect the unexpected. Expect that you will need support through the entire process, find that one person who you trust to be there for you always and hang on. Expect that not everyone will lose their appetite. Expect that not everyone will dump (get sick) from too much fat/sugar. Expect that these are "side effects" of surgery and not everyone gets them. Expect to lose weight and inches quickly in the beginning and then slow down. Expect plateaus. Expect to get sick at least once/twice/three times a lady. Expect to try new things, but expect not to try them outside of your home. Expect your life to change - for the better. Expect to enjoy you adventure and swim in the WOW moments and take it all in - one day at a time.
   — jammerz

August 25, 2007
I am 5 months post-op and I feel great. There were times immediately after surgery that I asked myself, "What have I done"...especially when I was on full liquids because my mind was telling me I wanted all sorts of things (that I couldn't have) to eat. Hang in there...those cravings will pass. Walk as much as possible after surgery because that will help with the gas. I took pain killers for about 2 weeks after surgery. Overall the pain wasn't as bad as I expected. I had a G-Tube for 5 weeks after surgery and that was the worst part of it all. As you know, there are foods / drinks you will have to give up but it's well worth it. Also, watch your sugar intake...dumping is NOT a pleasant experience. It's very important to follow your doctor and nutritionist orders. You will be very happy with the results. GOOD LUCK !!!
   — AngelaC.

August 26, 2007
I am scheduled to have lap-band surgery on Aug 29 and I officially started the whole process on Feb 1 when I went to an info night at the hospital. What have I done during those 7 months? Well, it hasn't taken that long because I was dragging my feet! After the info night it took about a month to get an appt with the surgeon. He gave me a long list of things I had to finish before I could schedule my surgery. From my PCP I had to get an EKG, a letter supporting my decision for the ins company, and copies of my medical records to show that I had been overweight for 5 years (this last thing was a requirement from my ins company - Aetna). I had to get blood work done and do a barium swallow. I had to have a sleep study done to see if I had sleep apnea (which it turns out I do - I was totally shocked!). Alot of the delays were in getting doctor appts. I had to meet with a pulmonologist in order to get the sleep studt ordered, then I had to schedule the sleep study, then I had to get another appt with the pulmonologist to review the results. I still remember finding out that my sleep study results were finished on June 1, but not being able to get an appt with the pulmonologist until July 6. After that I had to go back to see the surgeon to find out if all the tests and paperwork were completed and sign release forms. Only then was my file submitted to the ins company for approval. Also during this whole process I joined a program through the hospital (joining was required by my surgeon) that provided nutrition classes, a behavioral therapist appt, monthly 1-on-1 meetings with a nurse, weekly support group meetings and a class on holistic prep for surgery. Overall, these were terrific - especially the support group and the meetings with the nurse. You really have to keep on top of everything and be an advocate for yourself. I would call the surgeon's office to make sure he had gotten my test results - sometimes they had been sent to my PCP and not to him. I called the ins company to find out the status of my approval. They said they were still waiting for certain paperwork from the surgeon's office so I called the surgeon's office to make sure they knew about it. When I started I certainly thought that I would've had it done months earlier. I really thought this would be my first summer of changing for the better, but I had to accept that it wouldn't happen as quickly as I would have liked. Good luck to you and smooth sailing!!!
   — Kelly B.