Question:
OMG!!!! WHAT SHOULD I DOOOO?...PLEASE HELP
I AM RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER TO THE OPERATION DAY IM SCHEDULE FOR AN OPERATION (GASTRIC SLEEVE)ON JULY 21,2009 AND RIGHT NOW I JUST STOPPED SMOKING JUST THE DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY AND TRUST ME I AM TRYING TO CONTROL MYSELF CAUSE I AM JUST SO NERVIOUS AND LONELY THAT I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO PLUS I HAVE NOT STOPPED EATING. I LOST OVER 40 POUNDS DURING THE TESTINGS N EVERYTHING BUT I HAVE GAINED SOME OF IT BACK SINCE I WAS TOLD A MONTH AGO THAT I WAS APPROVED MY DOCTOR TOLD ME TO EAT NOTTING BUT PROTEINS AT LEAST THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE DAY OF THE SURGERY SO I CAN SHRINK THE SIZE OF MY LIVER,NEVER DID HE MENTION ANYTHING ABOUT A LIQUID DIET PLUS HE DOES NOT KNOWS THAT I WAS SMOKING I DO WANT TO DO THIS OPERATION BADLY , BUT I AM ALSO ,SO SO SCARED TO DYE ...LIKE IM JUST A TOTAL MESS.........FYI....I ONLY SMOKED A TOTAL OF 2 TO 4 CIGARRETTES A DAY BUT STOPED APROXIMELLY 2 DAYS AGO ....IM LIKE A TOTAL MESS ...CANT YOU TELL? .....PLEEEEAAAASE HELP......AM I AS LONELY AS I FEEL? — qbanrikanmama (posted on July 16, 2009)
July 16, 2009
Hi, first of all try not to stress. Do some deep breathing or listen to
spa music it helps. You should have told your doctor that you smoke.
Smoking thins your blood and that is a host for your blood not clotting and
non clotting blood isn't a good thing. You could bleed a lot and they
would have to do a lot to get it under control. Are you taking cumadin
(blood thinner) or any blood thinning medications? But, you might have
stopped smoking far enough out. Try using the Nicotine patch to help you.
But don't smoke with it, it can cause a heart attack. STart now on the
liquid diet. Some is better than none, they do need to have you shrink
your liver because it gets in the way of the stomach for them to operate on
it. That is the only things I can think of to help you. If you told your
told you smoke now and didn't do the diet, the worst case scenerio, is they
postpone your surgery further out. Which might not be a bad idea. You
would rather be safe then sorry. If I were you, I would tell him. He
wouldn't cancel it per se, just postpone it. This is a surgery where you
really have to prepare mentally and physically. It is a life changing
eating style, a tool, not a fix. So I hope I helped you. I was just
putting your pre op health before your post op health. But do follow his
instructions and call them and get answers to your questions so you don't
worry yourself sick. Best wishes.
— Kristy
July 16, 2009
Your nervousness is normal. i was just as nervous. yet i never somked or
drank. every surgeon is different. you were told to eat nothing but protein
that does not mean liquid diet. you can eat salads add tuna with light mayo
mixed in tomatoes and cheese... ummmmm my favorite i cant wait to have it
again. or if you dislike tuna, but canned chicken in water and do it the
same way. concentrate on fish and chicken those are high proteins, stay
away from breads rice pasta, potatoes. you should have told your doc you
smoke but dont stress over not having the surgery. you will have it but you
need to be mentally ready, if your really nervous call the doctor you hsd
your psyc evaul with thats what they are there. good luck it will be okay!
— leannekaba
July 16, 2009
I can only imagine your distress! I am on the fence about having the
surgery too! I am a ways yet- 3 months. I am afraid of dying also. I am
really doing the program though with exercise and counting calories-
protein too! It sure seems that everyone, well alot, are very happy they
had it. Best of luck to you.
— gwalter
July 16, 2009
One thing that I believe is important to the success with this surgery is
the relationship you build with your surgeon. You want to trust him/her
fully and they need to trust you as well. With that said, what I am
getting to is that I really think that you need to be 100% honest with your
surgeon about your smoking. The surgeon wants you to have the best outcome
as possible, but they can't do that without knowing all of the details
about your health and what could effect it. Please call your doctor to
have your questions answered and lay it all out for them. Your health,
life and well-being is worth it!!
— Libby R.
July 17, 2009
Hi Jacquelynn.... my surgeon demands that his patients stop smoking at
least two weeks prior to surgery, but he did NOT put us on a liquid diet
except for the day before surgery. In fact, he barely even had us do a
bowel prep.... just take some stool softener for the two days preceeding
the surgery, then a laxative the night before. We could have nothing to
drink within 6 hours of our surgery - they wanted us hydrated enough that
they could get an IV started. If you have lost 40 pounds already, that is
GREAT. Even if you've gained some of it back....I only lost 27 pounds, and
the doctor was ecstatic! My surgery went super well, I had very little
pain, and I was not afraid of dying. If I stayed like I was, I was going
to die anyway. This is your second chance at life - grab it and hold on,
for the best ride of your life....Blessed be, from Erica (down over 90
pounds now)
— Erica Alikchihoo
July 17, 2009
Ok if you feel the need to eat sugar free popcycles are a good choice. Go
for a walk to use up some of that pent up anxiety. If you have children or
a dog go chase a ball with them. get busy and keep yur mind off the surgery
and you will be better.
— trible
July 17, 2009
I agree with Kristy and Libby. You have to let your surgeon know about the
smoking. That may also affect what plans the anestheologist has. Like
Kristy said this won't cancel anything - maybe just postpone. I think some
of your anxiety is the result of not sharing your smoking habit with the
surgeon and you're afraid. This is completely understandable. Call the
surgeon today!
— Muggs
July 17, 2009
I had VSG and I love it. I did not smoke and I did eat high protien and
veggies and chewed thouroughly with my doctors approval. I have a freind
who had RNY surgery even though he smoked but the doctors knew he did. I
agree with making sure the doctors know about the smoking and you follow
their directions for liquids or cleaning out the day or so before hand. I
found prayer to help me a great deal to ease my concern and to know that I
am not alone. The Lord led me to have this surgery because I need to get
healthy and He has helped me every step of the way. I hope you are able to
find peace and know everything will be ok. I'll keep you in my prayers.
— Lisa von Wallmenich
July 17, 2009
First of all nervous is normal... I was not on a liquid diet 3 weeks
pre-op... high protein like you and 4 days of liquids (protein shakes).
AND.... I quit smoking 2 days before the surgery and it went off with out
a hitch.... I know that alot of people on this site like to beat people up
over smoking... this should be a site for support not preaching.. we all
know that smoking is not good for us so stop preaching... You will do
GREAT!!!!! Don't let anyone including yourself make you second guess your
decision. I am 11 months post op and have never been happier.
— phyllismmay
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