Question:
What are some things you can do to physically prepare for WLS?
I am waiting insurance approval but want to get my body ready for this surgery which hopefully will be in January. I am planning: flu shot, start vitamins, biotin, iron, cutting out sugar, perm/haircut, remove nails until after surgery. Anything any of you have done that did or did not help? Many thanks. — AJC750 (posted on November 20, 2001)
November 20, 2001
Try to go ahead and start weaning yourself from caffeine!!
— Cheri M.
November 20, 2001
my surgery is due for spring and i try to change my eating habbit, cut on
fat and sugar, prepare my body for surgery with physical activities such as
water aerobic 2 time a week... i try to move as much as i can ! good luck !
— carou1313
November 20, 2001
My surgeon said no need to remove nails. As long as you don't have a dark
(black, green, blue) nail polish, your nails are okay. Evidently the
little finger clip thing that reads your pulse (?) can misinterpret dark
nail color and set off an alarm. For both my surgeries, at two different
hospitals/doctors acrylic nails with red polish was okay. But ask your
doctor. My surgeon also said take Vitamin C for three weeks before
surgery, and cut out all vitamin E. Vit E thins the blood or something. I
think the most important thing that you can do is to try and exercise.
Improve your physical strength, whatever that might be. Walk. Walk.
Walk. You must get up and walk immediately after surgery, and if you
strengthen your legs and large muscle groups now you will get a jump start.
My surgeon also advised sit-ups. He felt the stronger the stomach muscles
were, the quicker the recovery. The stronger and healthier you are going
into the surgery, the faster you will recover, so do whatever it takes to
become stronger and healthier.
— Anne G.
November 20, 2001
Pacific Bariatric's pre-op protocol asks that we add 50 grams of protein to
our diet to build muscle, begin an exercise program--walking or swimming,
take 1000 mg of vitamin C and a multiple vitamin every day, stop smoking,
quit caffeine, quit soda--even diet soda, and stop taking asprin and
ibuprophen products. I followed the protocol and have had no complications
at all and feel wonderful. An additional benefit: I went into surgery 20
pounds lighter than I was the first time I saw the surgeon.
— [Anonymous]
November 20, 2001
I made sure to preload myself with Protein. I started out with adding 2-3
Protein shakes (VitaLady) with my meals throughout the day. I know this
has helped me immensely because when I had my gall bladder (lap) removed,
it took me approximately 3 months to fully recover. I had my surgery
08/28/01 (currently down 50 lbs) and felt better after 2 weeks. Good luck
and congrats on your new found journey...
— trtorrey
November 20, 2001
I highly suggest walking and/or some other kind of exercise
and I did breathing exercises at home- like the ones they require
after surgery. Take in a deep breath, hold it, breath out
about 10 times in a row and do it 4-5 times a day. You will
expand you lungs and help your recovery. It also helps that
coughing thing they make you do after surgery to clear your lungs!
— M B.
November 20, 2001
I am also trying to get myself prepared..I have eliminated soda and drink
water only. I have begun to take a multivitamin and started walking after
dinner.. The nail thing is ok as long as they can see to your nail bed. The
reason for this is to press on the finger to check for blood flow and to be
sure the blood is oxgenated. Hope this helps and good luck to you.
— Danette H.
November 20, 2001
In addition to what others have suggested, I recommend working on your
upper body and particularly your upper arms. Not your Popeye muscles, but
the ones on the backs of your arms. You will be "scooting" and
using your upper body to get around. All the other things are good, too.
— mskarns
November 20, 2001
yOU DO NOT SAY WHAT KINDS OF SUREGRY, OPEN OR LAP, BUT IF YOU HAVE OPEN,
PREPARE YOURSELF FOR ALOT OF PAIN. THAT IS WHAT I WAS SO UNPREPARED FOR,
THERE IS NO DESCRIBING THE PAIN YOUR IN WHEN YOU WAKE UP. SORRY IF THIS
SCARES YOU BUT IT IS TRUE.
— [Anonymous]
November 20, 2001
Heres what i was told to do...Try to eat more well balanced meals..get up
the protein (protein drinks or other) Take a mulit vitiman..try to exercise
if you can..walk walk walk but if you cant try to lift cans of fruit..but
move!!!!!
Start trying to get in more water...and order a few things you will need
but dont go crazy..you will get lots of advice but mostly do what your
surgeon tells you. You are putting your life in his hands..you must be
honest with him and do what he tells you. Try to study and learn all you
can (My surgeon has classes and gives you a information book to read)..i
hope all this helps..jacki
— Jackiis
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