Question:
2.5 weeks to go, and I don't think I'm prepared. Please help.

I am SOOOOOOOO nervous. I have lap rny in a little over two weeks, and I am having so many thoughts. I have had 6 surgeries before so I am not afraid of pain. I am simply afraid of not eating. It's like I am about to lose my BEST FRIEND FOREVER. After your recovered from the surgery how often do you have to go back to the Dr? We are not wealthy be NO means so I am afraid I won't be able to pay for all of my meds and vitamins. My daughter has heart problems and as always her meds will always come first. Where can I get everything I need vitamin wise? At a reasonable price. All of these thoughts are going through my head and most of them are $$$$$$$$. I am going to have to take out a loan to pay for my share up front already. This scares me more than anything. Can anyone HELP me! I know I will feel better when I go to my pre-op visit, but that will be one week away from surgery and I want to stock up now. Please advise me! My main concern is the protein supplements. Is there a pill form? What is the most inexspensive kind that has what I will need, and where would I find it? Thanks Alot for the support! Tonya    — Tonya J. (posted on October 30, 2002)

October 30, 2002
I found some very reasonable protein supplements at the Vitamin shoppe...certainly costing me less than my food did! I take Flintstones complete chewable multivitamins,Tums for calcium,and B12, nothing very complicated or expensive. WHy not call your doctor and see what you will need so you can start looking around for the best prices now? Don't be afraid of not eating, you ARE going to eat, just less! I am 10 days post op, down almost 14 pounds and feeling pretty good! Good luck to you
   — Linda 1.

October 30, 2002
Check the dollar stores. I bought many chewable vits w/iron for just a buck. I also found chewable calcium chews (off brand) a whole 60 of them for one dollar. I still use the Knox Nutra Joint mix. It has high protein you mix with water and can buy it at any Grocery or Walmart store in a big can. You will be saving money by not going to fast food places like in the past or eating like you did AND you won't miss your food, its different after surgery. Your "best friend" will be your new cute clothes and bod! GOOD LUCK!
   — ZZ S.

October 30, 2002
Vitamins are actually not very costly at all. You can find a HUGE bottle of children's chewables at Wal-Mart for $5. This is about a 2-3 month supply taking 2 a day. My calcium citrate costs $15 for a 2.75 month supply from Vitalady. The B-12 from vitacost.com is $5 for 3 month supply. The others A&D combo and E are about $5 each also from vitacost. This works out to about a little less than $12 per month. Pre-op, I could slam that much Pepsi in a few days or kill it in fast food in 2 sittings. Although I don't do chewable multi-vits any more, my cost is about the same. I've taken all the money I've saved on Pepsi and fast food and put into a jar (minus the vitamin money). I don't know how much is there but it's not insignificant. In relation to what a lot of us spend pre-op on junk, the cost is very low. Just make yourself a list and head off to Wal-Mart, Target, etc and do some comparision shopping. Good luck.
   — Tina P.

October 30, 2002
i also had pre op jitters, i am now 5 weeks post op open ryn ,down 34lbs and doing well.i know how you feel about finances im a widowed mom of 8 and 3 grandbabys that all live at home , i am able to take regular vitamins now i still break them in half though, i got mine off of drugstore.com its like 300 tabs for like $5.99, i take b-12 shots monthly its easier for me less pills to take as for calcium they have the chewable chocolate stuff at general dollar store 60ct for $5.99.good luck with your surgery.
   — JOAN D.

October 30, 2002
You can get child's chewables cheap at Walmart, and even cheaper in the dollar stores. As far as protein suppliments, I could'nt tolerate the taste of any of them so I mostly ate meat and cheese. My regular doctor (not WLS surgeon) say my blood tests (one was for my protein level) and she said to "get off the protein suppliments IMMEDIATELY!". But I was'nt on any! :) When I saw my surgeon a couple months later I told him my level. (I think it was 8.1) He was VERY pleased. So if you make wise food choices you don't need the suppliments. I do realize that in the first couple of months the suppliments would make things easier... but I did'nt have them and did fine. You must count the protein grams of everything you eat, and then you can judge from there. I've always loved meat and cheeses so I mostly eat that. As far as losing your best friend forever, the only time I miss it is Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter... and just a few other times a year when I have the opportunity to eat alot with family. But most of the time I rather enjoy being able to eat in front of people and not have to eat until I hurt to be satisfied. I love the power it gives me to BE IN CONTROL. Do enjoy your favorite foods now, and as much as you want. I last suppered myself to death the month before WLS... and because I stopped sugar I LOST around 12-15 pounds! Enjoy food now, and enjoy the control over it AFTER WLS. :)
   — Danmark

October 30, 2002
I had Lap RNY May 29, 2002 and it was the easiest surgery I have ever had. NO PAIN AT ALL. I was up and walking that night. I have had no problems at all. I am down 80 pounds and I feel great. Don't be worried about this at all. You are doing a wonderful thing for yourself. As for losing your best friend...one of the girls I had surgery with said the same thing. You have to find something else to do with your time. Stay busy...find a hobby. I promise you will not be hungry, so don't worry about that. Once you start seeing the weight fall off...you will not want the old foods that made you obese in the first place. I went back to my surgeon 1 time and he released me. I have to go back at 1 year. I did go see my PCP at 5 months so that we could do some blood work. I will go back in May for another blood work up. All the blood results were great. As for medicines and vitamins....I take 2 children's chewables a day and a calcium supp. That is it!! In the beginning I used Protein drinks (which are a little costly), but the quicker you get off of those and eat food for protein the better. Don't worry..you are doing the best thing you could ever do. It is really a breeze after the first month. Keep track of all your food intake though...that will help you watch what you are eating. Also, take your measurements now and then once a month post op. They are as important as the scales. I have lost 60 inches all over. Good luck.
   — Cindy M.