Question:
How did you prepare for surgery?

What did you do to prepare for surgery? I know some make their wills, some clean out their junk food, etc. So how did you personally prepare?    — Mini Gadget (posted on October 9, 2003)

October 9, 2003
All people are different, and therefore, will have different experiences. But, in my opinion, there is no way that you can prepare yourself for what you are about to go through. I spent countless hours on this website, reading books and going to support groups, only to find out that nothing can totally prepare you for the mental aspect of the surgery. Definitely go into it with a positive attitude and try your hardest to keep that attitude. The first three weeks are going to be the hardest three weeks of your life. Just try to relax and remember why you are doing this. Good luck to you.
   — kristynush

October 9, 2003
I agree with Kristy, everyone is different. Prior to my surgery I was obessed with collecting as much information as I could. I thought if I knew everything then I wouldn't be blindsided at all. I made sure my will was updated. In addition I had the lawyr created a health Care initiative document. It is the next step after a living will. I found that the days before the surgery a calmness fell over me. This was something I wnated and needed and I knew God would guide me. The funny thing is I don't consider myself a stongly religious person. I jsut kept thinking of the positives.
   — jmusser

October 9, 2003
I'm close to my surgery date, and so I'll kick in my 2 cents worth...I am a type 2 diabetic already...so I had already given up on sugars, set up an exercise routine, and started logging in my food intake through fitday.com, and try to watch my carb intake. Gave up the carbonated sodas and coffee (caffiene), read a ton of posts and used the library here on the AMOS site, keep a journal of things to ask the dr., attended the support group meetings, bought a nice recliner, and a heavy duty blender, and have been trying out various and sundry protein mixes and drinks to find out pre-op what tasted good and what didn't. Worried about the possible complications, then got past that, and kept on going. When I feel down about something, I look at the before and after photos to boost my spirits, and accept the fact that the 3-4 weeks after surgery will be somewhat uncomfortable, possibly painful, and downright uncomfortable, but will try to adjust my attitude, after all, I've been impaled by bulls and motorcycles, thrown off of aircraft carriers and bridges and been shot a couple of times, been run over by a dump truck and been in 3 motorcycle accidents. I can't believe that God would let all that happen to me and not have a reason for me to continue on. Other than that...I think I am ready...I hope so at least!!!
   — track

October 9, 2003
I tried walking a bit every day, chewing s~l~o~w~l~y, tried to get used to drinking "all that water", and continued to pour over the profiles on this site. I stocked up on everything I needed immediately post op, and tried to keep busy. (I actually saw the floor of my laundry room once!) Nights were hard for me as I had some fears til found this Psalm 56:3 - When I am afraid, I will trust in you. Waiting mode is the pits, but even that part of the journey is well worth it =)
   — Denise W.

October 9, 2003
I only had a month from my initial consultation and two weeks from my approval til my surgery. I spent most of that time trying to eat everything I thought I'd never eat again - oddly enough, I eat most of them now just in smaller portions (nuts, salsa, spicy foods, olives,etc.). I did make out a will and write a letter to my teenage son telling him how much I loved him and that I was taking this step to try to prolong my life and improve the quality of it. Wanted all bases covered. The rest of the time I spent getting my work caught up at my job and making sure that someone was covering my responsibilities (they didn't hire a temp to take my place) and in general getting things ready for my son to be home alone while I was gone. I had my surgery in a town about 3 hours from home so I was gone for almost two weeks (stayed with friends after leaving the hospital). I didn't buy a lot of protein supplements or stuff pre-op because I was told that my tastes would change dramatically. They did. I do suggest that you take plenty of pre-op pictures and measurements - these will be invaluable to you later. I was relying on doing all that the night before I left for my surgery and a surprise snowstorm caused us to leave a day early and in a big hurry so I did none of it. I didn't even get the pre-op pictures done at my pre-op appt. with my surgeon as his office was closed due to the snow and he did my pre-op at the hospital the morning of the surgery. That is the only thing I regret.
   — Patty_Butler

October 9, 2003
I'm a little embarassed to admit that as calm as I was about the upcoming surgery, I did redo my will and add another section about how I wanted my funeral to be, clothing, what I wanted said, etc. I also wrote a letter to my wife and kids about the decision I made and why I made it. Fortunately I didn't need them but I wanted to be prepared just in case. I also told my boss what I was having done just in case there were complications and I needed more time off. I did some shopping and made sure I had plenty of Gatorade, Cream of Wheat, clear broth, cottage cheese, etc. I ate so much of that stuff post-op that I still can't look at it 20 months later. - Mike
   — Michael N.

October 9, 2003
I made it a real time of ritual. The week before surgery I wrote my will and also my Health Care Directive in the event of emergency, and arranged for a dear friend to stay over in my apartment with my beloved kitties. Next, I went shopping for protein, calcium, and vitamin supplements, and everything I thought I would need for the first two weeks, and put it all in baskets in my dining room. Then I gave away my scale (literally) to the Salvation Army along with some of my largest clothing. Finally, the day before surgery I cleaned out the entire refrig the day before my surgery date, even defrosted the freezer. I took a long hot shower the night before and a half of an OTC sleeping pill. By the next morning I was totally and completed rested ready and we were off to the hospital...good luck!!!!! It will change your life forever and ever! - Deborah, Open RNY 9-25-03 226
   — Deborah M.

October 10, 2003
I'm quite sure most of us do some similiar things and many different things pre-op, but since I run a busy office as the office manager, plus do sales for ad space for magazines and there was to be no temp hired, I spent the last 10 days (including both weekends) before surgery, doing many extra hours of work. At home I made sure all the laundry was done and folded - my adult son was visiting for 3 months, so he babysat my 2 dogs for me - but I made sure they had plenty of food. I also tried to pre-purchase what I thought I would need for the first two weeks. I didn't realize I would be on totally clear fluids (except for the sugar free jello) for 2 weeks, so I went crazy trying to find a palatable protein supplement (which I finally ordered online - Nectar's brand of very cherry berry). I had to drive 6 hours away, so while I was in the Hometel at the hospital the night before, I wrote out an informal Will and instructions on what to do with my things and who has my life insurance policy and what monies are owed me from work, including commissions, vacation pay, etc., and saved it to the desktop of my laptop, labeled for when my son and my mother checked it. I called my dearest friends that last night too - just in case! As it turned out, all went well - I'm down about 25 pounds, and adjusting to being on the losing side. Enjoy! Diana.
   — Diana D.