swtlee

My surgery date is May 23rd. Working on the pre-op diet now (it sucks!) and getting nervous for the actual surgery. Good luck to all the others this month!

I'm on day 2 (of 7) of the pre-op diet and it's seriously killing me! I feel nauseated and lightheaded all day except for about an hour or so after I drink a protein shake. I'm trying to stay distracted but it's hard when I feel so awful. I don't even trust myself to drive because of the lightheaded feelings. I don't have energy to do anything but lay on the couch and watch tv, which of course has lots of commercials for food making me feel more miserable! My daughter has a school concert tonight and I wish I could find an excuse not to go (but of course I have to go anyway!) which makes me feel really guilty. This really sucks!

After I did my sleep study they said I had moderate sleep apnea and gave me one of those awful machines. They also said I had to bring it to the surgery and would have to use it. The darn thing wakes me up every night because the mask slips and air leaks out which makes it think I'm not breathing and puffs more air out at me. When the surgery is over that machine is going in the closet!

Good luck! My surgery date is the 23rd so we will start our journey together. I hope you aren't as nervous as I am. This forum is an amazing source of information but also scaring me a bit! I have tried a bunch of protein powders and most are kinda lousy. I did like the Biggest loser vanilla and chocolate though. Put it in the blender with water, milk or even greek yogurt with some artificial sweetener and some ice and it's pretty good.

I too have rheumatoid arthritis and was concerned that would mean I couldn't have the lap band. Since RA is an autoimmune disorder and not like regular arthritis, it's important to talk with your doctor since some autoimmune issues can disqualify you for the surgery. My doctor said that it shouldn't be a problem for me though. I am worried though about after the surgery because the autoimmune issues make me heal slower and leave me with so much extra pain from any minor trauma to the body. Doctors like to tell you to expect "soreness" but that can be anything from feeling like you worked out really hard to laying on the couch crying in pain. I just wish I had a better idea of the pain I can expect.