HotMessPrincess

Dr Scott Stowers at My Bariatric Solutions. Had an appointment with him 2 years ago to talk about Lap Band (which I chose not to do eventually). I loved how I was treated by everyone there. Never once did I feel like an insurance check walking in the door - and I expected to be looked at like just another fat person on a conveyor belt. They are wonderful there. I felt like I was the only patient they had.
Another thing I really like that they do: all your appointments are in one day. You meet with Dr Stowers, the dietician, the exercise specialist, the patient coordinator...etc. You can expect your consultation to take 4 hours. They have this streamlined to amazing perfection - which I prefer so that I don't have to keep making appointments and taking additional time off work.
I have an appointment with him tomorrow to discuss Gastric Sleeve and this time I'm ready for the change that surgery requires.
(Called Dr Kim 3 years ago...the guy who always advertises on tv. Got cold feet and cancelled the appt. His office staff phone-stalked me for weeks before I called and told them to leave me alone. Also had a friend who went to him and when she said "Well, I'll certainly think about it...thank you..." he had her in tears. She said he got nasty and was pointing out all the ways in which she'd failed herself...and she's not a super sensitive person. She's a tough cookie. This is why I went looking elsewhere when I was ready.)

The only thing I can really tolerate is Premier Protein...and I have to chug it in the morning to get it down. LOL. I liked Muscle Milk before surgery, but after surgery it started giving me a real bad case of "The Hershies"...if you get my drift. :-)
Don't trust your farts for a few weeks. You're welcome. :-)

The only thing I can really tolerate is Premier Protein...and I have to chug it in the morning to get it down. LOL. I liked Muscle Milk before surgery, but after surgery it started giving me a real bad case of "The Hershies"...if you get my drift. :-)
Don't trust your farts for a few weeks. You're welcome. :-)

My surgery was Tuesday...so I'm just 5 days out. I can truly relate to everything you're saying because I just went through it. Let me tell you first that I'm an obsessive worrier kind of person, so surgery was all I thought or talked about and I wound myself up into a frenzy. LOL.
You're gonna do fine. Here's my input:
Keep your nose to the grindstone and your eye on the prize. For me, the hardest days on the pre-op diet were days 3, 5, and 7. It was easier to follow the liquid diet at work where I was distracted, but when I got home it was much harder. I avoided the kitchen like crazy. LOL. I made it through feeling fairly numb about it all and just wishing I could get to my surgery date...like "knock me out and get it over with!"
The clear liquid diet the day before surgery was hell on me because, well, there are hardly any calories to it...I was super hungry....and really stressed about having surgery. It's not a fun day. Be ready for that and have some good support.
I cried when they wheeled my bed away from my husband and took me to the OR...then I worried in the hospital about the barrium swallow test I was going to have to do. Like I said I'm a worrier! It was stressful, exciting, and nerve wracking...but the doctors and nurses were GREAT and it was a good experience for me. Everyone was so caring and kind.
You're normal to be worried and freaked out. Just focus on the prize and what you have to do. That's what got me through all that ridiculous worry I just described. :-)
At home, day 3/4 was the worst by far. In pain, drugged up on pain meds, and the 7 day liquid diet hits my intestines with gusto. Massive diarrhea. It was all very humbling.
You're going to be sore. The most important thing I can say is sip, sip, sip your hydrating fluids whenever you can.
Oh and take chapstick to the hospital...and a cushy pillow to hug against your tummy on the way home. Bumps on the road are hell.
Today's day 5 and I feel like my old self. I'm still hurting a little but I'm off pain meds and I got down 68 ounces of Water today. I'm sick as hell of Jello and popsicles, but that's ok...I get the Protein shakes back next week. I never thought I'd be happy to see them again, but...I am! LOL
You're going to do great!!!

Linda, I'm on day 7 of my 7 day pre-op diet. My surgeon allows 4 Protein shakes, broth, sugar free Jello. He didn't give me a weight loss requirement...I find it odd that yours did and I agree with lilrosie that if you could lose 20 lbs in 2 weeks you wouldn't have this problem. None of us would!
My surgeon gave me a list of acceptable Protein Shakes along with the serving size (I got that part screwed up and was only getting 52 grams of Protein on days 1 and 2 because I was drinking the small shakes and not the bigger ones. Ooops!)
This is HARD, sweetie. No one said it would be easy. But it's temporary. After surgery, we'll have an amazing tool with which to lose our excess weight.
I totally understand the desire to cheat. I've uttered more four letter words this week than I have in a long time, but I've stuck with it. And when I want to cheat, I just keep thinking how much I'll resent myself for it later if I do. I feel like isitjustme when she said she wished she would have done hers correctly...I feel like I wouldn't let it go if I actually did cheat. So I haven't. But it's been HARD.
Give yourself some credit for doing something that's by no means easy. At all. But we can do this!!! That being said, I'd take a good long hard look at whether you're really ready for this surgery. Can you tell yourself that you're going to behave differently with food after surgery when you've had such a hard time with the pre-op diet? I'm not being judgy, I promise...these are the questions I would ask myself.
Another concern is that you're sick. My surgeon made it clear that having surgery when you're sick can be dangerous. You need to tell him - or maybe reschedule your surgery. Give yourself a little more time if you can. Maybe even find another surgeon that has a plan you can deal with better.
Whatever you decide, I'm sending you good wishes and prayers. This is really, really hard and only those of us who've gone through it or are going through it can really understand how you're feeling. :-)
Sending you all my best wishes!

Just had my surgery on Tuesday, linda, and I can honestly say the liquid diet was the hardest for me. I know I'm only 2 days post op and I'm still focused on healing, but the pre-op diet is brutal because you're so hungry all the time.
You're coming down the home stretch. I don't want to alarm you, but for me the Clear Liquids day before surgery was the WORST. I pretty much just sat around the house and stared at walls. LOL. Flex your muscles and punch it right in the face, girl...you got this!

Today i decided to stay home today. My surgery is suppose to be on Tuesday. If i lose the required 20 pounds my doctor suggested i lose within two weeks. Therefore no turkey for me especially my favorite "rice". But i am thankful for getting ready to have this surgery.

Linda, I'm on day 7 of my 7 day pre-op diet. My surgeon allows 4 Protein shakes, broth, sugar free Jello. He didn't give me a weight loss requirement...I find it odd that yours did and I agree with lilrosie that if you could lose 20 lbs in 2 weeks you wouldn't have this problem. None of us would!
My surgeon gave me a list of acceptable Protein Shakes along with the serving size (I got that part screwed up and was only getting 52 grams of Protein on days 1 and 2 because I was drinking the small shakes and not the bigger ones. Ooops!)
This is HARD, sweetie. No one said it would be easy. But it's temporary. After surgery, we'll have an amazing tool with which to lose our excess weight.
I totally understand the desire to cheat. I've uttered more four letter words this week than I have in a long time, but I've stuck with it. And when I want to cheat, I just keep thinking how much I'll resent myself for it later if I do. I feel like isitjustme when she said she wished she would have done hers correctly...I feel like I wouldn't let it go if I actually did cheat. So I haven't. But it's been HARD.
Give yourself some credit for doing something that's by no means easy. At all. But we can do this!!! That being said, I'd take a good long hard look at whether you're really ready for this surgery. Can you tell yourself that you're going to behave differently with food after surgery when you've had such a hard time with the pre-op diet? I'm not being judgy, I promise...these are the questions I would ask myself.
Another concern is that you're sick. My surgeon made it clear that having surgery when you're sick can be dangerous. You need to tell him - or maybe reschedule your surgery. Give yourself a little more time if you can. Maybe even find another surgeon that has a plan you can deal with better.
Whatever you decide, I'm sending you good wishes and prayers. This is really, really hard and only those of us who've gone through it or are going through it can really understand how you're feeling. :-)
Sending you all my best wishes!

Surgery at 11:30 am (Central time) today.
I'm predictably nervous, excited, thirsty, hungry, and freaked out. I know all of this is normal thanks to this forum and all the stories and experiences I've read that you've shared.
I know my sleeve will probably be gurgly and sore when I wake up, but I'm really hoping I'm not HUNGRY anymore. I'm so tired of feeling hungry. Ready for a new me!

Surgery at 11:30 am (Central time) today.
I'm predictably nervous, excited, thirsty, hungry, and freaked out. I know all of this is normal thanks to this forum and all the stories and experiences I've read that you've shared.
I know my sleeve will probably be gurgly and sore when I wake up, but I'm really hoping I'm not HUNGRY anymore. I'm so tired of feeling hungry. Ready for a new me!

Linda, I'm on day 7 of my 7 day pre-op diet. My surgeon allows 4 Protein shakes, broth, sugar free Jello. He didn't give me a weight loss requirement...I find it odd that yours did and I agree with lilrosie that if you could lose 20 lbs in 2 weeks you wouldn't have this problem. None of us would!
My surgeon gave me a list of acceptable Protein Shakes along with the serving size (I got that part screwed up and was only getting 52 grams of Protein on days 1 and 2 because I was drinking the small shakes and not the bigger ones. Ooops!)
This is HARD, sweetie. No one said it would be easy. But it's temporary. After surgery, we'll have an amazing tool with which to lose our excess weight.
I totally understand the desire to cheat. I've uttered more four letter words this week than I have in a long time, but I've stuck with it. And when I want to cheat, I just keep thinking how much I'll resent myself for it later if I do. I feel like isitjustme when she said she wished she would have done hers correctly...I feel like I wouldn't let it go if I actually did cheat. So I haven't. But it's been HARD.
Give yourself some credit for doing something that's by no means easy. At all. But we can do this!!! That being said, I'd take a good long hard look at whether you're really ready for this surgery. Can you tell yourself that you're going to behave differently with food after surgery when you've had such a hard time with the pre-op diet? I'm not being judgy, I promise...these are the questions I would ask myself.
Another concern is that you're sick. My surgeon made it clear that having surgery when you're sick can be dangerous. You need to tell him - or maybe reschedule your surgery. Give yourself a little more time if you can. Maybe even find another surgeon that has a plan you can deal with better.
Whatever you decide, I'm sending you good wishes and prayers. This is really, really hard and only those of us who've gone through it or are going through it can really understand how you're feeling. :-)
Sending you all my best wishes!

Linda, I'm on day 7 of my 7 day pre-op diet. My surgeon allows 4 Protein shakes, broth, sugar free Jello. He didn't give me a weight loss requirement...I find it odd that yours did and I agree with lilrosie that if you could lose 20 lbs in 2 weeks you wouldn't have this problem. None of us would!
My surgeon gave me a list of acceptable Protein Shakes along with the serving size (I got that part screwed up and was only getting 52 grams of Protein on days 1 and 2 because I was drinking the small shakes and not the bigger ones. Ooops!)
This is HARD, sweetie. No one said it would be easy. But it's temporary. After surgery, we'll have an amazing tool with which to lose our excess weight.
I totally understand the desire to cheat. I've uttered more four letter words this week than I have in a long time, but I've stuck with it. And when I want to cheat, I just keep thinking how much I'll resent myself for it later if I do. I feel like isitjustme when she said she wished she would have done hers correctly...I feel like I wouldn't let it go if I actually did cheat. So I haven't. But it's been HARD.
Give yourself some credit for doing something that's by no means easy. At all. But we can do this!!! That being said, I'd take a good long hard look at whether you're really ready for this surgery. Can you tell yourself that you're going to behave differently with food after surgery when you've had such a hard time with the pre-op diet? I'm not being judgy, I promise...these are the questions I would ask myself.
Another concern is that you're sick. My surgeon made it clear that having surgery when you're sick can be dangerous. You need to tell him - or maybe reschedule your surgery. Give yourself a little more time if you can. Maybe even find another surgeon that has a plan you can deal with better.
Whatever you decide, I'm sending you good wishes and prayers. This is really, really hard and only those of us who've gone through it or are going through it can really understand how you're feeling. :-)
Sending you all my best wishes!

Linda, I'm on day 7 of my 7 day pre-op diet. My surgeon allows 4 Protein shakes, broth, sugar free Jello. He didn't give me a weight loss requirement...I find it odd that yours did and I agree with lilrosie that if you could lose 20 lbs in 2 weeks you wouldn't have this problem. None of us would!
My surgeon gave me a list of acceptable Protein Shakes along with the serving size (I got that part screwed up and was only getting 52 grams of Protein on days 1 and 2 because I was drinking the small shakes and not the bigger ones. Ooops!)
This is HARD, sweetie. No one said it would be easy. But it's temporary. After surgery, we'll have an amazing tool with which to lose our excess weight.
I totally understand the desire to cheat. I've uttered more four letter words this week than I have in a long time, but I've stuck with it. And when I want to cheat, I just keep thinking how much I'll resent myself for it later if I do. I feel like isitjustme when she said she wished she would have done hers correctly...I feel like I wouldn't let it go if I actually did cheat. So I haven't. But it's been HARD.
Give yourself some credit for doing something that's by no means easy. At all. But we can do this!!! That being said, I'd take a good long hard look at whether you're really ready for this surgery. Can you tell yourself that you're going to behave differently with food after surgery when you've had such a hard time with the pre-op diet? I'm not being judgy, I promise...these are the questions I would ask myself.
Another concern is that you're sick. My surgeon made it clear that having surgery when you're sick can be dangerous. You need to tell him - or maybe reschedule your surgery. Give yourself a little more time if you can. Maybe even find another surgeon that has a plan you can deal with better.
Whatever you decide, I'm sending you good wishes and prayers. This is really, really hard and only those of us who've gone through it or are going through it can really understand how you're feeling. :-)
Sending you all my best wishes!

My surgery is Tuesday as well and I feel the same way. I just keep my eyes on the bigger prize. This liquid diet sucks, but so has 20+ years of being morbidly obese. :-)

I'm on day two of my pre-op liquid diet and as much as I hate it, I feel kind of like a bad-ass for getting through it. :-)
I'm chewing a lot of sugarless gum, which my nutritionist said I could have up to the day before surgery. None on Monday because it can cause gas. Surgery is Tuesday. :-)

I knew it wouldn't be easy, but damn...I'm hungry. LOL. Does it get better?
It's easier at work when I'm distracted, but I'm spending a lot more energy trying to distract myself at home. Luckily, I made a list of things to do when I start feeling miserable or having a pity party. :-)

Thankfully, I've already confirmed that my surgeon doesn't use drains. Phew! I'll ask him about the catheter...hopefully it's NO or it's in and out while I'm knocked out.
Thank you, everyone, for all the answers. I love having these forums to ask questions...you're all really saving my sanity. Or what's left of it. :-)

I've had two previous major surgeries - and both times I was like a zombie for at least 6 hours after they put me in my room. I've heard that they make you get up and walk pretty quickly, which helps with gas and blood clots. I totally get that...but if I'm not mentally aware, I'm a little afraid of not being able to understand what they need me to do - or worse: falling.
Can y'all describe how this was handled for your surgeries? I'm thinking maybe I just don't understand the process. (And yes, I'll be asking my doc when I see him for pre-op as well!)

For my sleeve surgery, I slept for quite a while after surgery and didn't get out of the hospital bed for hours. Essentially, the nurses asked me to let them know when I was ready and they'd escort me around the nurses station on my walk. I ended up getting out of bed maybe 2 hours after I finally was alert and it went really well. I did laps off and on all night in the hospital (I'd slept really well under anesthesia and wasn't tired at all!), and they finally stopped bothering to escort me once it was clear that I was not going to fall. It was a very positive experience. Good luck!
ETA: Also, I had no gas pains at all, so I was really just walking because it was required as a discharge criteria and because my tailbone really started to hurt in the hospital bed after a while. I couldn't find a comfy position on my back after 3 hours so walking help to relieve that a bit.

They didn't make me walk. But I was required to walk twice before they would take the cath out. When they got me to my room I laid down and slept for a couple hours. When I woke up I decided to walk around for 30 mins. I came back to my room, slept for two hours, munched on some ice chips and walked again for 30 mins. I found that after walking the first time that it made a big difference in the level of gas pain I had. So it encouraged me to walk a lot and often inbetween me sleeping.

This is the craziest thing, but compared to my other big surgeries, this was a piece of cake. I was up and walking in less than 2 hours from being brought back to my room.
I was the earliest to walk of everyone on my floor, but I may have just been lucky. Either way, I went in expecting the worst and instead was very pleasantly surprised.

Just got my date today...November 26th!!!

Just got my date today...November 26th!!!

I just got my approval yesterday ! I'm scheduled for November 26th!!! So excited and nervous!

He had no right to do that to you - and if I were you, I'd address the situation with your regular doctor when he/she returns. Stay strong!