jenncox

I think I'm looking at the end of October but I don't have a date yet. Still doing all the Insurance processing. Should get approval by the third week of September and then schedule my surgery after that. Glad you got your day of surgery. Good luck

I think I'm looking at the end of October but I don't have a date yet. Still doing all the Insurance processing. Should get approval by the third week of September and then schedule my surgery after that. Glad you got your day of surgery. Good luck

Sarah Bauer call your dietitian and check what the protocol is for the weeks leading up to surgery. As far as weight loss start using Protein Shakes and Protein Bars now. If you can replace two meals with a Protein Shake and just snack on high Protein things then you'll definitely lose some weight . I lost 11 pounds in July by doing that. Every post I've seen everything I've heard says there is a liquid diet prior to surgery. I've heard it be anywhere from 2 days to 3 weeks . It all depends upon your surgeon and your nutritionist. I'm pretty sure the main goal with the weight loss is to shrink the liver by making it not so fatty. This allows more room inside your body when the doctors are doing their surgery

Sorry you have to wait it'll get here

Well you and I have a lot in common. I just passed 19 months post op. I understand the issues with pain and not sleeping. From time to time I fall into an eating trap and eat junk food. I have rheumatoid arthritis and have had it for ten years. Also my mom is disabled due to failed back surgeries. So I have two different perspectives to give you.
Let's start with food. Our bodies need the right nutrition to function properly. Protein, carbs and fats and sugars are essential food for the body in some way. The trick is to balance it out. I found that logging my food really helped. I had gotten into a habit of eating junk food a lot and found that it was when I would stop at a gas station while driving around at work. So I changed my habit. I made sure I have snack food in the truck waiting for me. My mother how ever eats whatever sounds good. Which mainly is sweets. She will take a few bites and then stop. I have lots of energy and my mom has none.
Next exercise. With RA it is best to stay active. If you lay in bed and do nothing your joint freeze up causing you more pain. So the trick is finding something you can do, and something you enjoy. You want to make sure you do not over do it when you get started. You also need to be aware that you might be sore as you get started. My suggestions for exercise is, walking, gentle yoga, Water exercises. Gentle yoga is designed or people with health issues. You do the yoga in a chair for the most part and it is about stretching and moving your joints.
Finally let's talk about sleep. Ugh!!! Sleep is essential for our bodies, and yet sometimes it seems our bodies fight it so much. With RA I don't get restful sleep all the time. I may be asleep, but I wake up not feeling rested. Talk to your doctors about this. I take melatonin quite often to help me get to sleep, but not a lot will help me stay awake. Exercising during the day should help with getting to sleep at night.
It sounds like the physical issues are a new diagnosis, and I would encourage you to talk to a professional. There are stages of grief that you go through especially if this is a long term issue.
I am happy to help with any questions or support that you need.

Congrats and welcome to stage two!! :-)
But aw man I'm jealous!! My nut said no Soup, not even pea soup because it's high in sugar or something and Soups go right through you, and no cream cheese, and no this and no that. I can only eat weekdays on our list. Sigh. It's so hard to do when I hear others can eat yummy stuff like you are. I don't get it.