choosehope

Anyone start worrying as you're headed into the final stretch before surgery, whether or not you have the right surgeon and office? There are only two where I live and I've heard horrible things about the other one, but after my pre-op appointment, I'm beginning to worry that the one I chose might not be right for me. It's little things like not seeing the surgeon again for a whole year after surgery ( see the NUT and nurse practitioner every three months), meeting the NP and finding her a bit terse, going into surgery feeling like I don't have my after care questions answered. (I know they'll tell me in the hospital - I hope- but how together am I going to be at that time?!). Love, love, loved my SUR at first, but am feeling like just a number now. Don't know how much is my anxiety and insecurity or how much is because I really need to rethink this. So excited about all the changes post surgery and simultaneously so worried about them. Anyone else feel totally double minded right before their surgery? ( I have 3 weeks Til bypass. ) Know the emotional roller coaster is somewhat normal but I'm not enjoying the ride! The highs are great, but oh those dips and twists and turns. Choosinghope as I quake in my metaphorical boots.

I just spoke with a nurse who had bypass and also works at the hospital where our surgeon is. She suggested buying an ultra cheap egg crate topper to put on top of the bed as she said she could never get comfortable in the bed. I would have never thought of that but do remember some very uncomfortable hospital beds!

My LSD ???? is two weeks. Breakfast and lunch are a protein shake or bar (or two Greek yogurts), dinner is 3 oz light protein, small carb (6 crackers, 2 low cal slices of bread or 2 oz potato) and salad with one tablespoon light dressing. Also have two small pieces of fruit as snacks and can have all the green veggies we want. Of course the day before is all liquid. So mine isn't too bad. The hardest thing for me has been giving up carbonated drinks.

September 23 for my bypass! Would love to mutually support others in September. My facebook name is choosehope Memphis. Good luck everyone!

Tosham- I'm PreOp but both my surgeon and my psych have told me not to be surprised if my emotions are all over the place. Effects of anesthesia, hormonal changes, major life change, something that most of us have been looking forward to and then we are hit with pain and reality of new lifestyle. I think there would be something odd if you didn't have period of feeling down. Saying a prayer for you now for joy, hope and encouragement.

So sorry all this has happened! Hang in there! Hopefully it will soon be a vague memory while you are sporting a whole new healthy body.

Oh, Phil also has a book on Bariatric surgery and food addiction can't remember the name.

India, one is Anatomy of a food Addiction by Anne Catherine. It was the first one recommended to me and outstanding. Food Junkies is by Phil Werdell who runs Acorn Food Dependency program in Florida. (Check out Acorn's website - lots of good info! He also has excellent five day workshops! They also provide phone coaching for a fee which was invaluable to me. Both he and his wife are food addicts who have lost and kept off large amounts of weight ). And one of my favorites which looks at it from a body and spiritual perspective is Food Triggers by Rhona Epstein. Hope these help! Let me know what you think!

Nikikins- so glad to read your post! Had a full day pre-op appointment (surgery September 23) and I've been vacillating between tears and anxiety. Same worries you have. Glad to know I'm not as certifiable as I thought! It's so odd as this is something I really want and am eager for but going through some questioning of my sanity. My shrink has his work cut out for him!

Dub, I don't have a recliner either, so I asked on FB if anyone had one they could let go of for 2-4 weeks. Got several offers! Yay- don't have to spend that money or change my decor!

Mine was today. I asked what the chances were that they would get in there and not be able to do a bypass (I've had other abdominal surgeries and probably have adhesions. ). She asked if I wanted her to do a sleeve instead if a bypass wasn't possible or if I wanted to have nothing done. No brainer for me. Do something! But I'm glad I asked.

India, as you've probably heard over and over again "admitting you have a problem is half the battle." I've Battled with food addiction for years, even been to a couple of treatment centers. Your fears are so similar to mine. I laid it all out to my therapist and made a promise to be brutally honest with him and myself. Part of addiction is living in the shadows (at least for me). I blew it big time today - on steroid pack, had an all day pre-op thing, some bad family news and headed straight for the bakery. In the past, I would have kept this to myself and say I wouldn't do it again (which of course I always did)! But this time, as hard and terrifying as it is, I have to go in my psych's office on Wednesday and tell him exactly what happened. May not be the step I wanted to take, but I know it's a positive step. There are some great books on food addiction that I've read over the last year. If you are interested in names, let me know. I think you are brave for admitting your struggles on this forum. Hopefully it will be one step in finding the healing (and the support) you want and need!

Today in pre-op class my surgeon explained that left-sided pain is because that was where the largest incision was and they have to cut into some muscle there.

The NUT told me today that papaya enzymes may help the foamies/frothing. I've seen others here and elsewhere talk about them as well.

I'm so glad to hear all of this! And That you are doing so well! Just had my pre-op today! Maybe I'll see you at one of the support group meetings!

I have to admit to getting a bit teary as I read all of your thoughtful responses to my post! Thank you for sharing your insights and caring! I guess I should have mentioned that I am single and don't have children, so my dad and my two sibs are my primary support system. We also all live within about five miles of each other and get together fairly frequently. In fact, we will be celebrating my dad's birthday dinner and my brother's birthday dinner both during my liver shrink diet. Don't expect that to be too big of an issue. I think that the hardest thing is that I feel it's a matter of integrity. I've never deliberately kept something from my dad. It feels like I am telling him a half truth that may hurt him if he later finds out. Of course, I have to decide what's more important to me - complete honesty with my dad or keeping information from his wife so that there are clear boundaries, knowing that I can't do both at the same time. I wish I had the gumption that some of you seem to have in saying to heck with her and telling her to back off, but I guess I'm not that fully actualized yet! lol! Also, it could also start a cold war in the family. Dad should never have to chose between his wife and his daughter. As many of you have pointed out, even though we are close, it is my life and future. And I keep replaying what I have seen many write on this forum - "you can never untell someone." Still don't know what I'm going to do, but feel much better for having the chance to talk with others about it! Best wishes and prayers to all of you who have said you are in similar situations. I'm here for any of you who want some support!

Gaelsmom- are you talking about the Isopure bottled drinks? I purchased four and opened them to taste them but then put back in frig for my two week liver shrink in two weeks. Does that mean they aren't any good?

Also, don't forget that alcohol is predominately sugar in the way it is metabolized.

Btw, yes I am working on these issues in therapy as I obviously need to. Probably the real issue is that at 56, my first thought when it comes to surgery is "I want my mommy!"

As I get closer to the time of my surgery (one month), it is becoming more and more difficult to not tell my dad. He knows I'm having surgery and wants to know why. I've told him its a personal issue but feel like I'm not being honest. I have a very close family, and my dad has supported me through several treatments for food addiction. Frankly, I want my dad's support and encouragement. However, dad got remarried ten years ago - five years after my mom's death- and his wife is difficult. She tends to be a know it all and to be very judgmental. Even though there are only twelve years between our ages, she likes to tell me and my sibs how to live. She has a quick easy answer for everything and is one of those southern ladies who can smile, saying bless your heart, while she stabs you in the back. I'm being a bit unfair as she does love my dad and makes him happy. However, I just don't want her to be a part of this journey. I'm so torn between wanting to talk with my dad (86 years old) and wanting to keep it from her and I just don't know how to do both. Anyone in a similar situation? I'd love to know how you handled it? Thanks so much!!

Cheri-j - loved your "answers" - could so relate! Boy, do I know those mental demons! Thank God for a good therapist. You also made me think that I need to get it set in my mind that there really is a honeymoon period so I don't get discouraged when it happens! Have any of you I our most distinguished age range (ahem), found that you lost weight slower than our younger counterparts?

Ashley, it must be a secret group as I can't find it on FB. If you can add people, will you add me? My FB name is choosehope Memphis. Thanks!

Monnie815- love Alabama. One of my dreams is to retire to Fair Hope!

Wow!! That's awesome!!!

Cheri-J. I am also 56. I'm dreaming of a world of no arthritis! While I know that won't happen, I know my flexibility and movement will increase and my pain level decrease. So, for all of you, what do you think the biggest advantage of being 50 something when you have bypass is? Biggest disadvantage? Biggest struggle? From my pre-op perspective, I think the biggest advantages are that I'm mature enough (theoretically) to know what I'm committing to and that while I do want to look and feel better in my body, my driving motivation is health and living the second half of my life well. Disadvantage - I spent so many years in physical and emotional pain and bondage- always fighting with my weight and losing. There are ways in which I've done irreparable harm to my body. Biggest struggle - this will probably change after surgery but right now it's probably that investigate and analyze and over-investigate and over-analyze. Best wishes to all you 50 and 60's wherever you are in your journey. Let's stay in touch. Sometimes I feel like the majority of people here are getting sleeves (which makes me over-analyze! Lol) or are half my age! Love learning from them but also treasure insight and support of others who are in my situation.