Neon Star

Well, I made it through my first day of the pre-op diet! I had apple & cinnamon oatmeal, raspberry Jello, vegetable beef Soup, Premier Protein shake, a Protein Bar, VLC bar, and 69 ounces of flavored water. The only problem I'm having with it is that I spend more time in the bathroom than anywhere else! I keep telling myself that it's all worth it and a small price to pay for being healthier and living a longer and happier life! I'm off to make more Jello for tomorrow! How was your first day?

I am on my 5th day and It is just hitting me. Not hungry, but I just need to chew so I have succumbed to eating ice and my popsicles lol
9 more days to go

Oh one other thing I'm taking, my stuffed rabbit who I have christened Roux -en-Y Rabbit. Yeah a little Water from the Holy Land , relative went on one of those Get Holy cruises.
Back in the Bad Old Days of all open incisions, ready for a little FYI? Most people if they have an "open" have what is a subcostal, a diagonal directly under your right ribcage, very sensible, yeah?
I had to be different, I had a right paramedian, right to the right of my belly button, maybe 5.5. inches in length. Now I am an allergic soul, sneeze a lot, cough some with asthma. You don't want to do either without "splinting", this term means you press a pillow or something soft against it so you don't feel like you're going to bust open. I took my kids stuffed tou,a chicken called what else "Chickie". He was a wonderful friend to me. Now that was34 years ago and I have no clue where he is. So when WallyWorld had their Easter clearance I invested in a soft fluffy rabbit just the right size. I may even label a onesie with his name so he's dressed for the occasion. Looked up future surgeons 2017 record, he did 600-700 surgeries personally, only 1 open. I will remind him though, if he can't complete it lap he has my permission to do it open.
1. I want it that badly, so don't stop now
2. I already have 1 visible scar, so what's 2 there? At 72 and with the criss cross scars from 3 9lb babies, I'm not going to be wearing bikinis
3. I healed from previous open just fine, I set a precedent, I'll do it again.
This is my third attempt at winning the Weight Loss Rodeo, I want the Verdompt Blue Ribbon
And I want it NOW!
So bottom line, what will yours truly bring to that operating room
ME ME ME and that had better be sufficent!👈😝👉

Most of the premoistened mouth swabs are lemon-tasting at least in my part of the world. If you loathe lemon, you might get a supply of little pink foam tipped swabs, the local independent,pharmacy stocks them. If your hospital is playing Hard***. they usually do provide a mothwash, use it with your little
pink swabs, if nothing else use plain water.I used to sweat everything stinky I had ate the week before was in my dried out mouth. Yucky poo poo!😟Bring slippers or scuff type shoes, those floors are hard (easier to keep clean) and those six they issue you, they might be fine for short trips to the porcelain throne,but if you walk very far, and we all know they encourage "walkies" those nor skid bumps hurt to walk on. One frequent poster on BP bought a cheapish set of bedroom slippers, threw them in the trash when she left so she didn't bring home evil hospital germs.
SO
comfy loosish clothes because you want something easy to get on, you don't want your bare bum shining under the hospital gowns and your tummy with its multiple little slits is going to be tender.
phone, charger and maybe a 3 foot extension cord in case plugs right close to you are in use
Chap stick, your lips are going to be dry, try to crack and also, if you get a tinted slightly one, you look prettier.
All the other suggestions above are good.
I am a die-hard writer so I'll. probably take my journal so I can write all about it,I only plan one of these bariatric funfests.
Anyway please report back to us how everything went. Right about now you may be wishing someone could take your place,tell them to call me, I have been waiting FOREVER! Alex and Ken have my E Mail,address, I'll answer all texts! Your Impatient future-patient Bud. ,,Frust8😝

Ms Hopefull Lisa- we cheer you , we applaud you, and we believe in you. Go forward with joy in your hear, peace in your mind, a spring in your step, and a smile upon your face. You are loved, treasured and important in our lives. Your Bariatric family will be waiting for an update when surgery is over, so no sorrow and sadness things will be just right. Bonne Chance, Cher Lisa!

Just back from an event filled all weekend wedding in Montreal where I couldn't eat anything that was served because of pre op diet but was able to work around it with scrambled eggs at the hotel in the AM, Protein Drinks, veggies and Water. Glad to be home. Lots to do before surgery this Thursday 5/3/18. For all those going before me or close to me, I'm thinking of you all and hoping we all get through the surgery just fine.
Lisa

Omg the gurgling noises for me! Sometimes I open my mouth and it sounds like I have pop rocks in there

I'm officially 10 days post-op and I totally agree with what everyone is saying. I'm kind of sensitive to narcotic pain meds and anesthesia. I was allowed to take my Ambien at home so that helped a lot with sleep at night. Plus sleep is important to heal that new stomach. And only consuming like 500 calories or less can make you super tired. I'm surprised you're on Vitamins though? I guess all docs are different but I have to hold off for 2 weeks for my "weird" ones and start a children's chewable next week.
my pain was terrible for a week, I took every dose of oxycodone they gave me and I am really very good with pain normally. I'm still in pain but try to avoid any pain meds as I feel like Tylenol does squat. My pain is in the lower bottom right area, where they pulled out that old stomach! And some near my (former) drain site. I also have zombie bites all over from the metal staples lol. Proves I'm a true HARDCORE walking dead fan!
I think the fourth of fifth day I final stopped crying trying to get in or out of bed. Last few nights I blubber quietly when I go to bed at night because i sleep on my right side. At least the Ambien kicks in quick.

That reminds me that I alwo bought a few tiny glass bowls that I can use in the microwave or the oven. I'm trying to cover all the bases!

Old dinner plate and Soup mug versus new dinner tea saucer and tea cup (and tiny bowl for early purees/soup)

I bought some small appetizer plates and baby spoons and forks to help me keep my portions small, along with one and two oz. containers for my post op week liquids/jello. My surgery is at 9:00 am on May 7th and I'm excited to start this new life! Hubby drove me to the hospital so we know exactly where we're going on the big day. They want me there at 7:00 am. Would you believe I got big-time butterflies as soon as we got there??

You should try the nectar brand Protein powders in the Vanilla Latte or one of the other coffee flavors. All the ones that I have tried have been delicious and you can buy a sample pack to try or a tub of powder.

You can drink decaff coffee! The main reason you can't have caffeinated coffee is due to it being a diuretic which can cause issues with your Fluid intake. My nutritionist said as soon as people are exceeding their fluid intake, she allows regular coffee back. I made the switch to decaff at the beginning of the process, as I like you am a coffee addict. I kid you not I would drink anywhere between 3-5 cups of coffee a day. Not sure if I will go back to the caffeinated version or not post-surgery since Decaf tastes the same.
However how do you take your coffee? I've experimented with multiple different "decaf coffee lattes" to try to mimic my favorites. If you drink it with light cream, then try adding 2tbs of vanilla Premier Protein. Adding more premier Protein gives it a more decadent taste. I personally cannot add more than 1/2 a pp because it becomes wayyy to sweet.
You can try the other flavors as well. My favorite hands down is 4oz dark roast coffee + 1/2 Caramel premier protein, pop in the microwave for 45 seconds and you have yourself a foam-free macchiato!

You sound like me. I'm 62 and have numerous co-morbidities and COPD. Although any surgery is risky, I'm willing to take the chance in order to have a healthy, happier remainder of life!

I am 5ft8in and 323. I am young enough at heart that I have a pair of cut off bib overalls, if I were average sized. you might call them DaiseyI Dukes. Since,i am a hefty Hubba Bubba Honey I call mine Lulu Boggs and I do,not wear them to the grocery but I do garden in them at home. By next year,I do plan a pair of Bono Fide Daiseys --even if they are more Bermuda length . A girl does get to have an occasional dream, doesn't she?

Is there any 5 foot tall female who got the sleeve done? I am 5 foot fall and weigh 203 lb. most people see me and they say I do not need to get sleeved but, the BMI charts say other wise. I have not seen anyone at my height or my weight go into the surgery. So I’m wondering if there is anyone out there. Also I hear normally we (short 200lb) wouldn’t loose weight as fast and as much as everyone else does. Not sure why or is this true?? I have surgery on Thursday and All these questions are coming to mind.

As much as I miss the taste of diet soda.... I really miss the carbonation. Something about a good fizz hitting the back of your throat. MMmmmmm. I need to unfollow this thread... it makes me weak.

For the hard core soda drinkers...lol
Liquid stevia cola drops. Many flavors to add to your Water. Found these at my local health food store. You can also find them online.
My coffee fix was crushed ice, instant coffee (decaf) Hershey's Sugar Free Chocolate Syrup and vanilla Protein Powder. It was my morning drink.
Best of luck guys!

I am also staying caffeine free! I don't ever want to be a slave to caffeine ever again! I do miss diet soda.... ohhhh do I.... but I'm staying strong. Very very strong.

None are mine but if you needed a chuckle to get you thru to Friday i hope this helps.

This is majorly TMI....but seriously, folks....a bulb syringe and some warm soapy water....just a squirt or two...makes a world of difference. No straining, no cramps. Kinda gross for some folks, but I'm a little clinical about these things...and the instant relief without side effects makes it worth it to me.

Tenative May 7 date for me. I’ve been stalking this page for a while, but figured I’d sign up when I got my surgery date. I’m waiting for a peer to peer review before my insurance company will cover me. Fortunately my Surgeons staff has been very helpful in letting me schedule before we get final approval. This process has been considerably longer than I expected going in. I guess the additional time has given me the opportunity to do all the research I needed to make sure I’m making the right choice.

Hello All,

I am an Aussie, 63 yo male about to have a Gastric Sleeve op and i'd like to ask someone who has had this op about their experiences whether good or bad.
I would appreciate to read your experiences.
Rocket

Me too! I had a COPD exacerbation a few weeks ago and I hope they don't postpone me! They are rescheduling my endoscopy and I have my consent signing visit next week. I'm SO ready to start a healthier, happier life!

Me too! I had a COPD exacerbation a few weeks ago and I hope they don't postpone me! They are rescheduling my endoscopy and I have my consent signing visit next week. I'm SO ready to start a healthier, happier life!