Orchids&Dragons

Brilliant! Should be handed out with the educational materials before surgery!

Welcome! Sorry to hear how complicated your surgery was, but best wishes that the rest of your recovery goes smoothly. Definitely sleep while you have the chance! I wore the big, elastic abdominal support for the first 2 weeks. Between that and my swollen belly, sitting at a computer was almost impossible the first week. I'm an accountant, so I sit pretty much all day. I read and binge watched reruns of favorite shows. I thought I could get caught up on my required CPEs (Continuing Professional Education classes) while I was home, but had a serious case of the post-anesthesia stupids, so no way.

Best wishes that everything goes smoothly! Are you sure you'll still need to be cash? I would have thought RA would be considered a co-morbidity since losing weight would help with your mobility.

Mine was 10 days total: 5 days of mushy foods, 3 days full liquids, 2 days clear liquids. So, it wasn't nearly as restrictive as some, but my surgeon complemented me on my "flat as a pancake" liver!

Wow, Frustr8, I could tell you were a survivor, but just wow. Blessings on your new journey.

Maybe you can compile your own file of studies that show the odds of regaining weight and the likely results of remaining obese. Someone else on the website (apologies, but maybe they'll comment) said, would you let a cardiac patient die without a bypass because they didn't make the right life-choices? Would you tell a type-2 diabetic that they can't have insulin because it's the easy way? The most effective, long-term treatment for obesity is surgery.

I may actually go get some. Maybe I could tolerate those. Thanks!

Hate to be a party-pooper, but check with the surgeon about how long before weight-lifting. I had a 10 pound limit for a month.

No that would have me in a panic!

I'm sorry Frustr8. The mother-daughter relationship should be so much nicer than that.

Sounds like you're the likely designated driver! If you do drink be extremely careful. I've been told that one drink can put you over .08 since the alcohol doesn't get processed in your stomach at all, instead the raw alcohol hits the intestine and goes straight into your bloodstream.

Futuresleeve, you didn't mention if he was supportive while you tried to lose weight the "regular" way. If he was, try and invite him to a support group meeting or to one of the followups with the surgeon/nutritionist, etc. See if he's at all interested in becoming informed about something that you are passionate about and are doing for the sake of your health and future. If he responds, that's great. Maybe he'll learn to be more open to your needs. If not, is this "My boyfriend thinks that I'm taking the easy way out, that I have zero control, that I am being inconsiderate of him, that I will become ill and regretful and he's also expressed that he wants out of the relationship because he doesn't want someone who's lazy and wants a leg up." really what you need in your life? You need someone helping you to achieve the best life you can and if he's not on board, to %$#@ bad. Sorry about being blunt, but you deserve better.

Sounds like they got their wires crossed. Even if the pre-op diet is liquid only, there are still about 500-800 calories a day. My surgeon just specified liquids, then clear liquids, but not how many per day. Shakes have about 120-280 calories, protein water (clear liq) are 80-90 calories on average. I haven't heard about anyone being allowed 0 calories on pre-op.

I even walked during the night. They set an alarm and got me up every 4 hours all night!

My doctor's office recommended it, but I saw so much of it when my kids were little that it was a no-go for me!

Great story! Thanks for sharing!

Personally, I say bring the whole pillow! It's just "homey" and comforting

Oh, yes! Totally agree!

My instructions said never. But really, since you need to wean yourself off for the surgery and at least a while after, why not use the opportunity to just stop with soda? There's nothing in it that's good for you and you'd already have been through the withdrawal.

If you like, it's not a bad idea to have a sleep mask and earplugs.

That's fantastic! I'm happy for you!

I get it at Sam's club. Some has 20g of protein. I find it very sweet, so I dilute 50% with water to get even more water in.

Wow, is that the new you trying on clothes? Good for you and congrats on your continued success!

Sugar-free Jello counts as a clear liquid. If you don't chew it well, it gives a sense of fullness in your stomach for a while when you're doing the pre-surgery liquid diet.

My doctor wouldn't clear me to drive until my 1-week checkup, regardless of narcotic use. Check with your doctor's office.