LAJ23

My dietician told me that any vitamins I take post-op need to be chewable for maximum absorption, but what about regular medications? Don't they work the same way? Absorbed into the bloodstream via the stomach? I'm just wondering about post-op pain meds, my regular daily medications, etc. (which also usually require a decent swig of water 😕).

Surgery is Wednesday and it's really starting to hit home. My anxiety is thru the roof. I'm not making excuses to jump ship, but I am starting to second guess myself. My husband said he'd be supportive no matter what but doesn't really have an opinion on whether I go thru with it or not - he honestly doesn't care one way or the other. I haven't told my mom about it because she would have a meltdown (she doesn't think I need this surgery and is very much against it). I'm worried about the recovery (pain, discomfort, hair loss, depression, etc.). All my pre-op bloodwork came back textbook perfect, so I'm extremely healthy aside from about 80 extra pounds. At my pre-op clearance visit on Friday, my PCP was like "You're perfectly healthy, so this surgery comes down to vanity and you wanting to be more active. Are you sure you want to go through with it?" So for the last couple of days, I've been stewing about it. This is something I've been wanting for a while, but now that it's literally down to 72 hours till "showtime", I'm doubting myself. Is this normal? If I go thru with it, I'll be 100% committed, but I guess I'm wondering... Do I really even NEED to go thru with it in the first place?

I know there are (or can be) immediate post-op problems with gas/bloating, but in the long run, does VSG help with bloating/IBS issues? I've had a sensitive stomach for years and even now, being on a raw veggie, protein drink & water diet for the last two weeks, I'm super bloated, gassy, and have pretty bad GI issues. Ugh... Wondering if this surgery is going to finally help resolve some of these things.

Good morning everyone! Thank you SO MUCH to all of you who responded. I truly appreciate the kind words and encouragement. To answer a few questions... I just turned 48. I have not had a weight issue all of my life. I was a very slender, athletic size 4 until I got pregnant at age 30. Long story short, due to a previously undiagnosed (pretty severe) chronic illness which came out of dormancy during my pregnancy, I gained 100lbs while pregnant that I was never really able to lose. I lost weight here & there, but part of the illness involves severe, chronic pain and fatigue, so any kind of "beneficial" exercise or activity has been almost impossible as I simply can't do it. The goal with surgery is to get the weight off so that hopefully, I'll be able to become more active again. I used to be a big jogger, played on softball teams, golfed, biked, hiked...you name it. Now, for the last (almost) 20 years, I've hardly been able to get off the couch due to chronic pain. I've had to stop taking Motrin & Advil in preparation for the surgery and the pain this past week has been almost unbearable. Due to the whole "opioid issue", my doctor refuses to prescribe pain meds. I'm not even sure how I'm going to get in all the walking that's required post-op. I'll do what I can. Also, with regards to my PCP being a jerk...LOL... I don't think he meant to sound that way. I think his intention was to say that on paper, I'm completely healthy (aside from my autoimmune issue) and this surgery is more about looking better and being more active, rather than trying to rid myself of diabetes or another problem. He's actually a great guy and I know he had no ill-will. Thanks again for all the support. I'm gonna go thru with it and will keep you all posted! XO

Well, since surgery is on Wednesday, I figured it was a good time to review my post-op diet binder since I'll be doing my grocery shopping this weekend. This is the first time since I really looked thru it since meeting with the dietician (I only met with her once and that was just last week - my surgery was scheduled an hour after I met with her). What stood out to me is that much of the instruction is in CAPS, BOLD, UNDERLINED, and seems to be yelling at me/the patient. I totally understand that a point is trying to be made, but I would have appreciated someone maybe explaining to me why these things were so important, rather than just "yelling" at me about them on paper. My situation is a bit different as I don't have a food addiction, I'm not an overeater, I'm not an unhealthy eater, etc. Long story short, I gained an insane amount of weight during pregnancy due to an undiagnosed chronic illness and have been physically unable to exercise (to a beneficial degree) for many years. It was eventually decided that I should have surgery to get the weight off and once the weight is off, I should have more energy and can hopefully get back to a more active lifestyle. So, my question is, with regards to all the "sugar-free, fat-free, no carbonated drinks, no alcohol, no bread, no pasta, no rice, no butter, etc." is that because they are poor food choices or because they can actually cause damage to your new stomach? I know sugar can cause dumping syndrome in folks that get bypass, but I'm having the sleeve and was told that's not an issue. Thankfully I don't have much of a sweet tooth, so it's not really an issue, but to NEVER be able to have any sugar ever again? Ugh.... I'm also a little confused about why they're so hellbent on patients only drinking certain protein drinks (they only allow two premade shakes - all others are milk mixed with powder). When I went thru the program at another hospital (but decided to change surgeons before the actual surgery) they were much more flexible on protein drinks, the pre-op diet was totally different, the post-op diet was a bit different, stages/timing of "new foods" post-op is different... I'm just trying to figure out why there are so many differences between programs, and why this new hospital seems so unbelievably strict (again, with the "yelling" and inflexibility in their program). Any insight would be great. I'm so looking forward to getting this over with. The anxiety leading up to this I think is worse than the surgery itself! LOL!

Can someone please give me the lowdown on a couple of actual surgical questions? How many incisions are made? How big are they and where are they? Of the two surgical consultations, neither doctor really went over this with me (and truthfully, I didn't think to ask). How long do the external incisions take to heal? How long do you take to heal internally? Are you in a lot of pain on the inside or out (aside from gas pain or overeating, etc.)? I've read stories about some people being in pain for weeks and others "rollin' in the hay 3 days later", so I honestly don't know what to expect! I know I won't be doing the latter! LOL!!!

Interesting about the sugar/dumping as I specifically asked about this. I was originally going to have RnY, but changed to VSG when I decided to change surgeons. I asked the dietician about the sugar thing and she specifically said it was not an issue for VSG patients. I'll still avoid it as I'm well aware how awful dumping syndrome can be. Thanks for the head's up.

I've been reading on this website (as well as others), stories of people who have had various kinds of bariatric surgeries that have failed. Granted, I'm guessing some may have failed due to lack of commitment, exercise, etc., but what about the folks who have followed their post-op diets/instructions to a "T" and either lose significantly less than expected or permanently stall after a short time? I tend to be a person who loses weight more easily when I eat normal, healthy, balanced meals, as opposed to "starving" on super low cal, low carb, diets. Right now I'm six days into my pre-op diet and I'm only down 3lbs. According to my dietician, I should be down at least double that. I've only been eating raw mini cucumbers, tomatoes, and bell peppers along with five Ensure HP shakes and 64oz. water every day - that's all I'm allowed and all I've been having. I've also been walking 30 mins./day. Since Monday, I've had a nonstop headache, lightheadedness, fatigue, GI issues, and joint pain. I mentioned this to my dietician as well, but she didn't really address it. I'm worried that since I'm not losing quickly enough now, and I seem to be having these "side effects" that this might be indicative of how things will go post-op. Thoughts?

Ensure High Protein - they are the only ones I'm allowed to drink.

I hope you're right! According to my estimated weightloss, it's showing 162 - my goal is 130 (agreed upon with my surgeon as being totally realistic).

I'm scheduled for VSG next week and I'm trying to figure out how to prepare for what to wear after surgery. When I first saw a weight loss doctor on 2/5 of this year, I was 247. As of today, I'm 225, but all my clothes still fit - albeit a little loose. With quick, major weight loss expected, plus the change of seasons coming up, I don't know how to prepare wardrobe-wise. Any tips? I haven't worn anything smaller than an XXL (sometimes XL if it runs big) in years, so I have no clue what to buy!

Hey everyone, Newbie here. On Friday, I got a call saying that my surgery is scheduled for 8/19 - if I wanted it to be - so I booked it. Of course, that was actually perfect timing (workwise it fits great with my schedule), but I feel like I had NO notice. No time to prepare, no time to get a few things out of my system (like a trip to my favorite seafood restaurant, etc.). I'm not big on pigging out, so that wasn't my intention, but I had to start the pre-op diet immediately and did so on Saturday. Now, it's a GORGEOUS day here in Chicago and I'd love nothing more than to sit outside and enjoy a raspberry lemonade with a splash of vodka (I'm not a big drinker either, but that's something I enjoy on a nice day). In some ways, I feel like I'm depriving myself. The diet I'm on is pretty strict in my opinion (tho I know others have it worse) - only certain plain, raw veggies, 5 Ensure High Protein shakes, and 64oz. water a day. That's it - I can't even so much as use salt or pepper on the veggies. I know I want to go thru with this surgery, but now I feel like I'm kind of rushing it. On the other hand, I feel like I should just push thru and get it over with. I'm also worried because I see all these posts about people not losing as much as they expect to. I'm currently 5'5", 227, BMI is 36. I'm already down 4lbs. since Saturday just eating the way I am. Please tell me this gets easier!

A little backstory... My entire life, until I was 29 and got pregnant, I was a very fit, athletic size 4. When I got preggo, I gained almost 100lbs, had gestational diabetes, toxemia, and other issues. A few months after my son was born, I found out I had lupus, and the pregnancy "activated" it. Since then, I've had a terrible time trying to lose weight due to extreme fatigue and joint pain. So, my issue isn't with food and overeating, it's lack of exercise and the excess weight doesn't help. After trying WW, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, and everything else the last 15-20 years, it's come down to surgery. I've been advised to get the weight off and that will get the ball rolling so I can start working out again. I didn't really consider going to a seafood restaurant "food funeral" (actually never heard that term! 🙂), but rather a place I just wanted to go before I couldn't go there anymore. I was told by my dietician that often crab can no longer be tolerated...one of my faves. 😞

My surgery is scheduled for 8/19 and I just started my pre-op diet on Saturday as my surgery date was just given to me on Friday. I can only have certain raw veggies, 64oz. of water & 5 Ensure High Protein drinks per day. I have to tell you, it's rough. I've only cheated twice - had two slices of turkey lunchmeat one day and half a plain, 1/4lb. hamburger (no bun, seasonings, cheese, or anything else) another day. Since Saturday morning, I've lost 4lb. but I feel miserable. I have headaches, feel lightheaded, am achy, and have had major stomach/bathroom issues. I emailed my dietician this afternoon to see if this is normal as I just feel awful. Hoping she'll let me add some more "solid" food like chicken breast. Good luck - I know it's not easy!