SKINNYdip 2006

So I am just waiting on approval for my surgery but I was wondering what I should be doing now to better prepare myself. For those who have already had the surgery what? advice can you give? If you could go back what are some things you wish you would have worked on more before getting the surgery? I research and what vlogs everyday but I still feel like I am missing something. Instead of stressing about if I will be approved or not or worse stress eating I want to do something productive with my time while I wait.

I had my sleeve done in 2011, reached my goal weight of 138, and have maintained it since. I developed GERD about two years after the sleeve surgery. I've been on omeprazole since, the max dosage the past two years. GERD gave me an esophageal stricture which causes food and liquids to regurgitate back into my mouth after swallowing. It's truly gross to have to repeatedly reswallow the same mouthful of food. Sometimes things get stuck and I have to vomit them up. I've had a couple of endoscopies, a BRAVO study, and esophageal manometry. The manometry shows I have achalasia (impaired swallowing) too, not surprising when you only have a 12.5 mm wide esophagus. It was dilated during an endoscopy, but shrank back down fairly quickly. My surgeon wants to do a Heller myotomy to fix the stricture but a common side effect of myotomy is GERD. So he has to do something about the GERD, too, and that has to be some kind of bypass. Since I'm at goal weight with a BMI of 21, I don't have much spare poundage to lose. Plus I'm 65 and don't want to end up one of those "frail elderly" people who can't carry groceries or walk very far. I am hoping that my surgeon will make the very shortest bypass limb he can.
Approval came a week after submission so I'm scheduled for June 29. No preop diet required. It's all happening a little fast and I'm a little freaked out. I think I've forgotten all the food stages :-). Support would be appreciated.

Hey guys! I am scheduled for Nov 3 but am on a waiting list for an October slot. My surgeon is trying to work out an additional October date with the hospital. I have an October birthday so I really hope I can get in. This would be the best birthday present I could possibly give myself. I have been gaining steadily for the past 20 years and am approaching 300. My mom died last year after struggling with her health and obesity for her entire adult life. I want to honor her by taking control of my health and living more completely. I wish confidence, happiness, determination, and health for us all. Here's to good things, fall friends! 🧡🍁🍂🤎

Thank you so much for this helpful and great advice! I will pray hard about the word compliance! That keeps jumping out to me!

Going to get GENEPRO today!

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My Doc was very firm, which many took to be lack of understanding. He was not interested in excuses, he simply required compliance. Even the slightest deviation from the rules got a firm lecture about following the rules.
Pre-op, we found reasons why our current diet wasn't working, or why we just had to go off plan. We don't want to repeat this post-op.
Even if you can't stomach your program, you MUST do it. Figure it out, it's up to you. You've had your plumbing rearranged so even good excuses won't help. You have to make your program work. You really have no choice.
At one week post-op, you are still dealing/suffering with the effects of surgery. Things are swollen and painful, which tends to gum up the works. So be patient with yourself. You need to figure out how to do your Protein Drinks (if that is your Doc's program). Week one, it's not the end of the world if you don't eat or drink every bit of whatever is on your program, just do your best. You may not be able to drink a whole or even half a Protein Drink at one time and even then you may have to take small sips. Try thinning or thickening the Protein drink. What physically works does not always make sense. Make sure it is mixed well, as any lump could get stuck. Small sips. Take your time. You can do this.
You need to do what your Doc says. Compliance is critical to long term success. You didn't get to needing surgery by doing things the right way. Not being able to eat or drink easily is your gateway to learning success. Small sips (whatever your doc says), go slow. When you get to food, small bites, chew well, then chew some more.
Your first 6 months are when you learn everything, both good and bad. No excuses. It's up to you to make it work.
Exciting times ahead. Enjoy them as best you can.
Tek