lizonaplane

I am in the US and I have done all of my visits for the whole process (six months so far) over Zoom. I finally got a surgery date for Sep 13 and the only thing I will need to do in person is have labs drawn. Then I will just go in the day of my surgery. I have had several meeting with the surgeon, nutritionist, and psychologist alone plus some group classes. I found them very helpful and they all allowed time for me to ask many questions. I'm concerned that you weren't given a time to ask questions about the pre-op and post op diet. I had a lot of questions, but maybe your diet is just liquid so very simple. My diet is going to be low carb, low fat, high protein, so I had to ask a lot of questions about what I can and cannot eat before surgery. But, don't you have a number you can call, or a patient gateway system you can message your providers with questions? Good luck!

I just read in the pre-surgery packet they gave me that surgery causes a change in saliva that can cause dry mouth. That's why dental hygiene is so important after surgery.

I understand the nerves - I have also put off the surgery for about 10 years. I think the best thing you can do is remember how low the level of complications are, and think about how you're doing this because the risk of death/illness from obesity is much higher than from surgery. But anxiety before surgery is totally normal!

I don't think it's the fat neck thing, because I have had dry mouth at my heaviest weights. For me, it's from medications. I think there are lots of causes of dry mouth.

The pre-op diet, whether it's the shakes or just low-carb high protein is meant to shrink your liver so it's easier to move out of the way during surgery. You don't want your surgeon to have trouble getting around your liver because any damage to the liver could be bad, especially since people who are obese tend to have fatty, damaged livers already. It also makes for a faster, smoother recovery. It's very important to keep to the diet your surgery center gives you. I've seen posts here where people's surgeries were cancelled because their livers were too enlarged to proceed.

I think you need to go back to your surgeon and keep pushing. If you're not even able to keep liquids down that could be a serious issue. Can you talk to the nutritionist? Can you drink protein drinks or any other fluids? Good luck!

I had another one last week to come back from Spain, and man, it was rough, way worse than any other I've had. I could still feel the burn a few hours later. I think a lot depends on how deep the person performing it thinks they have to go.

Best of luck!!

Oh man, night shift is sooo hard on your mind and body. Is there any way to get a day shift? I assume you have a reason for doing night shift, either by choice or necessity, but if there's any way to switch, I would consider it. I agree with @kristieshannon that packing your meals and avoiding the vending machines and fast food at all costs is the way to go. Also, tracking your food. And aiming to get as much sleep as you can when you get home - get black out curtains and shut off your phone. The more tired you are, the more difficult it will be to stave off temptation (I am currently jetlagged and eating like crap!). Good luck.

I've heard that story too, about being intubated and having the stomach perforated. I would ask your surgeon if they think it's really necessary. I don't plan to wear a medical alert bracelet, but I'm having sleeve, so I don't think it would be the same issue. Needing to have an urgent intubation is really not that common, and I think of medical alert bracelets for things that would occur more commonly, like anaphylaxis and blood sugar issues. But if it makes you feel safer, I don't think most people would be able to read what it was for - although if you get one that doesn't look enough like a medical alert bracelet, would the EMTs know to read it?

Maybe talking to your surgeon about what their plan is to prevent clots, and having the surgeon work with your specialist who manages your clotting disorder is a good idea. Then you can tell your family you've done your homework. That may not help; families worry! Good luck!

I would mention this to your surgery center. I would also track your foods to see if, like @NovaLuna said, it's specific foods that are giving you issues. Although, it sounds like you don't even feel like eating. Are you able to keep up with your liquids? If not, definitely call your surgery center right away because you don't want to get dehydrated.

Congrats on your success so far!! Don't forget to celebrate how much you've already accomplished. I know it's hard to pat yourself on the back when you feel you're so far from your goal, but try to give yourself a thank you - whether it's a new outfit, getting a friend to give you a mani-pedi, or just a new haircut, celebrate the milestones along the way. You'll get there!

I'm sorry you're facing this. I hope you get it sorted out! Good luck!

I lost about 80 lbs about 10 years ago and when I came back from Colombia, my passport picture showed me as much heavier, and the guy asked me if I had another photo ID. I showed him my driver's license, which showed me as just as heavy, but he just said, "congratulations on the weight loss" and let me in. I have a new passport, which shows me as heavier again (I gained back the 80 lbs, then lost 100, and gained that back, which is why I'm going for surgery). This passport is good until 2029. Hopefully the next one I'll be thinner!

I don't think two scrambled eggs is too much. I don't know how much bread was in the sandwich, but I was told to focus on protein and not eat too much carbs like bread, which is simple carbs. I was told protein first, then veggies, and only if still hungry, complex carbs (like quinoa or brown rice). You might just be in a stall, but you could also contact your surgery center's nutritionist to make sure you're on track with your eating and exercise. Good luck!

It's crazy that some states require a weight for the driver's license. I've had a license in 3 states - PA, FL, and MA, and none required me to put a weight. Anyway, Congrats!

You should reach out to your surgery center and ask if they can recommend a therapist and also see if you can get a different anti-nausea medication. You sound like you need some support from a mental health standpoint. I know it's common to have "buyer's remorse" for a time after surgery, but it sounds like you may be suffering from depression too, although I certainly can't diagnose you. Definitely reach out to the surgery center and let them know you're struggling. Keep us posted!

Most places don't make you stop coffee permanently - I have to stop caffeine 2 weeks before to a month after. But you can probably take imitrex for migraines, since it's not an NSAID. I take it and they didn't tell me I'd have to stop it. Or topamax, I take that too, and it helps with weight loss (has some not wonderful side effects like forgetting words, but I'm used to that now). You can also work with your doctor to find something that works for your arthritis, and it may get better when you lose weight and can be more active (depending on where it is).

If you're talking about the pre-surgery nutrition classes, for me it was a joke. They didn't talk about how to eat after surgery at all, just like "did you know french fries are unhealthy??" There are also classes that introduce you to the whole program, like what the surgery does and how you prepare for it, and what to expect in terms of weight loss, and what the visits you will need are.

If your hunger is gone, you have eaten enough. Our brains want more because we are used to over-eating. Our brains are not going to be satisfied with "just enough". That's pretty much the definition of head hunger. That takes therapy.

I agree. Sounds like head hunger. Try brushing your teeth or going for a walk. Or, work with a therapist to see if there are other issues that need to be resolved. But make sure it's a bariatric trained therapist, or they won't have a clue how to help you. Good luck!

I haven't had surgery yet, but I can tell you I have some fears too. Like, can I do this lifestyle change forever? Will I even lose weight? If I do lose weight, will I keep it off? Will I end up being sick all the time and in worse shape than I am now (and no longer able to travel!)? I can't answer how much support you'll need, but my parents are flying up to the city where I live and will stay in a hotel. Only one person will be able to come to the hospital due to COVID, and it's likely I will only stay one night, so I just will have my mom come (in case I'm indecent in my hospital gown after surgery - too bad because my dad would be better at just sitting there as I'm dozing off). From what other people have said, mostly you're just sleeping in the hospital, although some people have more pain, and whether you want company when you're in pain is sort of a personal thing. I have been in the hospital by myself a few times (not usually overnight) and it wasn't terrible, but surgery is totally new to me. I don't have any pets, but maybe you have a friend who could sit with your dog while you're in the hospital?

As @AjaSlimtone said, your starting weight is quite low, so you will not be able to lose fast, like people who start at 300 or 400 lbs. Just follow your surgery center's instructions to the letter and trust in the process. Make sure you're getting your fluids and protein. You got this!

Since ibuprofen and other NSAIDS are gastric irritants, I would avoid them as they could make the stomach pain worse. I would reach out to your surgery center. You could have an ulcer or gastritis, or so many other issues. If they are not responsive, keep trying, or talk to your PCP/GP or a gastroenterologist. Keep pestering people till you have an answer!