Hello All,

Hopefully I am posting right. I just started my journey on August 25th by going to a seminar in NJ. I had my first consultation with the surgeon yesterday Septembet 8th. I now have to go to all the doctors for clearance and have a tentative date for surgery on NOVEMBER 11TH. I am so excited and nervous at the same time. Can anyone let me know what to expect pre surgery and the first few weeks after surgery. I have a special needs child and have to have the proper people help me with her. I also am not getting much support from my husband or mother so I would love some support from others who have been there and who are starting out like me.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Good luck to all!

Debbie

Welcome aboard !

Well first of all I will say you probably need help with your child. No lifting for a while, and you need your rest to heel !

You will be going to Dr.'s so get a file with pockets in it like the kids one use at school.

Every time you go to any Dr., Specialist, Nutritionist make sure you get weighed (this is the whole point for Ins..)

Then ask for a print out of the report or office visit. Some are fussy, so insist you need this for your Dr.'s Office,

Some know the drill, and not a problem. You will get it.

Put it in your pocket file.

Any place you go PCP, Surgeon, Shrink, etc get that printout.

Then when it comes time for surgery, and they talk to you about (proof) for the Ins. Company. You hand the whole thing over.

They can't get lost or messed up with all facts. Also Make Copies to have on hand just in case there is ever a question.

There will be things that you will buy from Protein shakes, Hot Water Bottle, Pill Splitter/ Crusher combo ebay sells them.

sleep in a Recliner you will find it easier to get up from. Some sugar free pudding to help take those crushed pills. PAIN KILLERS.

Gas X Strips They help some.

After you will be in the liquid stage, Stock, broth, sugar free pop-cycles, Sugar Free Yogurt, s.f. pudding, Protein Shakes.

It's really not that bad, I was up that night, then walking in the morning. Then I went home. Stuck to this site, and if I had questions,,, I asked !

I figured they were once where I was so, they must know something.

I got all the help in the world, and made friends with the bandsters that were banded in the same month as me. (October Bandster)

I walked to relieve the Gas, took my pain pills as needed, drank a lot of water, Soups, shakes etc....

This takes time, it is a slow go. Don't get disappointed when you find yourself finally hungry.

These fills take time to work, so your Dr. will have given you a diet to follow. Stick to it !

You need to heel.

Remember,,,,, PROTEIN HELPS KILL HUNGER !

Hope this answers some questions, Shirley.

Thank you Shirley that helped alot. I see that this is a great site to be on to answer questions and find out more and more how I made the right decision to go ahead with this.

Did you have people not supporting you? My husband and mother are nnot supporting me right now but my kids are so far.

When I started on my journey I did not have support from my mother. I don't have a husband but I do have a friend that I see from time to time. He was understanding but not supportive.

I took my mother to my Dr. appointments so that she could understand that I was doing the surgery for health reasons and NO other reasons.

I have two children and one has special needs. People do not realize how difficult life can be with a child with special needs. They don't realize that mothers stop taking care of ourself and only focus on the child and their needs.

So explain to your mother and husband that you need the surgery to help you become healthier for you and your child. You need to be around and you need all the energy you can get!!