Well, I'll be having surgery on June 22, 2 days from now. I can't quite describe how I'm feeling but I'm definitely not totally calm and confident. I know I want and need this surgery but I keep having these weird flashes of "Can't I just do this on my own?" or "Do I really need to go get my dang stomach cut out just to lose this weight?" So far, I haven't talked myself out of it yet or picked up the phone to cancel the surgery, but I feel like I'm close to that sometimes.

I've been extremely busy this week and have barely had any time to log on and read posts this week. Maybe that's part of the problem because I usually feel better after that. But I'm in the middle of teaching a class and I've been cleaning my house like crazy all week because it's been kind of a mess. So, I really couldn't log on more.

My sister is coming with her kids for the week to watch my daughter and the dogs, so at least that part of things has been taken care of. I pretty much just need to go in, have the surgery, and recuperate. So what is wrong with me?!! :001_rolleyes: I feel like heading for the hills and forgetting that I ever started all of this! I know, totally crazy...

Any words of wisdom from those who have made it through these last minute freak-out sessions would be greatly appreciated.

Hi everyone! Thanks for all the good thoughts and well wishes. I had surgery Tuesday a.m. as planned. Things were rough right after surgery. I had a lot of pressure pain in my chest and abdomen. The nausea has been pretty bad also. Overall I'm still dealing with pain and nausea but I think things are worse because I had hernia repair also. I'm walking alot but having trouble drinking enough. Totally dependent on my IV right now.Based on what everyone else had posted, I expect to be feeling much better in a couple of days. I hope my fellow June22 sleevers are ok too. I can't believe I'm on the loser's bench! Yeah!

YAY YAY Mary, I'm glad to hear surgery went well, and hope things improve soon. Stay positive, and keep us updated.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I'm so glad to hear everything went well. The discomfort passes pretty quickly. My doctor sent me home with a prescription for Zophran because I had problems with nausea that lasted for several weeks. For me, it really eased the nausea and kept me from throwing up.

Yea Mary!!!!! Congrats on your new life!!!!!! As you know... its rough at first... but its better every day.

You know the drill..... sip.... walk.....sip....walk

Congratulations

Stacey

Yea Mary!! Glad to hear you are on the road to recovery!! Sending you healing vibes.

I hope you all did well, and wish you a speedy and easy recovery.

Congrats Mary!! So happy for you!!

I'm thinking of you, Mary! Be patient. The recovery is something that everyone goes through and there will be times when you wonder if you did the right thing, but you get better with every day! I'm 10 wks out (approx) and yesterday I did some aerobics and then walked over 2 miles! I'm drinking better and can eat anything I want in moderation. You'll get there!

Hey guys. Thanks again for all the good thoughts sent my way. I really appreciate it. I made it home Thursday afternoon, two days after surgery. I forgot to mention earlier that I passed my leak test Tuesday afternoon after surgery. I tried to get it postponed to the next day because the throught of putting anything in my mouth that soon after surgery was repulsive, but my doctor wouldn't hear of it. I guess that's why he gets paid the big bucks because he knows best.

I had some issues with my pain and nausea meds in the hospital but once that was straightened out I began to feel better much more quickly. Other than that, the hospital experience and care was great. I had to call the doc's office yesterday to ask if I should try taking my big horsepill omeprazole. The doctor actually got on the phone when I called and talked to me for a few minutes. I thought that was nice. So, he suggested liquid gaviscon until my stomach is less swollen and can handle the omeprazole without it getting stuck and making me vomit. The gaviscon seems to be doing the trick.

Up until Friday afternoon, I wasn't able to tolerate much other than warm decaf tea with splenda. I've finally added popscicles, Italian ices, and plain Water. The thought of Jello is not appealing to me for some reason. I just want to make sure I don't get dehydrated at this point. Luckily, water is going down much easier now and I can get a good amount of that in fairly quickly. It's kind of weird that I have a quick to advance post op diet and can't enjoy any of it. I should have been on full liquids since yesterday morning, but I just got around to drinking a little bit of an Atkins shake earlier today. I'm glad that my taste buds are still ok with the Atkins shakes because those will be a big help. I guess I'll try some mashed potatoes or cream of chicken Soup later tonight.

I'm a little worried that I don't seem to feel the restriction when I eat certain things. I am getting that stuck sensation in my chest with some things that I drink but it usually passes quickly. For some reason, I can down a small popscicle in a couple of minutes without any discomfort but I can't drink much broth or eat much of the italian ice cup at one time. The Atkins shakes slide right on down without any problem. I haven't tried to push anything to the point of feeling full yet. Should I expect to feel more restriction when I start things like mashed potatoes and thick Soups?

Hi Mary, Glad all is well. I didn't really feel restriction until I started mushy food. Liquids just go straight through.

All the best,

Jane

My surgery is July the 9th, I am SO ready...........I have fought with my weight loss for the past 20 yrs. I am so ready to start my new life over and am looking forward to being able to have this forum to help me prepare and may help someone as their journey begins......

Mary, Judy, Sherri!!!!

JUNE 22ND for me too!!!!

*gulp*

Would it be too much to exchange telephone numbers??? I'd be willing to talk just to ease our anxieties and support each other. LMK!!!

Lovingly,

monica:blush:

Dear Mary, Sherri and Monica, my fellow 22 June Sleevers....

It is a beautiful summer day here in Normandy, France. I feel great! I still have a restriction from the gas pumped in during the operation (HOW do they pump it in there?!!! :smile:), but that will dissipate (Thanks Jane for the advice on that!)

I have had a lovely shower, Breakfast was a puree of apple and banana. I had a walk around the garden, and I am going to try my first small cup of tea in an hour or so. I am sipping at cool Water all day.

I had NO pre-op diet, NO post-op dietary advice, NO drugs, and the surgeon was adamant for me not to go onto clear stuff, but to start with thick Soups and pureed mash. So far so good! I've had cream of tomato soup; cream of chicken Soup, a bowl of mashed potato with teeny tiny bits of ham stirred into it.

My next challenge is to make up a food diary to make sure I get sufficient Protein.

This afternoon, England play Germany in the World Cup (sorry that USA went out by the way, even though they beat us ). We have friends coming round for a barbie and to watch the game. I can't believe it is less than a week since the op!!

For anyone still waiting - go for it - sure the first 24 hours afterwards was not a day I'd like to repeat, but the recovery thereafter was - and is - astounding!

I'd be happy to talk to anyone that would like to (but pls remember the time difference: GMT + 2) on Skype. My Skype address is judy-mansfield ... I am the only one in France!, so easy to find!

Edited June 27, 201016 yr by JudyM
To add Skype address

Hey guys. Thanks again for all the good thoughts sent my way. I really appreciate it. I made it home Thursday afternoon, two days after surgery. I forgot to mention earlier that I passed my leak test Tuesday afternoon after surgery. I tried to get it postponed to the next day because the throught of putting anything in my mouth that soon after surgery was repulsive, but my doctor wouldn't hear of it. I guess that's why he gets paid the big bucks because he knows best.

I had some issues with my pain and nausea meds in the hospital but once that was straightened out I began to feel better much more quickly. Other than that, the hospital experience and care was great. I had to call the doc's office yesterday to ask if I should try taking my big horsepill omeprazole. The doctor actually got on the phone when I called and talked to me for a few minutes. I thought that was nice. So, he suggested liquid gaviscon until my stomach is less swollen and can handle the omeprazole without it getting stuck and making me vomit. The gaviscon seems to be doing the trick.

Up until Friday afternoon, I wasn't able to tolerate much other than warm decaf tea with splenda. I've finally added popscicles, Italian ices, and plain Water. The thought of Jello is not appealing to me for some reason. I just want to make sure I don't get dehydrated at this point. Luckily, water is going down much easier now and I can get a good amount of that in fairly quickly. It's kind of weird that I have a quick to advance post op diet and can't enjoy any of it. I should have been on full liquids since yesterday morning, but I just got around to drinking a little bit of an Atkins shake earlier today. I'm glad that my taste buds are still ok with the Atkins shakes because those will be a big help. I guess I'll try some mashed potatoes or cream of chicken soup later tonight.

I'm a little worried that I don't seem to feel the restriction when I eat certain things. I am getting that stuck sensation in my chest with some things that I drink but it usually passes quickly. For some reason, I can down a small popscicle in a couple of minutes without any discomfort but I can't drink much broth or eat much of the italian ice cup at one time. The Atkins shakes slide right on down without any problem. I haven't tried to push anything to the point of feeling full yet. Should I expect to feel more restriction when I start things like mashed potatoes and thick soups?

I'm glad to hear the surgery went well for you! It's nice that you are able to drink easily -- it took me weeks to be able to drink larger quantities. Mashed potatoes and soups went down pretty easily for me. I don't think it will bother you much, but everyone is unique in their experience. For me, regular food was when I started having the most feelings of restriction.

I'll look for your posts to follow how you are doing. Congratulations on starting your journey to a healthier YOU.:thumbup:

Mary, I'm so glad you're home and feeling better and I think the full liquid diet does fill you up faster, take care.sip,walk, rest and repeat.lol

I'm glad to hear the surgery went well for you! It's nice that you are able to drink easily -- it took me weeks to be able to drink larger quantities. Mashed potatoes and soups went down pretty easily for me. I don't think it will bother you much, but everyone is unique in their experience. For me, regular food was when I started having the most feelings of restriction.

I'll look for your posts to follow how you are doing. Congratulations on starting your journey to a healthier YOU.:thumbup:

Well, I may have spoken to soon on this one. After my sister left to go home this past Sunday, I totally fell apart. I stopped moving around, stopped eating, and stopped drinking! I just fell apart! Good Lord I was a mess and ended up dehyrated and feeling like I was going to die. I guess there's more to be said for having some moral support around than I ever thought.

I drove myself to the doctor's office Monday and after reviewing everything with the nurse my suspicions were confirmed - dehydration! It wasn't bad enough for me to need an IV but I went to get an EKG just in case (because my heart was trying to beat out of my chest for some reason:scared0:) and the EKG was normal. So, I went to the little cafe in the doctor's office building and bought some gatorade and started working on my sipping skills.

Since yesterday, I'm alternating gartorade with Water and meeting my goal of 32 ounces of Clear Liquids. As of yesterday's stage in my post op diet, this should be combined with 32 ounces of full liquids for a total of 64 ounces. I drank more clears since I wasnt' getting that much full liquid in. I still get that tight feeling in my esophagus (I guess that's where it is) when I'm drinking, so I hope that gets better with time. It would be so much easier to get in fluids if it didn't hurt after every 3rd sip. Any advice on that would be appreciated...

Today, my diet progressed to pureed/soft foods. I scrambled an egg this am and was only able to eat less than 2 tablespoons. The recommended amount for this stage is 4-6 tablespoons. I pureed a low cal froz dinner tonight and still couldn't get in 2 tablespoons.

Overall, I can tell that I am slowing turning the corner today and on the right path. I did some things around the house, went to the grocery store, and took my daughter to ride the carousel at the mall. I was exhausted and had to take a nap after, but I did it. :laugh0: Hopefully, I can make it to the park tomorrow and do some walking. My mood is improving and one person I know mentioned that I appeared to have lost some weight. Although what she is seeing is really preop loss, it still gave me a little something to look forward to when the real losing kicks in.

Thanks for everyone's advice and support. I've got to remember to make myself log on when I'm not feeling well because it's easy to get lost in self pity when you feel like crap!:tongue_smilie:VST really helps keep me out of that mindset.

Judy, I'm glad to hear that you're doing well. I think you'll find lots of info on postop diets in various areas of the forum. These should give you some ideas of things to eat. I posted mine in my blogs.

DON'T GET DEHYDRATED! :thumbup: