Just got scheduled (Dec 15) and getting all my ducks in line. If anyone is willing to answer some questions, drop me a line or friend me on facebook.

I travel a lot, and will be on the road exactly 3 weeks post-op. doable, if i've got my wife with me?

Can anybody tell me why they make you quit smoking? I get the no-drinking (empty calories) but i'm not sure what tobacco has to do with the size of your alimentary canal.

I'm seeing a lot of conflicting info on the whole "shirk your liver" pre-op diet. I've got my pre-op clinic set for Dec 7 (one week prior), so I assume that's my diet date. Pure protien, no carbs, right?

Thanks

I'm going to try one of those progress banners now. Forgive me if it's messed up:

I am in the pre-op process, but I can give you some info. Regarding quitting smoking: smoking really affects your ability to heal properly. It affects your capillaries and your breathing. After surgery, you are far more susceptible to pneumonia, so you need your lungs functioning at their best .Regarding the pre-op diet, it really varies from doctor to doctor, and also how overweight you are. Some doctors prescribe two weeks of ONLY shakes, some prescribe one week. I think it really depends on the doctor's given philosophy and your particular health concerns. I have surgery on the 14th and my doc requires 2 weeks of partial liquid diet, and no food at all the day before surgery, but you need to find out what YOUR doctor prescribes.

Just got scheduled (Dec 15) and getting all my ducks in line. If anyone is willing to answer some questions, drop me a line or friend me on facebook.

I travel a lot, and will be on the road exactly 3 weeks post-op. doable, if i've got my wife with me?

Can anybody tell me why they make you quit smoking? I get the no-drinking (empty calories) but i'm not sure what tobacco has to do with the size of your alimentary canal.

I'm seeing a lot of conflicting info on the whole "shirk your liver" pre-op diet. I've got my pre-op clinic set for Dec 7 (one week prior), so I assume that's my diet date. Pure protien, no carbs, right?

Thanks

I'm going to try one of those progress banners now. Forgive me if it's messed up:

Ok, so I quit smoking. Not fun. Also quit drinking. not AS bad. and not a single carb for 7 days now. not-a-single-gram.

I'm finding myself having energy crashes, which i guess is a good think cause the old carbo-bank in the liver is empty now. which was the point.

My pre-op is basically 10 days of zero carbs (and alcohol, etc) and then liquids only the day before.

I'm set for the 15th. did my preops, have clearance. it's a countdown now.

Congrats on getting your date.

As a smoker, I can shed some light on the smoking thing. Other than the obvious anesthesia risks for smokers, due to the smaller size of our stomachs, it does increase our risks for ulcers. It's a risk with gastrectomies in general. As as smoker, I can tell you that I've quit and gone back to smoking 3 times since my revision. Yep, I smoke, I know it sucks, but I'm not going to lie here or anywhere for that matter. When my gallbladder was giving me hell, my surgeon decided to scope me to make sure I hadn't developed an ulcer as well because my pain was occurring any time I eat or drank anything including Water. He was damn positive I'd have an ulcer, well least to say, I didn't and my sleeve is beautiful. That was at 8 months post-sleeve. Also, the little respiratory therapist that I prefer to call the torturer from hell, likes you to use that little spyrometer to help your lungs "wake up", and prevent pneumonia. I can tell you with a cut up abdomen, CO2 gas inflated tummy cavity, gas pains, incisional pain, that whole hacking up a lung really sucks, and I imagine not being a smoker helps with that issue.

You'll do great on the low carb, high Protein, the diet will shrink the slippery, slimy fat on the outside of the liver which makes it easier for the surgeon to move it out of the way to get to your stomach. I was specifically told it takes several weeks and sometimes months to actually shrink a true fatty liver, a couple weeks of low carb, high protein, or even an all liquid diet isn't going to do it. All that pre-op diet does is shrink , or help alleviate the fat deposits on the outside of the liver. Nicked livers kind of suck, but happen when it's in the way and slippery. I had a starting BMI of 50, had hoards of tummy fat, and was given 1 weeks of low carb, and high protein, essentially meat, cheese, eggs and salad. Think of all the "fat" in meat, cheese and eggs? ? ? It's not going to shrink a fatty liver, but it'll get the fat burning via ketosis. I was allowed to have a "last supper" night before surgery, and I did just that. I ate spinach/artichoke dip, an 8oz ribeye steak, loaded mashed potatoes, french fries, some corn and other veggies, and I shared a Cookie monster with ice cream, it's essentially a 3000 calorie brownie/cookie combo sundae with caramel and hot fudge, I did share a few bites with my then 10 year old son LOL. My liver looked spectacular day of surgery. Least to say, all that food coming out post-VSG was a total wreck, and good lord, it was NOT a pleasant experience. Sorry for the overshare, but most want the whole experience.

Alcohol also thins your blood, you'll get standard anticoagulants to help prevent blood clots and they do not want any other additives, drugs (aspirin, NSAIDS, tylenol, alcohol, etc) to increase your clotting time anymore than the prescribed doses of heparin or lovenox.

Congrats on getting your date, best wishes on your sleeve ! ! ! You'll do great. . .

Congrats on getting your date.

As a smoker, I can shed some light on the smoking thing. Other than the obvious anesthesia risks for smokers, due to the smaller size of our stomachs, it does increase our risks for ulcers. It's a risk with gastrectomies in general. As as smoker, I can tell you that I've quit and gone back to smoking 3 times since my revision. Yep, I smoke, I know it sucks, but I'm not going to lie here or anywhere for that matter. When my gallbladder was giving me hell, my surgeon decided to scope me to make sure I hadn't developed an ulcer as well because my pain was occurring any time I eat or drank anything including Water. He was damn positive I'd have an ulcer, well least to say, I didn't and my sleeve is beautiful. That was at 8 months post-sleeve. Also, the little respiratory therapist that I prefer to call the torturer from hell, likes you to use that little spyrometer to help your lungs "wake up", and prevent pneumonia. I can tell you with a cut up abdomen, CO2 gas inflated tummy cavity, gas pains, incisional pain, that whole hacking up a lung really sucks, and I imagine not being a smoker helps with that issue.

You'll do great on the low carb, high Protein, the diet will shrink the slippery, slimy fat on the outside of the liver which makes it easier for the surgeon to move it out of the way to get to your stomach. I was specifically told it takes several weeks and sometimes months to actually shrink a true fatty liver, a couple weeks of low carb, high protein, or even an all liquid diet isn't going to do it. All that pre-op diet does is shrink , or help alleviate the fat deposits on the outside of the liver. Nicked livers kind of suck, but happen when it's in the way and slippery. I had a starting BMI of 50, had hoards of tummy fat, and was given 1 weeks of low carb, and high protein, essentially meat, cheese, eggs and salad. Think of all the "fat" in meat, cheese and eggs? ? ? It's not going to shrink a fatty liver, but it'll get the fat burning via ketosis. I was allowed to have a "last supper" night before surgery, and I did just that. I ate spinach/artichoke dip, an 8oz ribeye steak, loaded mashed potatoes, french fries, some corn and other veggies, and I shared a Cookie monster with ice cream, it's essentially a 3000 calorie brownie/cookie combo sundae with caramel and hot fudge, I did share a few bites with my then 10 year old son LOL. My liver looked spectacular day of surgery. Least to say, all that food coming out post-VSG was a total wreck, and good lord, it was NOT a pleasant experience. Sorry for the overshare, but most want the whole experience.

Alcohol also thins your blood, you'll get standard anticoagulants to help prevent blood clots and they do not want any other additives, drugs (aspirin, NSAIDS, tylenol, alcohol, etc) to increase your clotting time anymore than the prescribed doses of heparin or lovenox.

Congrats on getting your date, best wishes on your sleeve ! ! ! You'll do great. . .

I KNOW its not just me who thinks you are just AMAZING Tiffy!! You seem to have the best non-BS answers and you're a real genuinely helpful person. I'm not even a smoker and I read this entire thread just because I knew that your post would have some gem of knowledge in there! You ROCK girl!!

I KNOW its not just me who thinks you are just AMAZING Tiffy!! You seem to have the best non-BS answers and you're a real genuinely helpful person. I'm not even a smoker and I read this entire thread just because I knew that your post would have some gem of knowledge in there! You ROCK girl!!

Thanks

Just got scheduled (Dec 15) and getting all my ducks in line. If anyone is willing to answer some questions, drop me a line or friend me on facebook.

I travel a lot, and will be on the road exactly 3 weeks post-op. doable, if i've got my wife with me?

Can anybody tell me why they make you quit smoking? I get the no-drinking (empty calories) but i'm not sure what tobacco has to do with the size of your alimentary canal.

I'm seeing a lot of conflicting info on the whole "shirk your liver" pre-op diet. I've got my pre-op clinic set for Dec 7 (one week prior), so I assume that's my diet date. Pure protien, no carbs, right?

Thanks

I'm going to try one of those progress banners now. Forgive me if it's messed up:

Hey there, well of course there will be bashing going on here shortly after I answer your question, but here it goes. . it really doesn't matter Michael. . . my doctor didn't have me quit or do anything before my surgery. . .he said first off that it takes quite some time to "shrink" livers. . he doesn't believe that you should "stop" smoking . . . your just going to start up after anyhow. . he said it's good cause of the anesthesia, but it really didn't matter. . .the alcohol thing, well you really don't want to put something quite as harsh down there right off, I started my rum and cokes up again at 3 months out and let me tell you that was so good! I think in all reality, let yourself heal up really well, and continue to live your life as usual. . . we are given this great gift to help us and help it does! You will loose the weight some of us quicker then other some of us slower, but hey Rome was built in a day either. . . But don't go crazy over everything. . .life is way too short. . . . ok forum lets have it! :lol:

I totally agree Tiffy, you are an amazing source of straight up information, with NO BS!!! Thanks for all you do here!!!

I totally agree Tiffy, you are an amazing source of straight up information, with NO BS!!! Thanks for all you do here!!!

Thanks folks. I actually havent had a cigarette for 10 days now, nor a carb, nor a molecule of alcohol. just imagine how pleasant it is to be around me! I'm happy to have found you folks, however. I'm changing my life and all, but it's nice to know i have some buffer zone if i need it.

Smoking decreases oxygenation of tissues in the body which impairs healing. After a major surgery you want to quit smoking before and after by a minimum of a month so you can maximize your bodies ability to heal.

Thanks folks. I actually havent had a cigarette for 10 days now, nor a carb, nor a molecule of alcohol. just imagine how pleasant it is to be around me! I'm happy to have found you folks, however. I'm changing my life and all, but it's nice to know i have some buffer zone if i need it.

July 1 was my last smoke. Cold turkey sucks. I still get the cravings. I dunno about the alcohol though. Thats gonna be much more difficult!