Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

What Did You Wish You Knew Before Surgery



Recommended Posts

Is that something everyone has to do... give themselves shots to prevent blood clots?

Have all of you had to do that?

nope

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am terrified of blood clots! When I met with my surgeon he said this is my # 1 possible complication because of my weight and general anthesia. Everything else was minimal. I hope he puts me on the shots!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Nothing was said about shots for me, a friend at work just had surgery in March and she did not have shots either. I was told to walk often to prevent clots.

I am wondering about gall bladder medication after surgery. I read that some people take it because with rapid weight loss of any kind we are susceptible to gall stones. I need to ask my Dr. about that.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ditto about the gallbladder meds I have a sluggish gallbladder but it's not bad enough for insurance to pay for removal :( they literally told

me to just wait til it got worse!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My muscle was cut thru back several yrs ago to remove my gall bladder...all I can say is, sore sore sore...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow..very fascinating about the cut in the muscle that makes sense though. I am so happy u bought that up...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My YouTube video this week was about bloodclots and the guidelines for preventing them. In the comments I put links to the medical journals if anyone is interested. It's BeautyVGSJourney (the second video and is VGS). I am also terrified about bloodclots it's why I did the research.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

About the muscle cut, yes there are about three muscle layers that they cut thru to get to the stomach. Not to mention the skin, fat and other tissue. Muscles do not regenerate, so only scar tissue can form. Thankfully the incissions are very small and most people heal well.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

How would I know if I have a blood clot?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

got my box of injections from my dr for my date next week on the 26th of april i think its a months worth in my box

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I wish that I had known that a coccyx pillow would have been quite handy while I was in the hospital. The nurses kept me in an inclined position for most of my stay, but it really put a lot of pressure on my tailbone. I found it very difficult to find a comfortable position. At one point, I finally started using one of my bed pillows just to sit on, but it did not provide as much relief as I would have liked.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

unfortunately most people have no symptoms until its almost too late. some of the symptoms include pain in part of your body such as a leg (normally only one and most blood clots after surgery are from the deep veins of the legs). Because of this is super important to do everything possible to prevent blood clots from forming. There is no scientific evidence that suggest that the injections for a few weeks after surgery help significantly, there are also side effects to those medications. Some surgeons feel comfortable using them while others do not. Until there is more scientific evidence on the subject the guidelines only state for them to be used very short term. There are people who are at much higher risk for blood clots (and yes obesity is a big one) but the higher the BMI the more likely the doctor is going to want to give the injections long term. Do not be afraid if your doctor does not recommend them (has long as he is using them during the surgery and shortly after as well as you are walking and they are using the machines or compression stockings you should be fine). I would ask what his stance is in the whole thing though. Some of the journals I posted are easy to read while others not so easy, but its a good place to start. The best you can do for yourself is not smoke and walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk.........................................................................................................walk ;-)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for the thorough explanation

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Great thread!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

nope

Not me either. They gave me a shot just before surgery.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×