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

What Do I Need To Be Most Prepared For My VSG?



Recommended Posts

Hello All -

My name is Aaron and I am having my VSG done on 04/25 and I just seemed to be somewhat of a "Nervous Ned" that I am not going to be as prepared as I should. I am currently reviewing any and all of the information that was provided by my Surgeons office however I am hoping that someone in VST land has a good list of "Things to Remember/Have" for both going into the day of surgery (i.e. what to pack and take with you to surgery), and also "Things That Are Must Have's" for after surgery.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions you can provide me here!

Aaron

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I would suggest not stocking up TOO much on Protein powders/shakes. Many people have reported that what they loved prior to surgery, they hated after surgery, so I'd hate to see you get stuck with any.

I'm a bargain shopper so for me getting good prices on things was super important... I looked around online for all the best prices on the Vitamins I'd need post op and stocked up. I also got the acid reducer ompezerole that my doctor recommended when it was on sale at walgreens. Gasx strips were a life saver because my stomach had a lot of gas for the first week or so.

Honestly, I didn't really worry about packing everything for surgery and I went all the way to Mexico for it. The biggest thing I did was prepare my body for surgery. I was on an 800 calorie diet for three months preop and I made sure to get at least 70 grams of Protein a day along with taking Vitamins. I also added some kale and ginger juice to my Protein drinks for three months prior to surgery and made sure I had lots of leafy greens and I avoided grains for the three months prior to surgery. I just wanted to bathe myself in protein, micronutrients, and anti-inflamatory foods as much as possible prior to surgery in order to have speedy healing time. I don't know if it worked, but I can say that I had very little inflammation of my sleeve post surgery... Could be a fluke, but I like to think it was a combination of having a fantastic surgeon, taking my daily kale and ginger juice, and making sure my body was not in any way Vitamin or protein deficient prior to surgery.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Aaron,

Serendipity had some really good advice!

A few things I learned going into surgery was to be supper well hydrated! I also wanted to be as clean as I could (as in toxins). Since our goal is to shrink our livers pre op and our livers goal is to filter toxins I started drinking a detox tea I found on line. Not only did it get in the liquids I needed but it also helped detox me too... The tea I drank was made with dandelion tea (or any detox hot tea) 1/2 cup cranberry juice (no sugar added) 1 lemon sliced, 2 oz of ginger sliced and a few packs of splenda (just for taste) I liked drinking it better than plain Water...

The other thing I would suggest is to pack a little extension cord for your surgery day (hospital stay) I could never find an outlet to plug my phone/tablet into close to my bed... I had allot of people both here on VST and FB who wanted to know how I was doing. This might help you out a bit :)

Good luck with everything! Your going to do great!

Keep us updated, we would all like to know how it goes for you :)

Amber

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Amberly, the extension cord is a great idea! My mom was just in the hospital & we had that problem in her room. I'm planning to have both chicken & beef broths made in advance & portioned out with some in the freezer. Aaron, there's a thread pinned at the top of this forum with all kinds of suggestions.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Aaron!! You really aren't going to need a whole lot to take to the hospital with you. I would recommend maybe some slippers for walking up and down the halls, definitely ear plugs because all of the beeping from the machines almost made me lose my mind, and definitely your cell phone, iPad or laptop. Good luck!

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

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • 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!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • 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!

  • 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

    ×