have a few questions:

1) Should I start getting rid of some of my clothes now? Like ones I don't like that much anyways? (will the changes be dramatic initially?)

2) I start a new job 2 weeks post surgery. Any advice on how to make this smooth as possible (also kids will go to camp/school and daycare for the first time)...lots of changes. I have an option for taking 1 more week if necessary. Will i be able to carry the baby a week or two after surgery? (she's almost 20lbs).

3) I lost the weight I was supposed to during my pre-ops but since have been eating poorly again (like "oh I'm not going to be able to do this anymore I should do it now")--I know its not good but HOW bad is this?

4) what else can I do NOW to help me post surgery? I've already made the changes on limiting coffee, drinking more Water, not drinking till 30mins after eating. What else?

5) I know I'll be anxious as we approach surgery, will they give me a Xanax or anything the day before? Maybe I'm making it to be a bigger deal in my head than I need to?

Thanks!

Keep your old clothes.. don't get rid of them until they absolutely don't fit anymore. 20lbs is too much to be lifting while you're healing. Ask your surgeon when you can do heavy lifting. I had double hernia repair along with my sleeve and wasn't allowed to lift 10lbs for 8 weeks. Post op tips: take a pillow with you for the ride home after surgery.. you will place it on your abdomen and apply pressure when going over bumps in the road. Figure out what protein shake you like best now, you'll be drinking that for 1-3 weeks (depending on what your nutritionist says). Buy your vitamins now that way you have them after surgery.. make sure they are liquid/sublingual/chewable. I get mine from Walgreens but they are on amazon too.. Optisource multi vitamin for post bariatric surgery. Start taking biotin now (it may stop the hair loss before it starts). Buy lots of sugar free jello, and sugar free popsicles..that will also be part of your diet for 1-4 weeks. The hardest part is the eating phases.. you will want to eat things your stomach isn't ready for.. stick with the plan they give you- it's for your safety, your new stomach needs time to heal and can't digest certain foods before it's healed. No food warrants a trip to the emergency room. Check on bariatric pal's forums frequently, there's a wealth of support and information. When in doubt, call your nutritionist or surgeon. If you are nervous, let them know and they will give you a mild sedative similar to xanax before you go into surgery. You'll be fine, this is a great decision you have made. Best of luck!

Edited June 1, 201412 yr by Anababy

Thanks so much Anababy!

I'm not even sure where to start regarding the Protein shakes.

I started Biotin earlier but will get Vitamins ready too (along with sugar free stuff)

Thank you!

Try the Atkins shakes. They are 10-15 grams of protein and come in a 4 pack for about $6. You can find them at Wal-Mart, Target, and probably your local grocery store. They come in lots of delicious flavors too. In the beginning, you'll only be able to drink a third of it, so stick it back in the fridge until you are ready to have more. Some of the powdered shake mixes have a really weird taste. The Atkins shakes don't.

Amazon.com has atkins shakes too.

I started a new job 4 weeks post surgery. I dropped a size about every six weeks on average, but tried to stretch it out with belts, adjustable dresses, etc. I joined gwynnie bee until I sized out of it (it's like netflix for clothes). I found a lot of good stuff at thrift stores, surprisingly.

You will feel ok to start the job, but you will need help lifting the baby, particularly in and out of the car.

You can do this! I am a big stinkin wuss who failed at every diet and this works! You have time to get your food back on track, maybe try a low to moderate carb plan to wean of processed stuff a bit.

One thing I was glad I did was to quit diet coke a month before. It sounds stupid to admit, but that was really hard for me, and I wanted to be over it before coping with surgery. I did take all the Vitamins and Biotin but still lost hair, but some don't. I can disguise hair loss better than I could extra chub.

Good luck! Keep your eyes on the prize!