I am very nervous but excited. I have been wanting to have this done for years but just got insurance that actually covered it this year. Any suggestions or tips?

I am five days post-op and I am feeling great. Walking after surgery is key to feeling better. I was walking every hour on day two and three.

Perfectly normal to be nervous and excited! This is a big deal and if you weren't nervous, I'd think it meant you haven't researched it enough.

One thing I did to help pass the time before surgery was to pack up the past season's clothes. My surgery was June 7, so I went through and packed up all my big winter clothes and put them in bags. I didn't actually donate them until after surgery (just in case I didn't have the surgery for some reason) but as soon as the surgery was over, they went to Goodwill. And, now that the weather's getting colder, I'm in MUCH smaller sizes and need to go shopping like TODAY! Start packing up all those big summer clothes because next summer, you're going to be enjoying all the new, smaller stuff!

Start now looking at how much Protein is in different foods. It took some education for me to know what was really high in protein and what was not. I mean, meat is pretty obvious, but I didn't know what Beans were best, yogurts, nuts, etc. It's good practice to go ahead and start finding the foods you'll be eating after.

Best wishes! This has been the greatest experience for me -- hope you're just as successful.

Ginger

Thank you so much!!!! I have been researching this for years. I am so ready to get my weight off and start feeling better.

Hi Kelli,

My greatest advice which I learned the hard way, was don't compare your journey to anyone else"s. Your're entering a wonderful time in your life, which will bring about great positive changes, how exciting.

What you can tolerate once you get through the liquid phase will be different from others. Some can't tolerate scrambled eggs, go figure. We're all different. It's trial and error what is going to work for you.

I will certainly find out tomorrow when I start my second week menu. I love cottage cheese, so am looking forward to it, but who know, maybe I won't be able to tolerate it yet, and I'll be disappointed.

I do agree with Ginger Snaps i.e. getting rid of your old clothes after surgery. I am in the process as we speak, of doing just that! Goodwill, here come all my 1x and 2x stuff, as soon as this season ends.

Good luck, Kelli;I know you're gonna do great! This is a great resource, but again, don't compare yourself with anyone else!

Thank you Angelyaya5. You are so right and I am trying to keep that in my head that I don't need to expect to drop as much as quickly as others have. I am nervous about being able to not go back to my old ways in the future that got me where I am now.

I will definitely use this for support. I really appreciate you advice and kinds words.

Kelli

You won't go back to your old ways, because you jumped through too many hoops to get to this point......just speaking my thoughts. Your choices will be different after surgery. I have a six week post-op menu plan and I'm just starting week two tomorrow. Your appetite isn't there. It does come back down the road, but hopefully by then you'll have reached goal weight and no way are you going to jeopardize it!

Hugs

Jodi

Thank you so much for the encouragement Jodi. You are so sweet. I have been waiting for so many years to get this done. I guess I just want to make sure it's successful. ????

Hi Kelli,

I'm day four post op! It hasn't been bad. In fact tolerable is a good word. I agree to get up and walk walk walk! My hospital actually let us track our laps on the floor so a few of us got kind of competitive.

I came home yesterday, and it was good, but a little different. When you're in the hospital you tend to be surrounded by other gastric bypass patients and its like you have a little group. Now comes the day to day, life. ☺️

I've got pain but tolerable, and a great husband helping out. My best advice is to get your support system ready. Having folks understand your journey is really helpful!

Best luck to you!

Just make sure you have the items on your meal plan in the home before surgery. I had my surgery on Wed Morning, and it is Saturday right now. One thing I really wanted at home was a heating pad for my cold feet! Funny, because in the hospital, I used ice packs on my stomach.

I am really having to work on getting in the Water and fluids and Protein and Vitamins. Everything seems gross. But I am doing what I am supposed to do, and just hoping to feel better tomorrow.

I came home with some liquid pain meds and haven't really needed to use them. So I just leave them on the night stand.

Oh! And one thing I noticed right away, is don't try to drink Fluid while laying down! It hurts!

Thank you all for the advice. What protein shakes so you like best?

oct 7th here too, good luck!