Need a little clarification on what to expect!

[soccergirl09 52]

Hi everyone! I'm on the lower BMI side and decided to do this surgery for many reasons. I'm 2 weeks out from surgery date and I'm starting to freak out!!! What should I expect from recovery? I'm wanting to go back to work right away. I'm so afraid of regretting it. My emotions are all over the place. How long is the liquid diet? Then what happens after? I feel like my entire research is starting to look like mush. I would love to hear from everyone, but also from some lower BMI people. Was it worth it after? Thanks.

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[cindyw41 761]

I was a 39 bmi when I started this journey.

I'd suggest that you take at least 1 week off following surgery, ideally 2 weeks. I was very tired, slept a lot. I have a desk job and didn't leave my house for the first week. The second week I went to work but took frequent breaks and naps.

Post op liquid diet is generally 2 weeks, followed by 2 weeks of puréed then two weeks of a soft diet and finally eating your new normal. Not everyone has this schedule, your dr or nut should tell you their specific plan.

Do I regret having this done? not for one second!! I'm almost to goal and not even 6 months post surgery.

Good luck!

One thing I'd say.. Stop searching the Internet and "researching". Trust your instincts and don't freak yourself out.

Edited June 21, 2016 by cindyw41

[Christinamo7 4,041]

if you don't have any complications, and if you have a desk job you may be ready to go back after that first week.

but have a plan in place just in case. you know the saying - plan for the worst, hope for the best?

I took 4 weeks of FMLA with the understanding that if everything went well I would go back to work after my one week appointment. I ended up taking until my one month check up of shorter days, just to make it easier to adapt to the new diet and changes.

[becomingmandikaye 262]

I will tell you this - you will absolutely regret it the day of surgery - when you wake up, you're groggy, thirsting to death but can't drink, in pain, and you ask yourself why on earth you did this to yourself. But the next morning when you wake up, you'll understand it's only temporary and your new life will begin. I'm one week post-op and have nearly no pain at all. I'm not ready to go back to work yet because I still tire very easily, but I feel fine.

[soccergirl09 52]

Thank you, guys. I think my nerves are just getting to me.

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[KristenLe 5,979]

Your pre-op diet and post-op diet will depend on your Bariatric Teams guidelines. They vary so much. I have no pre-op diet other than Clear Liquids day before surgery. My post-op plan has full liquids for 1 week then purees. Many other plans have longer liquid phases. Again - you need to check with your Program. How low is your BMI?

[Sophie74656 1,572]

This is going to sound rude but it scares me when I see people ask such basic question as how long rhe liquid diet will be. If you are two weeks before surgery you should know how long each stage will be, what your Water intake goals are and what your Protein goals are. If you don't know this then you need to go back to your nutritionist and get clear instructions and examples of what you can consume at each stage. Everybody gets different instructions so you really need to work with your team to learn your rules

[becomingmandikaye 262]

This is going to sound rude but it scares me when I see people ask such basic question as how long rhe liquid diet will be. If you are two weeks before surgery you should know how long each stage will be, what your Water intake goals are and what your Protein goals are. If you don't know this then you need to go back to your nutritionist and get clear instructions and examples of what you can consume at each stage. Everybody gets different instructions so you really need to work with your team to learn your rules

I didn't find out any of the specifics until my pre-op appointment the week before surgery. I knew the basics, but I legitimately didn't know I had to do a liver shrinking diet until that last appointment.

[KristenLe 5,979]

@@Sophie74656 Unfortunately not all Programs are created equal.

[soccergirl09 52]

Yeah! I got all of the instructions. I have the pre op diet and have started it. I knew people would say I didn't research enough, etc. I just know that everyone is different and every team is different and I have heard lower BMI ppl heal very well. I'm not here for professional or medical guidance. I'm here for personal experiences and honestly I have not heard one person say the same thing as the last person. I'm a 33 BMI. I discussed with my doctor as I have been up and down my entire life and have struggled and she thought it was a good option for me.

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[soccergirl09 52]

And as I said... I think my nerves are on the edge. I'm just freaking out and I guess wanted to hear personal experiences. Example: I heard from my male Dr that went to school for years to become an OBGYN that the most painful part of labor was dilating from 1-10cm. Hmmmmmmm being med free from 1-10 cm, I think pushing was worse. LOL

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