I started my pre-surgery diet this morning which means I am officially 2 weeks away from my RNY surgery. I'm having the surgery primarily to help/correct my gastroparesis but am hoping for big weight loss too. I was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome type III earlier this year which is how I also ended up with gastroparesis and after being misdiagnosed and ignored by doctors for 24 years I'm still trying to figure out my new diagnosis. But last year I met a very nice surgeon that told me I could get some relief from my gastroparesis and lose the weight by having the RNY. So I started my journey to get approved and a surgery date. Well, 3 days ago I met with the surgeon again and was given a surgery date of Oct 27, 2016. A huge shock to get in so fast. I'm excited and nervous. I know it will be tough - but every day is tough for me with pain, no energy, poor sleep, etc. etc. etc. But this surgery has the potential to help me in so many area and any improvement is a good thing.

Edited October 13, 20169 yr by CindyI114

I read somewhere here that it's to decrease the size of the liver and make access easier. Don't quote me on that. Lol. I didn't have to do it myself. It was barely two weeks from my first visit to the surgeon and the actual surgery. I sometimes wish it had been longer though. I would have weaned myself off Diet Coke, tried to walk more and practiced eating small meals.

Overall, I can't complain. I've lost twenty pounds and overall feel pretty good really.

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You are correct, they do it so you will get used to a liquid diet & also shrinks the liver. I had 2 months classes, nutrition & psychology. Had every medical & lab test possible. It was a lot of preparation. I even found out I had sleep apnea!

I asked my surgeon (Mayo-Rochester) why he didn't require the 2 week liquid pre-op diet to shrink the liver. He said it wasn't necessary. I said "Oh, because Mayo has really good liver lifters?!" He actually smiled and said "Sure!"

@CindyI114 Are you getting things pulled together for your big day (27th)?

I'm ready but not having any real food today has given me a headache & i'm crabby. How is your energy? I've had really low energy/fatigue for years and this pre-op diet has made even worse. I'm hoping the surgery will help my energy level but am curious as to what others have experienced.

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Cindyl114: all the very best to you tomorrow as you start your new journey! I hope your headache goes away soon.

I'm doing really well I think. I'm getting all my fluids in and I started puréed phase yesterday! Yay!! I'm only eating like two or three bites but it helps.

My energy has been pretty good too. My m not sleeping all day or anything. Actually I haven't been sleeping well at night because I couldn't sleep in my side ... until last night! Thank goodness I could sleep on my right side with very little if any pain. I want to get myself in a walking schedule so I can get that in each day. Each day I be been getting out of the house and walking around stores. So my energy level isn't too bad and I don't nap during the day - but I am no ready to tackle going back to work yet.

Good luck tomorrow and let us know how you you are once you're ready and able.

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Thx. Surgery was tough! I was in the hospital Thursday until Monday afternoon due to a LOT of nausea. The pain meds they started me on was adding to it but it took a while to figure that out. I also still have numbness in my left leg since I woke up from surgery - the surgeon thinks it was from the surgical strap they used to position me but it caused me problems walking. I never did get all the way around the unit on my walk. I would just get so tired.

I'm home now (well, technically staying with my mom) for 2 days and getting in about 36 ounces of fluids. The RN is worried about me getting dehydrated but I'm not - I know the early symptoms too well.

My sleep is off at night, only getting a few hours at a time, but the hours go much slower when I'm awake, than ever before and I wonder if this is part of my energy returning... one of my biggest hopes is to have more energy post surgery. Still have a long way to go with energy. I'm still taking liquid pain meds since I have problems taking pills with so little Water. I have my post-op appt on Friday and hopefully can move to full liquid diet. I have an extra appt with dietician planned for week 3 since I never got to "practice" the new diet (I had to eat according to the stomach issue I was dealing with aka gastroparesis before surgery) so I have lots of questions now.

I'm only down 5 pounds from surgery but since it hasn't been a full week yet nor am I using that as my only criteria for success I'm trying to be positive and hope the bruising, pain, & nausea will all be worth it in the end.

It nice having someone close by that is going thru the process too. Although I suspect you'll have faster and smoother results than me.

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Hi @@CindyI114! So glad to hear from you and learn you are "home" now! Sorry to hear your struggling a bit to get your fluids in (which are SO important to get all in) and trouble with your sleep. It'll get better as the days go on. It's the early days post-op that we need a lot of patience, I think. I glad to know you know the signs of dehydration and hope you don't get to that point. The 5 lbs will be gone before you know it. With everything they pump into us while in the hospital it's expected. Keep working on sip, sip, sipping and walking around as much as your able. I went through the night time thing too and when I would wake up and couldn't sleep I'd just get up. I'd eventually go back to bed. That worked best for me.

I'm 16 days post-op and starting to feel more and more like me again. I've been going to the grocery store and I've been getting my walking in that way. This morning I went to the mall early and walked for about 35 minutes. Felt great to do that!

Please take care and PM any time. I'd love to keep in touch! (You can friend me too.)

Thx. Surgery was tough! I was in the hospital Thursday until Monday afternoon due to a LOT of nausea. The pain meds they started me on was adding to it but it took a while to figure that out. I also still have numbness in my left leg since I woke up from surgery - the surgeon thinks it was from the surgical strap they used to position me but it caused me problems walking. I never did get all the way around the unit on my walk. I would just get so tired.

I'm home now (well, technically staying with my mom) for 2 days and getting in about 36 ounces of fluids. The RN is worried about me getting dehydrated but I'm not - I know the early symptoms too well.

My sleep is off at night, only getting a few hours at a time, but the hours go much slower when I'm awake, than ever before and I wonder if this is part of my energy returning... one of my biggest hopes is to have more energy post surgery. Still have a long way to go with energy. I'm still taking liquid pain meds since I have problems taking pills with so little Water. I have my post-op appt on Friday and hopefully can move to full liquid diet. I have an extra appt with dietician planned for week 3 since I never got to "practice" the new diet (I had to eat according to the stomach issue I was dealing with aka gastroparesis before surgery) so I have lots of questions now.

I'm only down 5 pounds from surgery but since it hasn't been a full week yet nor am I using that as my only criteria for success I'm trying to be positive and hope the bruising, pain, & nausea will all be worth it in the end.

It nice having someone close by that is going thru the process too. Although I suspect you'll have faster and smoother results than me.

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I'm sorry you've been in pain. I am 6 weeks post surgery, and I had very little pain (except trying to get out of bed in the morning)! I too, had gastroparesis before surgery, but now I feel great. I hope that you have the same results! Good luck and keep us posted.