Hey everyone! I have been in the process of getting approved for Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass for almost a year now, and last Thursday I FINALLY GOT APPROVED! I have an appointment scheduled for February 27th to meet with my surgeon and schedule my surgery date! I have to admit, I am SO NERVOUS to have surgery! I have only had my wisdom teeth taken out and I have been put to sleep to have an upper GI endoscopy. I am very confident about how I will do after surgery (my eating habits, exercise, taking my supplements, etc.) but I'm having a hard time not worrying about the actual surgery. What if something goes wrong? What if I don't wake up? I am terrified! I am also wondering what I want to buy before my surgery? What are some things that comforted you afterwards? Certain clothes, pillows, etc? What kind of groceries should I buy? What are some workout routines I can do?

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Everyone has these fears.It is natural.You have made the decision to have the surgery now have the faith that the Dr will take care of you.You will be ok.You will be most comfortable in stretch waist pants for a while.Make sure you take that to hospital.I also took my favorite pillow,in a colored pillowcase so they know it is yours and not theirs.Make sure you have some ready made shakes like Premier Protein as well as powders if you are going to mix your own.Everyone is different what their Dr tells them.I was on liquid for 1 week then added mushies foods.Cottage cheese,greek yogurt,vegetable Soup that had been blended.

It will take you a while to get and keep your protein and liquids up.A portable drink cup with a lid to take with your everywhere you go.

I was sleeved in 2011 and had revision surgery Nov 2016 due to acid reflux issues.I was very concerned about both these surgeries but everything worked out fine.I have had 14 total surgeries.But having surgery for weight loss was scary because I had a choice.I have never regretted y decision about the surgery.I have lost another 30 lbs from the last surgery.You lose slower after a revision .You will probably loose at a fasted rate.

I will keep you in my prayers for your surgery and healing.

Rather than wearing stretchy waist pants, I wore a long, flowing moo moo in to the hospital so that I could wear it home after surgery. My suggestion would be to remember a pillow to put between you and your seat belt for the ride home. The only thing I used in the hospital that they didn't provide was reading material. I brought magazines, based on another BP user's recommendation and was glad I did. Couldn't focus well enough to read a book.

Your taste buds may change after surgery so don't stock up on too much food or Protein shakes. Wait until after surgery. I found that I could not swallow medium to large Vitamins after surgery, so I used a pill crusher and a pill splitter. I put together a short article that describes my experience after RNY gastric bypass surgery. It may be of some help. http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery.pdf

At your stage pre-op I would recommend you do three things.

1. Take a good before photograph of yourself, so that you have something to compare to after surgery. Many times we are blind to our obesity. We do not see ourselves. Therefore when the weight begins to drop off rather dramatically, we question if this is really happening. Photographs are a good visualization of our success. Many people carry a before and after photo with them, just to remind themselves of their success.

2. Walk 30 minutes each day, every day until surgery (or equivalent exercise). Walking helps the recovery process go smoothly and minimized the pain levels from surgery.

3. Wean yourself from caffeine and carbonated beverages now. After I gave up my 6 diet coke a day habit, I suffered from a week of severe withdrawal syndrome consisting of severe headaches and body aches. I was miserable. You don't want to combine the effects of caffeine withdrawal with the effects of surgery.