Less than a week! Last minute questions

[EsoKev 94]

In less than a week I will be sleeved! I've got my fridge stocked with all of the essentials, my medications all changed to liquid, my living quarters set up to be conducive to someone who just had surgery, as well books and a netflix/amazon/hulu queue list to keep me busy for quite a while (I took 2 and 1/2 weeks off). I still have some final questions...

1) "Practicing" not drinking with meals and sipping is very different than living it after surgery. The idea of only being able to sip Water seems so bizarre to me. Did you get used to it?

2) Caffeine has been very difficult to give up for me (I only drink coffee black, not soda or anything else). I found all of the other rules to be fairly easy to follow. I've cleared my house of it and greatly reduced, but I know I'm going to be dealing with some caffeine withdrawal. It was the one demon I just couldn't seem to rid myself of :-) Anyone else just deal with the headaches for a week? It sucks, but it is what it is.

3) How drastically did your tastes change after surgery?

4) Anything else you think I should know.

This board has been so amazing in helping me navigate this process. Thank you everyone!!!

[Orchids&Dragons 9,047]

1 hour ago, EsoKev said:

1) "Practicing" not drinking with meals and sipping is very different than living it after surgery. The idea of only being able to sip Water seems so bizarre to me. Did you get used to it?

2) Caffeine has been very difficult to give up for me (I only drink coffee black, not soda or anything else). I found all of the other rules to be fairly easy to follow. I've cleared my house of it and greatly reduced, but I know I'm going to be dealing with some caffeine withdrawal. It was the one demon I just couldn't seem to rid myself of :-) Anyone else just deal with the headaches for a week? It sucks, but it is what it is.

3) How drastically did your tastes change after surgery?

4) Anything else you think I should know.

Good luck, you'll do great. You're so well prepared!

1-It is very hard to remember. When I set my timer to avoid drinking, I'd put a napkin over my glass (becasue I ALWAYS have a glass) so that I wouldn't forget. I personally wouldn't bother practicing sipping. You'll figure that one out pretty quick.

2-Yep, the headaches are a bear. But once you're over the caffeine withdrawal, most of the programs allow Decaf coffee after the surgery.

3- My tastes have not changed at all, that I've noticed. However, I have to eat my food much less spicy than before because acid reflux has my esophagus very irritiated. Spicy foods burn all the way down now But hopefully, that will improve.

4-Plan for a variety of foods at the different stages. For liquids have shakes, Protein waters, broths, SF popsicles, herbal tea, decaf coffee, etc. Because this stuff gets old fast. It also helps because sometimes people tolerate one temperature better than another. Also, in the beginning, don't stress over the protein. Focus on your fluids!

4b-Have an ice pack in the freezer and a heating pad handy. Different people prefer different ones, but they do help.

Hope this helps and that all goes well!