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March 2020 Surgery Folks Come On in!



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Mello1 and ALL MARCH pre-ops!. RIGHT there with you that it’s getting REAL[emoji28]!!!! My liquids begin in 4 days[emoji15]. Stocked up. Each meal I eat right now seems surreal, bittersweet, somewhat melancholy. I remind myself that it’s not the end- it’s the beginning of what will be Wonderful. Out with the old, in with the NEW appreciation of everything. So very grateful for our community here[emoji3590], what would we do without it??? So many generous, knowledgeable, loving WLS veterans who have nurtured us along like ‘little chicks’[emoji3526]. We cannot Thank each of You enough!![emoji307]
This morning I Amazon ordered a fairly cute black zip up lounging type dress to wear walking the halls and also easy enough to wear home from hospital. Two front pockets for phone, etc. so I’m not schlepping stuff I want near. Going to order a front closure sports bra. The less I need to bend, twist, raise arms, etc. the happier and more comfy I will be. Eager to hear more pre-op prep tips anyone can share! Thanks and let’s replace any negative fear thoughts with positively thrilling exhilaration that our long awaited time is near![emoji2]
Hey Lily! The front snap bra and robe with pockets are great ideas. I'm nervous about the IV line though with the robe not sure it would work.
You should definitely enjoy each meal bc the preop diet is no joke. Are you able to eat a small meal on your or just liquid?

Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk

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Slippers, comfy dress and front snap bra are all great ideas. I had cute comfy stuff picked out when I was in hospital to deliver last time and the top got ruined when they had to cut it off to put the IV in rather suddenly. So maybe put the robe or whatever on BEFORE the IV and it might be okay?

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4 hours ago, asnirak said:

Slippers, comfy dress and front snap bra are all great ideas. I had cute comfy stuff picked out when I was in hospital to deliver last time and the top got ruined when they had to cut it off to put the IV in rather suddenly. So maybe put the robe or whatever on BEFORE the IV and it might be okay?

They will not leave you in your clothes before you have surgery. You'll have the IV prior to surgery and once you are out of recovery/awake and able to move would be the soonest you can change. Having worked in the medical field I know it is NOT that big of a deal to disconnect an IV for a patient to change, but you run the risk of ruining your clothes. If you're a bleeder, or if you have a drain tube, you can bleed through bandages and leak around tubes. If you have an emergency, they will cut your clothes.

Honestly, you are better off to wear a nice loose hospital gown that does not get trapped under you and maybe pull against your stomach when you are in bed, and just take a robe you can belt around you and cover up your back (or ask for a 2nd gown to wear backward) when you walk if you're that concerned about how you look. Having been through major surgery before, though not bariatric surgery, I can tell you I could have given two shits what anyone in the hospital thought about how I looked when I was in the hall or anywhere else though.

I plan to wear in a front-zip sports bra with a loose knee-length cotton dress over leggings and hard-soled slippers to also wear back home and take a clean pair of underwear and socks. I'll take my usual 'trip bag of bathroom necessities' along with Biotin dry mouth spray and chapstick (for the dehydration/intubation), an eye mask and plug-in headphones (block lights and sounds), plus an extra-long phone charger, my phone, and wallet. I'll leave a pillow in the car for the ride home. Boom, one cinch sack packed, and I'm done. They'll give you anything else you need.

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11 hours ago, Slimmy-mommeee said:

Hey Lily! The front snap bra and robe with pockets are great ideas. I'm nervous about the IV line though with the robe not sure it would work.
You should definitely enjoy each meal bc the preop diet is no joke. Are you able to eat a small meal on your or just liquid?

Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk

Hi Slimmy-mommeee! I catch your excitement girl, and you’re right, I do wake up SO happy each morning as if I’m going on vacation and that the time is NEAR! Woo-Hoo!! I know for me, fear is the negative tape of self talk that runs through my head at times until I TURN IT OFF, switch the channel to positive, heady Hooray! self talk. We’ve got this!

My pre-op calls for 2 Protein Shakes, and one lean meal of 2-4oz of Protein and a nonstarch veggie. Countdown is ON! And Thanks for your enthusiasm and contagious happy spirit!

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13 hours ago, Cia2020 said:

They will not leave you in your clothes before you have surgery. You'll have the IV prior to surgery and once you are out of recovery/awake and able to move would be the soonest you can change. Having worked in the medical field I know it is NOT that big of a deal to disconnect an IV for a patient to change, but you run the risk of ruining your clothes. If you're a bleeder, or if you have a drain tube, you can bleed through bandages and leak around tubes. If you have an emergency, they will cut your clothes.

Honestly, you are better off to wear a nice loose hospital gown that does not get trapped under you and maybe pull against your stomach when you are in bed, and just take a robe you can belt around you and cover up your back (or ask for a 2nd gown to wear backward) when you walk if you're that concerned about how you look. Having been through major surgery before, though not bariatric surgery, I can tell you I could have given two shits what anyone in the hospital thought about how I looked when I was in the hall or anywhere else though.

I plan to wear in a front-zip sports bra with a loose knee-length cotton dress over leggings and hard-soled slippers to also wear back home and take a clean pair of underwear and socks. I'll take my usual 'trip bag of bathroom necessities' along with Biotin dry mouth spray and chapstick (for the dehydration/intubation), an eye mask and plug-in headphones (block lights and sounds), plus an extra-long phone charger, my phone, and wallet. I'll leave a pillow in the car for the ride home. Boom, one cinch sack packed, and I'm done. They'll give you anything else you need.

Great advice! Thanks!

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Hi Slimmy-mommeee! I catch your excitement girl, and you’re right, I do wake up SO happy each morning as if I’m going on vacation and that the time is NEAR! Woo-Hoo!! I know for me, fear is the negative tape of self talk that runs through my head at times until I TURN IT OFF, switch the channel to positive, heady Hooray! self talk. We’ve got this!

My pre-op calls for 2 Protein Shakes, and one lean meal of 2-4oz of Protein and a nonstarch veggie. Countdown is ON! And Thanks for your enthusiasm and contagious happy spirit!
Yes 100%...I have to redirect my thoughts on an almost daily basis. I refuse to let worry or fear control me. I know this is the best decision for me and my children. I miss having the energy to be active with them. Thinking about all the physical things I'll be able to do again (hiking, volleyball, bike riding etc.) helps to keep my motivated.

And as much as I abhor this liquid diet I am starting to see my energy levels go up a little and it gets me so excited! Good Luck and I hope you have a speedy recovery!

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11 hours ago, Slimmy-mommeee said:

Yes 100%...I have to redirect my thoughts on an almost daily basis. I refuse to let worry or fear control me. I know this is the best decision for me and my children. I miss having the energy to be active with them. Thinking about all the physical things I'll be able to do again (hiking, volleyball, bike riding etc.) helps to keep my motivated.

And as much as I abhor this liquid diet I am starting to see my energy levels go up a little and it gets me so excited! Good Luck and I hope you have a speedy recovery!

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I'm glad I'm not on FB for this very reason. It can be quite the cesspool... I start my liquid diet on Sunday! But the 4 months of low carb has done wonders for my knees already...

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Well, my, my. I didn't know that thread starters cannot edit posts, or I would have placed this in my original post so that everyone could keep referring to it, but I went into all the March threads and put everyone's dates together so that everyone could see their buddies! I will put this in the other March threads as well. If you are new or don't see your name, I will be more than happy to add it!

March 2 Skywolfe, Earthquake88, AnnieK1073, Rearguard, Slimmy-Mommeee

March 3 Glannin, BigInJapan, Byrd0315

March 4 lucia.vsg

March 5 KSMermaid, gucci2018, ERYNN123

March 6 Pansypicker, Amber77

March 9 Angie526, auntCyn, highlyundermedicated

March 10 Confidently_Me, Nermada, Wellness Warrior, NewEnglanderGal, Amy Franks, finding.me

March 11 MaineDoc, 3charrm, lily66, asnirak

March 12 ronjsteele1, anyu3379

March 13 Q75j25

March 17 Mello1

March 19 medicpup2

March 20 JessicaMNCat, fiddlinjellybean

March 23 KingTeresa 2006

March 24 heavenlyscrts, jDubs, AngienHarry, SleeveCanadian, Learning2LoveTina

March 26 Cia2020, OnMyWay1956, Marthalynn

March 27 Ayemeeb

March 30 Stanlak

March 31 KhoricRitten

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On 2/22/2020 at 7:49 PM, Slimmy-mommeee said:

How is your preop diet coming? We are getting super close to the surgery. It's starting to get real for me.

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Well I’m on Day 3 of the liquid diet and I have to say it hasn’t been bad, but today I noticed not a lot of energy. I’m assuming it’s the body adjusting. I thought I would try the Premier Protein clear ( to get ready for Clear Liquids for Sunday) in tropical punch flavor and I gotta say it’s definitely NOT my cup of tea (too much of an aftertaste) ....lol. I much prefer the regular premier Protein Drinks. March 2 is getting real close!

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    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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