Hi Gang! I'm Meow. I was scheduled for a 100cm Bypass on June 29th and they just moved me UP to June 9th! AHHHHHHH! I'm usually pretty grounded with life's hurdles but all the sudden my mind went blank and I thought "I'M NOT READY!" Any other May, June, July Bypassers want to join up and share and support? I'm not sure how to put my stats in my profile but I am 5' 5" female. Late 40s. 220# at the Doc yesterday. Goal weight is 150. Having BYPASS instead of Sleeve due to life-long reflux. Told I only need to do 3 days liquid liver shrink beforehand since my BMI is only 36. Feel both overloaded with info and under-prepared to say goodbye to the contrasting albatross/joy that is FOOD in my life. Both glad and nervous about the timing as it feels like an easier time to stay away from friends and family who social-eat until I get a handle on my new digestive system. But also I'm pretty bored as my line of work is largely halted until the conditions are far safer. Likely won't have regular work until 2021. I'm ashamed to say the last 2 months have been more of a food funeral than I anticipated so I have a lot of mind-prep to do in the next 2 weeks. I am keeping this a private journey. Only my husband and best friend know. Even keeping my tween daughter in the dark at least for now. Would love some buddies who check in frequently to go thru this with. I've been posting on other June thread but thought a BYPASS thread would be great. And of course Veterans are WELCOME to pop in and share. Share your stories with me! Let's do this together!!

You got this @maybemeow! Sending you good vibes and praying for a perfect procedure and speedy recovery :)

On 6/7/2020 at 10:30 AM, jbelly said:

I've actually been doing pretty good. I'm a huge nerd and I made a spreadsheet to plan what I eat, track Protein, track Water, use my incentive spirometer. I was surprised after surgery I had a cough that produced a lot mucus so the spirometer is a must. They gave me tracking sheets at the hospital to use at home and they weren't as detailed. Personal questions don't bother me at all. I think it's important that people know your experience so you don't feel alone. It took me a full 24 hours to have a bowel movement but I have been regular since. I also got my period yesterday which has not helped. I tried not taking anything last night for pain management and that was a mistake. My pain is mostly on the left side. The doctor discovered a hernia so that is healing as well. If you haven't already I would invest into some LiquaCel. I mixed it in my water to help me get protein in.
I know its an overused phrase but if I can do it you can do it. Good luck!

OOOO, your tracking sheets sound really good. Any chance you can share? I'm big on prior prep. Love to see them. SO pleased to hear you keep improving. Even with Aunt Flo arriving as you heal! I'm so impressed. I'm jumping in tomorrow and it's nice for one last story to be a good one. I'm going to look up LiquaCel. I'll check in soon!

@Lici Hey surgery-bud! I'm thinking about you as we approach the BIG DAY. Hope you're feeling ready and at peace. That's my goal for today. Last minute to-dos and then ... PEACE. Let's do this! See you on the other side!! ONWARD!

Hi All! Just wanted to wish everyone having surgery the best of luck! I am scheduled on 7/6/20.

Got a call. They're moving me up to 11:30am tomorrow. Feels perfect. Today... I feel ready.

Great, congrats to you! My prayers are with you!!??????

Question I have my pre admission testing in the morning and I never asked what they do so can you all please let me know what to expect please!

2 minutes ago, IWantTheDream said:

Question I have my pre admission testing in the morning and I never asked what they do so can you all please let me know what to expect please!

I think it's just bloodwork. The covid test comes 2 days before surgery.

Question - what does your pre-op diet look like? Duration? Guidelines? Based on what weight / BMI?

2 hours ago, 613cnn said:

Question - what does your pre-op diet look like? Duration? Guidelines? Based on what weight / BMI?

Edited to say... OOPS! I thought you said post-op! Well... enjoy POST Op below. My pre op was 3 protein shakes a day plus clear liquids. My friend's was two protein shakes and a meat and veggie only dinner. I admit I followed hers instead of mine.

Day 1 and 2: Focus on fluids, water, broth, jello, SF Gatoraid, popsicles. At least 30oz fluids

Day 3-7: Add one protein shake. At least 40oz fluid, yogurt, watered down cream of wheat, strained, low fat cream of soup

Day 7-13: Start Multi Vitamin. 50 oz clear liquid. Add A few soft foods: Scrambled egg, hummus, cottage cheese, refried beans

Day 14-7 weeks at least 64 oz fluids. Add soft wet meats (tuna, canned chicken ground turkey, fish, melted cheese, mayo, other beans deli meat. Aim for 3 ox per meal. 3-5 meals per day. (week 3 add Calcium Citrate)

DO NOT eat these until 2 months post op: Carbs, Steak, raw fruits or veggies, grains, caffeinated coffee and avoid carbs as much as possible. 3oz protein first. then veggies, then fruit to fill any stomach space.

Hope this is helpful!

Edited June 9, 20206 yr by MaybeMeow

On 06/08/2020 at 19:47, 613cnn said:

Question - what does your pre-op diet look like? Duration? Guidelines? Based on what weight / BMI?

I attached a photo. I think mine is definitely better then the milk one. I couldn’t do that one.

7 minutes ago, MaybeMeow said:

Day 1 and 2: Focus on fluids, Water, broth, Jello, SF Gatoraid, popsicles. At least 30oz fluids

Day 3-7: Add one Protein Shake. At least 40oz Fluid, yogurt, watered down cream of wheat, strained, low fat cream of Soup

Day 7-13: Start Multi Vitamin. 50 oz clear liquid. Add A few soft foods: Scrambled egg, hummus, cottage cheese, refried Beans

Day 14-7 weeks at least 64 oz fluids. Add soft wet meats (tuna, canned chicken ground turkey, fish, melted cheese, mayo, other beans deli meat. Aim for 3 ox per meal. 3-5 meals per day. (week 3 add Calcium Citrate)

DO NOT eat these until 2 months post op: Carbs, Steak, raw fruits or veggies, grains, caffeinated coffee and avoid carbs as much as possible. 3oz Protein first. then veggies, then fruit to fill any stomach space.

Hope this is helpful!

That sounds good but I believe that's post-op...wasn't OP asking about pre-op?

Here's a summary of what I was told for pre-op:

DO's: Non-starchy vegetables, lean meat, clear and full liquids. At least 90 grams of protein per day, less, than 50 grams of carbs, and less than 1000 calories. 64 oz of fluid minimum.

DON'T's: No added sugar, no high-carb foods (pasta, rice, bread, cereal, potatoes, corn), no sweets of any kind, avoid fruit, and NO caffeine.

I'm honestly not having a hard time with it now, I'll be at 1 week tomorrow. I do miss bread sometimes and wish I could eat fruit (I do add frozen berries to my protein shakes as flavoring, and throw a few into my Greek yogurt, but that's it). They told me the whole goal was to shrink the liver (it sits right above the stomach) by using a low-carb diet. Plus side, I've already lost more than 5 pounds. I also think this is shrinking my stomach and getting my body accustomed to eating less.

I still think that my first two weeks post-op are going to be a challenge. I'm supposed to have only liquids, starting with clear but adding in full as soon as I tolerate them. I hope that what I've heard about not feeling very hungry at all after surgery is true, else I'll really be miserable!

3 hours ago, MaybeMeow said:

Got a call. They're moving me up to 11:30am tomorrow. Feels perfect. Today... I feel ready.

OMG! I'm so excited for you!! Good luck. ?

7 hours ago, MaybeMeow said:

@Lici Hey surgery-bud! I'm thinking about you as we approach the BIG DAY. Hope you're feeling ready and at peace. That's my goal for today. Last minute to-dos and then ... PEACE. Let's do this! See you on the other side!! ONWARD!

@MaybeMeowSending positive thoughts and vibes your way. SUPER excited and at peace for surgery tomorrow. I’ve been doing my last minute stuff too and making sure I’ve got everything. Add in some YouTube videos for a little more of what to expect. Honestly I can’t believe surgery is tomorrow. Looking forward to being on the losers bench with you!

14 hours ago, MaybeMeow said:

Got a call. They're moving me up to 11:30am tomorrow. Feels perfect. Today... I feel ready.

Thinking of YOU this morning, MaybeMeow! So excited for you and praying all goes exceptionally well!?