Pre-surgery nerves and questions

[hsalt 3]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this group and have just signed up for gastric sleeve surgery and paying for it all myself.
Now it’s official and I have a date (01/12/2021) I’m super excited but also pretty nervous.

Just wondering if any of you wonderful people can help me and answer a couple of questions for me?

Prior to surgery I’m not booked in for a scan or colonoscopy? I’ve seen some people are?
My surgeon said if he notices any hernias he will sort those during surgery. Just wondering about the colonoscopy though?

How long is it roughly before people start to return to normal daily activities?
Working a normal day without struggling?

I’m really unsure whether to tell friends or people yet and am worried that if I go out to meet for coffee I won’t be able to drink a small cup due to fullness and they may start to think somethings wrong and I’m starving myself or something?
Obviously I understand that it takes a while until you eat even small portions but I’m just wondering if anyone found it extremely hard to blend in when socialising. As it’s over the Christmas period it will be difficult for me not to see people, was planning on just saying I’m working a lot until the rough patch is over but just wondering how long the ‘rough path’ can potentially last for?

Would appreciate any info, tips or stories :)

Thanks so much in advance Xo

[catwoman7 11,276]

I'm an RNY patient, but most things are the same.

I wasn't required to get a colonoscopy. I don't think most people are. And what kind of scan are you referring to? I don't remember getting any kind of scan - but it's been awhile, so maybe I'm forgetting all the tests I had. I had a sleep study, and EKG, a cardiac stress test (because I was over 50 years old when I had surgery), various labs - I don't remember a scan, though.

coffee - or any beverage - goes right through you, so you're not going to feel full from it. No one will be able to tell you had surgery if you're just drinking something when you're with them. Eating is a different story. Although no one would be able to tell I've had weight loss surgery based on what I eat NOW, they'd definitely be able to tell something was up the first few weeks after surgery. I rarely met people for anything that involved eating those first couple of months unless I was prepared to tell them I'd had surgery, because most people would notice that something was up (although not everyone notices or asks...but be prepared if they do...)

many people tire easily the first two months or so after surgery, but that said, I took three weeks off of work but probably could have gone back after two. I felt OK - just tired.

[hsalt 3]

Thank you so much.

I wondered if I needed an scan for them to see how big my liver is and to be able to see the surgery is doable? But hey, I’m new to this so was just wondering if anyone else did?

When you say beverages go right through you, are you on the toilet straight after?

Eating after the first few weeks is understandable and I’m not planning on eating in front of people for a while after surgery.
How long was it until you could go out and socialise without worrying about being sick or anything?

I’m guessing you felt tired due to lack of food? Nutrients? I know you have to take Vitamins for life. Did the tired feeling wear off?

How do you feel now? Post surgery? Was it all worth it? Have you managed to keep the weight off?

Do you still crave food even though you feel full quicker??

Thanks again :)

[RickM 1,753]

Colonoscopies aren't normally needed (I've never seen anyone mention it being required for their program) as they aren't working on that end of things. An endoscopy (EGD) is sometimes specified as that can give the surgeon some advanced notice of what's going on where he will be working - some docs like to plan ahead while others take what you present to them. ( I don't think that an EGD is a bad idea, as it may give you some information that can sway the decision as to what procedure might be better for you.)

Liver scans, or ultrasounds, are sometimes done - this is also a doctor's preference as some docs are very sensitive to that (maybe requiring additional pre op dieting, etc.) while others are entirely comfortable working around a fatty liver - just another day at the office for them. Do what your doctor wants, and worry about what he worries about, and not what he doesn't.

Holiday meals are going to be different this year, no question about it. You might be able to eat a bit of some things, you might have to mash things up or puree them, or stick to Soups, etc., depending upon how your doctor's program allows you to progress and how well your body allows you to progress. I went to a wedding (local) a couple of weeks after surgery without any big problem.

liquids go through your stomach readily (unless you have an unusual amount of lingering inflammation in your stomach that slows things down) but will be collected in your bladder as normal. Most will often have some problem with Constipation and/or diarrhea for a while as your system gets used to things,

Fatigue will be there for varying amounts of time as you recover. Your diet is mostly Protein as a priority until you can eat more variety, and usually little carbohydrate, which helps provide you with energy; some people go overboard on low carb dieting which can compound the problem, while some programs encourage some early carbohydrate via things like soupy oatmeal, cream of wheat, mashed potatoes or some watered down fruit juice to combat the low energy.

Good luck in this adventure!

[hsalt 3]

Thanks so much Rick.
You’re totally correct in worrying about what my surgeon worries about and not to get caught up in what everyone else is doing.
After I have done so much reading it all blurs and it’s hard to know what is really needed.
I appreciate the reassurance :)

I have to go on an Optifast diet for 4 weeks prior to surgery to lose some weight and reduce the size of my liver so that will help.

Wow a wedding straight after, that’s impressive.

Do you mind me asking how long since you had your surgery and what percentage of weight you have lost?

Did the surgery curb your hunger cravings?

I hear fatigue is common, i will ensure I am hitting the correct Protein and nutrient intake.
Any other tips?
Did this fatigue improve over time?

Thanks so much for your help