This is my first post so here goes...

I'm trying to schedule surgery into a busy schedule. There are so many things to consider that I won't go into them here. My question is when should I expect to be back to myself after surgery? Should I plan a vacation before surgery or after surgery? Will a 10-day high protein/low carb pre-surgery diet be something I could follow while on a vacation? Or should I wait until we get back to begin that diet. The way it looks I won't have an open 2-3 weeks until mid-June so I'm wondering if I really need that much of a time block.

Any advise anyone has would be appreciated. Thanks.

This is my first post so here goes...

I'm trying to schedule surgery into a busy schedule. There are so many things to consider that I won't go into them here. My question is when should I expect to be back to myself after surgery? Depending on what kind of work you do, a week to 10 days should be sufficient. I know people who went back to work within 2 days, but I don't recommend counting on that! It took me that long just to shake the anesthesia. I just got really tired durinig the day for about 10 days...otherwise felt fine.

Should I plan a vacation before surgery or after surgery? If it were me, I would definitely plan the vacation before banding...or no sooner than a month after (with no fills).

Will a 10-day high protein/low carb pre-surgery diet be something I could follow while on a vacation? Absolutely. I low-carb'd it for 2.5 years! It's not difficult....just think 'meat and veggies'...that's mostly what you'll be eating.

Or should I wait until we get back to begin that diet. I would go ahead and start the diet ....IF you think you can stick to it!

The way it looks I won't have an open 2-3 weeks until mid-June so I'm wondering if I really need that much of a time block.

Any advise anyone has would be appreciated. Thanks.

Good luck to you!!

Edited March 30, 200818 yr by TerriDoodle

I squeezed my surgery into an extremely busy schedule. Its doable. I would take my vacation first. You want to be around in the event you need to see your surgeon after the surgery.

This was my first ever surgery, so I didn't know what to expect. I took a week off from work and then worked a shorter day for the week I went back. I experienced some complications, so I had to put a business trip on hold, but was back to the 50+hours a week and the two business trips a month, 4 weeks after surgery.

Everyone reacts differently, some people here have gone back to work in 3 days.

Good luck in whatever you choose. Its the best thing I have ever done for myself.

Thanks so much for the advise. I'm leaning toward waiting so I'll plan my vacation with my daughter as early as possible. We're thinking Washington D.C. I haven't been there since I was a kid.

BTW I didn't really introduce myself. My BMI now is 47.5. I'm a busy single mom of one adopted daughter (11 years old now). In addition, I'm responsible for the caretaking of my elderly father who currently lives on his own but nearby. I suppose I'm typical of the sandwich generation. I'm also VP of my company and we've just been awarded two huge contracts. End of school year activities and a concert that I'm singing in, all during April and May, adds to the schedule. So it looks like mid-June for sure to be banded. I hate waiting but I see no other option at this time. I'll take this time to gradually get off carbs and caffeine.:scared2:

Thanks again for taking the time to respond.

I had my surgery on 3-25-08 and today is the first day I got out of bed and felt really good. I have been to the store shopping and out visiting friends but just don't have the energy for a full day of activities. I need to rest by mid-afternoon. I know I am not ready to go back to work on Monday. I did have some additional surgery with lap band. My Dr. ended up removing my gallbladder and repairing a hiatal hernia. I was very surprised about both. One night in the hospital but I needed to get to my own bed to rest. I don't know if the additional work will slow down my recovery. What I do know is that I am ready for something besides clear liquids. On the up side I was 14 lbs. down from the day of surgery this am. Makes me smile, however, I know most of it is just fluid which could find me again at any time.