Just starting this process and I am a little scared. Advice?

rerickson6486 @rerickson6486

It is hard decision to make, but for me it was right decision.

Advice:
- Follow nurse and providers instructions.
- Exercise - before and after. The more due prior to surgery the easier it will be. Even if it is small increments.
- Start increasing water intake. That was one of hardest thing I have found, drinking enough fluids.
- Increase proteins / decrease carbs. Start eating like you will post surgery. Do not get in mind set that you're going to eat food now because will not be able to eat later. I lost weight steadily prior to surgery, and surgeon warned if gained weight pre surgery they would cancel surgery. Want to make sure I was discipline enough to follow post-surgery diet.
- Stop alcohol
- If possible, clean out food in house. Some people cannot due to other family members.
- Meal planning helps prevent eating random food you should not. Shop from list based on meal plan. I have problem with impulse buying when in grocery store. Sometime it is better to do online ordering and pick up groceries to avoid impulse buying.
- Stay busy, the worse time for me is when bored, especially at night. I started crocheting, simple dish clothes. You cannot eat when both hands busy.
- If support groups are offered, attend. The support of others who are preparing and have already had done is valuable. They can give advice and help problem solve.

Laurie
10-years post surgery

Thank you! This is really good information!

I'm so glad you are scared because it would be odd if you weren't. Elective surgeries are especially scary because it's a decision you have to make. I had a gastric sleeve 11 years ago, and had a gastric bypass 1-1/2 weeks ago. I must say information and research surrounding bariatric surgery is EXCELLENT these days. Even though my second surgery was more difficult, and will be far more malabsorptive I was released from the hospital on day three (I stayed in the hospital 6 days for first surgery) am already eating softer foods and blended foods (was on liquids only for two weeks after first surgery.) I was able to stop using opioid for pain 6 days after surgery. I am virtually pain free 11 days post surgery!!! My advice is to gain knowledge about the surgery and what life will look like post-surgery to help overcome your fears. You've already started just by posting in this support group...yay you! I will pray for your journey, but I will guarantee that months from now when you have finished the well-organized preoperative training and learning, you will know if surgery is right for you!

Thank you!

I had RNY bypass in 2016 Went from 320 to 180
The scariest time is when you are in a gown ready for life altering surgery
You may think. “What am I doing “
Best advice. Make a plan and follow it The sweet taste of being thin is well worth it. Which procedure are you doing?
I have friends who have done the sleeve and others with RNY
None have regretted it

I am a new member of the group and want to thank you for the advice. Just learning about the program and will be seeing a surgeon on February 14. I am so tired of taking my medications and insulin and hoping in the long run, after losing weight, that I will be able to get off most of them. I have a problem with degenerative disc disease in my lower back and hoping I will lose enough weight to help relieve the pain in my hips and knees.

Your comment about exercise before a procedure was spot on! ANY surgery!

Hi I had sleeve maybe 11-12 years ago …. Best thing I ever did ….i feel for me most important thing was no soda still now no soda no carbonated beverages, nothing that stretches the stomach….if I have one bite left and I feel full I throw it away , I maintain my weight between 148-153 I go in between those numbers …. I eat heart healthy so I don’t have to take cholesterol med … I was pre diabetic now my numbers within normal range….helps many things …. The one thing has not helped is my degenerative bone disease…but it has helped me able to treat it with exercise and stretching…..
you will do well as long as you listen to your dr. And your body ..and just move ….feb 14 think of it as you reinventing yourself…

I hesitate commenting, but I can't scroll passed this bc I feel like it's my responsibility to share a little.
My story is complicated, my experience is "I am the percentage of risks/complications" eventhough I did my research and never in a million years thought I'd fall into that category. I did everything I was supposed to. My story starts back in 2014 when I had standard sleeve procedure. I was healthy, just couldn't get rid of 3rd pregnancy weight. I was 30 years old, weighed 220 lbs and was 5' 6" tall. Had been diagnosed with PCOS, METABOLIC SYNDROME AND sleep apnea, but nothing abnormal for being overweight.
I went in for procedure on July 20 and didn't come home until March the following year. 9 months in hospital, 97 days of it in ICU. post surgery, blue dye was injected to make sure I was sewed back up without any gastric leaks. However blue dye was glowing throughout my body. But where I was leaking from, was unclear. I don't remember that year very much, however, I was brought back to life 13 times.
I was then in and out of hospital with complications such as potassium low seizures, hernia repairs, pain, esophageal issues. For the next 7 years I suffered and couldn't find a specialist willing to touch me due to being high risk and having a very complicated health status. I couldn't eat but 3 bites and 8/10 I threw up the bare minimum I could eat. And had unimaginable acid reflex/GERD. my life had drastically changed by now. Barely weighing 105 lbs, blackouts, pain, weakness, fatigue, you name it. My social life was non existent bc I couldn't be depended on, eat for social events or be dependable, never really feeling good enough. I was literally just surviving, dehydrated most of the time and anemic. Chronic fatigue debilitated.
Finally a breakthrough, a miracle worker bariatric surgeon/specialist said he could give me quality of life back. From 2019 through current I've had him working on my health and complications from sleeve surgery.
Over the last 5 years I've had 23 EDG's and esophageal dilation to fix the narrowing in my esophagus, 4 hernia replacements and then had to eventually have full Gastrectomy with a Jejuostomy(complete stomach and esophagus removal and my intestines connected to bottom of my throat.
The suffering, the inability to thrive in life, the definition of gone wrongs. That is me.
I now have a "Failure to Thrive" diagnosis, suffering from Severe Malnutrition and Protein Malabsorption. I'm dying! I had to have a Jtube placed and started Feeding tube nutrition, which never stopped hurting, just to reject it after 6 weeks in place. My last hope to stay alive was TPN via PICC LINE, which has been in the last 3.months, connecting to the formula bag every night at bedtime. I've gained back 10 lbs, now at 115 lbs, but hasn't improved much else. I have chronic diarrhea and anal fissures that are excruciating and won't heal due to the explosive diarrhea.
I had my introduction meeting with Hospice last Monday. I've had enough. My life has come to the end and I've finally lost the war. I realize I am the odds, but all things mentioned, are real cons of the surgery.
I'm 43 yrs old, 3 children, and I'm dying. My children have paid the price of my desperate desire to be thin, look good and lose the weight. All they remember, is seems like I've been sick their entire lives and they missed out on a normal mom childhood.
I'm absolutely terrified to stop existing but it's a very real story that I hope has not changed your mind by, but at least to consider if in the case you have complications, what support system you have in place in the event your life is effected by symptoms or complications. You have a right to be scared.

Thank you for sharing.