Pre-bariatric surgery questions

I’m 23 yrs post-op. Take your cellphone charger to the hospital, as well as slippers, if you don’t like the grippy socks the hospital provided. Some people take chapstick.

You should be able to return to work in about a week to ten days,

At home, you may prefer to sleep in a recliner those first few nights. Your tastes tend to change with the surgery. Some people say that protein drinks they lived pre-op, don’t taste as good post-op. So I would have more than one brand of protein powder or shakes on hand. My favorite brands are Fairlife and Premier.

Best wishes to you!

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.

My name is Joyce. I had the Roux NY surgery back in August 2024, and weighed 270 pounds. I lost 30 pounds before the surgery and have lost a total of 129 pounds since then. I am currently off all Insulin injections, and my A1C is down to normal. I am currently at 140 for my weight, and feel wonderful. I just wanted to quickly share my success, and hope this will be an encouragement to others. Have a Merry Christmas!! Click on photo to enlarge.

@marymatthys
Thanks for all the ideas - I'm going to make a list of the foods/snacks you mentioned. I have a lot of re-training to do. I have another question, because it's something I kind of worry about (but not overly-so). I don't know how much weight you have lost, but did it make a difference with wrinkles? I am 71 and don't have much wrinkling on my face because of the weight, but I wonder what my face will look like after I lose the 100 or so lbs I really want to lose. Also, what about sagging skin? I feel like I will have a huge flap around my abdomen. Given all of that, I'd still rather be 142 than 242, sagging, wrinkles and all!

@roch
I crave snacks when I watch TV, so that's a dangerous time for me. At least we only watch TV at night, but maybe I'll learn to knit again. And stock up on string cheese and things I can reach for that aren't bad for me. I have Fibromyalgia, Long Covid, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, all of which cause extreme fatigue which is made even worse by exercise, so I don't get out much and do anything, especially here in the northwest where I don't think it will ever stop raining.
I agree about joining a support group. Kaiser does have numerous programs. Is "Connect" this forum?

@loriskt

I have always turned to food for comfort, but I needed to rethink my relationship with food. One thing I found helpful is staying busy. Sometimes it is the little things. I crochet while watching TV rather than snacking. Think about when you turned to food for comfort. Are you bored, tired, etc... If identify, then you can come up with plans to avoid.

If your clinic provides post-surgery support groups, I suggest you participate. It is a way to problem-solve and connect with others who are going through the same experience. And of course, Connect is a great way to connect with others to problem solve.

@loriskt
I keep my food easy. I focus on protein and a few foods I enjoy. I keep them in my house so I always have them. I eat Ratio Protein yogurt (25 grams of protein). They taste much better than Greek yogurt. I also eat cottage cheese with a single serving container of mandarine oranges, dill pickles for crunch and flavor, Crunchmaster crackers with a Colby cheese stick (like a string cheese in that type of packaging), Tyson rotisserie chicken strips (frozen, cook in air fryer), Kirkland lightly breaded chicken nuggets (cook in air fryer), fresh fruit, fresh veggies, eggs, tacos with low carb wrap, Skinny Pop popcorn (once you’re cleared to eat it), etc. Sugar can give you dumping syndrome, which is miserable and I have myself convinced it will happen to me so I’m not tempted by sweets. I did a Christmas cookie exchange this year and have not been tempted to eat any. I think my key to success so far is retraining my brain about food and having lots of the foods I eat at home. It helps me to stay on track. It took awhile to think differently about eating. I remember walking around the store and trying to find low carb options for eating like I used to. I don’t really miss it. My big fear is regaining. I look at the rewards. Size 12 jeans are too big. I’m solidly in a large shirt and can maybe wear a medium in some designs. I look great in photos. I look younger despite being 68. In the last month, I’ve been getting a lot of compliments from people about how I look. My knees feel great. I could go on and on about the benefits.

@roch
Thank you for your comment about other diets I've been on and the surgery being a tool to help keep the weight off; I hadn't thought of it that way. My biggest fear about proceeding with surgery is having a procedure that is non-reversible and removes part of my body, and my not being able to change my eating habits appropriately, and being able to not look at food for comfort, but just simply nourishment. I really wish they had jars of food like baby food that is nutritious to adults, so it would just be a matter of opening a small jar and eating it for each meal! It has to be easy and convenient for me or I've found I don't do it. The only diet I was actually successful at was Jenny Craig. I didn't find the food very good but all I had to do was reach for it and open it (or microwave it), so I did lose about 20 pounds. Gained it back later though.