What do the beginning steps look like for bariatric surgery?

Colleen,
Yes, I am day 5 post surgery. So far, so good. Surgery went pretty well as I have not had any pain really from the actual bypass. What I did have pain with was that they found a Hiatal hernia while they were in there and they fixed it. The first night was significant aching in the center of my chest and my back between the shoulder blades. I simply could not find any position for relief. By morning the ache had subsided from maybe a pain level of 6 or 7 to a 2 or 3. After the second night down to a 1. Right now, I don't feel it at all. This is an ache I have dealt with for 25 years. Usually a drink of cool water took care of it. However, three times, the first two about 5 weeks apart and the third maybe 6 years ago I went to emergency. Each time it simply would not go away for many hours and I tested negative for a heart attack. I did get my gall bladder taken out during after the second incidence. It is because of those incidences and that I had my esophagus dilated a couple of years ago is why the Roux N Y surgery was the route we went.

So far, so good. The second day in the hospital I was given some pureed scrambled eggs and peaches. My first thought was wow, this is going to be difficult couple of weeks eating this. But at home, we found we can modify the blending such that there is plenty of moisture, it will run off the spoon, but still looks like its worth eating. We have tried different meats for plus greek yogurt for protein and for take one of the meds that is a capsule that I need to break open. After the first couple of days, I found I could take my meds as a tablet as long as they were small. If there was question, I cut the tablet. Its better than chocking the dust when its ground up.

Trying one thing at a time to see how it works. If it works, we try something a little different. I will still have to use the protein shake to make sure I get the protein I need, but I will only be able to drink a little bit at a time. Pre-surgery, I had to drink 4 of them a day. Post surgery, I think I may be able to get my with 1 or 1.5 throughout the day.

One recommendation I would make to those following this post. This is a recommendation mentioned by one of the speakers during the therapy session. I purchased package of 8 baby spoons to eat with. Taking a small amount of food on a regular spoon might still be too much at once. With a baby spoon, a small amount is really a small amount. It makes it easier to eat slowly, especially if one actually puts it down after about 3 bites and waits. The other thing recommended that I did was that I got several small containers with screw on caps. The containers are marked for 1 oz and 2 oz. I eat out of them. If I get full, I simply cap what remains and put it in the fridge for later. They will heat in the microwave. If I finish them, then I pretty much know exactly how much I eat. Both tools have been well worth the $15 to $20 I spent on them.

Deborah,

If it is like me, the purpose the liquid diet is to reduce the size of the liver so that it is not in the way of the actual surgery. In my case, I did 12 straight days of liquid diet. I lost about 8 lbs or so, but the surgeon said my liver was great. So, though the liquid diet is not easy, it was not in vain and it did the trick.

Hang in there. I won't say it gets easier going into surgery. But going into surgery you have a goal to work towards. Once surgery is completed, then the goal is to recover as smoothly as possible. I am in the second phase now. As you prepare in the first phase, just remember to keep your eye on the prize!

I just went to the all day appts to get started on this journey. Is anyone else just getting started? I have a 6 month waiting period through my insurance. Looking at bypass surgery in October!

I will be having mine in Phoenix as well!

I'm just getting started too! I have met with the surgeon and have other appts coming soon.

I suppose everyone has a little different experience. I can only speak to my own. The consultation with the surgeon up front is extremely helpful. My surgeon explained to me all the different surgeries that are available and the ones she recommends and does along with the why for each. Based on your health records etc, he/she will want various tests done prior to any surgery to make sure all is well and that you are a good candidate for the bariatric surgery. You will also meet with various other experts that include a nutritionist, and exercise physiologist, internal medicine doctor, and a therapist. These are probably for sure. Others will depend on your specific situation. Over the coming months you will do a number of things as required and recommended by your surgeon as well as mentally preparing yourself for life after the surgery. By the time you have completed your 10 weeks of group therapy you will probably have completed all the other requirements and a potential surgery date will be set. In my case, my first meeting was in April and my surgery was in December. It was important for me during this preparation time to begin to imagine what life will be like afterwards. There will be times you might think that maybe you should not do this as it is a BIG step. This is probably natural. Thinking about what life will be like afterwards will help you visualize what you want to accomplish and these visions will get you through those moments of doubt. You just have to be patient and persistent during this period. For me, I was glad it was a slow process so I could mentally prepare myself. Finally the time comes. you will be on a liquid diet for 2 weeks prior to the surgery. While this may seem to be a difficult task, it is not easy, it is very doable. Take each day as it comes, do what you need to do, keep your eye on the prize. Then surgery! Now you are on the other side of the process. From that point on, it is keeping your eye on the prize, being persistent, following the program and doing what you need to do. It gets easier with time. I am now 6 months past surgery. Right now I can eat most anything put in front of me, that took about 2 months, but I cannot eat a lot of it and it cannot be too dry. Its ok though because eating a little bit and I am satisfied. I am now almost 70 lbs less than when I first started in April 2024 and 55 lbs or so less since surgery. Some people lose weight faster, but I am glad to take it a little slower because of the clothes issues. I have dug up clothes from a past self that I have not worn for nearly 15 to 20 years. I am just now slowly buying new clothes in sizes I have not worn for 25+ years. My hope is to keep going and losing another 25 to 30 lbs over the next year. That's my hope. All I can tell you is to hang in there, envision yourself a year from now, and keep your eye on the prize. Neither I, anyone we met during the therapy sessions, nor anyone I personally have met outside of the Mayo system have expressed any regrets. Then there is the reward; people notice and start making comments. I do not like personal attention, never have, but it still makes me feel good when people tell me I look good and ask me how I feel. But there is another ultimate reward for me. I no longer have to look at the weight capacity of a ladder, worry about fitting into a chair at someone's house or breaking that chair, I can move and do things I have not been able to do in years. It feels great. And, my stomach no longer sticks out, which was one of the first things to go. Good luck on the journey!!!!!

@alsims463 , thanks for sharing your experience. Great summary of what to expect before and after surgery.

This 6 months is important as you will go through all the various required processes, but it also allows you to mentally prepare. In my case, I was relieved when I found out it would take several months from start to finish. Envision yourself a year from now! That will keep you motivated and pushing forward. Good luck.