[TxCellent2]

Greetings from Texas....I am new to the forum, and I am so glad I found this site. I just got approved for surgery. So I am so excited that I am finally going to get started on this path to a new life. But it has gotten approved so much faster than I was expecting, now I am getting nervous and excitied and I am thinking of new questions almost hourly.
I have many friends and co-workers who have had both the open and lap RNY, so I have been talking to them, and the more I hear the more I see that everyone is different. I think if I can just find out as much as I can, then make the right decisions for myself, I will do fine. I am really looking forward to finally getting to have this done. I have been thinking about it for about three years, and now the time is almost here. Yikes...
My husband needs the surgery even more than I do, I am 5' 6" and weigh 285, he is 6' 3" and weighs 389, but he is too worried that he will not be able to get enough to eat. He says he likes eating too much to do that to himself. So I told him I would have the surgery first and when he sees how great that I do, that he will be begging to have the surgery next. And he even admitted yesterday, that he knows that he really needs to do something before eating so much food all the time, actually kills him. So at least there is hope for him.
About all the questions I have, I am making a list for my doc. But I am especially wondering about the pros and cons of being on a liquid diet before surgery. My doc has only asked me to go on clear liquids two days before surgery. Should I ask her if it would be better for me to do liquids for longer than that?
Other questions I have are about the best kind of protein drinks to try first from other's experience. I know that it will depend on what I can tolerate, as everyone is different. But where to start?
What kind of vitamins does everyone take?
What are the most important things for me to make sure I have at home before surgery that the doctor might not tell me about?
Do you think I am beoing unrealistic in my goal to go back to work in one week after an open RNY? I have an office job, and will be able to take some half days if needed. I have plenty sick days I can take off, but I am the only one in my office, so I it is hard to take off much time. The doc thinks it will be no problem, as long as I can make sure to get plenty of rest and do my diet right.
If you could only give one piece of advice to some one right before surgery... what would it be?
Thanks in advance for any answers.
Jackie

285/281/150/5' 6"
highest/pre-op/goal
Doctors Hospital in Dallas
Dr. Raeann Capehart
Open RNY scheduled 06/04/07

[JenBear7]

Welcome to the forum! I am pre-op too so I cant give the one piece of advice... cept to say that the search feature is phenomenal! You will answer all of your questions.. and then some! (and if your doc says 2 days is ok, why argue? and if he thinks youwill be fine.. its him that signs that paper.. have to trust that doc you know.... your life is in his hands.. )

Best of luck to you!

[Tim]

As a guy in his 50's I can relate to your husband, but I'm really glad I did this now. I feel like I dropped 15 years. I also have a lot less pain in my joints. Anyway good luck on your journey.

[CeeCee]

Ummmm....I had open RNY on 2/12/07. There is no way I could have returned to work after 1 week, and I have had smooth sailing! (How do you get "plenty of rest" if you're at work?) First- I wasn't allowed to drive for 2 weeks. I still had a drain in when I left the hospital. I consider myself a pretty tough Yankee, but I took 5 weeks off. Of course, you tough Texans, you'll not only be back at work, but you'll probably assist at your own surgery!
Good luck!

[hummingbird5953]

I'm still pre-op as well so can't offer much in the way of advise but I did want to welcome you and wish you all the best in your journey!

[LyndasRoom]

Hi Jackie, welcome! Your life is about to change big time...it's like when you have kids, people say you're in for a big change...but it's hard to explain how...Best of luck to you in your journey!

[taleci]

Welcome! I am new here too and we are close in our surgery dates...I go on May 29. A WEEK from today. I am so excited and nervous all at once.

My husband had the surgery 17 months ago and has done great with it. Our original plan was to have it done at about the same time, but his insurance approved his early on whereas, my insurance didn't cover it. He is a big guy too, 6'6"....his favorite saying was "it takes a lot of fuel to make this engine go". He was 329 before the surgery and is down to 220-225 now. what I can tell you is the surgery took the emphasis off of food, that it gave him so much energy and that he doesn't have any regrets about having the surgery. While I do wish that we had gone through it at the same time, I am happy that I have a fairly good understanding of what is about to happen to me from living it with him.
Congrats on your surgery date!

[kittens4]

Congrats on your surgery date! I used to be like your hubby...I'd always say how it takes a lot of food to maintain my cute 260 pound frame...as I was eating a Big Mac and Supersize fries! Yup! I remember those days..the feeling of being so very full and tired all the time. I'm so glad those days are gone. Once he sees you succeed, he'll be jumping onto the OR table! The thing is, once you have the surgery, you can still eat! It's not over! You just have smaller amounts of everything. Of course I don't eat sweets, ever. I've never been sick since my 2nd surgery, but I don't push the pouch to test the limits either. Once you have a bowel obstruction, you are very careful what goes in the pouch! The first 6 months there are certain things you avoid..(red meat, nuts, popcorn, corn, etc. they will give you a list), but now, I eat pretty much anything in small doses. The thing is, you feel content after having a slice of pizza..or a little piece of steak..you don't need a side of beef to feel full anymore! It's awesome! Keep us posted on your progress!

[Gina in NY]

Don't even think about going back to work in one week. This is a big, for real surgery. Any abdominal surgery is major and you won't be ready and could hurt yourself if you push too hard. I know you can take half days, but you'll be wiped out dear and if you have any complications...Be ready to rest full time for at least two weeks! And you have to learn to eat again and you don't want to do that at work!

The liquid diet can help shrink you liver, but if you've just lost some weight (I had to lose 10%) then you're alright anyway. Basically, it is to lose some weight and/or shrink up the liver. The surgery is up high in the digestive tract, so there isn't too much to worry about as far as that aspect goes. One day will get you plenty cleared out. I just did 24 hours, all was well.

Advice? Don't worry too much - you'll be fine as long as you are completely educated about what this surgery can and can't do. It is just a tool, but it is a good one.

Good luck!

[TxCellent2]

Thanks to all of you for the great ideas, advice and tips. This forum is so good about giving lots of different perspectives on just about everything you can think of. And the more I know about what to expext and how to deal with it.. all the more better. I am really starting to re-think my one week recovery time, and have talked to my boss and she is very on-board with me just taking it one day at a time and see how I am feeling. If I need to stay home longer, she says that will be no problem. So that is one less thing to worry about. And I am going today to talk to my doc about the liquid diet issue.
I am also trying to get all my cravings out of the way this week.. like last night I had pizza, so I don't need to have that again for a very long time, and going to have some fried shrimp tonite. Is that crazy to want to say good bye to the things I know I shouldn't have again, ever or at least for a very long time? At least I am still doing all the right things about my walking plan. I walk at least 30 minutes every day and try to do some strength training at least 3 days a week. One of the things I am most looking forward to is getting some cute new work-out clothes and not have to always be hiding under sloppy tshirts and jumbo shorts.