1 week 4 days to go - ThinnerTimes

nashuk21 · 10-23-2006, 06:10 AM

Hi
I have just found this forum and was hoping for some advice. I have just over a week to go before I have the gastirc bypass. I am getting more nervous by the day. As I am on the high protein diet to shrink my liver feel now will not be eating any goodies again ever.
Is there any one feeling the same. I am having mine done on the NHS. Is anyone one else?

Ann8615 · 10-23-2006, 06:18 AM

I am feeling the same! I am 4 days away from surgery, and have been trying my best to do the liquid diet. Dr. says I can do one salad a day. Have done OK so far, but my salad yesterday was very large! Back to serious liquids only for the rest of the week, surgery on Friday morning.

I think it is just the beginning of the grief process over food, which will take a while. Journaling your feelings about food might help. I am seeing a therapist & journaling, so am feeling OK about my progress. There will be grief to go through though. And, eventually, you might be able to have a "goodie,", but it will probably be just a bite, and you might not even want it!

Good luck!
ann

LisaM · 10-23-2006, 06:40 AM

This isn't a life sentence, it's a new lease on life! Your food restrictions a year or two after surgery are pretty minimal, you just can't eat as much. If you are like most of us, you're losing one of your best friends (food), and you will go through some form of grief process--but it's so worth it.

Good luck to you both on your surgeries--please keep us posted on how you're doing.

nashuk21 · 10-23-2006, 11:29 AM

I have read quite a few posts today and thought there were not many people on the forum. I now see by the time I last visited it was 06.25 your time. Forgot about the time difference

Thanks for your thoughts. I decided to have this surgery so I would not be so invisible in a crowd. Beinging on the countdown to surgery had made me feel even more so.
My partner tries to be supportive but men are well men.
I like the idea of keeping a journal. I also think the therapy that Ann is recieving sound great. It was not offered to me in Manchester UK on the NHS. Do most people on the forum pay for this sort of surgery?
I will let you all know how I got on too.

nashuk21 · 10-24-2006, 03:53 PM

I am feeling the lack of food today. Roasted veg did not go down well when all I wanted was a big old roast dinner,yorkshire pudding with all the trimmings Mmmmmmmmm.
I am a lot more positive since joining the forum and feel happier that other out there understand.
I am having keyhole surgery. How long does it take to be able to go to work?
Is there much pain or discomfort?

shereeks · 10-25-2006, 04:05 AM

I had just over 2 weeks off work but wasn't really in any pain after day 3. It was more just tiredness than anything else.

You just have to take it easy and get plenty of sleep and rest and you'll be right as rain in no time. I now feel completely 'normal' again - sometimes too much so - I somethimes forget I've had it and eat too fast!

My scars have healed really well and I don't feel hunger at the moment so it's all great!

Good luck! I'm sure you will have a smooth ride!

bonnieboots · 10-25-2006, 09:11 PM

Good luck to you...I am scheduled for Nov.6th. I am feeling the same way...scared, needing to be alone, yet strangely confident that this is the right move. Keep in touch. BON

Blueyz · 10-25-2006, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nashuk21

Hi
I have just found this forum and was hoping for some advice. I have just over a week to go before I have the gastirc bypass. I am getting more nervous by the day. As I am on the high protein diet to shrink my liver feel now will not be eating any goodies again ever.
Is there any one feeling the same. I am having mine done on the NHS. Is anyone one else?

Don't worry about not ever eating the "goodies" again..you will be able to eat normal around 6 months out. I am over 2 years out and I can eat a variety of things..just in moderation. Greasy foods make me sick and too much sugar, but I am thankful for that. It will seem like you have to say good bye forever to the goodies, but you will see that you will be able to taste/eat again.

Keyhole surgery...I am asumming you mean laparoscopic. I had open and was out about 4 weeks...I needed time to get my strength back more than anything because I was tired due to the decreased caloric intake.

Best wishes to you.

LisaM · 10-26-2006, 06:32 AM

I had what you term keyhole surgery, and wasn't working at the time, but it took four weeks for me to be able to sustain enough energy to even work around the house for any significant time. Everyone's different--and if 11 people answer your question, you'll get ten different answers.

Much depends on your overall health before the surgery, what kind of post-op diet your surgeon puts you on, and other factors, like how good you are about getting your protein in--I struggled because I couldn't handle protein drinks or supplements in the first three or four weeks. If you can cope with those, you'll do very well pretty quickly. Welcome to the board! We're glad to have you.

I spent a total of five years in England - two years in Sussex at Lakenheath Royal Air Force Base, and three years at Greenham Common RAFB, with both tours taking place in the 80s. Loved it! And I know we have three or four other members of the board from various places in the UK, and I'm sure at least two of them had the surgery on the National Health Service. Hopefully, they'll pop their heads up soon.

Mavisavis · 10-26-2006, 07:22 AM

I too remember feeling that I was saying good-bye forever to some old friends. But now that I am further out, the honest truth is this.....my old friends are there, but my relationship with them has changed. I realize now they aren't that healthy for me, but I still enjoy them in small doses......kind of like that crazy relative that is a hoot for a short while, but you wouldn't go stay at her house.

I honestly enjoy them less anyhow (sweet things.....salty munchies are still a struggle). The only food I have given up in general, are deep fried foods. I basically don't eat them........but that's grease, not a food item.

I still eat the chicken, or the fish, just cooked in healthier ways. I do still occasionally eat a few fries........but I make sure I eat with other foods and try to make sure the whole order does not belong to me. You will figure out what you like and what you need......and what you want. But please don't feel you will never have or enjoy those things again. I wish you guys an uneventful surgery and speedy recovery. And it's normal to stress and obsess right before your big day!