Best advice for pre-op - Page 3 - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

amajor · 03-31-2008, 10:32 AM

Here is one that I overlooked till I payed attention to it, chewing your food. I'm finally starting to pay attention while I'm eating and it's amazing how much of my food was not chewed. I honestly would have to say that when I eat it's like something out of "Shark Week" on animal planet, my eyes roll back and I don't focus on enjoying my meals just in ending the hunger as fast as possible and now that I'm paying attention I'm noticing when I don't chew enough and something feels like it's going to get blocked on the way down which is when I reach for the water to wash it down (another no no). I am still pre op and on the last month of my 6 month MSWL and from everything I have heard making these two changes now will be two of the most important things for my future success.

Momof3 · 04-17-2008, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LisaM

I'm also starting a similar thread in post-op. Everyone gets lots of advice before and after their surgery. Thought we'd put it all in one place, like the best of nutrition thread. You guys add yours to the thread, and I'll put it all on the front, as I've done before. Here we go with a few that are still in my memory. Feel free to suggest new categories, as well!

Ask Your Doctor

Do you perform the surgery laparoscopically or open?
How many gastric bypass surgeries have you done?
What's your mortality rate? (How many people you've performed gastric bypass surgery on have died?)
What's your complication rate?
What's your most common complication?
What kind of aftercare do you provide/suggest?

Buy Before Surgery

Protein SAMPLES if your doctor/nutritionist wants you using supplements, don't buy case lots - your tastes WILL change post-op
Blender or magic bullet to mix protein drinks/smoothies

To Do List Before Surgery

Take your "before" pictures! And make sure you take front, back, and profile... Smiling helps...
Take your "before" measurements, too. And measure EVERYthing--you will lose inches around your ankles, wrists, everywhere.
Get your house in order, as you're not going to be up to cleaning or taking care of stuff for a while after you get back.
You're not supposed to be lifting for four to six weeks post-op, so do what you have to in order to make sure you can take care of things like laundry--a rolling suitcase is great for a temporary laundry basket.
Arrange for someone to be around for a few days, particularly if you have little ones.
Get a TT buddy--somebody who can let us know that your surgery is over, and that you're OK...we worry!

Take to the Hospital:

Chapstick
Your own pillow
Slippers of your own, so you don't have to wear those funky things they supply at the hospital.
Loose pants to wear home
Ipod or other personal music to block out the wacko in the next bed over.
Cellphone, so you can call or text somebody at Thinner Times and let us know you're OK. Make sure you have your TT buddy's phone number already pre-programmed into your phone!

Don't Bother Taking to the Hospital:

Books - you either won't have time to read because you'll be up and walking all the time, or you'll feel like crap and won't be interested in reading. Either way, it's just extra weight, and you won't be able to carry it out... you're not supposed to be lifting, remember?
Work to do - See "Books." Same theory.
Nightgown - Just wear the loose sweats to walk around the halls, with the hospital gown over. See below for hints on how to do that...

Hints While in the Hospital:

Hospital gowns: Ask for a second hospital gown. Wear the first gown with the opening in the back, then put the second one on with the opening in the front. No bootie hanging out in the hallways... who wants to see that?

chapstick?

I've also heard gas-x strips will be your friend. Is this just for lapband? what about RNY?

GrammaCeeCee · 05-23-2008, 06:08 PM

Bill, I had both hips replaced last years. The surgeon insisted that I get down from 292 to 250 before he would do it. And I did it (of course, it's all back on now). But my point is that he discovered that even at 250 (which was high weight for him to operate on) that the procedure was much, much easier than he had anticipated and my recovery was even more rapid that many of his patients. The surgeon is Dr. Thomas Knutson in Escondido, California. He used a very small incision (about 4 inches) in the Front of your body and he doesn't have to go through any muscles that way.

Let me know if you want more information. I believe it's called minimally invasive hip replacement.

CCluvs2scuba · 06-10-2008, 03:35 PM

This post is fantastic!!!!! Thanks so much! I am going to print it out and use it!

I need help finding a post. It was a long list in bright bold pink lettering that had helpful sites on it. I went to one of the sites and couldn't get back to the post. I broke my golden rule of printing or saving and now I can't find it....Help!!!!!

CC

Trinksie · 08-05-2008, 12:38 PM

Hi CCluvs,

I think the post your a talking about is in the Newbies thread.

Good luck,

Trinksie

agodewey · 09-13-2008, 10:50 AM

Wow what a resource!

Thanks!

mom2theAteam · 09-29-2008, 02:29 PM

This is a really good list and very helpful. I am going for my gastric bypass (lap) on 10/16. I've had 2 C-sections though when my kids were born, so many of these things are the same things that I did while in the hospital for the C-Sections.

Things I would add to this list:

Under 'Things to do Before Surgery' - if you do have children, make sure that you also 1) have a will in place, especially if you are single, because really you just never know. 2) Have some easy meals made up ahead of time and in the freezer so that you can take them out and pop them into the oven for the rest of the family/kids. 3) Arrange for carpooling the kids to/from any school activities or sporting events if you or your spouse will not be available to drive.

While in the hospital too, I asked my nurse where the 'ice' machine was and once I was walking I could walk down to the room on the floor and fill up my pitcher with ice chips, rather than wait for a nurse to get them for me. It also gave me something to do when walking.

I too recommend wearing clothing to the hospital that you can then wear home. Loose, comfortable clothing and shoes. You may be a little sore bending so slip on type shoes are the best and easiest after surgery.

Using the 2 hospital gowns is fine, but honestly, I took a robe of my own from home to use. I also brought my own pillow. I actually brought 2. One additional for my head and one that I could put behind my back for lumbar support. You can use a backpack or a large kitchen garbage bag to put them in for carrying them to keep it easy. Don't bring your BEST pillows though with your very best linens on them in case something happens and they get 'lost' or they get ruined if there is some accident or something.

I don't recommend bringing a Cellphone or iPod. Every hospital I have been in has said that I can't use my cell in my room and the area where can use your cell may not be on your floor. I'm not interested in having someone possibly take my iPod either - and I know a few people who even while in the best hospitals with no roomates have had things stolen. If you aren't feeling 100% it's easy to forget things.

Make sure you review your post-op instructions with the nurse/doctor and have someone there with you while they review them (again, if you aren't feeling very well at discharge then you may not remember some things they mention that are not necessarily written on the sheet).

And those breathing exercises are a chore at first, but very important to do!

BBBig Sister · 10-03-2008, 02:12 PM

Hi Lisa,

I hope you still read these posts. Your info was really great. I like the hospital gown tip.

I don't have a surgery date yet, but I am looking forward to having it over with.

I am having my surgery done by a Kaiser Permanente doctor. I have gone through a 6-month program and gotten lots of info about WLS surgery.

Anyway, thanks again.
Ema in Southern California

LisaM · 10-04-2008, 06:56 AM

I'm still here, not daily or two or three times daily like I once was... but I'm so glad that this list and some of the others I made are still of use. It's like anything else, the best way to learn is to share your knowledge with others... and TT is the best place for that. I come here now to remember, and to reinforce the lifelong commitment I made to my own health.

scoman187 · 10-23-2008, 10:57 PM

Why is it so hard to stick to this 2 week preop diet when for the last 9 months its been no big deal? (Ive lost 50 pounds now) I dont get it.Im sticking to it but it feels like Im not getting anything to eat and Im up over 100 grams of protein because my shakes are 45 gms each as always. Ive been doing this for months yet now it bothers me.I think its all in my head.....anyone else?