Pre op diets? - ThinnerTimes

rgbmom1 · 09-14-2007, 11:47 PM

I am reading alot about pre op diets and liquid diets before surgery. I was only told nothing after midnight the day before surger. I only have four days left and am doing kind of a tea and vitamin thing because i am getting a little nervous. Good luck to all.

Corrine · 09-15-2007, 06:51 AM

Yep! - I was told the same thing (stands to reason as we've got the same surgeon I guess! LOL).

I was confused - I read a lot about people doing the liquid diet thing so just assumed I'd have to do the same. Apparently not.

Someone here suggested a do a mini one though - purely to get my stomach used to being on short rations. That made sense to me so I'm going to do one for 3 days beforehand.

Biffette · 09-15-2007, 03:58 PM

Pre-op instructions vary from surgeon to surgeon - DON'T assume anything in this matter! You all should have beengiven explicit WRITTEN instructions as to the days before surgery! THese are vitally important and they should be practically memorized by now if y'all are this close to surgery dates. It may be helpful to use a calendar to keep track of on what day you are supposed to begin certain vites or stop certain meds, whatever is in the instructions and also this is helpful for post-op - you can mark on the calendar all your appts plus when you can start different food phases, when to start b-12, calcium, any other meds of supplemets and even when you can have a sip of alcohol! When you can do abdominal exercises and more, There will be lots of milestones in this process and it is a good way to see at a glance where you are going, what's coming up and how far you've come.
If you don't have specific instructions from your surgeon, call his office and get them never rely on another persons experience! Even the same surgoen may have very different pre-op instructions for each patient depending on their specific health situation, history, previous surgeries, weight to height, etc. No guessing here, OK?
As far as only tea and vitamins before surgery, unless your surgeon told you specifically to do this it may be a dangerous thing to do just before major surgery! It may be compromising your nutritional status which has got to be excellent to do well through-out this huge endeavor! Protein is especially important right now and depriving your body of it for days before major surgery is not a smart thing to do. It really worries me (and frankly amazes me, too) how many good folks assume so many things and fly by the seat of their pants in this entire WLS ordeal. I see it all the time to varying degrees causing just minor problems for some to almost catastrophic problems for others - there is soooo much information out there and your surgeon'soffice is the very best place to start! Make a list of questions if necessary and ask them all! You deserve to get the best care, before and after. It is a phenomenon that we fatties think we deserve less than the best so we avoid asking for help or avoid making sure we know everything we need to know to get this right? Is it a matter of self-saboutage? Well, if so, THAT's got to change, right now! This is too important to be going through with less than complete and up to date information and care. Don't settle for anything less - we all deserve it! And for some of us, believing THAT will be the greatest challenge.

Claire-in-Texas · 09-15-2007, 08:03 PM

Mmmmm, how can I say this and be polite.....

I know Corrine very well, and she is a personal friend of mine. She is a woman of great intelligence who has taken her deciision to have gastric bypass very seriously, having done tons of homework and research over a period of months. She understands perfectly well that she deserves the very best,and that is what she demands not only of her surgeon but of herself.

She is also a grownup, and has had volumes ready to discuss with her surgeon, which she felt was done successfully.

I trust her entirely to make an independent decision about the welfare of her body prior to her surgery, and for many years thereafter.

I wish you well, Biffette -

rgbmom1 · 09-15-2007, 09:41 PM

I doubt that you can say a years worth of classes and not just a surgeons office is flying by the seat of your pants. We have had a regular schooling on how this surgery works and what to expect. I just made note of it not being the same for person to person. As for my tea and vitamins its perfectly safe for me because i have an anxious stomach. (nerves and excitement) There comes a point when you have to have faith in what your doing and who your doing it with. Corrine and i have fallowed the same pathway and i have always recieved all of my medical and my family's medical care from this facility they are the most carefull and caring bunch of nurses and doctors you can possibly imagine, not to mention they are teachers of the trade.
Thank you for your concern and good luck to you too. I hope you

team is as great as ours.

Claire-in-Texas · 09-16-2007, 06:06 AM

rgbmom1, I'm delighted that you and Corrine are sharing this experience. I have found her to be a wonderful friend, and a caring "team mate" in my own journey, even though we live 2,000 miles apart.

I visit Seattle annually, and my prayer is that I get to see you both on my next trip. What a celebration we will have. I generally come in the summer (this year 7/26 to 8/7, just before befriending Corrine).

I am also aware of the excellent care at Madigan, and I know that you will be in skilled hands. The best of luck to you as you continue your journey!

rgbmom1 · 09-16-2007, 02:34 PM

You say when and we will be there i can just toss her in the trunk if she doesnt come willingly.

I am excited and anxious but i stand behind the team at madigan.

Debz · 09-16-2007, 03:23 PM

I think the point was...we all get such different instructions from our surgeons. It seems so confusing some times to read what others here say about what their surgeons instructions are compared to our own. They can be so different and it makes it hard to know exactly what the right thing to do is. How can instructions vary so widely and still be right?

I'd just like to take a moment to courteously remind myself and some others that this forum is a place to get information and to remain always respectful of one another. I know that sometimes how we mean to say something and how it comes across in type can be two different things, but I think it's really important to remember to be careful in how we choose to say things.

I know that most of us have really done our homework, and that we really know our stuff. (After combing the net, this place seems to attract the brightest and kindest of all WLS people...really) And because we have that knowledge, we want to share it...but it's important not to hit someone over the head with it.

If I've ever been guilty, I apologize....

Claire-in-Texas · 09-16-2007, 03:47 PM

Debbie, you have nothing to apologize for.

I think tha the two Madigan girls above have it right on - they have confidence in their surgeon and his instructions. I'm glad they have each other to share the journey. I sure wish I had a buddy like that when I was at the beginning of my journey. And I'm so glad I have this forum group with whom to travel this journey ongoingly.

I agree with you about the confusion of different instructions, but I think we all agree that in the end, it is one's own surgeon's instructions that has to be the leader of the band.

Hugs!

Corrine · 09-16-2007, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claire-in-Texas

.....I think tha the two Madigan girls above have it right on - they have confidence in their surgeon and his instructions. I'm glad they have each other to share the journey....

Madigan's Bariatric Pathway does bring people together. It's lengthy and every stage is compulsory but it's a process I'm grateful to have travelled.

As a teaching hospital, they strive to make improvements on a continual basis and the services available to us both pre and post op. are extensive.

I wish everyone had access to a facility like Madigan.

Debbie - I don't think an apology is required either.

We all have experiences to share no matter where we are on this amazing journey. It's sharing those experiences that gives others a better understanding of the whole process in order that they are able to make well informed decisions about their own future.

I've never been hit over the head by anything you've said!