Oops, title was supposed to say site. LOLHi everyone! I am new to this site and it has already been a big support for me. I have 1 month left for insurance requirements, had all my testing, and cleared by psych, then hopefully I can get surgery scheduled. I am planning on having gastric bypass. The only support I have is my husband, the rest of them don't approve. But I'm not doing this for them, I'm doing it for me. I'm starting to get nervous as I probably should be but I know this is the best thing for me. Any pointes and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Welcome to the forum.
You have the most important support group; your husband. You may find that you will have to change friends or drop those who you thought were your friends. I don't understand how someone can NOT approve of some trying to save their life (that is you) and get into better and healthier shape. The results you will see will be amazing.
So, you did the right thing coming here to this support forum. Also, please do attend a local support group regularly. You MUST surround yourself with success!
Now for my obligatory "canned messages" that I have stored that I like to provide to all those who are joining and starting down this path of recovery. I hope you read my messages, see my happiness, see my progress and then you can project that this is what you will experience.
Please do post all your information in your profile. It helps us all to relate to your journey better.
Now, for the canned messages:
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Before you know it your surgery date will be here.
I remember walking into the surgery, strangely calm and relaxed. I was ready.
I have enjoyed many benefits already post op. I am off all of my BP meds and diabetic meds.
I still take my Lipitor 20mg and my bystolic 5mg. But, I will wait until I have a visit with my cardiologist. There is a new trend out there for heart protection that says to keep you on a statin based on statistics. The bystolic is another item to be discussed. My resting pulse is now 58-62 generally.
As to diet, your surgeon should be giving you extensive guidelines and yes for each surgeon there are variations. It is all about giving your new stomach pouch the best chance of healing real well before you go back to food.
For me there was liquid diet 2 weeks preop. This consisted of glucerna and protein shakes.
Then clear liquids week one post op. This was Isopure grape flavored protein shake.
Week 2 was full liquids, so I added Premier Protein shake vanilla flavored. I had 1% milk too as well as apple juice and cranberry juice.
All along there is an emphasis for you to try your best to get your needed daily protein intake (60 grams for ladies and 80 for men) as well as drinking plenty of fluids. I did have an issue with dehydration. Many of us do. However, that is corrected now. In fact, don't be surprised when you go home post op that you have gained weight. The hospital really loads you up on fluids to help you fight dehydration.
Week 3 was puree foods. I liked to puree soups. I pureed eggs as well.
Week 4 became soft foods such as soft boiled egg or hard boiled egg. I did tuna salad, be careful with the mayonnaise. Your new pouch will not like fats or sugars.
You will notice that you will not be able to eat a lot anymore. My surgeon recommended no more than a 1/2 cup of food; mostly protein at any one meal. I found out that I had to stay with 1/3 cup. You get full quickly. This eventually became 3 ounces of protein at a meal and maybe a little of something else such as 1/2 slice whole wheat toast. Many of us cannot tolerate white bread.
You will have to learn to eat very slowly. The 3 ounce meal I have takes about a 1/2 hour or a bit more for me to consume. You take small bites and chew, chew, chew until it literally is ready to dissolve in your mouth. Then after a few bites take time out and BURP! Yes, burp. You are like a baby again. Eat a little then burp. You don't want to trap gases in your stomach. It will get uncomfortable.
You will eventually get into a routine and you will be very happy.
DON'T GO BACK TO OLD HABITS. YOU HAVE COMMITTED TO A NEW LIFESTYLE.
Oh that plate of ice cream that I used to love to have. Well, now it is an occasionally "bite" from my wife's plate/dessert.
Use a smaller plate too. You are not going to eat very much at a meal anymore.
Some surgeons say 3 meals, others say more. I find that I am having something every couple of hours anyway, be it a protein meal with applesauce on the side or simply a glass of skim or 1% milk or apple juice or cranberry juice.
Have a snack in a treat now and then; yes. I personally do not believe in denying yourself ever. However, once again it is a bite not a bowl, or a bite of cake not a big slice, or one cookie now and then but not a fist full of chocolate chip cookies with a glass of milk anymore.
I hope I have helped and given you some perspective.
Good luck,
Ralph
PS I am going to save this response for others too.
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Medical/Physical Maladies that have been resolved to date
• Diabetes resolved – off all meds, avg reading 110
• BP normal again – I am still taking bystolic 5mg. Resting pulse is around 60 and BP near or below 120/80. Without the bystolic my resting pulse is still in the 60s. However, my BP goes up to the high 130s/high 80s.
• Sleep Apnea resolved – I am not snoring nor do I believe I am stopping breathing. I will confirm this later this year. The air pressure from the CPAP machine was making me very uncomfortable; lots of burping. I need to make another appointment with Dr.
• Legs no longer swollen
• Waist size has shrunk – Wearing size 44 pants comfortably and just made it into 42 pants.
• Feet are smaller – I was able to put a pair of dress shoes on that I haven’t been able to wear.
• I stay under 1200 calories a day. Most days around 1000 calories.
• I have a lot more energy
• I can dance, dance and dance
• I can walk up neighborhood hills without having to stop; no longer breathless.
• My incontinence due to my prostatectomy has been resolved.
• I am able to sleep in my bed again. I had been sleeping In an upright chair to be comfortable.
• Dramatically reduced backaches; almost completely gone.
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I just wanted to give you some things to look forward too by letting you see the total happiness I am having only three months out this 2/4/2014.
Ralph
You will soon be on the road to a new, healthier life. Read the posts from Linney, she has videos you can watch about her successful journey with many suggestions for newbies. Good Luck!