Surgery before Christmas?

I just got approval for my surgery. It happened a lot quicker than I was expecting and now I need to decide when to schedule the procedure. The authorization/approval is good for six months. If I wait longer than mid-December, I'll need to go back to the surgeon for another consult since it will have been longer than three months since my initial evaluation. (Which isn't a big deal at all, really)

On one hand, now that it's really going to happen, I just want to get it done so I can get started on this episode of my weight loss journey (the last,  hope!). On the other, do I really want to be recovering from surgery and having liquids/mushies at Christmas? I know it's a personal decision, but any thoughts you guys have would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

Michelle

personally I had my surgery before thr holidays so I could know for sure I was not going to over eat!! I had to do the mushies thing for thanksgiving and I am glad I did.  I knew the holidays were rough on diets and that the band would make me stronger!!

Faith,  I have just been approved for December 3rd and I noticed that you live in Frederick and I live in Thurmont, Who was your doctor and do you have any great advice?

I'd take the first available date they can give you.  This is life changing surgery and part of that life change is NOT eating all of the holiday goodies anymore.

Thanks for your responses. You guys are right. I need to adjust my mindset. It isn't about missing the food, it's about gaining my health. I talked with my boss yesterday about taking time off. He told me to do whatever I needed to do and the office (I'm a nurse in a doctor's office) would work it out. I talked to my husband again. Initially, he had expressed a preference for my waiting until the new year, but he told me yesterday that it really isn't that big a deal and he was fine with whatever I chose to do. I've prayed about it and God is still saying what he's said all along, "I love you no matter what, and I'm here for you." (Sigh. Thanks, God, but I wanted something a little more definite!)  We are going on vacation the week of Thanksgiving, so in order to give myself time to do all my pre-op stuff, probably the earliest I could be scheduled would be mid-December. I'm going to call the surgeon's office today and ask them to set me up! One thing I've noticed already about this process is that it really is forcing me to evaluate what I believe, to make my own choice and move forward cofidently with my decision. All my life, I've asked everyone else what they thought, or what they would do. I don't often know what I want or what I think. With this surgery, it really is up to me and no one else. No one else can make this decision but me. No one else can make the committment but me. It's been a bit of a struggle, especially since several close family members are against me having the surgery. Moving forward with what I know to be the best choice for me is difficult when there are those I love who don't want me to.   Thank you all for your support and I'll let you know when I'm scheduled! Michelle

Hi Michelle, You are right about all the personal responsibility that comes with WLS. I'm with the rest here on having the surgery asap. Your head may miss the goodies, but your body won't be screaming for food like it probably does now. Each of us is different, but I remember being satisfied from just a spoonful or two of Jello several weeks after the surgery. Granted the whole social eating thing is greatly diminished. This will be my first Thanksgiving after surgery, I'm sure there will be temptations. My plan is to taste enough of the things I know I can have, get full, and skip the sweets except for some sf Cool Whip as a treat.  I wish you good decision making, Mark

Michelle - I agree with your decision to forge ahead.  You may find, as so many post-ops have, that your tastes/smells change and what you would've previously pigged out on during past holidays won't appeal to you as much anymore!! Also, be creative - if you'll be doing mushies, there's mashed potatoes with gravy, which a lot of people did, but I avoided because there's little to no protein, or for a sweet treat, take some ricotta cheese, mix with some canned pumpkin, some pumpkin pie spice, Splenda and top with sf Cool Whip.  I guarantee you that someone at the table will say, "Wow! That looks great!!" I'm coming up on my 3rd post-op Thanksgiving, and trust me, I have a little of everything, less of what I know my pouch doesn't like, and just enjoy the day.  Remember, the holidays are SUPPOSED to be about the PEOPLE, not the food!!  Easier said than done, I know, but it will get easier, I promise. Good luck and let us know if we can help, Tia

Hi, Chelle! I just wanted to tell you that I had my surgery last year on 12/18 by Dr. Averbach.  I got through the holidays fine!   One thing that I would say is to not expect great coverage at the hospital.  There were a lot of Christmas parties that week so I learned how to unhook myself real quick to go to the bathroom.  Other than that, everything went very smoothly.  Take the date! Good luck! Fran

Hi all!  I just wanted to give you a quick update. I talked with my husband and my boss and decided to try to get scheduled for December 7th. I left a message for Dr. Averbach's office to see if that's a possibility. I'll have time before to get all my stuff done and time after to recover before Christmas.   I was told to plan on two weeks off work, but a lot of what I've read makes that seem like a bit much. I'm a nurse in a doctor's office and mostly sit behind a desk on the phone or on my computer. I only work part time....four hours a day, but I do have two boys at home, ages almost 4 and 8. Is it realistic to expect to have my surgery on a Friday and return to work the second Monday after? (Have surgery on the 7th and return to work on the 17th?) I don't have any more paid time off, so whatever I take will be unpaid. Thanks.  Michelle

It might come down to money....did you meet your deductable for your insurance for 2007?  If so, do it before the end of the year ! Good Luck!