Question for Duke Patients - Dr. Pryor *Surgery on Wed!*

Hi. I'm very new to the boards and haven't posted very much. My surgery is coming up this Wednesday (23rd) and I'm nervous which I'm sure is normal. But I have questions about after surgery. I've been to pre-op and understood everything. But I think between that, reading books, and reading boards and various online pages, I've confused myself as to what I'm supposed to do after surgery. I know that I will start with full liquids right after surgery. They've changed their process a bit and you don't have to wait for it anymore. 2oz of protein drink at the top of every hour and 1 or 2 oz of water or no/low calorie drink every fifteen min. So, my question comes in, what if I'm still hungry/thirsty, can I have more than 2 oz.? When do soups, SF popsicles,etc, come into play? Like I said, I've read too much and now I'm confused. Every surgeon does it differently so there's not really a universal procedure for it. Any info/advice would be fantastic! Thanks! Amy

Amy,

Welcome to boards and congratulations on your upcoming surgery.

I know that you will see a lot of different ways of managing things on the boards. I have to say that while it's fine to ask us for our opinions about things, be sure to follow the program that your Dr. has laid out for you.

I also went through the Duke program. As you mentioned, you'll start on fluids getting your protein in at the top of the hour and sipping the rest of the time. While you might get hungry, I doubt it. You'll probably find that you can just get the 2 ounces of protein in and won't have room for much more, especially when you are drinking all of you water, crystal light, etc... Sugar free popcicles, clear soups, etc. were fine right away. I actually had some while still in the hospital ... you probably will too. All of this said, I have to say I was truly hungry for normal food by the time I had my 3 wk follow up visit.

Please do feel free to contact Patrick with any quesitons you might have. He's there to help us out and he really does work on it.

If you haven't tried using the DukeWLS.org forums, you might find them helpful. Also, you will find that there are a number of folks here who have had surgery at Duke that can let you know what their experiences were.

I hold a support group once a month and we just had one this past Saturday. We must have had about 5 or 6 people there this time that were from Duke and had Dr. Pryor ... one is a nurse at Duke and she said that she really respects her as a person and a physician. Isn't that great to hear!?

Wishing you an uncomplicated surgery and a smooth, gentle recovery.

Barbara

Hi Amy! I can't add anything that Barb didn't mention, but I just wanted to tell you that I also had Dr. Pryor a month ago for my RNY.  She is absolutely wonderful.  I just love her!  You are in good hands! Good luck on Wednesday, and let us know how you're doing! Kim

Thank you both. That helps alot. I just needed clarification. I have all of the paperwork but it hasn't been updated to how they do things exactly now it's still Day 1 water, Day 2 liquids, etc. I think I'll be fine.....just get through the surgery, the rest I can work with :) Amy

Hi, I am also a patient of Dr. Pryor and my surgery is on Monday April 28th.  I am so excited but like you I am also afriad I will not get it right.  I also have been to the get together held las Saturday with my husband, and I will tell you they people there were just great.  I look forward to the next one.  I hope you will be able to join in.  I really can't add anything about the process because I don't know it myself yet, but I wanted to wish you the best on your surgery and a speedy recovery.  I hope to learn how you are doing.  GOOD LUCK! :)

Hey hun, I also had Dr. Pryor, and She is great!!! Her office staff is wonderfull also!! You can have a SF popsicle after the 1st day, they will even send on on your breakfast , lunch, and dinner plates!! They are the BEST tasing thing after you have this op....lol... The flaovrs will change on you and you can only eat a 1/4 of one. Dr. Pryor makes LITTLE pouchs....lol.. Which is WONDERFUL!!! I have lost 80lbs since Jan 9th!!! Soups are ok too, but try to stay on the Thicker ones at the 2nd week, but that time you feel like whats up?? why did I have this done?? I cant chew!!! Your Head games come to play with ya by then...lol...I felt no pain but very sore for the 1st week,, but get up and walk!! it will take it out of ya! Your not hungry after this intill the soft food era...then its mostly in your head.. it was for me. but Amy you will be fine, Im praying for you, God will be there holding your hand thru out this time. Email me if you like anytime!!

One other thing sugar free chewing gum. It takes the need for biting away and helps with the breath that is horrible by the third week. Good luck Ken

I agree with the gum and also suggest some sugar free hard candy... lifesavers creme & Werthers caramel were my favs... and yes, definitely stock up on s/f popsicles... i still eat them regularly, it's a good way to get your liquids.

Hi,  I had my RNY on 3/26/08 and Dr. Pryor was my surgeon. I really liked her and felt in good hands. The first couple of days you will not feel like you can handle more than 2oz of protein drink at the top of every hour and 1 or 2 oz of water or no/low calorie drink every fifteen min. Once I got home after a few days I had  strained soups . I called Patrick and he said any soup that would go through a strainer I could have. Split pea and cream of potatoe were my favorites. I tried to stick close to the schedule they gave me. Dr Pryor is very competant don't worry you will be in good hands she will go over all those eating details with you again. God Bless, Mary

I feel much better after reading all of your posts, thank you. I start clear liquids tomorrow morning and have done well on the pre-op high protein diet. For tomorrow I have some chicken broth, beef broth, jello, water of course, flavored water too, lemon fruit ices, hard candy...I think that's about it. Are there certain amounts of each or just whatever I want? I don't see that on the paper. And I have a stupid question, it says everything needs to be at room temp but you can have ices.....I just don't want to screw something up even before I have surgery lol. Amy