Got a date, lots of questions!

Hello, I introduced myself quite awhile back and haven't been very active on the list. I have been doing a lot of traveling for my job and haven't had much time to participate.On occasion, I have lurked! So, I have a date! It is the 17th. I start my liquid diet on Thursday. I have a bunch of questions and I hope you don't mind me picking the collective brain. Here goes: My surgeon gave me an info sheet for the liquid diet. It said I could have coffee or tea. I normally have ff creamer in the coffee, can I have that? I also noticed it said plain jello, not fruit. I am assuming it means not adding fruit to the jello. Otherwise it would be the Knox gelatine. Is that right? What sorts of things did you take to the hospital with you? I  am supposed to have the lap rny. What can I expect during my stay in the hospital, that is procedures, catheter, no catheter, etc. Once I am home, during those first two weeks of liquid diet, do I take all my vitamins and other medications during that time? After reading the forums I wonder about staying hydrated if I can't get all my liquid in during the first few weeks. What tips do you suggest? How long before you are able to do physical things such as cutting the grass, hauling the garbage and recycle bins to the street, etc. Did you start getting a period after surgery? I just turned 53 and I worry about the long term effects for osteoporosis. For those of you long timers, what sorts of issues have you faced as you "age"? Even though I have have researched the hell out of this, and am confident about my decision, I have these fleeting doubts that cross my mind. I worry about some of the things I read on the main board about seizures, hypoglycemia, and all sorts of things that I don't have now, that might occur once I have the surgery. Thanks for your advise, I appreciate it ! Bigezbooks (Felice)

Hi Felice, congratulations on your date!  It will be here before you know it.  OK, take a deep breath, bear with me and I'll try to answer some of your questions.    What I can't address, I'm sure others will jump in and help with. I'm surprised your surgeon said you could have coffee/tea.  Mine said decaf only.  As for the ff creamer, I don't know.  Durng the pre-op liuid diet, I was allowed sf jello (fruit flavored, but no added fruit pieces), broth, decaf coffee or tea with milk, protein shakes, Crystal Light, and small amounts of fruit juice, oh and sf popsicles.   What to take to the hospital:  chapstick, hand/body lotion (although most hospitals give you a care package with a small bottle in it), toothbrush and toothpaste, comb and brush, robe and comfortable slippers/shoes, friends phone numbers, something to read, very loose clothes to go home in, and a pillow for the ride home (to hold against you tummy which may be a bit tender).  Not trying to scare you, but if the ride is bumpy or the seatbelt hits on your incisions you could be a bit uncomfortable.  I felt so good, I went to the pharmacy (someone else drove of course) the day after I was released from the hospital, and went to a baseball game 6 days after surgery. Catheter - yes, probably until you're mobile and coherent enough to use the bathroom.  Some people go home with their drains, I didn't.  I did however have a feeding tube because my surgeon repaired a hiatal hernia and was concerned I may not be able to swallow well enough to get in any protein.  The feeding tube stayed in for 5 weeks, and I used it maybe three times. If memory serves me, I think it was three weeks before I could life anything heavier than a jug of milk. Nope, no period after surgery, I had a partial hysterectomy when I was 26.  YEAH!!!  No worries! I've been blessed with very strong bones!  The last few bone scans I was told I have the bones of a 20 something year old - I'll be 56 the end of the month!  Due for another scan in Sept/Oct. Vitamins/medicines - My surgeon took me off everything 2 days pre-op.  After I was released from the hospital I was told to take my chewable vitamins.  When I was allowed soft foods, I was told to crush my other vitamins in a bit of no sugar added applesauce or cottage cheese or yogurt.  I no longer needed my blood pressure meds until a few months ago, and then it was only one rather than the five I took pre-op.  Pre-op I was on a total of 10 med per day - 5 for bp, others for cholesterol, arthritis, depression... Problems:  slight dizzy spells - which I attribute to not enough fluid; dumping episodes when i didn't stick to the plan in the beginning.  One night I ate no sugar added ice cream, forget to check the fat content, and spent nearly 2 hours in the bathroom on the throne holding the trash can.  Most of my minor problems were brought on by something foolish I did - not chewing well enough before swallowing results in serious chest pain.  Overeating - unbearable pressure, barfing, hiccups, runny nose. Hold on tight, you're in for the ride of your life!  Best wishes! Debbie

Debbie, Thanks so much for your post. I am also wondering about the hiatal hernia. My surgeon didn't say anything about it. I think I'll give him a call tomorrow. I suppose that makes the surgery longer. BTW, I lived in Metairie for years. I miss NOLA very much. Thanks again for your advice. Felice

My mom and one of my sisters live in Metairie.  I'm on the westbank. PS:  I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia after my daughter was born, approximately 30 years before wls.  So I suffered with that darn thing for a looong time.  A bottle of Rolaids was my constant companion.  I've taken two since wls. Debbie

Hi Felice and congratulations on your date.  Debbie answered your questions pretty thoroughly.  I will add or repeat just a couple things to give you another's experience.  I am 3 weeks out so everything is very fresh.   I was specifically told on the pre-op liquid diet that coffee and tea were okay but no cream/creamer or milk.  For the jello, I could also have any flavor just don't add anything to the sf jello.  I took very few things to the hospital as they provide most everything.  I only took phone numbers, toothbrush and toothpaste (although they gave me that), hair brush, and chapstick.  I had a catheter which they took out the morning after surgery.  My JP drain was removed before I went home.  I had my surgery on Monday afternoon and was released Wednesday morning.  I was visited by a pharmacist, a nutritionist, and a nurse practitioner who works with my surgeon.  With those visits, I was given thorough information about medications, vitamins, and signs & symptoms to be aware of that would require a call to the surgeon's office.  I felt very well prepared to go home.   You will find that the first week or so it is very hard to get 64 ounces of fluid in a day.  It is still a challenge for me some days.  I was told that the first week - 2 weeks just do as much as tolerated and work up to the fluid and protein goals.  You should find yourself sipping water pretty much all day long while you are awake.  I was allowed to start full liquids (milk/soy milk, creamed soups like cream of tomato - nothing floating in the soup, very liquid hot cereals such as cream of rice or cream of wheat but no oatmeal, sf puddings).  You should get something from your sugeon about his/her protocols.  Follow your surgeon's guidelines and if you have any questions about those guidelines please call your surgeon.  You will find that most people here on the forums have slightly different experiences and guidelines.  It's your surgeon's guidelines that you should concentrate on. I was pretty much back to active in about a week.  8 days after surgery I was back to cleaning my parrot cages (although more slowly with breaks in between) and at 2 weeks out even put up the 5 gallon jug of water on it's stand.  I was told to do as much as I felt I could do when I felt I could do it.  I was cautious and have followed my body's signals. I am 59 (as of today) and so far no period.  The surgery does play havoc with many women's hormones so it's not unheard of for a post menopausal woman to have a period of some sort.  All I can suggest to you is if you do have one, please get in touch with your primary physician.  It's probably due to the surgery but any post-menopausal bleeding should be evaluated (that's the nurse in me saying that).   I've had absolutely no complications (except some constipation) and feel this surgery has been one of the best decisions of my life.  I will follow all my surgeon's guidelines and will follow-up with my primary regarding bloodwork to stay on top of any vitamin or mineral deficiencies.  I think it's kind of a benefit as my primary physician also had wls about 6 years ago.  She should really be on top of what's needed. I wish you the very best.  You will most likely breeze through this without a hitch.  You sound like you have considered all the pros and cons about wls.  Complications are certainly a possibility but the rate is low.  You didn't mention co-morbidities that you might have which may impact your surgery and recovery but I'm sure you and your surgeon have been over that and the surgeon's sounds very comfortable in doing your lap rny or you wouldn't have a date!  Good luck to you. ~~~ Pam

Thanks Pam. You are very lucky to have a pcp that had wls. My surgeon is awesome and I think I may have to do some educating with my pcp. I know I had to with my np at my gyno visit. I appreciate your support. Felice

hi felice....first of all congrats on your big day coming up!!! i wish you the best...just follow dr's orders and you will be ok!!! it will be hard to get all the water and protein in at first so do not worry about it!!! if and when you feel the need to chew...get out a sf popsicle and chew away!!! also some ice ships work too...can use crystal light to make those for some flavor. as for what i took to hospital...chap stick was #1 on my list!!! you will need that for the dry mouth and lips after surgery...i also took my own toothbrush and paste and hair brushes....also make up for the trip home again...also any phone numbers if you feel up to calling anyone to talk....phone cards also if needed. i felt like i wa**** by a truck the day after surgety but it was from the gas...make sure you walk to get it to move on out and you will be fine...i felt like i could go back to work after the first week but i stayed off til i had my first check up then i went back i felt that good!!!

hope to see you back and sharing your experiences...again best of luck to you!!

hugs

Thanks Judy. Do they give you anything for the gas at the hospital? That's a good idea about the crystal  light ice chips. I hadn't thought about that. I am slowly preparing my bag for the hospital and my house for the return. Thanks so much. Felice

Hi Felice, I'm sure that you are excited about your big day.  Everybody covered just about everything except, when I had my surgery I wore the same clothes home that I wore there.  Just make sure they hae an elastic waist, as you don't want anything hitting your stomach.  I'm such a light packer, but I made sure I had a pillow from home and my Blistex.  Good luck to you.  Oh, and the gas, they give you really cool pain meds to take care of that and walking helps alot.  I had NO catheter and NO drains. Back to work in two weeks, since I have a desk job. good luck. Reggie

Reggie, Thanks. Yes, I am excited and nervous. I am assuming you had the lap rny. Did you feel you needed naps once you went back to work? How di you handle the pureed stage at work? Felice