Preparing for RNY on short notice?

At my consult, the doc told me specifically I had 6mos to have the surgery done before the approval expires so waiting was no big deal.  I got a call from his office today telling me that it needed to be completed by 11/16 because the approval actually only lasts 3mos (it came through in August).  I don't have a surgery date (I was shopping when she called, so I'll call tomorrow and schedule I guess), but like it or not, it's going to be soon!

I have 4 young kids (1-8yo) and not a lot of support, so I'm panicking a bit.  I'm still nursing the baby, which is one reason I was waiting - she's old enough to stop, but it's going to be rough.  I don't even have info on pre-op dieting or anything yet and still need to have the upper GI done.  I don't know anything about...anything! 

Is there some sort of checklist somewhere or...do you guys have any tips or practical ideas? 

Help me not panic!


ETA:

CHECKLIST
~ Buy Carnation I.B.
~ De-boob the baby
~ Schedule Upper G.I and child care and driver
~

At my hospital they are very good about making multiple appointments on the same day.  Hopefully your's will be helpful too in that area.  The scope part is pretty quick, mine took about 2 hours from the time I left hubby until he could come back to see me.  You'll need a driver for that appointment. 

My nutritionist told me I could use the carnation breakfast drinks w/o sugar (in the blue box) for 2 weeks prior to surgery, but they will tell you what they prefer you to use.  You probably shouldn't do the liquid diet while nursing and you don't start it until 2 weeks prior to surgery.  I would try to get the latest surgery date possible.  That way you still have time to get everything done.   Do you have family that can help with the children?  Church family/friends? 

Best wishes with everything.  Please keep us posted how it goes tomorrow. I'm excited for you. 

Thanks!  I'm going to start weaning her tomorrow...slowly (I don't want my boobs to explode, lol), so hopefully she'll be ok prior to the date and will be ok put to bed by someone other than me.

The rest is overwhelming....at least tonight.  Once I have some definite plans and can make arrangements, I will freak out less.  Uncertainty is unerving.

I don't have much family other than my mom who works and my husband who works a LOT, but I made it through 4 c-sections, so I'm confident even the early stages are do-able as long as I can get help for a few days.

Mine happened really fast, too. I did not find out about my pre-op diet until 3 days before I had to start it. That was also the same day I found this message board. I never had classes before my surgery, just a seminar. It feels like I kinda just jumped in. All the stuff I know about the surgery I found out by asking my doctor specific questions, or doing research online. Each insurance company is different for what they require, but it sounds like all you need to do is the upper GI, which is a breeze. For mine, they sedated me, then I woke up and went home. As for the pre-op diet, mine was 2 weeks of protein shakes and all the green veggies I could handle. Different doctors will have different requirements though.

 

I am not sure if others will agree or not, but for the next month, I would do some extra pumping and freeze your milk to help with the weaning process. Producing milk helps burn extra calories and will help you lose some extra weight before the surgery. You will not want to be breast feeding when you are on the 2 week pre-op diet for sure. I would stop a month before the surgery so your hormones can get back to normal, but ask your doctor if he needs you to stop sooner.

Thanks - yes, I've done everything else they wanted, the nutritionist and all of that.  I was approved and could have had the surgery in August or September, but I put it off because, well, kids don't make this easy.  I was planning on having the surgery in January, but I guess the latest I will be going under the knife is in 4-5 weeks.  I think it will take a couple weeks to wean, though...I just can't go cold turkey.  I'm guessing it will run up into or almost into the liquid diet, though I don't even know how long the doc requires that yet.  What is typical?

Oh, and I didn't have a seminar either - just an online class that didn't address any of the nitty gritty.

"As for the pre-op diet, mine was 2 weeks of protein shakes and all the green veggies I could handle."  What sort of green veggies?  Literally anything green?  Peas, broc, zucchini?

Yeah, literally anything green. I just could not have any kind of dressing or butter on them. Seasonings were fine, like salt, pepper, garlic, etc.

lol at deboobing the baby! good luck!!

Hi ...

My upper gi consisted of me having to stand as well as lay on a xray table and drink some chalky barium for them to see my insides...I start  my 2 week pre-op diet 10/09...I was supplied with a book. I don't mind sharing the info with you...1. begin 14 day  diet  before surgery date...2.replace all meals with a protein drink(consume 304 servings daily)...make sure to drink a total of 80 oz. of fluid per day...beginning now....3...in addition to protein drinks and water...you can drink crystal light...sf non carbonated beverages...sf gelatin...sf ice pops...decaf unsweet tea and coffee..can use artifical sweetener....broth or bouillon..chicken,beef,veg......4. may eat steamed or raw veggies at mealtime until 48 hours prior to surgery.....+6.don't forget your multivitmain-mineral supplement and calcium pills...as for veggies...artichokes...asparagus...beets...brussels sprouts...cabbage...carrots...cauliflower...celery....cucumbers....eggplant....green beans...mushrooms...okra...onions...peppers....radishes...spinah...leafy greens ...tomatoes...turnips ..summer squash and zucchini...now this is what i was provided by all doctors have their own plans and may be different...Hope this helps you some....Good luck...every thing will work out just fne for you....

Thanks!  I do love veggies (too bad I love sugar too, or I wouldn't be here, lol), so thank you for the list.

 I had 9 days from when I found out I was approved until my surgery date.  I didn't have to deboob a baby but I did have to completely shuffle my life with a quickness.  When you want something, you make it happen.  Have faith and know that what will be will find a way.  Good luck