Totally Gross Question! Plus surgery date!!!

So, I start my pre-op diet tomorrow. It's 3-4 protein shakes a day, zero calorie beverages plus sugar free jello and popsicles for 14 days. Surgery is on Sept 4th! I'm crazy excited and mega freaked out but I'm ready! 

So, what is my poop going to be like? I mean really, I need to know. I am prone to loose stools since having my gallbladder out a couple of years ago and I'm nervous about how bad this is going to be. Like, am I going to have explosions when I least expect it? This is making me nervous! 

 This is a common question.  Its going to vary some from person to person.  During the liquid and puree stages, a lot of people experience very loose stools and the need to go to the bathroom quickly after taking in protein.  For me, I had about 10 minutes between any protein in and waste out.

Once on solids, since there is very little fiber in your diet, most people experience rounds of constipation.  Not a lot of roughage for the intestines to push against.  The first bout usually happens after the 6th week.  Go ahead and keep dome miralax on hand or fibercon tablets.  You will need them eventually.

Liquids in, liquids out. The first few weeks, including the preop and post op diets, were the worst. I had diarreah those few weeks but nothing I couldn't handle.

 I'm concerned about this too as I have a long flight home. I am worried about having an "accident" on the plane . Should I just not eat anything on the plane? I was thinking of bringing my own broth and protein drinks or something....but not if its going to run right through me.

 You need the protein more than you need to avoid the lav.  Especially while healing.  Just be sure you are close to the lav when you are having your protein.  Explain to the flight crew and the gate agent and ask them to locate you near the lav and/or the galley.  They will accomodate you.

During boarding when they board people needing "extra time" - that means you.  Take it.

From my observations, the runs don't really start up post op until after the first few days... while I was in the hospital, I had a tiny amount of poop the night before I left to go home. The other women who were sleeved the same day I was had not had even that as of when we made it to the airport. This is probably because we weren't taking in any protein yet, and the sipping we were doing wasn't enough to cause any kind of major rush.

I wouldn't worry too much about bringing your own broth. Dr. Aceves's staff will send you out the door with a cup of broth and a bottle of vitamin water, and you probably won't be able to get all of that down before you get to the airport. I would say that a more convenient option would be to bring crystal light packets or mio to flavor a bottled water that you buy at the airport. Then while on the plane, depending on your airline, you'll probably be able to get more water from the flight attendants.

Keep in mind that you're not going to be able to take in tons of fluid at a time, so one drink will last you several hours.

And as far as the protein goes, you can email and ask, but if I remember correctly, we were told to add in protein drinks on day ten post op. Literally all I took in for my first week or so was crystal light, powerade zero, vitamin water zero, broth, sugar free jello, and sugar free popsicles.

Rob's right about taking the extra time to board the plane. You'll be glad you had it.

 Some people experience, "Liquids in, liquids out."  I did not.  

I've also heard to never trust a fart.  It may just not be a fart....

It has definitely been "liquids in, liquids out" for me! I guess that's a good thing, since it also means gas is passing out that way. Less gas = more comfortable.

Good luck with your surgery!