Holy Anxiety!!!

[Jewel]

Hi All,

I am scheduled for Tuesday morning and have all kinds of anxiety going on right now... I'm excited to say the least, but a little nervous too. I went shopping and got a few varieties of protein drinks, sugar free popsicles, and some chicken broth. I feel like I'm missing a few necessary food groups! What else is important to have?
Tomorrow is my 'cleanse day.' I'm thinking it's going to be doable... but how do you keep from getting dehydrated? And is it a horrible, can't leave the house all day sort of thing?
How am I going to feel day of surgery? The days after? Is it a bad idea to have the kids come visit me in the hospital? Ugh... sorry for all the questions, I have lots running thru my brain today.

[VSGOct2011]

Hi Jewel, I'm sure everything will go just terifically! I know that's not a real word, but I just watched the Ramona & Beezus movie with my 7 yr old. My daughter didn't come to the hospital because I went to Mexico and she stayed home. But she's been awesome and I've given her the full meal deal explanation of why I did it, what I did and how it's going to help me.

As for the procedure - piece of cake. You've had babies - much harder. You'll make it through the surgery and a week from now you'll be feeling like 'why did I every worry'. I did a 21 day liquid diet pre-op and I'm on a 21 day liquid diet post-op. You can do this - I worked FT in the pre-op and managed to get through the day without any problems. I had surgery a week ago yesterday and it will scare you at first to see the bruises on your belly, but they get better. My steri-strips and stitches come out Tuesday *(10 days). If I can make any recommendation, follow the liquids to a T - don't bend and you will have best healing. Eat as many ice chips as you can handle as the ice calms down the swelling inside the suture line of your tummy and really does make it feel better later. Good luck hon, you will do awesome! See you on the other side - where the losers bench is

[Tammy64]

Jewel....HONEY ....BREATHE...take a deep cleansing breath. Its normal to be nervous, cause this will change your way of life forever. But just remember this now you are going to have a Healthier Life to ENJOY. I had a rough day of the surgery...GAS like to have killed me for about 4 hours; I really didn't care to see anyone for about 4-5 hours. The second day was a piece of cake..as many visitors that wanted to stick their head in my room I'd see. I know your family will want to see you; but if you have small children ..I'd recommend on day 2 just in case ...The Gas they use to blow up your abdomen is what I'm talking about...sorta felt like a 500 lb man sitting on my chest...But they gave meds to help with that..and as soon as I felt like WALKING it all started to go away...Walking really does help with that GAS..for real. Shopping list looks great..might pick up a gatorade or two. Best of luck to you..look forward to hearing from you soon..

[Deeringer76]

I haven't had mine yet but the info the Ladies and Gentlemen give on here is some good stuff, good luck and can't wait for updates!!!

[Dana]

yeah, you better stay home for the cleanse. just drink lots of water to keep hydrated. I used smart water so I could have electolytes without the nasty gatorade taste. they told me to start the cleanse about 3 or 4. but I should have known better, I have trouble going usually and it didnt take till bedtime and I was still going the next morning. good thing I usually work night s and couldnt sleep anyway. :/
it really was easy for me, Ive had worse recovery from a sunburn, a dental appt, or a bad hair cut.

[newme2011]

What cleanse?? Are you talking laxatives??
I was told not to do a laxative... It is so strange how all the dr's pre-op's are so different.
Julie

[Kimberly1003]

Good luck! I am not too many days behind you! I have too much to get done at work to worry right now but I know it will kick in!

Hugs!

Kim

[newme2011]

Kim, you are the day before me!!
Julie

[Tammy64]

What cleanse?? Are you talking laxatives??
I was told not to do a laxative... It is so strange how all the dr's pre-op's are so different.
Julie

Julie...are you using Dr. Ramos-Kelly in Tiujanna? If you are he does ask that you take a laxative 3 days pre-op and then start clear liquids after that.

[Jewel]

The 'cleanse" for me is 3 bottles of magnesium citrate. All I will say today is that I am happy that I took the day off work and stayed home! lol..

[Grace]

3 bottles is going to get you clean as a whistle for sure! Expect some leftover tomorrow until it gets out of your system but it shouldn't be so bad you can't go out. Hope you get lots of fluids in to help replace what is leaving!

[Jewel]

Good luck! I am not too many days behind you! I have too much to get done at work to worry right now but I know it will kick in!

Hugs!

Kim

That's exactly how things heve been for me too. Until I realized that it was here, just two days away... OMG!
I went to my favorite hibachi place with my family yesterday for "the last supper".... my advice to you ~ have your last supper, but plan ahead. Pig out the weekend BEFORE you go all liquid. Don't wait till last minute to eat giant amounts of your favorite things.. I'm pretty sure today would be easier for me if I hadn't done that yesterday!

[Dana]

the cleanse for me too was magnesium citrate. now I know why they only tell you to do that right before your going to the HOSPITAL!

[Jewel]

Thanks everyone ~ I think I am a little calmer now.. wait.. does my signature say 1 day until my surgery? seriously? omg omg omg....
LOL - does anyone else feel like they hit the lottery? it's a lifelong dream coming true

Yeeee Ha!!

[Roman]

First, as everybody has said, it's normal to be crazy nervous the day before. I was NUTS the day before my surgery and the day of my surgery. Was I making a huge mistake? Maybe I should give it a go just one more time! Was I crazy? I was having elective surgery????? But, all that said, I do it again in a second. It has definitely changed my life and the way I think about food and my body and pretty much everything. Not, don't get me wrong, none of it is magical. There are times when I want to eat bad things and there have been a couple of slips along the way, but I always feel like crap afterwards and pick myself up. Life is VERY different now, but for the better.

My surgery went very well. I was sore for the first week. MORE SO on days 2-5 after surgery. It hurt to lay down. I couldn't really roll around in bed, etc. etc. But, all that subsided quickly and the only "pain" I felt was from the slight pull from the only stitch I had, which was internal. Now, I feel great. I am so much smaller and feel good about my decision and just wish I would have done it years ago. SO, nervous is good and normal. Just hang in there! The next week is going to be tough, but not as tough as you think!!!

Ro