Getting Ready....

[YAK77]

Hi Everyone, How are you? My name is Yehara and I am 40 years old I am the proud mother of two boys and one fur baby. I am happily married to the love of my life for 18 years. I have a really great life but my health and my weight have always been a major issue for me and my family. For health reasons as I have preexisting conditions.

I am supposed to have the gastric sleeve surgery on 7/28 and I am preparing mentally as best as I can. My concern is that I was diagnosed with a Hiatal Hernia and Barrett's Esophagus and after consulting with my surgeon, they aren't fully sure which surgery they will perform until they get inside me. I TRUST my doctors and surgeons completely and I am so excited for the surgery but I just wish I knew exactly what was going to happen prior to being put "under" for the procedure. Regardless, I am happy with either surgery, which is what they are considering, the Sleeve OR the Bypass.

The pre-op diet has been tricky since I still have the want to eat certain foods but I am trying to avoid putting myself into situations that warrant me eating something I shouldn't. I try to quickly cook a meal for my family and run upstairs to read. I try not to watch movies right now because, for me, I have to have a snack and a beverage while I watch. I try to limit the foods I like in the house and I have asked my husband and boys to limit the purchase of foods I like right now as well in support of my upcoming surgery.

I am so happy to be on this forum as this is exactly what I need - to vent, to read others struggles and achievements and to get a complete sense of the reality I, like so many of you, will face. Thank you for taking the time to read my first blog and I hope you come to me with any questions or concerns in the future as well.

[ghost_ryder]

My only suggestion is to get lots of sleep. Go to bed early. Keep your mind active and when you start to feel tempted, get up and go for a walk. The least that happens is that you are 30 minutes further between meals and you get a little exercise too. But the best that happens is you forget you were tempted. And if you give in , get over it and restart the pre-op. The pre-op diet is solely to shrink the size of your liver so the surgeon can operate on you more comfortably and not have to struggle during your procedure. If your liver is still to big, the doctor can call off the surgery even after inserting the first camera. It is for your protection. So the better you do, the less likely that is to happen.

[dtiller1147]

Hello,with Barrett's Esophagus they usually recommend to do the bypass. I guess they are willing to see if the damage is not to bad they may go with Sleeve. The sleeve will cause the re flux to be worse. So trust the Docs, thats why they get the big bucks...Good Luck!

[Fatbgone]

A gal had a hernia surgery at the same time as the sleeve. She has done fine. I hope it's just the hernia. You are going to love your results!

[Christie13]

Welcome Yehara. I had a hiatal hernia as well and it was corrected when I had my sleeve. I have not had any reflux issues other than in the beginning but that is common even in non hernia patients. In the beginning the reflux will seem like hunger pangs. I hope you are able to have a sleeve. Good luck to you.

[YAK77]

Thank you everyone for your great advise and kind words!

[Sandra3]

Welcome to the forum Yehara!

I had some light reflux pre-op, but couldn't have a bypass.
I had a very strong reflux post-op, took a PPI since day one, after six months I was able to reduce the dosage and then stop it completely around month 14.
I still take Tums and watch my diet because some food are triggers..

I had a very high BMI and getting the sleeve did help my health a lot! best decision ever!

Good luck with your surgery and take care!