Nervous pre-op Kiwi saying hello

[Gingaling]

Hi there. I'm from new Zealand and just started optifast pre-op diet. Surgery in just under 3 weeks and I must say I am feeling nervous ( as I am sure everyone does) I haven't told anyone except my husband do I am feeling a bit weird hiding such big news from these closest to me- anyone post op got advice about who to tell/ not to tell? Also, am feeling scared about what to expect post op as I have a baby and a child. Will u need someone to help all day post op? Would love to hear from some seasoned sleevers and some fellow newbies...

[yogagrl75]

Hi there!
I'm scheduled for my surgery Nov. 30th and I too am very nervous/excited! You will find alot of information on here for you. I get on this site at least twice a day. Everyone is different with the amount of time needed for care. I wish I could tell you an exact..really no one can. I would plan at least a week that you have help, especially with a baby....This based on everything I have read.
I have only told a few people about my surgery as well, and I feel that is our perogative if that is what we choose. My husband, mom, a wonderful friend going through the same experience....and THIS SITE! I don't want to hear anything negative about it as i have made my decision!

Welcome, and navigate around to see what everyone is talking about!
Danielle

[Lea]

Hi and welcome, I am new here and have just begun the process but I hear you on the being nervous...I think you should get your husband to take a few days off of work post op if you are not sharing the news with everyone. A baby and a child can be demanding to say the least and you will want to take some time to heal and adjust to the operation. I am struggling with who to tell, who not to tell myself....or do I just tell everyone??? Only you can decide that one...good luck

[Anny123]

Hello, I am also a kiwi, surgery date 19th January next year, yes I will be pre-op over Christmas. I am also not sharing the fact I am having a sleeve done with very many either, just one close friend who lives out of town and my children + my mother. I dont know how to handle the questions at work as I am having my op while I am on annual leave, so nobody really gets to know. I am having a sleeve and paying for it privately as I am not funded. Its such a lot of money and while I know its worth it, I still feel nervous at spending that kind of money. Not to mention sleeves are not as common in NZ, even my surgeon prefers bypass but I really have my mind set on a sleeve which he repsects. Who is your surgeon poster #1?

[buddyd11]

Question 1: yes you will need help especially for the first few days and more than likely the most part of a week, you cant pick up nothing more than 5 lbs for like at least 2 weeks. Everyone is different on recovery cant be sure how it will go but most def, you will be out of it for at least 2 days, you have to remember this is still major surgery so dont push it.
Question 2: noone can really answer that but you because I dont know your personal life, if you have a good strong support system then use it as I did and tell everyone, Hell I shouted it from the tops of roofs lol. Sooner or later you will have many questions to answer no matter what when the seight starts dropping. I can tell you this if my wife was planning something like this and didnt tell me about it, it would hurt me deeply but take that in context because me and my wife have a very loving relationship. We are very supportive to each other. I can only hope you have a relationsip like that too.
What ever you choose i do wish you good luck and I truely hope you find the answers that are right for you in your situation.

[carolynodien]

Hi! My sister lives in NZ, way up in the Far North, Doubtless Bay. It's so beautiful there! Anyway, I guess everyone is different in their healing times. I went shopping in Mexico the day after my surgery...and back to work as a waitress 6 days later. I have been feeling very good all month since my surgery.

About telling other people...I have told only a few people who I feel close to...and a few thousand others on youtube, lol! I think people at my work might figure it out sometime...they are just now commenting on my weight loss, telling me I look good, asking me what my secret is. My boss knows I had a surgery of some kind (all I told him is I needed an operation to take out something I didn't need in there)...so he might deduce what I had done, who knows? I just don't want to be constantly scrutinized...I may tell people after I lose 100 lbs.

[Anny123]

Carolyn, just wanted to ask you what your immediate post op experience was like, I mean straight after the surgery for the first few days, did you suffer from nausea and vomitting immediately after the surgery? I seem to be sick for a few days following GA, even though my surgeon told me GA has come a long way and they can help with that, I am a bit anxious as nothing has worked before, so have resigned myself to a few days at least of being a bit sick.

[PippaNz]

Hello...another Kiwi sleever here.
Where are you having your op?
I had mine two months ago at Superclinic. In all honesty the hardest part was those three weeks on opti.
I told most people...it was nice to share the journey with others and to have the support of family and friends. In the initial stages a few were concerned about the seriousness of the surgery or questioned the need for me to do something so drastic, but once the decision was made I have had nothing but support.
Post op you will need help for the first week at least with your children. I have a 3 and 5 year old and was not very energetic for that first week, so make sure you have some support in place Lifting your baby etc would not be a good idea until your incisions have started to heal.
Congratulations on your decision to get sleeved....I look forward to following your progress as we both have the same amount of weight to lose

[carolynodien]

Carolyn, just wanted to ask you what your immediate post op experience was like, I mean straight after the surgery for the first few days, did you suffer from nausea and vomitting immediately after the surgery? I seem to be sick for a few days following GA, even though my surgeon told me GA has come a long way and they can help with that, I am a bit anxious as nothing has worked before, so have resigned myself to a few days at least of being a bit sick.

Hi Anny, I personally did not have any vomiting after the surgery. I felt pretty good actually. There were 5 of us sleeved that day by the same surgeon. 2 of us came thru fine, we had a bit of insomnia, but we asked for sleep medication and it worked. Another lady was vomiting quite a bit. She admitted to "cheating" with ice cream 2 days prior to surgery. I don't know if that had anything to do with her complications, but I know I was strict with my pre op diet...I wouldnt take the chance if I were you! The other two ladies experienced nausea and fatigue. So....I guess everyone just has their own reaction to surgery/anesthesia. I wish you MY experience, and all the best!!!

[Anny123]

I wont be cheating either, I have done optifast before and know how good it can be and how cleansed and detoxed I felt (did it for 3mths last year), I am having my sleeve done on 19th January so I have 8 weeks or feeling a bit worried but I know its something I just have to do. I am looking forward to coming out the other side....there doesnt seem to be that many sleevers in nz, my surgeon is more keen on banding and bypasses but has agreed to do a sleeve quite happily just wanted to know my reasons and had I considered a bypass. I had my heart set on a sleeve so that was it really. I start preop the week before Christmas, I might start the week before that though to give me a bit more time. He has set me a goal of 8kgs in 4 weeks pre-op. Nice to meet you all in this thread, couldnt believe my luck when I saw the title of the thread from Ginaling. I am keen to hear how you are getting on Gingaling

[belleebutton]

Hi there, another kiwi here!! I am having my surgery on Dec 6 in Christchurch. I am so excited. I have only told one close friend and my partner. I am a pretty private person about most things, and this is no different. My partner and I are self-employed and don't have kids so taking time off is relatively easy for me. I guess when people notice I have lost weight, I will just smile graciously and say thank-you! I love this forum and have had invaluable advice and support from it and will share my journey here with people who 'get it'. Start my 2 weeks Opti-fast on Monday... and so it begins....

[melanie0941]

I made a decision not to tell anyone at work... I did tell my immediate family and requested that they not tell anyone. I did share with 3 close friends who I trust not discuss with others. I was able to pull this off because I was able to travel to the beach on day 5 after surgery. I sent back pictures etc and so no one had a clue why I was really out. I returned to work on day 12 post op and actually felt very good. I usually eat soup for lunch and I have been telling everyone I am on a diet. They never seem to question any part of it.
Why the secret? There are many people that are very judgmental ... I guess I just really didnt want them to give me their opinion or ask me why I wasnt strong enough to lose the weight on my own. Grrr! This route has been so much better for me. No regrets!

[Gingaling]

THanks for all your responses guys. It is great to "talk" to peopke in the smae boat or who have done it before. I am starting to feel better about things. My husband knows and is supportive, and I think I will tell my parents a week before. As for friends etc, I will decide once its done. I think you are less likely to get a negative, opinionated response if you have already gone through with something. WIll keep you posted. p.s - optifast for 3.5 weeks BLAH. Not fun but totally exciting breaking my food "addiction" x