6.27.05 ~ Hi Everyone!!  I am a ??? year old divorced woman who has had a stream of traumatic events happen in my life over the past 6 years. As a result I turned to food for comfort and the scale has been going up and up and up.  I have finally made the decision to do something  fabulous for myself by having the gastric bypass surgery.   I attended the seminar at Norwalk Hospital on 6-7-05.  I signed in, picked up the info packet and then was asked to jump on the dreaded scale to determine by BMI.  Although I didn't know who he was at the time, Dr. Ehrlich assured me that my weight was just a number.  He said if I preferred I could determine the number on my computer.  Well, I told him, I didn't think my computer would tolerate me sitting on it to determine my weight!!  He laughed and said "I see we have a joker here".  Dr. Ehrlich instantly made me feel at ease and I was thrilled when I found out he was the surgeon.  His presentation was professional, informative and fun.  When I got home I looked up his profile on the CT Dept. Of Public Health website.  He had a perfect record with no disciplinary actions against him which was great news.  I had my initial consultation two days later.  Danielle, his PA, is a delight and Dr. Ehrlich is down-to-earth and very easy to talk to.  I am so excited to be starting the journey towards a healthier, stronger and active me!!   On 6-17-05 I had my nuclear stress test which was a breeze.  I have set up all my pre-op testing appointments and am crossing my fingers that they all turn out ok. Wish me luck!!  More later . . . 6.29.05 ~ Had my initial consultation with the nutritionist at Stamford Hospital, Tamara Swett.  She's fabulous.  As of tomorrow, I start on a 1500 calorie diet for the month of July, then 1200 for the first two weeks in August and 1000 for the last two weeks in August.  Hopefully my surgery will be scheduled for the beginning of September!!  Tamara is such a wacky, fun person and we hit it off the minute we met.  I am really looking forward to working with her towards my goal weight.  I also had a consult with Dr. Peter Gardner, the gastroenterologist.  Another super nice doctor.  My upper endoscopy is scheduled for 7/26.   Everything is really coming together now and I'm starting to get excited.  More later . . .   7.11.05 ~ Today was my psych evaluation and I passed with flying colors!!  Mary Ziller said I'm a perfect candidate for WLS and I'm thrilled.   The cardiologist that did my nuclear stress test on 6/16 found a spot on one of my arteries.  He doesn't think it is anything, just from body humidus, but wants to do an angiogram just in case.  Yuk!!  I tried to sweet talk him out of it but it didn't work.  So I go for the test this Thursday.  Wish me luck . . .   7.14.05 ~ Well it's been a very long day today.  Got to Stamford Hospital at 8:30, checked in and had bloodwork done.  Then on to the angiogram.  The nurses prepped me, Dr. LaBarre stopped by to say hello and it was on to the operating room.  They sedated me and the test took about 30 minutes.  They plugged the hole in my groin and then I was on bedrest until they released me at 4:00.  The test itself wasn't too bad and it went by quickly.  But lying in bed for several hours....yuk.  Dozed most of the time. The nurses were wonderful and Dr. LaBarre is a very kind, compassionate cardiologist.  I'm on bedrest for the rest of today and then have to be very careful over the next few days so the plug doesn't come out.  But at least that's another pre-op test that's over.  And the results were perfect...no clogged arteries and lungs are working perfectly!!  Now only one more test to go...the endoscopy on 7/26.  More later . . .   7.26.05 ~ Had my final pre-op test today...the upper endoscopy.  All went well and everything turned out normal.  Yippee!!  Thankfully all of my tests have turned out normal and I'm healthy (other than some minor comorbities). This clears me for surgery!!  Tomorrow I meet with my surgeon and will hopefully be given a surgery date.  Keeping fingers crossed... 7.27.05 ~ Met with my surgeon today, he looked through all my pre-op tests and cleared me for surgery!!  All my paperwork was faxed over to my insurance company and I should have an answer within 24-48 hours.  Dr. Ehrlich said the office will contact me on Friday and that my surgery will be scheduled for the last week in August or first week in September.  Wow, with all those endless pre-op tests I had to go through I never thought I would make it this far!!  What a relief!!  Hopefully I'll have a good update to make on Friday.  More later . . .   7.29.05 ~ Haven't heard anything yet from my insurance company.  Called them and was told they didn't have anything in the computer yet so the decision hasn't been made.  I really hate this waiting.   Then I received a generic letter from Healthnet with the upcoming exclusions they will be implementing on policy renewal.  And of course, they are excluding bariatric surgery!!  :o( I think my policy renews in Sept/Oct so hopefully my paperwork has been submitted in time.  Grrrrr!!   7.30.05 ~ I'M AN ANGEL!!  Received an email today from a lovely man who needed an angel and wanted to be an angel.  So I'm doubly blessed...I not only became an angel but I now have my own angel!!  Ken P. is a happily married pastor from Bloomfield, CT and he not only preaches, but he teaches too.  I know he will be a great help to me throughout my journey.  And I look forward to helping him through his journey since I will have already experienced each step.  Thank you Donya for bringing us together!!   8.2.05 ~ Got sick of waiting so I called my insurance company again and I'M APPROVED!!  Called the surgeons office, they said they just received the fax and scheduled me for surgery on September 12th.  YIPPEE....finally!!  Now the waiting starts!!  41 days to go!!   8.31.05 ~ Had my final pre-op appointment with my surgeon.  I was given a 20 question quiz to make sure I'm thoroughly versed in everything about the surgery.  Passed with flying colors.  Dr. Erhlich's PA had me sign all the surgery forms then Dr. Erhlich came in and talked to me.  I'm very optimistic that everything is going to go smoothly and getting very excited!!  I have to be at the hospital at 6:30am on September 12th and my surgery is at 7:30am. Will be having the pre-op blood work done this Friday and also have to have a chest xray.  Then I'm good to go!!  More later . . .   9.7.05 ~ Went to the Tully Center today for my chest xray.  Now ALL my tests are finally done!!   Today is my moms 83rd birthday!!  Wanted to take her out for a nice meal tonight but her girlfriends arranged a birthay lunch for her instead (without checking with me).  She's such a tiny little thing and won't be able to eat two meals in one day.  Guess I'll have to take her to dinner another night.   9.9.05 ~ Received a call from Nurse Barbara of Norwalk Hospital yesterday.  She went through my medical history, meds I'm on, etc. in preparation for Monday.  I'm to be at the hospital at 6:30am and surgery will begin at 7:30am.   I am going through the full range of emotions right now.  I'm so excited but also very scared.  The passing of Angel Angie on 9/5 was so sad and it really hit home how dangerous this operation can be if your doctor doesn't pay careful attention to your aftercare. Thank God my surgeon is going to send me for an upper GI the day after surgery to check for leaks.  I have every confidence in him as a competent surgeon.  Look at the endless list of pre-op tests I had to go through to make sure I am healthy enough to make it through surgery!!  It was tedious but well worth the time and effort.   I want to thank all my OH family for the support, kind words and laughter they've given me over the past several months.  All the members of the SEPTEMBER 12TH CLUB are going to make it through this surgery just fine and we'll all be sharing our experiences by the end of next week!!   Today is my last day of real food.  My friend Diane and I went to Applebees tonight for my "last supper".  I had a caesar salad, a huge steak with potatos, garlic toast and a frozen margharita.  Don't know why I ordered the margharita because I rarely drink.   I ended up not drinking it anyway because it had too much tequila in it.  The waitress laughed at me when I told her that...she said they've never received a complaint that there's too much alcohol in their drinks!!   9.10.05 ~ I want to say thank you again to all of my OH family for filling my surgery page with so much love and good wishes!!  I don't know what I would have done without each and every one of you to help me get this far!! :o)   Today was the first day of my clear liquid diet.  My mom made me a pot of homemade chicken soup (she gets the chicken & veggies).  So I've been "eating" the broth, SF jello, SF popsicles, light CranGrape juice.  I really thought I would feel like I was starving but I'm not hungry at all.  I'll get through tomorrow no problem but in the afternoon I have to do the dreaded bowel prep.  Guess I'll be hanging around near the bathroom after that!! I will have my mom and 2 friends there to support me tomorrow.  My friend Diane will post on the main message board when all is said and done.  Please pray for me and I will post later this week!!  Stay tuned . . .

9.12.05 ~ Got to Norwalk Hospital at 6:30am.  My mom, my friend Diane and my moms friend Linda were all there to support me.  Went into the preop room, changed into the johnny coat (they actually had one that fit me) and laid down.  Everything went very efficiently. They had my IV put in, the anesthesiologist came in and talked to me, my surgeon came in and the operating nurse helped calm my nerves.  I was a little nervous but got the happy drugs almost as soon as they wheeled me into the operating room and don't remember anything after that.  The operation took 1-1/2 hours and went smoothly.  My mom told me that they escorted me back to my room and I was smiling from ear to ear.  I don't really remember much of the afternoon because of the drugs but was told that I was being quite the comedian.  The nurses got me up and walked me in the evening.  A little painful but manageable.  I spent 3 nights in the hospital, had a great room with my own shower and a flat screen TV, but was soooo glad to get home.  My advice to new postops...carefully watch everything that you are given by the nurses and aides...medicine, food, etc. and speak up if something doesn't seem right to you.  My food tray came up with chicken noodle soup on the second day...lots of noodles and veggies.  Of course I was not allowed to eat that, told the nurses and they brought me some broth.  At this point, I was measuring everything that I was drinking into little medicine cups and drinking one every 15 minutes.  I also was given the wrong meds on a couple occasions...once it was time release capsules and the next time a full pill to swallow. I had to remind them I wasn't allowed time release pills and as for the full pill, it would have to be crushed.  All the staff were fabulous, caring, supportive except for one nurse who had no bedside manner and took an hour to bring me my pain and nausea meds.  My mom, on two occasions, had to go out and remind her that I was in pain.  On day 2 I had a leak test and everything turned out perfectly.  Be prepared for the disgusting drink you have to sip though...totally nasty!!  Respiratory came and checked my oxygen levels while walking and determined that I should go home on a portable oxygen tank to use on exertion.  My surgeon said I should be off it in a couple weeks as soon as I lose a few pounds.  Amazingly, I was taken off my blood pressure meds the second day (103/67) and also my diabetes meds (130).  It is unbelievable how this surgery has changed my life already.  I went home on 9/15.  Took all day to get me checked out...finally left at 5:00pm.  They had to take my drain tube out which was totally painless.  Just a really weird sensation like your insides are being pulled out but that's because the tube goes under your liver and into your new pouch.  But, believe me, not painful at all.  When I walked in the door, my little furbaby was happy to see me, then she remembered that I had deserted her and she ignored me.  Oh well, she'll forgive me by tomorrow!!  Went to bed as soon as I got home...it was a big day for me and I was pooped!!  I am really amazed at how good I feel so early out.  I am in virtually no pain, just uncomfortable from having my insides moved all around!!  More later . . .

9.16.05 ~ Took my first shower today and it felt so good.  Walked around a little and spent most of my day trying to get my liquids, meds and protein in.

9.21.05 ~ Had my first post-op appointment with Dr. Ehrlich.  He said I was doing fabulous. I told him I can't believe how well I feel after having major surgery last week.  His reply was "I told you so".  I only lost 7 lbs but that's because I was retaining alot of fluid. He said that when you quit taking Diovan (blood pressure med) you tend to swell and retain water.  While I was in the waiting room I met a woman named Gina who I have been corresponding with online.  What a nice person. We're going to get together sometime soon. I also met a pre-op woman named Jill who has been following my progress on OH.  This was her first consult with Dr. Ehrlich. We talked for a few minutes.  I'm going to email her later and see how it went.

 

9.22.05 ~ Emailed Jill wanting to know how her first consult went and also to volunteer to be her angel if she wanted one.  She accepted so now I am angel to two!!  Drove for the first time today...what a treat to get out of the house.  Went to Bed, Bath and Beyond and walked the store.    I bought a really nice digital scale.  At Dr. Ehrlich's suggestion I went to see my PCP.  She was thrilled I had the bypass.  I told her I was taken off all my meds in the hospital and she wasn't too pleased with that.  But when she took my blood pressure and sugar levels all she kept saying was "amazing" over and over again.  She has kept me on 10mg of Glucotrol until my next visit in two weeks and then I will probably be taken off completely.  She asked me to speak to a couple of her patients that are considering bypass.  What an honor!!  Then I had an appointment with my pulmonary doctor.  My oxygen levels are coming up and he was pleased.  But he's going to keep me on 2 liters of oxygen with a portable unit to use on exertion.  I go back in two months and will most likely be taken off it.  All in all, a really good day.  Was able to walk a little and got great reviews from my docs!!

 

9.27.05 ~ Jumped on the scale today and it says I lost 21 lbs since surgery (30 total including the pre-op diet).  What a feeling!!  Went to my first support meeting tonight at Norwalk Hospital.  Mary Ziller, the therapist that did my pysch exam, ran the meeting.  There were 10 of us.  It was nice to meet a couple of OH members that have been supportive of me.  There were 4 of us that had Lap RNY and 6 that had lapband.  Discussion was what triggers us to eat.  Towanda followed up with me on 9/28 and asked if I wanted to join activities with the support group.  Sure thing!!  I will be going to a new patient seminar next week and helping to answer questions from people considering the surgery.

11.17.05 ~ It's been a long time since I've updated my profile.  I'm feeling very good except for the dizziness and exhaustion.  Went to see my nutritionist on 11/11 and she wants me to up my protein, calories and "good" carbs like fruits.  I am in starvation mode and that could be the reason I'm losing so slowly!!  I am tolerating most foods but have found I have a very grouchy pouchy!!  I can eat something one day and the next day I will throw it up!!  Then I have my Maalox chewables and a cup of herbal peppermint tea!!  Something about hot tea or broth that really soothes the savage pouch!!  Haven't tried bread, pasta, rice etc. yet because I was a total carboholic before the surgery and don't want to get into any old habits!!  I am enjoying this journey one day at a time. 

 

I saw Dr. Ehrlich on 11/16 and he is very happy with my progress and gave me alot of encouragement.  He will be taking out my gallbladder on 12/5. I start college in January and don't want to have a gallbladder attack and have to miss any classes.  I am down 44 lbs as of today (including my 9lb pre-op loss).  YIPPEE!!  Dr. Ehrlich is also starting me in a physical therapy class so I can start exercising (and insurance will pay).  Once I build up a little stamina he will refer me to a personal trainer (hopefully a cute guy)!!  :o)

 

I have met so many wonderful people on this site and also in my support group and want to thank each and every one of you for being my friend...especially Val, Christy, Sandy and Bob.  It's so comforting to know I can turn to you guys if I need help.

11.18.05 ~ Jumped on the scale this morning and I lost another 4 lbs so now I'm down 48lbs!!  WOW!!

 

Here is a pic of my baby girl Emma relaxing on her lounge chair by the pool.  Notice that she has her beach towel, book and drink...everything necessary to catch some rays!!