ObesityHelp

1-19-06

I am done! Finally! With ALL of my pre op testing. Seems like everything came out OK except they just could NOT get blood gases from me. I found out I am anemic and I have mild sleep apnea. But all my other tests came out ok. So I was really excited and called for my appt with my surgeon and it is on Feb 9th! Yippee!! Can't wait to get my surgery date! Some days I really wish it was around the corner and other times I wonder what the heck Im thinking! LOL

2-11-06

Well I met with Dr Harrington on the 9th, all my tests came back good except iron and lupus anti coagulant I believe. I am on iron pills twice a day now. About the Lupus- he said he wants to me to take shots 2 weeks after surgery to help with the blood disorder. We scheduled my teaching class on the 16th and my pre admission testing on the 21st. He also wants me to meet with anesthesia because of my heart condition. The most shocking part was getting my surgery date which is WAAAAAAY sooner than what I expected. It is March 1st! Yep thats right- 2 1/2 weeks away!!!! CRAZY!! I immediately got nervous and wanted to cancel as soon as I left. I didnt let it get the best of me, and I havent cancelled yet! I hope I dont chicken out! I want this, I really do!!!!

2-16-06

Went to the mandatory "teaching class" today. We had a nurse come in to tell us what to expect for our hospital stay. Then we had PT come in and tell us what to expect for mobility after surgery. Then a dietician came in to tell us what to eat afterwards. It was overwhelming. Alot of information thats for sure. Afterwards, I went over to have my final weigh in before surgery. 272. I told the secretary I was very nervous and scared. She said I wouldnt be human if I wasnt. Ive been talking with my husband alot about the "after life". What I will be eating, if I can do it, etc etc. He is supportive. He is ready. I told him I dont know HOW on earth I will do puree'ds. Less than 2 weeks away......

3-8-06

Hi All!!
I just wanted to drop a note and tell you that I did cancel my surgery that was on March 1st. I cancelled the week before the surgery and rescheduled to April 12th. I think the date was so close, and I wasnt expecting it, that I really started getting WAY too much anxiety over it, and I felt like I didnt have my "ducks in a row" so to speak.

Anyway, I decided to slap myself back into reality. I bought I really nice scale, a Tanita. I bought all kinds of healthy stuff to eat. I decided to really go into this surgery as healthy as I could be. In the process, Ive lost 8 lbs already. I learned within the past couple of weeks that I REALLY do have willpower that I was so worried that I didnt have enough of for this surgery. I know it is going to be hard, extremely hard. I am worried about the mental aspects, but I am more confident in my ability to handle it.

The point of this surgery for me really has nothing to do with "being skinny" I just SO want to feel better. Feel healthier. Feel my age again! (27) Live my life to the fullest!

Now dont think I am not going to come here and probably freak out 3 more times! LOL But I am definately better! I notice that some of the "regret" posts or "bad" posts dont bother me AS MUCH as they did. I mean a couple of weeks ago, I would dwell on them. Now, it bothers me, but I am really not thinking about them all night! OR getting actually physically ill from reading them!

Thank you all for all the kind words I have received through email! I want to thank everyone that has taken time to email me their stories or answers to questions. Sometimes I really cant believe how nice people can be! I have had 2 people even offer to visit me int he hospital and call me....thats so sweet. You dont find alot of people who really give a hoot anymore!

6/5/06

Long time no update! Wellllllll I cancelled my surgery that was scheduled for Apil 12th- AGAIN! I am just way too scared. I have suffered on and off from anemia and I am just scared of the malabsorbtion. When I first went to Harrington's office, I wanted lap band- at the time he did not DO lap band. So i jumped on the RNY band wagon. Welll since this time- they have started to do lap band as they have concluded that lap band patients lose as much as RNY patients- just in a longer period of time. SO I have a consult on June 8th with Dr Ryder from Harrington's office for lap band. If all goes well, I hope to have it done ASAP!!!!!!!!!!! AND I MEAN IT THIS TIME!!! I hope they can get me in SOON as I finished ALL my pre op testing, etc. I'll update more on Thursday!!

7/31/06

Well I havent updated! Ive been so busy with summer! Enjoying my pool with my son, cookouts, birthdays, and such. ANYWAY- I am approved for lap band surgery with Dr Ryder, although she said I have to wait until she gets a group of people together to have them. She is doing them in groups b/c of the training with another dr who is coming up to RI. She said Aug/Sept though, so thats fine. I meet with her on Aug 18th, so I should get my date then! Im very excited, and SO much less nervous!

8/15/06

Dr Ryder's office called and changed my appt to Aug 17th. Just want to get in there and get it over with. Hoping surgery will not be scheduled too far down the road. I am starting school again in Sept and would just like the surgery done and over with at this point!!!

10/2/06

Sorry! Long time no update! LOL I have been so busy. I am back at school and Im taking 3 classes so that is taking up a huge amount of ANY sort of free time I previously had which wasnt much to begin with! Anyway Ive got a surgery date!! YAAAY!! 10/23. I can wait! One problem though- I have to make sure I have clearance from my hematologist. I see her on 10/11. So Im keeping my fingers crossed. I have sent in my FMLA paperwork for time outta work and I am just really ready at this point. I feel WAY different than I did before. Im not stressed about it really. I think i am Dr Ryder's first lap band surgery- how exciting! LOL Anyway hope all is well on 10/11- I will update around then (hopefully)!

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