Scheduled for Gastric Bypass on March 6, 2006


2/20/06- Had my EKG. Evevything normal. Lost 1.5 pounds since Friday. (On Friday 2/17/06, I started pre-op diet, 1200 calories)
Last week I had ECHO. Already completed nutritionist and psych eval.

After talking with my GP, I'm feeling more comfortable about LAP RNY. I was so worried about malnutrition, anemia, and other longer term complications. He said not to worry. He has 12 patients that had bypass and 3 bandsters. They are all doing well. One patient had a wound that wouldn't heal right and he kept telling her to do something about it. She eventually got it fixed when she had her tummy done.

My husband had Lap Band 6 weeks ago today. He is down 15 lbs. When he came home from the hospital, he was down 14. I believe he gained some back and is now starting his real WL. He had his first fill on Wednesday 2/15/06.

Still nervous. My surgeon, Dr. Andrei and he is excellent, but, it's normal to worry when you have your life ahead of you, a wonderful husband and 2 beautiful twin girls (14 months) at home. (They are the product of 6 years of infertility). So, I do persevere through battles.

2/21/06 Got my approval paper sent to me from insurance today. Has wrong surgery date...3/17/06...will call surgeon tomorrow.
Tomorrow I have pre-op and my blood work. I wish I could combine the two. I'll wake up early and get the general blood work (I have 2 scriopts) Then, I head up to the hospital in North Jersey for my pre-op at 12 pm.

3/3/06. I finally heard about Deana's surgery. She was the first person to send me a message via my profile and I was really anxious about her outcome from surgery on Tuesday. She's doing great, Yippee.

I have the usual jitters/anxieties. I'm concerned about the "complications" associated with this surgery, specifically blood clots. I'm thinking that all surgeries present this risk...and I've had 4 surgeries in the past. I don't recall worrying so much for prior surgeries :(

Anyway, I did my final blood work today. I had my pre-op stuff done 9 days ago, but, the hospital lab wanted an antibody typing done becuase I have a special type of O+ blood.

Murphy's law: If you can't stand needles, you will not get away with one prick, no, you will probably need multiple pricks just to make sure your nerves are really shot.

Hope everyone is well.

I'll probably be looking at the site all weekend, then I'll post again when I reach the losing side!!!!


03/05/06-

OK, everyone!!!! This is it!!!!! It's the night before surgery and I'm psyched. I know everything will be fine because I'm viewing this as a first surgery in a series of three. I know I'll need a TT and BL after my successful weight loss.

I figure I'll deserve it, if and only if I use this tool wisely. I intend to follow the doctor's orders and to get plenty of support via this site and through support groups. I know it is going to be a very difficult adjustment, but, I am at peace knowing I made the correct decision for me, my body and my health. I can't wait to start living my life to the fullest with my wonderful husband and beautiful daughters.

Thank you all on this site for all of you support and kind words. I hope you don't mind if I turn to you in the coming months and years for advise!!!

I'll update on Wednesday or Thursday....Wish me Luck.

Karen

7/20/06....I'm adding some entries now to get everyone up to date on my progress.


3/14/06- JP Tube removed and I'm havbing some pain. Doc thinks it is because I vacuumed on Sunday. WARNING: Do not vacuum so soon post-op----even if you feel great like I did. Surgeon was pissed off and I ended up with a fever later that night so he sent me to the hospital for a CT scan to see if I did damage. Everything A-OKAY.

3/18/06---MOTHER of all complications. Small bowel obstruction landed me in the hospital for 5 days on morphine drip. My husband rushed me to the hospital after I ate like 1/4 of an egg (today was the first day I could try soft solids. Needless to say, I'm not touching eggs again. My heart goes out to all of those who have had bowel obstructions. Let's put it this way, I wouldn't even wish one on my husband's ex-wife and I hate her. Get the pain picture?

Anyway, I recovered without additional surgery. Thank God, 'cause I was at a different hospital and would have had to have an open procedure instead of Lap. Yuck!

4/5/06- I had originally gone back to work a week after my Lap-RNY, but, since the Bowel obstruction, I decided to take it easy and I am going to the doctor today to get an upper GI with Small intestine follow thru and to get clearance to go back to work. I weighed in at 211 at the doctor's office. I was 241 for my high, 237.5 as official pre-op at doctor's office, 234 day of surgery and now am 211. So, I lost 23 lbs. since surgery on March 6th. Not bad!!!

5/1/06 Well, I've been back to work and on a plateau for weeks!!! Very distressing. I broke down and called the nut. She told me to add salad and fruit...that I was getting too much protein and not enough variety. I thought you couldn't eat raw stuff until 6 months???? She said to try it. I've been craving a salad anyway.

6/2/06 Had my three month check up today and I made it to 50 lbs. lost YAY!!!! I was hoping that I could achieve this after I had plateaued for 4 weeks---YES 4 weeks!! I'm really pleased and feel great with this tool. I am enjoying chicken caesar salad for lunch almost daily. Yum! This is great compared to the first month where I had to come to terms with my food additions/demons. I definitely think the first month is very difficult psychologically and due to the limited food choices.


6/16/06 Hair loss has started What a bummer!!!

7/4/06 Feeling good. Hair still falling out.

7/20/06 Still feeling well. Current weight is 170. Lost 71 lbs. since highest. Only 40 to go til goal. Ate too many blueberries this week and had some bad bloating...my now flatter stomach puffed up like when I was pregnant with my twins!! Not fun.