OK, I went to the cardiologist yesterday for surgery clearance (my surgeon requires clearance from a specialist depending on your risk factos, my are cardiac). I will have to go back 3 more times (2 day stress test (yuck) and an echocardiogram with bubble which actually might show me if i have PFO which is where your heart didnt completely form sealed shut as a baby and might actually be related to my migraines, it shouldtn increase my risk of surgey the cardiologist said, he just wants to see if i have it since it might benefit my migraines to know and treat).
So today i started looking through the packet of stuff i still have left to do and then i thought, this sure is a lot, then i realized i have 2 1/2 months to do it in, not a lot since i dont like to have appointment too close together and make me miss work (rememeber i already see my neurologist quite a bit). And i am a little worried about the expense of all these things pre op, but gotta do them!
Now i am getting a little nervous, do i have enough PTO (time off) saved from work? Is my hubby ready to take care of the house? Will he come to the hospital or just my best friend since we really dont have child care, or i could have my other son stay home from school the day or 2 i am hopsitalized? WOW...it sort of freaks me out. then i think, well they are going to find a way to reject me (insurance) anyway OR something will go wrong and this wont happen. What is that last thought all about???

 

The gastric bypass operation help you to lose weight by 4 different mechanisms:

• Restriction: The stomach pouch is only 15 to 30 mL in size -- that's just 1 or 2 tablespoons! The pouch fills up very quickly after eating only a small amount of food, and provides a sensation of fullness. Thus, the small pouch places a physical restriction on the amount of food you are able to eat (or want to eat) at one sitting.

• Malabsorption: While not primarily a malabsorptive operation, the gastric bypass does decrease absorption of some nutrients. Because of this, it will be necessary to talk vitamin and mineral supplements after the operation.

• "Dumping Syndrome" This occurs if you eat concentrated sweets or carbohydrates after the operation. While everyone experiences dumping a little differently, patients may feed hot and sweaty, cold and clammy, or like they're going to faint. Dumping syndrome is an intentional side effect of the operation! It has been called the "postop police officer" since it strongly discourages sweet eating. It is important to remember that most people do not experience dumping on a regular basis, since they very quickly learn to avoid the sweet foods that cause it.

• Hormonal Changes: Ghrelin is a hormone produced by the stomach that causes you to feel hungry at mealtimes. Some recent research suggests that gastric bypass may substantially reduce ghrelin levels, resulting in decreased feelings of hunger.

OK, I got the final word at my consult yesterday and can finally just focus on what surgery I am going to have. I will be having RNY after all, even though i have a medical need for toradol injections, the surgeon says that shouldnt be a problem, I got specific and asked about ulcer and toradol and he assured me, not a problem "your use is minimal and you dont put it in your stomach, you inject it see". Ok, if you didnt get that, its how he speaks, he is i think indian and cute as can be and sweet as pie. It is actually what i wanted but thought i couldnt have, so i started research ds, then i got excited about ds but it turns out that my insurance wont cover ds (its investigational in their opinion). So we are on track to rny me. I need a cardiac clearance because of an infant case of murmur (not found since i was like 3 yrs old) AND some chest pains i have had over the past few years. My PCP worked me up and felt i was fine, but the surgeon is playing it safe, that makes me feel good too.
He did break the news to me that he expects me to give up carbohydrates until surgery (yes, that includes fruit) and after surgery, I only get fruit back (no grains of any kid...rice, bread, tortilla etc). I am tyring to imagine life without them, i will try and find recipies i guess...it does feel hard though, i dont know how some do it. He wants me to start attending wls support groups ASAP, and get all my testing done. If all goes well, it should be april-May surgery. I asked about my c-sections being a problem for laproscopic and he said no!
WEll, wish me luck, drop me a line and give me some help because VVVVRRRRRMMMMMM its almost launch time (no, not lunch time silly).

OK, if you pay really stalkerish close attention, you will have noticed that I changed surgeons. Long story if you want to hear, pm me and I will tell you, but its something that I feel even more comfortable with! So they called and scheduled my consult for Jan 15 (just a little over a week away). I am excited because that is finally a step toward doing this. I am nervous about what he (surgeon) will say about having RNY with my toradol or DS instead (I would feel better RNY). I am nervous about having it in April since that is my birthday month and there is a trend someone once told me about, people often die near their birthdays. I am trying to pretend that doesnt scare me, but it does a little. I dont want to wait longer to have it because I want to get it over, because it would be risky since my job (and therefore medical insurance) might be in jeopordy this summer and because i want to start school after surgery and once feeling better (have evergy back).
I dont know if I should ask my hubby to come with me, it would be  hard since we have a 4 yr old and no sitter (as in ever never). So I guess I wont...I would like someone there, yet I would like to be alone too...
Wish me luck, say a prayer, light a candle, here we GOOOO!