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Surgeon TestimonialRita AndersonDr. Anderson and her staff are amazing! After about 10 minutes of listening to Dr. Anderson speak in her seminar, I knew that this was the surgeon I wanted to trust my life with. She has an outstanding support staff, and her bariatric coordinator (Susie) is an angel. There were days where I thought Susie wanted my insurance approval more than I did. My first impression of Dr. Anderson was \"Wow, it's amazing how in tune this woman is with her patients\" She was genuinely empathetic and did not beat around the bush when it came to the topic of Obesity. She was up front and honest and made it clear that her top priority was a successful, complication free, surgery. rnI can personally attest that this is what was delivered. She told me up front that there was a chance that she would not be able to do my surgery laparoscopic due to my height. I told her that I trusted her decision, especially after she made it clear that she does not sew her patients up unless she's 110% certain that there is no risk of a leak, and that if it means opening her patient up to hand sew everything, then so be it. It's very important to have that piece of mind that you are in the hands of a perfectionist. rnRecovery has been amazing. I've felt like a new person since waking up in recovery. The night of surgery I was able to get up and walk several laps around the hospital, and I continued to do so for the next 2 days. I honestly believe I could have gone home within 24 hours because I was feeling that good. My wounds are healing perfectly, and I've lost almost 30 lbs my first week. Dr. Rita's bedside manner is top notch, and I will never forget seeing her for the first time after surgery, she gave me an enormous hug. Her support staff is phenomenal, the care at Kettering Hospital (where she performs the surgery) is first class, and the after care and support groups tied to her office is more than anyone could ask for. I highly recommend Dr. Rita. It's a great piece of mind to be operated on by a master of her craft. |
Surgery Experience
posted on 3/6/09 12:49 pm
I'm going to see if I can get this all in one post without dozing off
Wednesday morning I left for the hospital at 8 am. Got there at 8:30 and the records still didn't show the update for the 11:00 surgery (They had me down as 10:00)
Went back and did the normal surgery prep thingy... stripped to my birthday suit and put the gown on. I think they took some blood and they hooked me up to the IV.
I had several people check in on me and the surgery finally came in and said surgery was 11. The Anesthesiologist asked me numerous times if I wanted the Versed and I declined because I was in such an optimistic mood. A lady came by and prayed with us.... it was then that I was at total peace with the world and knew everything was going to be OK. A nurse came into my room and said that they were having some issues with the OR, but they got it under control... apparently I was the tallest person they ever had to operate on and they had to rig the table to accommodate me. They actually had to measure the table several times and managed to find an extender.
10:45 rolled around and they finally gave me the versed shot and rolled me off to surgery.
I got into the surgery room and it was so bizarre... The shot kicked in and it was like one of those trippy hippy scenes where peoples faces shook violently almost cartoon like... they put the mask on me and poof... asleep.
1:00 pm and I woke up. I woke up with the sense that I was lying in my own bed and I was a bit shocked to see that I was in a totally different environment. It was then that I realized I survived the surgery. The feeling of relief was so immense and overwhelming that I just started chatting with everyone. "Did they have to cut me open?" "Do I have any drain tubes?" "Did everything go OK?" "Were there any complications?" It was so weird. I didn't focus on any pain, I was just focusing on the positive and the feeling that I was alive and ready to start my new life.
I don't know if they were tired of me talking and yapping or what not.... hell I think they gave me a shot of Valium in my IV to get me to STFU because it was semi hazy from the time they rolled me from PACU to my room.... although I really do remember the ride to my room. (The look on Stephen's face was priceless... he was so shocked to see me up and yapping)
From there I had a few visitors and several tests... blood work, and what have you.
7pm I told Stephen to go home because I knew he was so mentally drained and quite frankly I wanted some quiet time to myself to sit back and meditate. Heck I even sent updates via my black berry and made several phone calls.
8pm they tried to get me up to walk and I was more than happy to do so.. unfortunately when I stood up I was hit with a ping of nausea. I'm not sure what was worse, the nausea or the cure for nausea. The fenigran shot they gave me in my hip HURT like a mofo. I'd been ripped apart inside and out and I complained about the pain from a little shot in my hip that burned... go figure.
9pm and I was up and walking. I did 3 laps before I got pooped and laid to sit down. I got up again around 2 am and did a few more laps. I got up around 6 am and did some more (The first night I didn't sleep) In the middle of my 6am laps I had to do vials of blood work followed by a batch of physical therapy lessons and occupational therapy sessions.
The rest of the day was basically nap/5 laps/pain pump/various visitors rinse and repeat
That night was a good amount of sleeping with a mix of walking every few hours (I initiated the walks... no one had to tell me. I did 26 laps in my first day)
Friday was basically various tests, a lot of visitors, a much needed shower, and discharge from the hospital.
I did have a few incidents that I address such as straws that were given to me, sugar packs that were given to me... after the 2ND packet of sugar was given to me from Dietary I decided not to eat any more jello for fear of it not being sugar free.
The medical staff at Kettering Hospital was absolutely AMAZING! There were several folks that took care of me who had the surgery so it was really good to deal with folks who knew first hand what I was going through.
Pain level is at a minimal and I'm feeling really good for the most part. My biggest challenge is rolling over in bed... and sleeping since I'm a side sleeper.
Thank you all so much for all the kind words of support as well as helping to prepare me for this wonderful journey.
Tony
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