Margaret M.

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Margaret M. 21 years, 9 months ago

Hello All! Well, I have a story! I came out of USC feeling fantastic. However, that lasted 1 day. I soon began to go down hill. My breathing was so forced. So I went to the local hospital thinking I would need a breathing treatment. My doctor Katkouda soon talked with the emergency room doctor and decided to treat as if they were lung blood clots. So here I was back in the hospital. Well, the key to my whole spiral downward mode was the scale they brought my way. Well in 6 days I was down 30.8 pounds! Well, after many tests. The hospital was fantastic and very detailed in their studies of me. Well, it was a drastically low potassium level. I had a 0.9 level when the normal scale is 2.5-5.5! So thank god all the tests came out negative in the blood cot area! So now 11 days past my surgery I am home and continue to drop it is so odd. But my water load was overwhelming prior to my surgery. So as long as I keep up the potassium drink and lots of fluids I will recover well. Still some pain in my legs from it but other then that I am doing well. Maureen Ryan my Angel that posted for me will be having her surgery August 16, 2002. Keep her in your prayers. She has a great doctor and she is more than ready to experience her rebirth!

Maureen R. 21 years, 9 months ago

WONDERFUL AND INSPIRING NEWS....i TALKED TO MEG ON THE PHONE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR THIS EVENING. SHE HAD SURGERY ON FRIDAY 8/1. SHE CAME HOME YESTERDAY 8/6 SHE WENT TO THE DRUGSTORE TODAY!!!! HER SURGERY WENT WONDERFULL. DR. KATKHOUDA IS CALLING HER HIS "SHINING STAR". THE SURGERY ONLY TOOK 2 1/2 HOURS. SHE WAS WALKING THE NEXT MORNING...SHE SAID SHE HAD NO PAIN EXCEPT THE NG TUBE WHICH THEY PUT IN THE SIDE OF HER NOSE THAT HAD BEEN BROKEN IN THE PAST AND HAD A NARROW OPENING. (TELL THEM IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING SIMILAR) SHE SOUNDED WONDERFUL....LIKE SHE HAD JUST ARRIVED HOME FROM A CRUISE AND NOT SURGERY! SEND HER YOU WELL WISHES...SHE WILL BE POSTING SOON. I AM GOING TO VISIT HER NEXT WEEK RIGHT BEFORE MY SURGERY. WE ENDED UP HAVING SO MUCH IN COMMON. I AM SO LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO FOLLOW HER THROUGH THIS PROCEDURE....WE HAVE THE SAME SURGEON AND HOSPITAL. HE IS PHENOMENAL..AND I HAVE RECEIVED A PREVIEW FROM THE STAR PATIENT!!

Maureen R. 21 years, 9 months ago

GOOD NEWS I was able to see Margaret for a few minutes this aftrnoon. The ICU nurse was so nice..she said everything had gone well but Meg was slow in waking up..so they moved her to ICU for a while. They were about to remove some tubes. The nurse told me to go say hello to her, she would be able to hear me. I said hello and told her who I was....she couldn't talk (tubes) but flashed a huge smile and had the bluest twinkling eyes...that was great to see. I should have more info later tonight. Maureen

jackie_h1 21 years, 9 months ago

Margaret~ Hello from Michigan....I'm wishing you a safe and complication free surgical experience. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you for a speedy recovery!! Your soon to be a BIG LOSER!! Hugs and Blessings from a WLS sister~

Margaret M. 21 years, 9 months ago

Hello all! I forgot to give you info on me. I am so happy all of you have wrote me just before my surgery. Which actually is in 6 hours. I woke up could not sleep. I am 41 years old. I am a school teacher. I have been heavey most of my life, though now I look back at my high school and college pictures and say wow, you were not fat you were a babe. Well now I am fat, but still a babe. I must do this surgery for my health, emotionally and physically. I got hurt at school 2 and a half years ago. I have endured 3 major surgeries as a result of my injury. All 3 fusion spinal surgeries have failed. The doctors say now it is the worst spine they have seen. I cannot have them go into my spine to fix the compression on my spinal cord until my weight is down. So here goes. I know I am ready for this. My sister had this surgery 1 year ago and has lost a whole self. She is on this site. Texas. Anne Murray is her name. Thanks again all of you have been angels to me!

gloria M. 21 years, 9 months ago

Hi Margaret, You have a great doctor, Katkouda rocks in the surgery department. I have no doubt that you will come through with flying colors!!! Good luck and I hope your surgery is as painless as mine was. I can't wait to meet you on the other side. If you need anything at all. Please e-mail me. I had surgery not even 2 months ago with the same doctor......it was wonderful, and has been wonderful for me. We are here for you!!! Good Luck!

Maureen R. 21 years, 9 months ago

Margaret (Meg) is having her surgery today at 7:30 AM at USC University Hospital in LA. Great coincidence..... I am going to be at the same hospital having pre-op tests done and will meet with her sister and friends to see how she is. If possible I will see her just to say hello. I just met her on this site two days ago and am so glad that I can sort of be her angel and post for her. I will update when I get home from the hospital. Maureen

Laura L. 21 years, 9 months ago

Margaret, best wishes for an uneventful surgery and quick recovery!!!

Christine B. 21 years, 9 months ago

Margaret, wishing you well on your surgery tomorrow. I know that you must be getting pretty nervous, I know that I am, we share the same surgery date. I will pray that you have a speedy recovery.

Maureen R. 21 years, 9 months ago

Dear Margaret, I just read your profile...I grew up in Monterey Park and taught at St. Stephen's for 8 years...AND Dr. Katkhouda is doing my surgery on August 16! Isn't he great! I will be thinking of you and praying for you this week. Please write and let me know how it all goes. I have met another woman who had surgery with him about a month ago and is doing great. We should start our own little Katkhouda group! My sister is having hers in September or October...she has different insurance and is having hers at county..she sends her best as well. I hope that your surgery and recovery are perfect. Maureen