cowboy4life

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

Well everyone, I did it.  Surgery was scheduled for Wednesday, the 28th at 8 am.  Here is how my experience was and how I'm doing right now.

Checked in at Ochsner Hospital shortly after 6 am and after a short wait, was taken to prep.  My weight at the time was 309 lbs.  I was so drawn from the bowel prep that the nurses could not find a vein for the IV.  The anesteisologist had to find a vein on the back of my left hand.  The hospital assigned a nurse liason to my wife to update her on my status.  From what I hear, she was outstanding.  I don't remember anything after that.  The next thing I remember is waking up fighting with the medical staff that was trying to reinsert my breathing tube because I wasn't breathing efficiently enough.  They had to knock me out again and restrain me to put the tube in.  That was 10 am.  My daughter was crying, my wife was trying to calm her down, not my best moment. 

I had to show that I could breathe on my own and not rely on the tube before they would remove it.  The tube came out at 2 am on Thursday morning.  Then I was moved to do my swallow study, which was fine and then I was taken to a room.  I was hooked to a morphine pump, which I used a lot, but I really wasn't in a lot of pain.  Once I got to the room, I was disconnected from the pump and given liquid pain medication. But the gas, painful as hell.  My son got me up and helped me walked every hour while they were there, finally Friday morning the gas started breaking up.  I actually had a couple of bowel movements and was able to urinate on my own.  I did have a catherer in me after surgery, but when I got to my room, the nurse pulled it out.

Friday morning, after some very unrestful sleep, I got up and walked out of my room, down the hall and back on my own.  The gas started to get better, but as of today, still here.  I got discharged on Friday afternoon, and doing better.  The doctor told me to stay on a clear liquid diet until my bowels are "unlocked" from the gas.  Talk to you later.  Thanks to all for the kind words.

Well, just got off from work.  Drank a protein shake just before I left to stop me from grabbing everything in the house to eat.  Weighed myself in my uniform minus the steel-toed boots.  318 lbs., down three more pounds since last Saturday.  Start clear liquids at 12 noon, with a bottle of Magnesium Citrate thrown in.  Not planning on doing too much, other than getting ready for tomorrow.

Well, I had my consult with Dr. Richardson on Tuesday.  I met a couple of other people in their various stages of this process and I tried to answer their questions as best I could.  When my name was called, I went in and weighed, then to a room with three other patients.  We all met with the dietian, a lady who I never met, Laura Periou.  Considering I had been meeting with Sue Breaux throughout the three month process, I honestly felt a little cheated.  Laura was very nice and answered my questions but I felt like I was starting all over.  Nothing pisses me off more than having to explain something to a complete stranger.  There were no questions about my diet, nothing.  I kind of felt like a cattle call, being herded around with other people.

Not making things any better, I hurt my back that morning.  How?  Reaching to take a damn vitamin.  LOL.  It wasn't a laugh at the time, thank God my wife was home.  I couldn't even straighten myself up.  My whole left side was in spasm, I couldn't even walk without her help.  After about an hour on the massage chair, the spasms stopped and I was able to go to my doctor's appointment.  I am still sore a little today from the chair, I have a shihatsu massage chair, but it's almost back to normal now.  I slept on my stomach Monday night and that's what did me in.

Back to my consult, enough bitchin.

Dr. Richardson came in and talked to all of us about the surgery, basically telling us about the risks, etc.  He brought up his perfect rate of no one dying on his table, knock on wood.  Then after some questions from everyone, we were separated into rooms for a one on one with the doctor. 

Man, I was hella nervous.  He went through my tests and told me that if everything goes like expected, I could go home the next day after surgery.  He said I could go back to work on light duty in 2 weeks.  My job doesn't have light duty per say, then he said, " Well you'll be out 6 weeks."  My plan is to go back to work in 4 weeks and he pretty much indicated that on my short term disability papers he sent back to me in the mail yesterday.

I have to admit, I did slip a little on my diet.  I ate a couple of sliced chicken breast wraps, but no fast food or junk food.

Still maintaining the weight loss, probably lost some more, but I will weigh myself Sunday night when I go back to work.  My surgery is in the morning, but I won't know what time until Tuesday.  Gotta due bowel prep then.  Talk to you later.

Well, it is day 5 of the 14 day liquid diet, and I am feeling good.  No lightheadiness, no real hunger.  I am at work this weekend at my plant in a supervisor role while my supervisor is on vacation.  I was kind of concerned since I wouldn't be able to do my normal outside work.  On Saturday, I actually cooked a low fat chili for my wife and kids.  I had a little of the soup for dinner.  Today, I found a digital scale in the control room and checked to see if it worked.  It wasn't working, but it had a digital battery in it.  I used my battery for my blood glucose meter and checked my weight.  321 lbs.  How YOU doin'!

(in my best Rasputia Lattimore voice) 

I've already lost my pre-op weight that the NUT wanted.  I can't wait for my consult Tuesday.  Maybe there is something to this pre-op diet after all.  Peace.

Well, still here.  I'm at work and just drank my dinner.  A nutritional shake I got from Smoothie King that had 32 grams of protein, putting my over my daily goal by two grams.  Cool.  I gotta tell you.  All of the support that I got yesterday really helps, I don't want to let any of you down.  My dear wife wants to do a two week diet too.  I know she won't do it, but it was sweet of her to say that.  I got a call from the nurse at the bariatric dept. at Oschner, wanting to make sure that I started my two week liquid diet.  She asked me how I'm doing on it, I told her I'm struggling, but I am sticking to it.  Tuesday I go to see Dr. Richardson, my surgeon and I am determined to drop some pounds.  I gained one pound over the weekend on my "farewell tour"  but I ain't telling him that.

Getting plenty of exercise at work, trying to drink a protein drink every four hours.  I even took the kids to Subway for dinner and didn't order anything for me.  One thing I did notice, my urine has been more yellow.  I have been taking a multivitamin every day since Sunday and this started on Monday.  I figure I haven't been drinking enough water, so I am drinking more of that.  I am going to add some Metamucil to the diet too, because I don't want to get constipated.  But increasing the water should help with that.  Talk to you tomorrow.

Started my two week liquid diet last night at midnight. I felt as if I was coming off a bad drunk or something.  I had a headache when I got to work tonight, but it seems to be going away finally.  Seems like every four hours, I get hungry.  Haven't cheated, so I got one day out of the way.  I'm trying to keep my eye on the prize, but I need some suggestions.  I am a type II Diabetic and I am very concerned about keeping my blood sugars level.  My NUT suggested using milk in the protein shakes, skim milk actually, but I hate milk.  I made a little spreadsheet for my diet, so far I have just under 700 calories and 117 grams of protein today.

Well, got some news on Friday afternoon while at work.  The bariatric nurse at Ochsner called me to inform me that they had an approval from my insurance company for my RNY.  She wanted to know if I was ready to schedule a surgery date.  I knew the call was coming, but I admit I was just a little stunned to hear the actual words.  I wanted to have it as soon as I could while still giving my manager time to find a replacement for me on shift.  My first date was the 26th, but I would have had to start my two week liquid diet on Monday.  Not really a big deal, but the surgery date on that date would have meant my wife would have had to take a day off.  Since she is trying to save her vacation days for July and the fact that she just went back to work after her car accident I decided to schedule it for the 28th, which she will be off for.  I am expecting to have to be at the hospital early so the 28th is better.

My last day at work will be the 26th.  Actually, I'm working that night and will be getting off the morning of the 27th.  That week is my normal week off, so the amount of time I won't be at work will be three weeks.  Every three weeks, I get one week off, so I can wrap two scheduled weeks off around the three I work.

I have already contacted my company's short term disability provider and arranged everything there.  I have 26 weeks of 100% pay for the STD, so that's not a worry. 

I kind of had my last bad meals.  I gained one pound over the weekend.  Spent all day yesterday working in the yard, cutting grass, and mowing brush as well as trimming bushes.  I was whupped last night.  Back to work tonight and for the next seven days straight.  My PCP signed off on my surgery yesterday, so I get to see Dr. Richardson on the 20th, and away we go.

Last Friday, I was sitting at home bored and I thought, why not give BCBS a call to find out the status of my insurance approval.  The doctor's office told me on my last NUT appointment that typically 2-6 weeks is the timeframe for approval.  Well, I called and was told that it was approved on April 1st.  ( I know April Fool's Day, LOL)  Letters were mailed to my doctor with CC'd copies mailed to me.  I received the letter yesterday and called Blue Cross to make sure.  Now I have to get an appointment with Dr. Richardson for a pre-surgery consult and a surgery date.  Hot Damn.

I could actually be starting a two week liquid diet Tuesday of this week or the next.  Dr. Richarson only sees patients for consults on Tuesday afternoons, so I am going to try like heck to get in next week.

This Cowboys fan will be bypassed before training camp, God willing.

Yesterday, I saw the bariatric dietician for the 3rd and final insurance required visit.  And I lost another 4 pounds.  I only have 7 to go for my pre-surgery required 17 pound loss.  I am so ready to get this party started.  I would like to have surgery next month so that I can be all healed up before the kids get out of school for the summer.  All of my tests are done and my package should be submitted to the insurance company for approval any day now.  Can't wait.

This past week was my week off.  I work three weeks and receive one week off.  So basically, I work 14 days and am off 14 days in a month.  This week was a little rough.  Started off on Tuesday night with my follow up sleep study at Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans.  I wore the CPAC mask for the whole night.  I slept pretty good, but the hose leaked and every time I tried to talk I had air rushing into my mouth.  This made me talk with an echo, which was annoying as hell.  My wife and I didn't really get along too well this week, mostly because of me.  I just had a feeling like I didn't want to be around her, I felt suffocated. Sometimes you can spend too much time with your spouse.  I need a vacation.

Good news is by Friday, I felt better.  I got a call from the nurse at the hospital.  She told me that all of my pre-op tests were beautiful, that all I have left is my final NUT visit on the 24th.  When I get there, she wants me to come see her so that the package can be submitted to the insurance company for approval.  I can't wait.

Maribeth (my wife) wants us to go to Florida on vacation in July.  She thinks that by then, I'll be all healed up and ready to hit the beach.  Hope so.