Tere C.
I have been researching this since July,2000. I chose UC Davis as they are one of the very best. In fact the repair at lot of other messes
from other Doctors attempts at this operation. I especially picked Dr. Nguyen as he specializes in Lap surgery and that
is how I want my done. He studied under the Best in the Country.
I have been obese my entire adult life. The last time I was a size 12 was a Senior in High School. I am, Divorced, 53 years old,
have two grown sons ages 34 and 30, three adorable grandchildren, Two Sweet Siamese Cats and a desire to live a long and healthy
life... I truly want to be healthy and happy ! I am a professional business woman, a City Councilmember and would like to feel better
about me. My surgery is scheduled for Feb. 5th and I am so excited about it. It is like a miracle come true.
Jan. 8th - Wow I have an Angel.....Pat Sullivan I feel so Blessed. I am totally obsessed
with this site. You have all been so helpful. The information
is Blessing.
Jan 14 - Yikes ! 22 Days and Counting Down. Yes I am anxious !
My Surgery Sister, Rhonda. Thanks for all your e-mails. We are there
together. If I could only stop eating now,I don't need one more Last Meal!
(((lol)))).
March 12 - This is the Good News...Bad News....
I am going to be really candid about my surgery experience. I really wish someone had been that way
with me. I am 53 and this was my first major surgery so I was clue less okay? Everything I read on
the WLS site was about dying. NOT!!!!! There is no more risk in this surgery than kidney or
gallbladder so please don't worry about that okay. (Disclaimer: If you have heart problems, Diabetes,
etc. you are a higher risk I had none of those). Perfect health just Obese. Even my Cholesterol was
good! Soooooooo. If you have any concerns at all about dying in this surgery, please put them aside
for now okay! What I was not prepared for was the HOSPITAL..... It is Dirty to say the least. There
was no room on the 8th floor east which is where the Gastric Patients normally are so I was put on 4th
floor which is just a surgical floor. They are short handed my nurses had 7 patients and there was one
nurse His name is Peter I would not let back in my room. He was my nurse the first day after surgery
offered me no assistance to get up etc. Plus he was abrupt and rude. I cried most of the first day.
I weighed 315 lbs going in, woke up in pain, Hit the morphine pump. I could not move in the bed as
when you are in pain and weigh 315 pounds and your insides hurt it is kinda hard. Like I said he
offered no assistance to getting up if I had had someone to help me or someone that cared whether I
lived or died maybe my day would have been better. I think the biggest shock was how dirty the
hospital was. I was there from Monday to Friday. My bed./pad was never changed, the filthy floor
was never mopped, and the bathroom was never cleaned. I was appalled and couldn't wait to get out
of there. Needless to say I would never go back to that hospital for anything.
Dr. Nguyen is a Technician, an excellent technician. He did an excellent job, he is so proud of his
work! and don't mis-understand so am I . That is why I chose him he is the BEST !!!!!!. Now
remember, his job is done after you pass the swallow test. He is a surgeon. The after care has a lot of
improvement needed. He is not a warm and fuzzy guy. This is his job !
I am grateful he did my surgery. I have had no complications!
Thank God I had someone at home to help me for the first two weeks. I had NO ENERGY !!!!!!!!!,
Nausea most of the time.... COULD NOT GAG DOWN THE POWDER PROTEIN DRINKS ! At
the end of my first week I got totally depressed and it lasted for two more weeks. It was horrible. The
only thing that got me through it all was talking to Susan, and Rhonda. Rhonda had her surgery the
same day I did hers was done open and she was on the 8th floor. Same status Dirty Rooms etc. We
truly felt deserted after the surgery. They are really vague about what you can have to eat and after the
1 month mark you are pretty much on your own. I am 5 weeks today. This is my 5th day of feeling
good. My energy level is still low but getting better. I have had several people call me stop by that
have had the surgery done years ago. They all say the same thing. Don't get yourself upset over the
protein at first and DO NOT EXCPECT TO FEEL REALLY GOOD UNTIL 6 WEEKS! Remember
this is MAJOR SURGERY !. I do a little bit each day now. When I am tired I rest. The two weeks
of depression were HELL !!!! I cried every day and worried about everything. Don't expect to
bounce up and feel great one week after surgery okay! Now today... am I glad I had it done?
Yes...But if you had asked me last week NO! I have lost 33 lbs in one month. At the one month mark
I could have cared less I was so miserable, now I am glad.
The staff at the surgical center are really great, I Love CJ, Matilldi, etc. They are really great. The
dietician could do a better job. We need specific inffo. Liek When can I have salad, cereal? She
wasn't sure. Well if she doesn't know who does? So that is where I am now. I have gone elsewhere
for help. Other Dr.s that do the surgery and clinics to see what they recommend.
Please don't misunderstand this okay. I just wish someone had told me this so I could have been
prepared. I just thought everything was going to be great if I survived the surgery and I would be up
and about at 2 weeks. NOT !!!
Jan 21 - Wow ! only 15 days to go. I am so lucky to have Two "SURGERY SISTERS"
Rhonda and Judi to take the Journey with. We are a"TRIO" of soon
to be LOSERS !!! I am so happy for us. I just know that God will wrap us in loving
and caring arms and deliver us safely to the other side.
May we have a speedy recovery and healing. :)))))))
Jan 30 - Oh my goodness! only 6 days til "T" Day. It seems so close yet still so far away.
This is like a Dream, almost too good to be true. I can hardly think of me as a size 16
and a 12 well that is a miracle. "Thank You" to all the wonderful people that have shown me
Love,Kind words and Support. This site is such a Blessing! I Believe that Miracles can happen
and they happen here.
May 1, 2001, Wow what a difference 3 months makes! I am now 259 lbs and feel great!
Sorry I didn't do this when I was younger. Now a size 18/20 and so very happy.