New to posting

Hello everyone,
 How do I become a member of this forum? I have tried for weeks to figure it out. My surgery is in 2 weeks and I have questions. Can someone help me? Thanks!
Dawn

Welcome Dawn . . . you are "in" . . . just check in and ask away!  Great doctor you have (hee hee) . . . glad you found us!

Chris

Thank you Chris! How do I list my surgery in the upcoming surgeries? Also how do I get someone in San Diego for my angel? Thanks!

Dawn

Welcome Dawn
I'm a newbie myself...this has really been a very supportive group...I'm still clicking on tabs to find my way around,...click on 'my oh' and click on all the tabs..you'll fill in boxes there and the answers show up other places. I'm still working this part out but that's where I started ^_^  Have a great weekend!
Nancy aka Sunray

Thank you Nancy for the welcome. I will look into that. I hope you have a great weekend too!

Hopefully someone can answer how to post your surgery . . . because I don't think I ever did that . . . and don't see it at a glance. . . I'm on "drugs" at the moment that are knocking me out . . . so I'm not real coherent to try to figure it out . . . sorry!  I can be your angel if you like!  Be happy to!

Chris

I would love for you to be my angel. Thank you! My husband has been gone for 2 1/2 years serving our country as a private contractor with the US Marshal. He knows I am having surgery but is unsure if he will be able to come home for my surgery. My inlaws are going to care for my kids but they are in the dark about what I am having done. I only want people I choose to tell to know.  They don't want me to have this procedure as they lost a close friend years ago after he had this. I know that they have improved the surgery and I am healthy enough for the surgery.  Okay, so I could write a book. LOL

Dawn

Dawn,

Welcome to the Cali board, we're so glad you've joined us.  Congratulations on your upcoming surgery we're here to help you on your journey.  I had my surgery in Jan and am doing wonderfully, no ill effects, no intolerance to foods and no dumping (except once in the hospital by a nurse!  LOL).  Most of us have written about the experiences in blogs, and that really helped me before surgery.  Please feel free to ask questions and know we're here to lend support.

Hugs,
Barb

Hi Barb!

Thank you for the welcome! Please tell me about the dumping by a nurse? Also when they say liquid diet is that my protein drinks? They are sending me a packet of information for my diet before surgery and what to expect but it won't get to me till Monday or Tuesday and I am supposed to start it on Monday. LOL

Dawn,

Dumping by the nurse.... I was on Metformin for diabetes and she crushed it up with a pill crusher (metrormin is a rather large pill to begin with so it makes lots of powder too) and she put it into orange jello and told me to eat it as you can't swallow pills right after surgery, my surgeon says for 3 months.  I am not a big fan of orange jello to begin with but OMG due to the medication, this stuff was SO bitter, I can't even begin to tell you how bad it was.  I started sweating and dry heaving and felt like crap.  I told her I was going on record as refusing the medication as long as I was in the hospital, so they gave me insulin instead.  I told the surgeon about it and he said, yep classic dumping syndrome.  So I had my experience in the hospital and I don't ever want to do it again!  Thankfully, I was released from the hospital on Sat, saw my PCP on Monday and he took me off of all meds but one and that should be discontinued in March when I see him.

Each surgeon is different regarding their liquid diet requirement pre-op.  In my case, the week before surgery, I was allowed 3 slim fast shakes and all the clear soup broth I wanted and clear liquids, sugar free jello and sugar free popsicles.  Someone on our OH board recommended that I buy regular soup (aka chicken noodle) and strain out the solids and drink the broth for more flavor as I am not a real clear broth fan and it worked like a charm.  So best advice is to call your surgeon and ask them what you need to purchase and see if they can fax the info to you. 

We're here if you need us.

Hugs,
Barb