Panicked!!

The surgeon's office just got in touch with me.  My white blood cells are elevated which indicates I have an infection somewhere in my body.  I have to repeat some blood work on Monday and have the results faxed to them STAT.  I hate this .. I hate this .. I hate this!!!  I have been told by the person at the drs office that this does not mean my surgery is canceled, but I just cannot help but worry that it will be canceled due to this "unknown" infection.  Did anyone have this happen to them?  What ended up happening?

Calm down, first and foremost, you want to be as healthy as possible going in to surgery.  That's in your own best interest, so if you have an infection and it gets postponed then its for the best.  But you don't know that yet, and the last thing you need is to be stressed out and upset before such a major event as gastric bypass.  Especially since its really not in your control at this point - besides stress is very bad for your immune system so if you have a bug you will fight it better if you don't get worked up.  You will get your surgery so you can trust in that, it just may take a little longer with your lovely pre-op diet (bummer).  All the best and big big hugs!

Step away from the panic button and no one will get hurt!!!!   As Jen pointed out in her post, if you have an infection, it's imperative for your health that it be handled before you have surgery.  Remember the long-term goal here is to be healthy.  Having surgery while you have an infection in your system is not the best way to stay healthy.   Remember big picture = you will have surgery.  Maybe not when  originally planned if you really do have an infection.  But if your bloodwork Monday is clear, you should be a go.  I know it's hard not to worry, but why spend energy on something you can't change?  Either your bloodwork on Monday will be clear or it won't.  If it's clear, you'll have surgery as planned.  If it's not, you'll get the infection cleared up, then you'll have surgery.  End result will be the same, although timing may be different.... If you can accept that this will all unfold as the universe intends, and that you will have surgery in the right time and place for your continued health and well-being, you'll be a lot better off.  Try to take a deep breath and keep the big picture in mind.  I know, I know, easier said that done, but if you can find a little "Zen" to get you through the weekend, that would be great - {{{hugs}}}} Kellie

I am sorry that you are going through this.  Resting and getting enough fluids maybe by Monday your labs will come back fine.  If not then it is best that the surgery is post-poned a few days until your body fights off whatever it is.  I will send lots of thoughts and prayers your way.  It is hard to hear from others that things will turn out in their own time and for the best, but try to stay positive! ((((((HUGS))))))) Jennifer

Good Luck Hon,  Not much more to say except that you have friends here! It would suck to get your surgery postponed...but think of how lucky you are that your docs are checking everything so that you can be the most successful :)  Estelle

Call your PCP on Monday and ask them to pull all your WCB results that they have and then compare them. I have a constantly elevated wbc. You might as well.  My WBC is always hovering around high end of normal or just above normal.  Why? Don't know but it has been that way for years and we can never find anything wrong with me.  The thing we have noticed is that when I am stressed it does go higher (just outside normal range) and when I am not it is just inside the normal range. I got my bloodwork done last week as well and am just above normal range, my PCP is not worried. I will have to wait and see what the surgeon says.  catnip