48 hours...

... until surgery.  Nervous as can be, even talked to the wife about cancelling it last night.  After all the problems with my band (removed last month after 5 years) and the thoughts of the *major* surgery, I have the typical pre-surgery jitters.  I guess if I didn't, I probably wouldn't be normal :)

Oh well, just wanted to say thanks to all of you here... it has been reassuring to read you stories and the everyday life that comes with WLS.  The doctor can only tell you so much, it is great to hear from people who are actually bypassed.

I'll be sure to hop on in the hospital once I am feeling better and say Hello... Wish me luck!

Anthony

Anthony,

Follow for the Four Mantras of Life Post WLS:

1.  Sip, sip, sip.  Need the fluids.
2.  Walk, walk, walk.  Exercise and prevent blood clots.
3.  Any problems:  CALL YOUR DOCTOR!!  'nuff said.
4.  Never, and I mean NEVER, except on this board, TRUST A FART!!  You may find yourself experiencing a "laundry emergency"!

Strap in tight, hang on and enjoy the ride of your life!

best of luck to you Anthony. I hope everything goes smoothly for you.
If I may ask...what problems did you have with your band? from the sound of it, maybe the question should be what problem didn't you have with your band.
again best of luck on your upcoming surgery. speedy recovery.
Paul

Thanks guys... I appreciate it.

To answer your question Paul, here is my timeline... (some of this may be a little graphic for some people) :)

Banded 3/03 - 423lbs

Late 2006 Early 2007 - Started getting a serious complication, was vomiting saliva in my sleep out my nose, with chunks of food inside as well.  I did not eat within three hours of bedtime... after checking, it was determined that I developed a severe hiatal hernia, and my stomach pushed above my band, creating pouches that hung below the band... if you can see what I am trying to explain.  Anyways, when I laid down, the leftover bits of food and saliva would store up, hit my esoph and I would vomit.  It was really weird how it never came out my mouth though, always come out my nose, felt like a running nose...  Doctor decided to first try removing all my saline to see if it would self heal, it did not, I gained weight, and we decided on a revision.

11/2007 - Revised... hernia repaired.  For the next year fought with the band, couldn't get it too the right adjustment... it was either too tight, to where I couldn't even sip water and had to visit the doctor for emergency adjustments, or too lose, where I had no restriction.  I even went to another doctor to get help, same issues, and under flouroscopy we couldn't find a happy medium.

12/2008 - After a year of fighting and gaining about 80lbs, I decided to have the band removed and switch to bypass.

1/28/09 - Going in for lap-rny...

So... before the hernia, everything was great.  Once that hit, it was all down hill.  I had to sleep sitting upright to avoid choking on my saliva, very uncomfortable.  The revision was a hope, but the band never seemed to work the same after being replaced... and the problems associated from the multiple revisions (pain, reflux that I never had before) just made me decide to give up on it.

Thats my story, and where I sit today.  Hopefully the bypass does me better :)

Thanks again for your comments!
Anthony

Hey Anthony,

I met a girl in the office of my surgeon and she just got "disbanded" after 2 years and went for the Gastric Bypass as well.  She doesn't regret it at all.

You will be fine.  Keep positive and don't forget to walk as soon as you can, I got out of bed the evening after surgery and started to walk the halls.  Your recovery will be go much smoother. 

Best of luck to you!

Bob

Good Luck with your upcoming surgery.  When is the big day scheduled.  I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Jim

Thanks guys... surgery is Wednesday morning at 9:30AM....42 hours, 9 minutes :)

Anthony,
I know I am new to all this, but I just had RNY on 1/7/09 and have done very well.  I have lost over 40# since my H&P on 12/30/08.  Even with all the education required by my surgeon, though, I am having to experience some things and learn them for myself, such as eating slowly and making sure I don't overeat.  But, generally speaking, everything has gone very well.  Thought you might like to hear from someone who just had the surgery and had a good experience with it.

Merlin

Congrats and good luck Anthony!  The being nervous is a normal thing before surgery -  everyone is. I'm sure you'll be fine and will be on the Loser's Bench in no time! We'll be waitin' on ya.

Anthony
I echo what all the bro's have said. Being nervous is natural, but all will go well, I am sure.  Follow the doc's rules and walk and sip.  Come back here with problems or concerns- everybody has them-  mostly just the unknown.  Keep learning as much as you can and get ready for the ride of a lifetime!

Lou