DOUBT - DOUBT - DOUBT

I have done everything asked of me to get to a surgery point.  After waiting so
long I finally called to see where I am at on the list.  They had me waiting a
long time on the phone and came back with a date of May 8th to see the surgeon.
Then I was told that after that appointment I will again be waiting for a surgery
date.  That date is up in the air pending where I land on the list.  I started this
whole process at the end of September 2011.  The stress is killing me. I just
sat and cried.  I called my friend, who had the surgery the middle of January.
She rescheduled her surgery three times before submitting to a date.  We have
the same healthcare provider - Kaiser.  I just don't know how she managed
to get everything more timely.  When I talked to her she told me not to be in a
hurry.  She said, "Understand that it is really hard after the surgery."  "I mean
really hard.  You are in a lot of pain, and getting in your potein and liquids is
not a walk in the park." " At times I am really sorry I had this done."
 Now I am wondering if this is the right decision.  I haven't put all this time and effort into preparing for surgery to have someone scare the living daylights out of me.   She ended
up with a pinched nerve in her leg from the hard surgery table and kidney stones.
This whole thing is making me depressed.
 

I started my process with Kaiser in November 2010 and didn't have my surgery until July 2011.  There are more people that are being approved so the process has slowed a bit.  If you are truly in a hurry, call and ask your caseworker to put you on the cancellation list.  Be encouraged.

First of all, don't stop yourself because of ONE person's experience. I've never had a surgery other than wisdom teeth extraction, and a few stitches - so that alone had me nervous. My surgery went perfect. I didn't have incision pain. No gas pain. I was able to burp/fart immediately. I can actually take a gulp of a drink with no pains, but if I take multiple - I do get air that works out fairly fast if I sit up completely straight. I arrived back home on Monday, and was ready to go back to work on Wednesday. ONLY reason why I didn't was because I knew I need to focus on getting at least 64oz liquid in. The ONLY bad day I had was 6 days post-op.... I wanted a grilled cheese SO bad, and I couldn't get it out of my head. I thought about it all day. If someone had made one, I probably would of eaten it. I went to bed that night feeling kinda 'hungry' - which this was the first and only time I've felt that feeling. It ended up being reflux symptoms. I woke up the next morning FINE as if nothing had happened.
Then, living on liquids for the next month? OMG! As a fat girl, with a normal-large size stomach... that seemed impossible. I'm glad I didn't hafta do liquid diet pre-op - that would of killed me, but post-op... It's a walk in the park. I never feel hungry. I've been able to watch Food Network the day I arrived home from surgery. No issues watching people eat or cooking infront of me. To be honest, I've noticed that smelling food that once made me drool and excited to eat - nothing.
There are many reasons why someone could develop kidney stones - my brother suffers with them because he doesn't drink as much as he should and he eats some things that he shouldn't.
Sure, I know that there are going to be difficult moments in this journey. I've had an awesome start. There are billions of others each with different experiences, some good - some bad. And your friend is only a few months out. You don't know if she's been following directions, you don't know mentally if she prepared herself for this. There is just too much that goes into this process.
Good luck!!!

What a wonderful, supportive response!

and.....Hang in there!!!!

You are very encouraging to me and I appreciate your comments and support. 
I hope I do as well as you have done.    I am just so stressed right now and
tears come easily.  I hate being such a big baby.  It is so important to me that I
put forth a good effort and have success in the end.  Thank you so much for
your story. 

Barbara,

As you know my friend Sallie went through Kaiser as well for her bypass surgery. Her location was through the Riverside, CA  hospital and her initial consultation and supervised diet and education seminars was 10 months prior to surgery.  It is a long process and even mine through a PPO plan and without a need for referral took over 4 months in duration.

It is a long and tedious process but well worth it. You've come this far, maybe ask about a different Kaiser facility and location if that would speed up the process any. Be sure and get on a cancellation list if there is any openings and all of your requirements have been made.

Don't give up the fight you are worth it!

Nance

Hi Nance,
I already asked about a cancellation list and they told me it is not their
policy to use cancellation lists.  I can call at regular intervals to see
if anyone has cancelled, and I will do that.  My friend kind of scared me
with her comments about drinking and eating requirements and her
problems with pinched nerves and kidney stones.  I just want to feel
confident that my decision is the right way to go.  I just needed to
vent, and as always my OH friends are there supporting me.  What
a great group of people!

I love you guys!

Barb

I had a year wait with Kaiser it takes a while. And honestly, that year wait was the best thing that happened to me along this journey. Yes, I was frustrated, anxious, cried when I had to wait, but I wouldn't have changed a thing.

I spent a year dealing with my eating issues, making a lot of changes to my lifestyle, getting healthy, and lost 85 lbs. I'm not saying every can do that, but the transition to post op was definitely much easier than what i've seen most people go through.

One thing you will absolutely need post op is patience. You will deal with very tough times - life will be hard, I won't lie. You will get frustrated with eating and drinking, with stalls that make no sense and drive you crazy. If you cant get through this waiting period, post op life will be very difficult. Hell, if I could go back and have a few extra months with my old stomach, I'd take it!

Don't rush this. Relax. Start eating better, exercising, and prepare for major surgery. This process has not been a walk in the park, but the benefits of losing weight, and the quality of life now is 100X better  even with the stuff I have to deal with (chronic constipation, gerd, etc).

You waited a year?!  I guess I have nothing to be whining about.
I haven't done a reasonable job trying to lose weight prior to
surgery.  I have only lost 16 pounds and I know I could be doing
better.  I will get off my soapbox and use this time to be better prepared.
I know you are opening my eyes to how things will be and I appreciate
that.  Thank you

Barbara