2bthinatlast
1/20/07
Jan 19, 2007
My husband and I traveled to WVU on 1/18/07. Met with Dr. McNatt who went over the surgery procedure, risks, and post op expectations with us both. My husband liked him right away...(Mike is very personable, Dr. McNatt is very business like- professional), but something set my husband at ease right away and that made me feel good...Mike is usually a very good judge of character, and I feel that if something happens and these two have to talk about it, I want them on common ground. It was a very long day, met with Mary Anne Yanosik, surgery coordinator first, she went over the post op diet and expectations. Then Dr. McNatt, then on to PAT for interview with RN Anesthestist and same day surgery RN for interview. Nice to have labs and EKG done in one place, then to x-ray. All together we were there from 12:15 to 4:45, but were with someone for most of the time. It was a long day, we stopped so Mike could get something to eat and I had my CIB (yummmm!) Ha! Then home.
I feel very comfortable and at peace. It was a good day, a long day for Mike, though. I feel bad for him waiting through my surgery (he hates to sit in a hospital!). I'll be sleeping (hopefully!!), so he'll just have to bite the bullet. Dr. McNatt was a little late coming into our interview, said his surgery went a little longer that morning...I told him that was fine, didn't mind waiting and wanted him to take all the time he wanted during my surgery!!! (He grinned.) Dr. McNatt said he blocks off a 5 hour time slot for RNY. Mike asked if it would take that long...Doc grinned and said, "I like to take my time." I told him to take all the time he needed ....O.K.! He also is using a robot in the OR "DaVinci" that he sometimes utilitzes...if he's in the mood.. gives him more dexterity in suturing...I told him if he felt like playing with the robot that day it was ok...whatever he wanted, just get a good night's sleep the night before and be feeling really good in the morning....(he grinned again!) I almost offered to bring him coffee and donuts, but didn't want to push my luck!!
Anyway, here it is, Saturday.... next week at this time hopefully I will be feeling ok, up walking and not regretting what I have done. Hard to believe in less than a week this will be happening. I just thank God for the peace I feel, and for the prayers of others, that is truly what is getting me through.
I feel very comfortable and at peace. It was a good day, a long day for Mike, though. I feel bad for him waiting through my surgery (he hates to sit in a hospital!). I'll be sleeping (hopefully!!), so he'll just have to bite the bullet. Dr. McNatt was a little late coming into our interview, said his surgery went a little longer that morning...I told him that was fine, didn't mind waiting and wanted him to take all the time he wanted during my surgery!!! (He grinned.) Dr. McNatt said he blocks off a 5 hour time slot for RNY. Mike asked if it would take that long...Doc grinned and said, "I like to take my time." I told him to take all the time he needed ....O.K.! He also is using a robot in the OR "DaVinci" that he sometimes utilitzes...if he's in the mood.. gives him more dexterity in suturing...I told him if he felt like playing with the robot that day it was ok...whatever he wanted, just get a good night's sleep the night before and be feeling really good in the morning....(he grinned again!) I almost offered to bring him coffee and donuts, but didn't want to push my luck!!
Anyway, here it is, Saturday.... next week at this time hopefully I will be feeling ok, up walking and not regretting what I have done. Hard to believe in less than a week this will be happening. I just thank God for the peace I feel, and for the prayers of others, that is truly what is getting me through.
1/17/07
Jan 17, 2007
Tomorrow I travel to WVU to meet with my surgeon and surgery coordinator. My husband is going with me, and I will have my lab work done for my pre-op work up. I will have one week from Fri. until I have my surgery. It is hard to believe that in just over a year, I have made this decision, gained approval, met all the requirements, and am nearly ready to take this road. My husband is in support of me doing this as he hopes to see me healthier and happier. My kids are not so sure that they want me to do this, especially my son, due to the risks involved including the possibility of death. I haven't lied or sugar coated anything about this surgery to them. I have always tried to be truthful about anything we talk about. I would be lying if I said I haven't thought about how it would affect them if I would die from the surgery or some type of complication. I would only hope they would understand that what I am doing is not for any reason of vanity, but so that I may live a longer, healthier life with them. My parents, my mom in particular, is very worried about me. I have told her and my dad, that my life as it is may be cut short due to my health conditions. They both have the same health conditions that I will be facing if I don't get this weight off. Everyone in my family looks just like me. Am I going against the law of genetics in order to change my body? I haven't always been heavy, but when I look at the majority of my life, I have always been in a battle with weight. My kids don't remember when I was ever a normal size. I wonder if my husband can....
I look at all the negatives that being over weight has caused:
quality of life, ability to play with my kids, feeling uncomfortable around other parents at my kids school functions, having energy to do physical things, being able to clean my house with out suffering for days afterwards, feeling attractive, feeling as though people take me seriously when I am being serious, performing my job without being exhausted and needing a nap when I come home because I am so tired, not being able to exercise, not wanting to exercise, being embarrassed at passing between chairs and my big butt bumping into people, fighting pain and fatigue enhanced by my weight. These are just a few of the things that go through my mind when I think of how being overweight has controlled my life.
Is this the right thing to do? Could one more effort make the difference in my being successful? I guess I need to trust that all the prayers I have said and the clear path that has led me here is answer enough. Now I must trust the peace God has given me to fill my soul and act on faith that I am doing what is right....
I look at all the negatives that being over weight has caused:
quality of life, ability to play with my kids, feeling uncomfortable around other parents at my kids school functions, having energy to do physical things, being able to clean my house with out suffering for days afterwards, feeling attractive, feeling as though people take me seriously when I am being serious, performing my job without being exhausted and needing a nap when I come home because I am so tired, not being able to exercise, not wanting to exercise, being embarrassed at passing between chairs and my big butt bumping into people, fighting pain and fatigue enhanced by my weight. These are just a few of the things that go through my mind when I think of how being overweight has controlled my life.
Is this the right thing to do? Could one more effort make the difference in my being successful? I guess I need to trust that all the prayers I have said and the clear path that has led me here is answer enough. Now I must trust the peace God has given me to fill my soul and act on faith that I am doing what is right....
