02/26/05
Went to the Hospital to the Seminar to find out about the surgery, Mr. T came to the class with me, not really wanting me to have the surgery or go for this. We were there for 2 hours and we were both well informed and very Impressed with Dr.A M & he answered all of our questions. We came away with a better outlook.
GREAT DAY! 04/21/05
I got my letter of referral from my PCP's Office. SO that was the fist step of many more to come. Look out world.
04/22/05
Got a Date set for the 1st Consultation with the Surgeon.
Its a month away,,,,May 26,2005
05/26/05
Had a 12:30 appt with about 15 other people for our first orientation. Did LOTS of Paperwork, took a personality test of 200 Questions,,watched a video, and Got a talk and what was required from us as mandatory. The nurse did the weight and mesurements,The calculator thingy stated that I need to lose 120#.
The Physician's Assistant named Richard was very nice and he did a Medical History on me. I was prepared I had all of my meds, history & prev hospitalizations typed up, as well as past medical rrecords..I am not sure he was impressed,,LOL. ANYWAY, after that we went back into the Classroom and Jo was very informative with her talk and even though I am a nurse I did manage to aske a couple of questions..... I am concerned that I will have to have an Open RNY instead of the lap, we shall see, Mr. T accompanied me again and was a little bored at first, but then also managed to ask questions during the talk as well.. We discussed the options available on the way home and what will be best for our situation as far as scheduling & employment. This leg Cost me $200.00, some people got away cheaper as I heard of some people paying a co-pay of $10.00 --$20.00..........Oh well If that 200 will get me a little closer. By the time we got home it was dinnertime, we ate out and discussed everything on the menu as to what I might be able to do post op down the road as compared to ordering 2 Full Meals. Stay tuned, MORE TO COME.
06/02/05
Have an appt./w the Psychologist on 06/07/05 @4:30 PM in Fullerton. Will see if I passed the test,LOL.
06/08/05
Appt with Psychologist, went well I think. He said I would be a good candidate. It was amazing how fast the hour went during this meeting. Cost $150.00,I was satisfied with that meeting.
06/12/05
Playing the waiting game for next step.
I have been having headaches on and off for the last 4 days and my B/P has been up in the 168/78 and 158\80. I have a cuff here at home to keep track.I don't know if it is work or weight and age factor, I haVE NOT STOPPED MY B/P meds so i wonder what is going on.....
06/21/05
2:30 PM, Just got a call from the Surgeon's office. I am approved for Surgery, after having a bad day, this was the best news, I am feeling such "joy " inside. I want to yell it to the rooftops.......
02:45 PM-----OK a little setback, I have to see a Cardiologist before I can schedule the surgery so I am going to have to call my PCP for a referral. I knew it was too good for joy... This givves me a little angst....Hope everythings OK in There....
06/27/05
Got a call from Michelle at the surgeon's office. She told me that I need to see the cardiologist, after that I can schedule a date. Funny thing was when she called I was on the other line calling the Cardiologist 'Office for an appointment. That appointment will be 10:00 AM on the last Day of june, this week...
06/29/05
Had the consult with the Cardiologist, I felt terrible as I had come down with a sore throat from ear to ear. I liked this Doctor a lot and he seemed genuinely concerned and was very informative. Had EKG done first thing, He said it looked good. HOWEVER I have to have more testing done before he will clear me. I have to have an Echocardiogram & Stress Test. I guess it is better to be safe thatn sorry, but being the worry one that I am I am afraid something will show up and I'll get "unapproved"
Cost for this visit was $0.00 but I am sure the bill will come in later,LOL
07/04/05
Had such a BAD weekend. Sore throat, flu, body aches, taking forever to get rid of this thing. Makes me depressed wondering if I will heal slowly after surgery, With this "bug" hanging on and on even after antibiotics. Not a weekend to celebrate that is for sure.Still feeling a little angst about the next 2 days, If I can "WALK" & /OR RUN for this treadmill test after having this cold. We shall see..... More to post later.
07/06/05
I had the Cardiolite STress Test this morning. I was alittle apprehensive. I reported in at 9:10 Am appt set for 9:30. Waited about 15 min, the NM Tech came out & brought me back. His name was Steve, he was great & very informative. He tried to start an IV in my Right forearm, (I warned him I was a hard stick). My vein didn't want to cooperate.So he tried the wrist further south and a smaller cath and he finally got it. He injected me with my first dose of Cardiolite. I then had to wait 20 min & drink 2 more glasses of H2O. Then he brought me back to the chaise"table" tilted me back , applied three markers and I placed my hands above my head & waited while the images were being taken, It was serenle dark, with soft music and I could have easily fallen asleep...ZZzzzzz. But I didn't!. I then went upstairs to the cardiologists office and was placed in the treadmill room, stripped from the waist, plastered with leads like an EKG and a belt to hold it up by. B/P & an initial EKG was done. I then got on the treadmill and it started. Walking at a large slow pace and it slowly got faster. By round 2 I could feel it in my legs and my lungs. My chest did not hurt but I was feeling breathless from my asthma. DrN asked If I could go to the third level and I said I would try. The incline started and I felt dizzy, breathless, and calfs hurt. I said I didn't think I could do it all. The tech injected me with cardiolite again and the treadmil was slowwly lowered & turned off with me walking on it. Then another B/P and I got dressed and went back downstairs and drank another 2 cups of water. Someone had food and boy could I smell it being without..... ANYWAY. I got back to the tech he called me in I thought I was getting more injection and he actually let me rest and he took the IV out. I was coughing a lot from breathlessness and I asked if I could use my inhaler. I puffed it x 2 then we waited for my coughing to subside. I finally got placed back on the table for another 20-30 min with arms above head & listened to the music. I had to cough but I couldn't so in the middle of the procedure I started taking big deep breaths and I got the cough to my throat and cleared my throat. I told the tech at the end I hoped I did not "screw" up the pictures. He said he looked at them and they were fine.. Now we wait for the MD to read & report the images. The MD & Tech said I reached the maximum HR, that "i done good" SO we shall see.. Being a nurse I was worried about the t wave on the EKG seemed a little high according to textbook pix...
We shall see
Cost $0 at this time (2 insurances)
07/07/05
ECHOCARDIOGRAM Done today @ the cardiologists office. The test was quick, It was longer to drive to the office than it took for the whole test. Appt @ 11:00 I got there 15 min early. I was out of there at 11:08. Ironically, the test was done in the SAME ROOM as the Stress TEst. How they jammed a ultrasound machine & chair into the room next to the monitor for the stress test AND the treadmill made it oh soo snug. ANY WAY, this was a piece of cake, as they say. Now I play the waiting game... Waiting for results. Hopefully they will be good and return next week..... Cost $0 at this time (2 insurances)
07/11/05
I figure it is about time I tell you something about myself. I am 51 year old old and with the exception at birth I have been overweight my whole life. I remember every meal having bread and butter, meat & potatoes veggie & fruit. I also remember all the scrapings being placed upon my plate, or here "eat this so I do not have to throw it out:, OR"there isn't enough to put away here , finish this". Being the obliging daughter that I was I did. Not till I was older and getting heavier did I realize who my enemy was. I went from a size 16 girls chubby to a size 16 Woman's and at that time the fashions for us looked like the old dresses house wives would wear on TV.! I remember my mother making some of my clothes and I had a pink & blue dress that I loved and I wore it school twice. both times kids pointed at me and snickered" look at her she's pregnant!" I was mortified, I cried & cried and never wore the dress again. I went thru high school looking down to the floor as I walked the corridors because I was ashamed and embarrassed for anyone to look at me.I felt like they were talking about that "fat girl" By Senior year I went to a Dr. and he put me on my first set of diet pills:Tenuate Dospan" They worked I lost 45 pounds with a 600 cal a day diet and pills that I didn't know where the energy was coming from. I did look good for Graduation..... I was ALWAYS told by my mother to watch what I eat so I wouldn't look like"the slob next door" My mother didn't get overweight till her 50's. BUT the ultimate happened several years ago when she introduced me to a friend of hers whom I had never met and said" this is my oldest daughter, she used to be our human garbage disposable when she lived at home, she ate all the leftovers." Well when I told my mother that was hurtful she said I took it all wrong and she was joking yeah right! sabotaged all my life.
Well I escaped from my mom at age 23 by marrying a fellow who I met thru a dating service , we hit it off right away, he was a little heavy and I was too; we were smitten after the 2nd date.married the next year. I was in an RN program and we planned to be married in March during spring break, we were, but alas I blew my exams and :was asked" to leave school after failing an exam by 5 points not once but twice. Another blow to my self esteem, added to that was we moved a lot and I never had true friends just acquaintances....To top that Off I spent all of my years since age 9 with IBS as a child accidents from that does NOT help the self esteem either. I admit I ate for comfort. Food was my best friend. It didn't yell at me it made me feel good for a few fleeting moments.It got worse as I got stressed I started to closet eat. especially after marriage kids. my children were the glue that held me together sooo many times. My husband was gone from 6 am till 8 pm @ night, ate, watched TV & was in bed by 9. I was working nights so I was with the kids during the day after my naps. I guess that is why we stayed together for 20 years. I had Depression & therapy for many years. In between the diets, OH Yeah Like everyone ELSE All the diets & books I could get my hands on, I did Dr. Stillman, Weight watchers. with everyone in there "skinny" that didn't last long. I did Optifast before Oprah but when you get ill and have to quit & revert back to food, the OLD Sponge effect whips in and Poof suddenly you are 200+ pounds again with an additional 5 for good measure! Overeaters Anonymous, TOPS(take off pounds sensibly) I had the 1000 cal diets, Nutritionist Reg Dietician visit MD Order Diets, I tried Phen Phen from a Quack who didn't even take my B/P when I had the visit with him, Weigh no More with rubber bands to snap your wrists with when you thought of food, there was aerobics, health spa memberships x 2 tallying $1200.00 a piece, Dr Atkins, Dr. Phil, The Carbohydrates Addicts diet, Vegetarianism, Diabetic Diet, American Heart Association Diet, Miami 3 day diet, Cabbage Soup Diet, which is similar to the "Dolly Parton Diet", Slim Fast, Metabolic Capsules,another Diet Dr. who put me on pills again. Balance 30-30-40 by my Physician.
With finally finding some guts and self esteem I left my hubby and went out on my own. I kissed a few frogs and a gigolo made some mistakes along the way and then for some strange reason when I wasn't really looking I found my prince on a white horse. I fell for him when after 2 weeks of dating he drove 30 miles to my home at the time, hauled me off to the ER with a fever of 105. Having been burned twice before he was also being very cautious, We moved in together 6 months later and then 15 months later he proposed during a hurricane with all my parents to see on bended knee and asked my dad for my hand in marriage even though I was "used Goods" LOL. We married 2 months later I am proud to say in 2 months time we made all the wedding arrangements, invitations, decorations, flowers ourselves,(almost broke up over a glue gun) but that cooled down :lol: Our theme was "ALL THINGS NEW AGAIN"
We have been on the ride of our lives ever since. When with my prince I have not been happy with my slowly increasing size. I have reached the point of 250 which I swore my 5'3" frame would never reach. I had at one time decided no more diets for me, I have now changed my mind. I had looked at Gastric bypass before but my other insurance would not cover it. I heard the stories of the "old " ways and the dangers involved, I also saw others have it and be successful. I thought If I only could, then I found out my ins would cover it if I met certain co-morbidities. Well Hells Bells, I have high B/P. Asthma(never smoked), Arthritis in my back & r knee started acting up, Id walk across the street or go up the stairs and I am breathless, Then the Diabetes Diagnosis got worse, or I should say reared its ugly presence again.I started reviewing the surgery, saw the ads and really started investigating the OH website. I found out when the "presentation about the surgery was being held and announced to my hubby that I wanted to go with or without him. He was TOTALLY against it, I persuaded him to come with me and listen, even though he kept at the back of the room, he listened. WE went home and he had a better frame of mind about it. His worst fear is" I'm not ready to give you up , to lose you" WELL I am not ready to give up either, I want to live to see grandkids, I want us to grow old together, do the traveling we want to do before we cannot,I have finally found some peace and contentment except for my weight and I don't want to be the Morbidly obese lady who has the stroke or heart attack or gets stuck in chairs. I want to live life to the fullest. My prince has decided that the risk doesn't seem so great as when we first started discussing this journey and if this is successful for me, he hopes to either lose weight as a result of my WLS or might even consider the WLS for himself. Time will tell.My only regret is that this didn't happen sooner. So here I wait for cardiac clearance for my life to begin again. All things new again.
07/19/05 This waiting game is driving me crazy. The anticipation of NOT knowing wheter I passed the cardiology test or not. I called my PCP, he has nothing as yet, the surgeon has nothing as yet, and SO THEN I called the cardiologists office and was tod by his Nurse/ office staff, that my results were "on his desk" I know he is a busy man but it will be 2 weeks tomorrow!~
I really need to pass. my son was visiting and we did the "LA thing" and walked and walked and walked, and thru the King Tut Exhibit as well. I had to take breaks walking up hills & the stairs at the Observatory liked to have killed me and I didn't have my inhaler, I was breathless!. mY FEET BURNED LIKE I HAD BEEN TO HE*L & back again. My ankles were swollen, yes I know it's been hot here. I cannot use that excuse, I know it is the weight. I thought I would lose with all that walking, HOLY CRAP I gained 2 more lbs. when I got on the scale this morning. I was only eating 2 meals a day w no snacking just lots of water. We went to Mt Palomar and that hill and stairs almost did me in again just as the stairs before did. Here I am WAITING IN PURGATORY AKA ANTICIPATING!!!!!!!!
07/23/2005
What a weekend. I STILL have not heard from the Cardiologist's office. I am somewhat bummed out. My oldest son went back to Florida after a vacation, I let myself run out of meds and called my PCP's office and was told the Pharmacy HAS to fax in the request for the refill. THAT was never done. I had a WONDERFUL person offer to be my OH angel and I had to decline because my "prince" is avery jealous person (due to his past experiences prior to our meeting)I know if I accepted teh "angel's" offer there would be some Hello! to pay. Sorry isn't it. I am just in that mode of hating myself & body at the present time and hating the wait I have been enduring. Funny thing is I will have to WAIT again once I do get the clearance. I have a necessary trip planned in Sept and I do NOT want to go threre as a fresh Post OP so I will be in the "WAITING ROOM AGAIN" Thanks for letting me vent.. Sign me STILL WAITING!
ON 07/25/05 I POSTED THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE"
Looking for an Angel in Orange County...
Hi all!
I had an offer by a wonderful male but my hubby wouldn't be happy with that so I am asking for a female angel. I am a 51 yr old pre-op waiting for cardiac clearance, new to California, don't know too many people.. Thank You E T .......... I GOT A RESPONSE FROM A WONDERFUL WOMAN NAMED Lynette In So Cal " For selfish reasons (called a non refundable vacation) I cautiously raise my hand to be your angel. I'd GLADLY be your angel.
And I'm a female... AND AFTER A BRIEF E-MAIL SHE SAID YES!!!!!!
WITH "You couldn't possibly let me down..regardless....we're not going to put our thoughts on me. we're getting YOU through this! Email me if you need my phone numbers or just stay in touch as your process winds it's way to the BIG DAY! Hang tough...it's a once in a lifetime experience.....p.s. Dr. Ali is a colleague of my surgeon, Dr. Leport...both highly ecommended. .............Lynette""""
we BOTH USE THE SAME SURGERY GROUP. I AM SOOO HAPPY TO HAVE A ANGEL TO TALK TO ALONG WITH MY DH. WHOO HA!
07/30/05
I GOT THE CALL... I HAVE A DATE WITH A WONDERFUL DR FOR 12/05/05. HOW DO YOU FEEL EXCITED AND SCARED AT THE SAME TIME? WOW THE REALITY IS SINKING IN!
08/08/05. Well I took a big breath / step today. I told my boss that I have been scheduled for the surgery, I think at first she was a little shocked, but once it sunk in she told me I better not get to a size zero or she might have to think seriously of breaking my legs, LOL. I SERIOUSLY DOUBT THAT!
I also got my first bill from the surgeon's office, for a whopping $37.00, DH isn't happy bout that.
The other good news is that I have kicked caffeine. I have NOT had any caffeine, i.e coffee, starbucks, my favorite DIET COKE or chocolate in 2 weeks. I am drinking water & crystal light drinks & sugar free Tropicana fruit punch. I have to water the punch down because it is too sweet for me. SO I call it "thinning it out". So I am trying... DH is on diet so I am trying to do it with him but I am NOT totally on his diet because I don't like beets too often... Dat's all for now, C YA!
09/13/05 I am headed Home to Florida. We leave CA tomorrow AM & will be there thru Sunday. WE are going to suprise my Dad for his 75th birthday party. I get to see some old friends, get some pampering and see my best friend and celebrate her anniversary and My birthday.. So I will not be OL for about a week.
My big hesitation after reading the posts is whether to tell my folks about my upcoming surgery or not. My hubby & my best freind & my co-worker are the only ones that know. I feel like if I tell my parents they will ridicule me and tell me its not necessary, etc. etc. I do not feel that I would be taken seriously. my sons I will tell at a later date as one is in Fla & 1 here in CA and I also am afraid that if I tell the one in Fla too soon it will get to my EX hubby and his family. I know I should care less but I ALSO know they will talk about me no matter what I do cos I left "the Good Son"
.......But I am ready to see my favorite old eating places and kiss them goodbye as it will be the last time I see them before surgery for at least a year......So all of you have a great weekend and I will see you when I turn 52.
09/22/05 weLL hERE i AM BACK FROM MY TRIP. IT WAS A GREAT TRIP BUT OH BOY JET LAG! DH & I LEFT LAX ON 09/14 AND GOT INTO FLA, PICKED UP OUR RENTAL CAR & DROVE TO LAKELAND. THE MINUTE I WALKED OFF THE PLANE I WAS SLAMMED WITH FLORIDA HUMIDITY! a u g h !
wE GOT INTO OUR HOUSE AND THE POWER WAS ON, TURNED ON THE AIR & WENT OUT TO EAT AT OUR FAVORITE MEXICAN RESTAURANT IN LAKELAND. I CALLED MY MOM TO LER HER KNOW WE MADE IT IN AND I WOULD BE OVER ON THE 16TH. ON THE 15 I GOT UP WAS GREETED ENTHUSTHIATICALLY BY OUR NEIGHBOR AND DID A LITTLE HOUSEWORK (confirmed my lunch date with my old pals from my fla job.)AND GOT READY TO GO TO LUNCH. WENT TO OUR FAVORITE CHINESE RESTAURANT AND WAS THERE AT 11;30 for the first shift, WELL FIRST SHIFT WAS 1 PERSON AND I WAS BEGINNING TO WORRY , THE 3 OF US SITTING AT A TABLE FOR 10 WAS FUNNY, THE WAITRESS KEPT CHECKING TO SEE IF MORE WERE COMING(WE WERE HOPING SO) WELL AT 12:45 THE SECOND SHIFT SHOWED UP AND THER WAS 7 OF TEM, WE HAD A GREAT TIME AND A LOT OF CONVERSING & HUGGING. I DID NOT TELL ANYONE ABOUT MY UPCOMING SURGERY IN THAT GROUP. I THEN WENT TO GET PAMPERED AND HAD MY NAILS & PEDICURE DONE BY MY FAVORITE NAIL TECH WHO PROCEDED TO TELL ME THAT SHE GOT MARRIED THAT MORNING AND THEN THEY BOTH WENT TO WORK. HER DIVORCE PAPERS WERE STILL DRYING AND HE WANTED TO GET HER ONTO HIS INSURANCE ASAP... WE HAD A GREAT TIME FROM 2-4:30.. THEN MY DH PICKED ME UP AND WE MADE ROUNDS ON HIS SIDE OF THE FAMILY, SAW HIS 2 BROITHERS AND STOPPED BY HIS SISTER IN LAWS WHO HAD FOOT SURGERY 3 DAYS PRIOR. THE 16 WE GOT UP & HEADED FOR bREAKFAST AT CRACKER BARREL AND IT JUST WAS NOT AS GOOD AS I EXPECTED. I COULD NOT FINISH , WE DID HOWEVER PICK UP ANOTHER GIFT FOR MY DAD & TRINKETS FOR MY CO-WORKERS. WE GOT TO TAMPA WENT TO THE PARTY STORE AND GOT THE BALLOONS TO SUPRISE MY DAD. IT WAS SO HUMID AND HOT I WAS MELTING AND MY DH SAID LETS GO FIND A COOL SPOT YOUR'E FACE IS RED AND YOU ARE MELTING, SO WE WENT TO MY BROTHERS OFFICE TO FIX UP 15 BALLOONS. WE THEN CALLED MY MOM & TOLD HER WE WERE ON THE WAY TO KEEP MY DAD FROM THE FRONT WINDOW & SHE DID..WE PLACED THE BALLOONS ON
IN FRONT OFF THE DOOR AND RANG THE BELL & HID AROUND THE CORNER, HE CAME OUT AND SAID "WHAT THE HELL' LOOKED AROUND THE CORNER AND THE SHOCK OF SEEING US AND TURNING WHITE AND THEN SUPRISE AND TEARS OF JOY ALL WITHIN 1 MINUTE." iT TURNED OUT TO BE A GREAT SUPRISE...WE WENT TO DINNER THAT NIGHT AND IT WAS GOOD UNTIL A LATER MOMENT WHEN MY NEPHEW WAS EATING AND HE WAS OFFERED HALF OF MY STEAK AND MY HUBBY'S STEAK & MY MOM'S PORK CHOPS, mY MOHTER TURNS TO ME AND SAYS "WELL I GUESS YOU HAVE BEEN REPLAED AS MY HUMAN GARBAGE DISPOSALE" gENE CAN TAKE IT OVER NOW" i TOLD MY MOM THAT WASN'T REALLY NICE AND I DID NOT APPRECIATE THAT. MY SIS JUMPED IN AND SAID IT WAS N'T NICE FOR EITHER ME OR HER SON AND MY DAD SAID "MARY" THAT WAS NOT A NICE THING TO SAY!" I WIS PO'D MORTIFIED AND ANGRY WITH MYSELF THAT I LET HER TELL ME THAT AGAIN! I DECIDED RIGHT THEN & THERE IT WAS NOT A GOOD TIME TO "TELL" THE FAMILY ABOUT THE UPCOMING WLS.
WE LEFT AFTER DINNER & WENT HOME. NEXT DAY PACKED OUR BAGS & TRIED TO DO LAUNDRY BUT THE WASHER WOULDN'T DRAIN THE WATER SO WE WENT LOOKING FOR A NEW ONE, WE WENT TO MY DAD'S BASH AND MY SUPRISE WAS UPSTAGED, NOT ONLY DID AN AUNT WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE RAOD SHOW UP WITH HER DH & DAUGHTER, ANOTHER COUSIN THAT I HAD NOT SEEN IN 18 YEARS SHOWED UP. I DID NOT EVEN KNOW WHO SHE WAS!EVERYONE WAS IN TEARS...
MY NIECE ASKED ME IF WE COULD COME BACK AT DECEMBER I TOLD HER I WAS OUT OF TIME. I THEN FOR SOME STRANGE REASON DID TELL HER THE "SECRET" THAT I WAS HAVING SURGERY IN DEC AND THAT WAS WHY ICOULD NOT COME BACK THIS YEAR. I ASKED HER NOT TO TELL HER MOM MY SIS OR MY PARENTS OR ANY ONE ELSE. SHE SWORE SHE WOULDN'T. I HAVE NOT EVEN TOLD MY SONS YET AND I TOLD HER THAT TOO..
WE THEN SAID OUR GOODBYES 5 HOURS LATER & HEADED TO MY BEST FRIENDS HOUSE TO SPEND THE NIGHT. SHE HAD DINNER PREPARED & WE WENT INTO THE HOT TUB 7 SOAKED UNTIL MIDNIGHT. GOT UP THE NEXT AM 7 SHE MADE A QUICHE TO DIE FOR! WE THEN SWAM 7 GOSSIPED 7 YAKKED SOME MORE UNTIL 3 PM AND WE HAD TO LEAVE FOR THE AIRPORT, WE HEADED TO ORLANDO 7 HAD TO GET THE CAR TURNED IN BY 5 PM FOR A 7 PM FLIGHT, LOL WE GOT THERE AT 4:57 PM. WE GOT THE PLANE, FLEW INTO LAX WAS PICKED UP BY MY SON AND AMBLED HOME AT MIDNIGHT. CAT WOKE ME UP AT 6 AM MONDAY AND BACK TO WORK I WENT WITH MY AS*TEROID SOMEWHERE OVER THE GULF..
10/10/05 HUBBY AND MYSELF WENT TO THE NUTRITION SEMINAR AT ORANGE COAST FROM 10 AM 12:PM. TEH ROOM AGAIN WAS CONFERENCE ROOM d AND THAT ROOM IS TOO SMALL FOR A SEMINAR FULL OF OVERWEIGHT PEOPLE. ANY WAY___>CLIMBIMG OFF SOAPBOX NOW. THE SEMINAR WAS VER INFORMATIVE AS TO WHAT TO EXPECT AND WHAT YOU ARE ALLOWED TO EAT AFTER SURGERY AND WHEN. MY DH WAS AMAZED THAT THERE WAS SO MUCH AVAILABLE IN SMALL AMOUNTS...WE ASKED A FEW QUESTIONS AND THEY WERE ANSWERED. AFTER THE CLASS HE MENTIONED AGAIN THAT HE FELT MUCH MORE SECURE WITH MY DECISION AND HE EXPECTS TO BE ABLE TO DO SOME OF THE "LIVE IT" WITH ME AT 1000-1200 CALORIES. HE EVEN ASKED THE rd IF HE COULD DO IT AND SHE SAID SURE BUT EXPECT TO LOSE WEIGHT. AS MARTHA WOULS SAY "IT'S A GOOD THING" WELL HERE I AM 55 DAYS OUT AND IN A HOLDING PATTERN, MORE TO FOLLOW...........
10/18/05 Drs. Talk- Got there @3:45, Dr was in surgery, We were told to wait. a group of us about 15-20 people in the class, we started asking questions of each other, who is your Doc? When is your date, etc. We had 3 having surgery the next day, they had their 1:1 scheduled as well. I took the oppourtunity to get my paperwork turned in doe disalbility and for LOA, THAT cost me $10.00, thank goodness for credit cards,lol. Dr. Chin showed up @ 5:00 pm, he was very apologetic. He pretty much went over everything I had heard from Dr ALi's talk in Feb @ the beginning of this journey. I found him very personable and likeable. He ended the meeting @ 6 PM. I found Jennifer B my surgery "partner" we are having surgery the same day & same MD & Hospital. We swapped numbers and ws amazed that Dr. Ali didi not give the talk. We were told he was. ANYWAY, by the time I got to my car it was after six & my hbby was calling me Long Distance on the cell wondering why I had not called. I gave him the scoop, & drove home. Next Step MY 1:1 W Dr. Ali is scheduled Nov. 1,2005. then I assume it is "pre-op procedures". TTFN.
10/24/05
jUST A QUICK NOTE. I have "opened up" I told m youngest son about the upcoming surgery on this past sunday and he is ok with it. He agreed to donate blood if I need it. He even is willing to take a day off to be with Arnold at the time of surgery and I was so afraid to tell him.
I can top THAT off, I todl my mother last night in Florida(via phone) that I was scheduled, her first remark was "its been in the new with bad publicity" but then when I explained why? She became more open. I am sure my mom will spread it around to the rest of the family in Florida, so the last one left is my oldest son......
wELL i PANICKED TODAY THAT i WOULDN'T BE READY FOR MY 1;1 TOMORROW, WITH LOTS OF HELP i FORMULATED MY QUESTIONS. I WILL LIST THEM HERE IN CASE ANYONE EVER NEEDS TO MAKE A LIST OF THEIR OWN:
Are you listed with the ASBS?
Follow-up visits after surgery.
How can I improve my chances of a complication-free surgery and recovery?
How long should I wait before I can: travel (fly), drive, house-work, sex?
How long will I be out of work?
How long will I need to be careful with the pouch to avoid the staple line disruption?
Is there anything I can do to avoid getting blood clots? What can I do to avoid this?
Pain management plans? Demerol vs Morphine vs Dilaudid You or Anesthesiologist?
What is the hospital stay for Open & Lap RNY?
What is your most common complication?
What kind of medications am I allowed to take after surgery? DARVOCETT N 100?
What kind of tubes will be in me when I wake up? Where & Why? Drainage Tube when I go home?
What over the counter medications will I be allowed to take after surgery. BENADRYL? ? Metamucil?
What steps do you take to deal with complications?
When can I restart exercising?
Who decides on my regular meds that I have taken pre-op I'm concerned about taking my meds post-op.
Will it be a problem to have it lap because of my past two C-sections? History of Adhesions
With in your experience, what has been the most Common complication?
With in your experience, what has been the most deadly complication?
Can a family spend the night with me the first night after surgery?
Can I be given something for nausea/vomiting before surgery?
Do you have plans to move, change practices or relocate in the next two years?
Do you see any common thread with-in the Patients that have complications?
Does my age benefit me for the surgery or is it a hinderance/ How abiut the BMI I have>
have the lost any on the table.
have they lost any patients after surgery...how far out and why.
How are leaks detected? How often wll I be tested for leakages?
How could I check for future ulcers if it is bypassed?
How do you determine how much to "Bypass" 70-80? Distal vs Proximal
How is the size of my new stomach determined?
How many follow up appointments do I have to have?
How many have the done of each type.
How often has your patients had a bowel problem?
How will the history of IBS effect my recovery or complications?
I heard of a stapler misfiring of a stapler--why do you think that happened?
If the surgeon does both lap and open...what is the criteria in choosing one over the other.
Mortality rate?
On an AverageHow often do complications on an procedure cause later surgeries to be Done?
Should I bring my own meds in just in case or just a list of meds
Success rate?
What is a "bowl obstruction"?
What is a "Twisted Bowel"
What is the long term success rate of your patients who have had this particular kind of surgery
When should I be able to lift things again?
Will I be on a respirator?
Will I be tested post op for leakage?
Will I need to do tests in the future on the unused part??
Will my (spouse,be allowed to stay with me until I'm wheeled into surgery? Recovery Room?
Will the ET tube taken out of my throat before I wake up?
Will you be here for my long term care
Future Update
Nov. 1, 2005
had my 1:1 with Dr. Ali @3pm. he was very nice and very calm and resErved, answered all of my above questions, no matter how silly or repative they may have sounded to him. My DH accompanied me and he left feeling more self assured about this journey than he ever was, although i was nervous the night before, it was a great meet & greet as I would say i FEEL LIKE I AM IN CONFIDENT & SAFE HANDS. I also got a call from Michelle my pre-op coordinator. I have my pre-op testing scheduld for the 14 of November ((as does my surgery buddy Jennifer)) Then on the next day November 15 I have my scopes (both upper & lower) Then on the 16th ALOHA! VACATION!!!!!!
NOV9,2005
I went to my first group support meeting Monday night with my DH & another "loser" Michelle. We rode together and got there in time. I enjoyed the group, some information was really helpful, some other people were nice to meet. Pre & Post Op. I liked the presentation that Ms Le Mont used., Wed I went to a "screening" pre-scope visit with the gastroenterologists office. Was disappointed that I did not get to meet him , but i liked his PA really well. Will be doing the clear liq thing this Sun & Mon for the procedures. Still have Pre -ops Monday Morning!
The ALOHA!
November 26,2005
Aloha!
Hawaii was wonderful. beautiful & kept my mind occupied. It was a blissfull & fast Vacation. I have to admit I slipped off the wagon a little. I didn't time my fluids 30 min after my meal as I had been prior to vacation, I tried to remeber but Alas did not accomplish this 100% of tht time. DH & I renewed our vows, We both got some new finger "bling bling".
Thank God for Grocery stores that offered Cooked Thanksgiving day Meals, WE came home Turkey Eve @ 11PMand We bought such a meal on THANKSGIVING DAY!
I did manage to finish ALL of my Christmas shopping since my Surgery is 9 Days away!!!!!!!!!!!
Have to get to work for a week and then get all my things in order for the trip to the Hospital. I See my PCP for clearance on monday
the 28th & hope to attend the meeting tht night..
Its been SOO Long since I started this journey Im nervous but not so scared but I am on edge. I cry easily & "snap" quickly.
I did realize in Hawaii that a few things NEED to change
********Need to lose weight so I do notget mistaken for SHAMU!
*****I want to be able to walk without my legs and feet burning
and find myself searching for chairs!
Although I like my Muu Muus I really would like to wear the cute off the rack ruffled muu muus that were on the rack in Hawaii.
12/02/05
I received a prescription for antibiotics from the Gastro specialist last night in the Mail with no explinations. I called the office this morning to find out I was (+) for a thing called H PYLORI stomach infection.! It was written on 11/22/05 He called me and left me a message to call him on 11/21. I was on vacation & returned 11/24.
I had been calling his office ALL WEEK for my results!
I Called the surgeon's office in a ANXIETY PANIC! The pre op cooordinator told me that I needed to take the drugs as soon as possible, pre-op!
Hell Fire and Damnation! How is 2.5 days of antibiotics going to correct a stomach infection prior to Surgery.
SON OF A BISCUIT EATER!!!!:-@
THANKS FOR LETTING ME VENT! 70 Hours till SURGERY!
12/04/05
Well here I am, my last enrty as a MO person1
20 hours before the big event.
DH & I report to the hospital @5:15 AM tomorrow .
Taking clear liquids and the "prep". Scrubbing with bacterial soap.
Taking thse dam antibiotics...#$%*#~&)*"&
My "last supper" last night was at Claim Jumper in Fountain Valley. My son called from LA and asked if he could go to dinner with us. We were going to go locally, but since my son wanted to be a part of it we decided to meet half way. Fountain Vally was a good choice because we could show him where the hospital was. I chose Claim Jumper because I heard that they had good food and I had never been to one since our arrival in California 54 weeks ago.
plan to wrap presents today & get my few things packed for tomorrow~
See you on the "loser's bench!
OR Update;
12/04/05 went thru the lovely prep after 12 noon with clear liquids and MOM. Did okay for the most part. For one fleeting moment I had some doubts, am I doing the right thing? Went to bed & set the alarm for 4 AM.
12/05/05 Day of Surgery:
Woke up @ 3:45 am, got up and showered & scrubbed the tummy with antibacterial soap. Took my blood pressure pill with a sip of H20 & woke up the hubby, we needed to leave @4:30 am to get to the hospital @5:15 designated Time. He got up, & took a shower, it was 4:3 and I started hyperventilating & “screaming we have to go”, he serenely got the “stuff together and we got down to the car and it was 4:40. I was freaking out. “There is no way we are going to make it on time, They are going to cancel my surgery”, Over and over I was repeating to myself, there’s no way, there's no way. I just shut my eyes, held on tight and prayed. Thanks to the HOV Lanes we were at the hospital @ 5:20 AM, walked into the front door and signed in. (I filled out the form wrong) go figure! We sat down and waited. It was 5:50 when she called me back to the OR Holding area. First thing I had to do was place on me the lovely LARGE hospital gown, give a specimen to ck for my previous UTI and crawl into a wonderful bed with the Bair hugger blowing warm air! AHHHH, Believe it or not my blood pressure was down and I was settled in. After all the questions and 2x TRIES on the IV Start. My DH was allowed to come sit beside me. He comes in sees me in my surgical garb and whips out the camera. OMG what a picture. I was amazingly calm. My DH told me my surgical buddy J B was outside. I asked the Nurse if she could come in and they went and got her, we hugged chatted, discussed the wonderful prep and said, “Here we are!” DH took a picture of us together. She went back out of pre-op holding. Then I saw Dr. LePort walk by and 5 minutes later Dr. Ali showed up, he checked on the specimen, which was good, checked my chart and asked if I had any questions. I asked about the infection of H-pylori that I had and asked about using Dilaudid or Demerol in the PCA because I remember Morphine had made me nauseous. The anesthesiologist came in briefly scanned the records, asked me 5 questions and left, Then it was time for good byes, MY OR nurse came out and said it was time for me to go on my journey, He let me kiss DH a few and wheeled me thru to OR. I remember the room and the light’s the scrub nurse and I was asking sooo many questions, kidding around with all of them about being a Nosey Nancy Nurse.” I worked in OR in 1977…The anesthesiologist came in explained again what her was going to do, he placed a clear oxygen mask on my mouth and I said What happed to the black rubbery kinds that smelled? He laughed and said these were better to see me with. He hung 2 small Iv bags and I asked Him what they were. One was antibiotic and the other was lovenox. He then told me I was going to relax and to breathe deeply! I was a gonner!
Next thing I remember is blinking my eyes in Recovery and a nice brunette nurse was checking me and telling me to take deep breathes. I had an O2 nasal cannula on and she asked me if I was having any pain and I said no only soreness. I asked if my DH could come in and I was told no. I felt these strange pumping things on my feet and they hissed as they inflated and deflated. I remember opening & closing my eyes quite frequently and she would talk to me and she told me she was setting up my PCA pump (pain med) with morphine. I remember asking/ telling her that I wasn’t supposed to have that it was supposed to be something else. Thank God I am not allergic to it. I was too drowsy to arguer. Next thing I know she says we are going up to my room and I was in an elevator, a hallway, and into a bed. Hooked up to all my paraphania. Pulse ox, o2, “puffers” IV's & the like. I remember the nurse asking to look at by belly, I tried to look but I was not able to see without my glasses. I heard her count, one, two, three, four, five, six!
YEAH NO OPEN! Laproscopic! I dozed off for a moment and my DH was in the room telling me that the Dr said I did fine. I was a little sore on my left side but not my right; the left side had the bigger incision.
But oh what a night! You cannot get any rest in a hospital, constantly someone coming in for vital sign, then respiratory therapy, injections, check the pumps, 4 Hours post surgery I had to Pee. I had to call for help and get someone to let me up. It was a little hard at first but oh what a relief! Problem was the IV and this happened quite often during the night
12/06/05. Woke up @4:30 Am thanks to the lab and I could not go back to sleep I was soo uncomfortable from the pulsating air mattress, the booties and all the other bells ands whistles. The Resp therapist came in @ 6 am to give me my treatment. Told me she would be back in a few minutes and NEVER returned. That dam thing kept whistling & fizzing. Got Vitals @ 7 am and Grace Dr. Ali’s Pa came in told me how I was doing and that I was going to get clear liquids a day early, and change my pain meds if I wanted to go to p o liquids. Whoo Hoo! DH got there @ 10.00AM & I got up and walked, gingerly but walked the halls. He was my Mix meister. He kept mixing my 1 oz cups of water, cranberry & apple juices, He would set them up and I was watching the clock!. Boy it felt good!
Tuesday evening DH went home to sleep, as the chairs available in the room were not of the comfortable persuasion. Just as well. My angel Lynette came to visit @7:30, She showed up with a hug, a smile and a bag of goodies including a bear & flowers, She is soo sweet my angel. She stayed until 8PM when visiting hours were over.
I started running a fever, 100.8. I practiced on the IS machine & asked for my liquid pain med. Wow I actually got to sleep for 2 hours and woke up in a sweat, needless to say the fever broke. BUT I couldn’t go back to sleep, called the nurse after lying there an hour, got up and then down again. They left the door open and the screen was pulled but all the garn light and the noise kept me from sleeping. Finally when it was 2 AM I asked for my pain meds again so I could sleep and get comfortable. Well after 30 more minutes it worked I slept until 5 Am when the lab tech came in turned on the bright and drew my blood, she moved my bedside table and DID NOT close the door and so there I was not sleeping again! So I tossed & turned until 7 am Vitals. 8 AM Dr. Ali came in & told me that I could go home today, he took off my oxygen & ordered my IV to come out. I said really? He said yes, Whoo Hoo! I couldn’t believe it I could sleep in my own bed tonight. I got up and got a new gown on and was up in a chair when DH arrived. I told him the good news and he couldn’t believe it! J B came to the room to ask me if I was going home and I told her yes, she said she was too, Then Dr. Ali’s PA came in and said we couldn’t go until 5 PM. OK so we wait! Then at 10 AM the resp blonde bimbo comes in and says, “I have to do your treatment, WHO TOOK OFF YOUR OXYGEN? “My Doctor I said. She took my sat and it was 85 “that’s too low you need your oxygen. I’m calling your doctor they are not going to let you go home with this! And out she marched! I muttered, “That’s what you think”. She then returned and says I talked to Dr Ali; he is aware of your problem and is still releasing you. Make sure you use your IS & take deep breathes. The nurse shows up with a fistful of juices & protein puddings for me.
Almost real food! I slowly took some of the strawberry PP (protein pudding) and ate ¼ of it. Not too bad. Then I was sipping every 5 min, watching the clock again. Walked the halls a couple of times, Noon the CAN comes in and asked, “ do you want a shower? Oh YES! DH had not brought up my muu muu yet so I settled for yet another nightgown
Boy, did the shower feel good. I felt almost human. 2PM I started feeling warm. CAN took my temp it was 100.8 again. I thought to myself OH NO! NOT AGAIN! I asked for my liquid pain med knowing there was Tylenol in it and sipped, sipped & sipped. 3 PM
Temp was 99.6! Yes it worked, DH & I sat & waited, & Walked & visited JB & walked.
4:30 pm DH went to ask if we could leave early for traffic and was told no, “Sigh”
Then he went to take some stuff to the care and JB shows up in my room in a wheelchair to tell me she is headed home. We hug and she is out of there. 4:45 Nurse comes into my room and asks if I am ready to go home, had to go over all of the instructions, etc. got into the wheelchair as DH returned to the room. Got wheeled downstairs to the door and waited till the car pulled up. Got into the car it was 5 PM. OH the traffic on the 405 was stop and start even in the HOV lane! By the time we hit Ladera Ranch I was nauseated.
Got home got out of the car & started to dry heave and nothing came out. Got upstairs, stripped & crawled into my bed. Slept for an hour, got up @ 7 & spent most of the evening in the recliner with a pillow and a cat on my lap. 10.PM I took my pain med & crawled into bed. Blissfully Sleep till 5 am 12/8/05.
12/12/05, One Week out. Cannot believe how good I feel.
Took my b-12 this am. Got on the scale here at home. According to my scale I have lost 10 lbs since coming home. Been sipping & walking & slurping puddings thru my teeth(LOL)(not necessarily in that order). 5 Days out I switched myself to liquid tylenol & left the "hard stuff". Since Sunday I have not even had any meds for discomfort, First Wow moment. Friday night 12/09/05 I could sleep on my right side post op!. That's my favorite Side.Went to the Apt.complex tree trimming get together Sunday and I supervised while the others decorated, I told one person I had stomach surgery and immediately she says . "you had the gastric bypass didn't you?" I admitted I did but I was sure taken aback that you mention your stomach and your overweight and BOOM! naturally assumed. She couldn't believe that I was up and around. They served Root Beer Floats & Cookies, ME? I had my Isopure cocktail with me and sipped the whole time! Didn't even want a cookie!~ Ha Ha Ho Ho HO!
Will update on the20th (2) weeks post op, then I will know medically how I am doing!
12/20/05
2 Weeks Post Op Visit with Dr. Ali @ 4:30 pm. Felt very comfortable riding in the car this time. Weighed in with a 19 pound loss. WHO WHat a Beginning! Started working out on the treadmill today, will try to increase 5 min every day if I can tolerate it. My B/P was 112/72 which is good. Dr. looked at the scars, asked me about fluids & dumping & nausea. Had dumping @noon today because before I had realized it I had sipped my way thru 10 oz of soup and it sure hits fast, nothing but the cramps and the euns, but it subsided. I cannot wait till this phase 1 of the diet is over it os getting old,and boring. Looking forward to new things... Just have to measure everything for my own safety sake. Happy Holidays to all~!
01/24/06
7 WEEKS OUT!
We are back from our mini-vacation.
Loved the San Diego Zoo, & San Francisco
Went snowmobiling in Lake Tahoe, 9,000 Feet above sea level. Snow,Absolutely Gorgeous!
Came home Sunday night by U-Hauls
My car and a 200# deer had an altercation in Northern California and the Ford is in the shop and we think the Deer is ok, we did not see him when we turned around, he busted the grill & broke my Radiator so we had to rent a U-Haul to carry the car home.
I go back to work tomorrow. Saw Dr. Ali today.
I have lost 43 pds. in 7 weeks & am not on Blood Pressure Meds anymore. I have had some issues from Vomiting after eating. He thinks I need to slow down more between bites. Hope that is the problem~ Return in 6 weeks if no more problems!
FEB 21,2005
Wow. 10 Weeks Out!< All my fat sizes are gone!. I went out shopping last weekends and got some great deals at Kohl's, Got Size 16's & 14's off the Rack, tos and pants for $5 each~! I have not been a size 16 since I was 13 as a wore a chuby 16 Girls dress~ I can see it in my face, I can see it in my waist but my jelly belly is still there, I have to admit my thighs don't rub like they used to, LOL.
I had some blood work drawn by my PCP on Feb 10 to see if everythng was Normal, Everything was EXCEPT my Potassium, so he started me on those pills to see if it turns out ok, My Cholesterol was normal triglycerides were normal, Liver studies & Cardiac Profile normal, Iron levels normal. Whoo Hoo!. Got a new picture taken by my DH to show my family in Fla what I look like under 200 #, I have not been under 200# for at least 30 years.OMG
I still having problems with Chiclen for some strange reason, no matter what way it is cooked it doesn't stay down except in soups. I have been able to eat a small Boca Burger without any difficulty. I have timed my bites to at least 5 min a part like Dr. A. said and the barfing has decreased. I was getting worried that was loosing nutrient's with the weight loss. I need to exercise more & go back to group AND keep the fluids flowing. The drinking has gotten harder since I cannot GULP like I used to, but all in all .I feel great and my Only complaint is that my Arthritis in my back is acting up with the loss of the skin Gel cushionng. As lng as I have tylenol and a heating pack. I am OK. I have my 12 week check up on March 7, will try to post more then. TTFN
FUTURE UPDATE I see that I have missed a lot
Im not lost ....
......just busy
after moving to Florida , unpacking and starting the new job, i just haven't been near the computer.
My DH , bless his heart bought me a new outfit to celebrate my new job, I need to have busines dress. Since all my 2XL & XL have gone way away (left in California)
I didn't have much to wear. 1 dress from Mexico that says 1 size fits all....
My DH suprised me and had a dress suit that I had been eyeballing since we returned, everytime we went to the Grocery store I said one of those days I have to go into that store(referring to the clothing shop) next door.
Well I came home Fridaya dn there in the bedroom was hanging on the door the suit I had been drooling over. I asked what size it was and he said "medium Petite"
I laughed and said that sounds like a steak I used to order in a restaurant!
Well it probably will be too tight for me..... OMG
It fit , perfectly! I knew I had slimmed down, duh, 165 from 255in 7 mos!.
the idea of a "medium petite" slammed my senses! I still go into the stores and look at the Xl rack, gotta get that brain to catch up with my body!
well gang I was floored!
It seemed like I have gone past my AGE 13 size..... Well of course at 13 I didn't have the extra flappy skin I now see on my thighs and arms,
But wow
Would I do it again??
In a NEW YOUR SECOND!!!!!!!
TAKE CARE & I MISS YOU ALL !!!!!!!!
FUTURE UPDATE
