BAShinn
A New Member Joins the Banana Republic!
Nov 20, 2007
November 20th: Just walked in the door a couple of hours ago. I'm fine and dandy! Feeling better than I felt with the band...to be honest. I am already sick and tired of clear liquids, but it's not that I want anything else. I'd rather just skip it all! Yay! lol
I am doing a huge dinner for Thanksgiving (I'd orignally said NO NO NO because I thought it'd be like the band and I'd want to eat everything available), but no. So, I'm doing the whole deal.
Mexico was totally different! This time I was immersed in TRUE culture! Nothing touristy about this town! I couldn't even find a doggone post card! Can you believe that????? The first night, Mikel, Hilary and I ate dinner in Pierdras Negras at a great place called Moderno (people eat late there...the place didn't fill up until around 8:30) with my surgery buddy, Mike (aka GrumpyBear) and his wife. We had a blast. They were hilarious! We ate and ate and ate and ate! Whew! NO drinking for the patients and that sucked! Sad news...when Dr. Alvarez (who is a certified HUNK) went in to do Mike's surgery, he had to stop. Mike had so much scar tissue from his 1991 motorcycle accident that it wasn't safe to go on.
My surgery went amazingly well. I did have some scar tissue, but Dr. A was able to work within the scope of the situation, correct that problem, and give me my banana/sleeve/3 oz. stomach! lol I love it! Dr. A was a terrific doctor. He came to my room 3-5 times each day. And when I left, he insisted on giving me a huge hug (no fight on my part...Hilary was jealous...she wanted a hug too...hehe). The hospital was very small and very old; however, the nurses were exceedingly competent and caring. I loved the driver who picked us up in San Antonio and then drove us to the hospital and back to San Antonio. Her name was Rosy and I thought she hung the moon! She was a wonderful, charming, warm human being. This was clearly more than just a job. Her father was a dentist in P.N. and knew Dr. A's father (also a gastroenterologist/surgeon). Rosy has twins and I loved her stories! What a couple of characters! Priscilla, Dr. A's private nurse, was also great. She came and checked on us several times, so I felt VERY cared for! Back in San Antonio, I spent lots of time in the courtyard of our hotel enjoying the lovely Texas weather...mild with a gentle breeze. Hilary and I spent hours on the patio in the courtyard listening to music and talking about Texas.
This was so different from my band. I'd heard patients say Dr. A is extremely gentle in handling the organs and I believe it. First off, he sat and spoke with Mikel and me for as long as it took to calm us down. I was calm, but poor Mikel was a bundle of nerves. Dr. A wanted to make certain that Mikel was okay with all of it. Secondly, as I said, I have had almost NO pain. At this same time with the band, I was still walking hunched over and having lots of gas and discomfort. I was really groggy the first night and second day, but now, I'm just as clear as I ever have been (no snide remarks, please...lol).
The biggest difference has been my appetite. With the band, I was STILL hungry. I just couldn't eat. I wanted desperately to eat. When I tried to even drink, I had a huge bubble-feeling like the liquid was stuck. This time...totally the opposite. I'm not hungry, but I am trying to get down liquids as the doctor instructed. And when I drink, it all goes down easily. I started on ice chips, went to water, grape juice, jello - Mexican grape juice and jello are TOTALLY different and TOTALLY delish-, cranberry juice, apple juice, Fuze drink, decaf with milk, broth with milk, milk, some Micellar milk (chocolate) with ice, etc. So now I"m dealing with liquids in/liquids out. But hey...it's all good!!!!!!!!
I am doing a huge dinner for Thanksgiving (I'd orignally said NO NO NO because I thought it'd be like the band and I'd want to eat everything available), but no. So, I'm doing the whole deal.
Mexico was totally different! This time I was immersed in TRUE culture! Nothing touristy about this town! I couldn't even find a doggone post card! Can you believe that????? The first night, Mikel, Hilary and I ate dinner in Pierdras Negras at a great place called Moderno (people eat late there...the place didn't fill up until around 8:30) with my surgery buddy, Mike (aka GrumpyBear) and his wife. We had a blast. They were hilarious! We ate and ate and ate and ate! Whew! NO drinking for the patients and that sucked! Sad news...when Dr. Alvarez (who is a certified HUNK) went in to do Mike's surgery, he had to stop. Mike had so much scar tissue from his 1991 motorcycle accident that it wasn't safe to go on.
My surgery went amazingly well. I did have some scar tissue, but Dr. A was able to work within the scope of the situation, correct that problem, and give me my banana/sleeve/3 oz. stomach! lol I love it! Dr. A was a terrific doctor. He came to my room 3-5 times each day. And when I left, he insisted on giving me a huge hug (no fight on my part...Hilary was jealous...she wanted a hug too...hehe). The hospital was very small and very old; however, the nurses were exceedingly competent and caring. I loved the driver who picked us up in San Antonio and then drove us to the hospital and back to San Antonio. Her name was Rosy and I thought she hung the moon! She was a wonderful, charming, warm human being. This was clearly more than just a job. Her father was a dentist in P.N. and knew Dr. A's father (also a gastroenterologist/surgeon). Rosy has twins and I loved her stories! What a couple of characters! Priscilla, Dr. A's private nurse, was also great. She came and checked on us several times, so I felt VERY cared for! Back in San Antonio, I spent lots of time in the courtyard of our hotel enjoying the lovely Texas weather...mild with a gentle breeze. Hilary and I spent hours on the patio in the courtyard listening to music and talking about Texas.
This was so different from my band. I'd heard patients say Dr. A is extremely gentle in handling the organs and I believe it. First off, he sat and spoke with Mikel and me for as long as it took to calm us down. I was calm, but poor Mikel was a bundle of nerves. Dr. A wanted to make certain that Mikel was okay with all of it. Secondly, as I said, I have had almost NO pain. At this same time with the band, I was still walking hunched over and having lots of gas and discomfort. I was really groggy the first night and second day, but now, I'm just as clear as I ever have been (no snide remarks, please...lol).
The biggest difference has been my appetite. With the band, I was STILL hungry. I just couldn't eat. I wanted desperately to eat. When I tried to even drink, I had a huge bubble-feeling like the liquid was stuck. This time...totally the opposite. I'm not hungry, but I am trying to get down liquids as the doctor instructed. And when I drink, it all goes down easily. I started on ice chips, went to water, grape juice, jello - Mexican grape juice and jello are TOTALLY different and TOTALLY delish-, cranberry juice, apple juice, Fuze drink, decaf with milk, broth with milk, milk, some Micellar milk (chocolate) with ice, etc. So now I"m dealing with liquids in/liquids out. But hey...it's all good!!!!!!!!
About Me
AR
Location
23.5
BMI
Surgery
11/17/2007
Surgery Date
Surgeon
May 04, 2007
Member Since
