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I am staying in SF for an extra 7 days so I can have a follow-up with Dr. C. before going back to Alaska.  I have an appointment tomorrow afternoon with him, 7 days after the surgery date.  We fly back on the 8th day after surgery.

Stuff to take to the hospital:
    Take a sleeping mask, like they give you on the airlines.  You aren't there very long, but it kind of gives you permission to sleep.  I doubt you'll have a problem sleeping, the aftereffects of the anasthesia kept me pretty dopey for at least 12 hours.
    Take earplugs, just in case noises bother you.
    Take an ipod or mp3 player if you have one, its kind of a low level way of keeping yourself amused.  I didn't have the concentration to read I found.  Generally you just drift off after a while anyway.
    If you have a cell phone to stay connected, take that, using the phones was a bit beyond my mental capabilities, not to mention a phone card number and all that nonsense.
    For your wear back to the hotel clothes, bring something loose and a layer or two so you don't have to wear a bra under your clothes.  Something kind of soft and cozy so you don't get chilled. Some comfy socks, also for in the hotel room.    A notebook with pen attached so you can jot down your questions and make notes on medications etc.  You may think of something but the nurse/dr. doesn't show up for a while and you might forget by the time they show up.

When they discharge you from the hospital you get a bunch of prescriptions which someone will have to fill for you. There is a Walgreens somewhere near the hospital, and the one near the hotel which I used (my husband did all the picking up for me) was at: 1301 Franklin Street, SF 94109, phone number: (415) 775-6706. Have your insurance cards if you have drug benefits. My co-pay was about $4 on each RX.

One of the Rxs will be for liquid vicodin for pain. You will need it, it will get you through the first week, less each day, but days 2, 3 and 4 you will really need to stay on top of pain management. My opinion is that the liquid vicodin tastes so bad that you will have a hard time getting enough of it, on a regular schedule to control post-op pain. I paged the LapSF Dr on call, got a call back around 30 minutes later and got a new RX for hydrocodone in pill form that has worked like a charm. One every 4 hours, tapering off as you get better. Without you can't move, think or hardly take a deep breath. And you need to do all that and sleep to get better. I personally could swallow pill OK from day 1, just remember not to take a huge gulp of water to get the pill down, just a medium sip and little sips afterwards.

Other RX stuff, since I was flying to and from SF for the surgery (two 2 hour plane trips each way) I had to inject myself with blood thinners. (To prevent deep vein thrombosis – blood clots that could travel in your body and kill you.) Luckily my insurance covered the “nicer” form which is Lovenox – a prefilled syringe that you only have to take 2x a day. Its more expensive than heparin, which you have to take 3 x a day and may have to load the syringe too. I am completely squeemish about this, but you have to do what you have to do. I am getting used to it, but I don't like it. The injection actually doesn't hurt, but within a few seconds there is a stinging like an insect bite that lasts a few minutes. Rubbing the area seems to help a bit. I think my thighs are less sensitive than my stomach, plus I think my stomach gets a break these days!

Stuff for the hotel:
    This is harder, cause you are stuck there for a week (I was) and the Cathedral Hill Hotel is in a non-residential area, so no groceries really.  You will be on a liquid/liquid protein diet.  I wanted Crystal Lite On the Go packets so I could make drinks in water bottles, but you can't find them anywhere.  My husband found some 2 qt. packages which are a real pain to try and measure into a bottle properly.  So bring lots of Crystal Lite On the Go packets.
    Lap/SF sells bariatric products.  I bought a $99 assortment from them.  I really hated most of the stuff - too fruity and sickly sweet.  So far I only like the Crem-O-Lite chicken buillion, chicken cream soup and Pro-Cal 100 cappucino.  I have the Zpro 25 which is OK as a pudding.
    I had the Healthwise Fruit Shake in a bottle in the hospital which was OK, but I'm not a fruit person.
    The New Whey 42- fruit punch I had were kind of thick and syrupy, more like medicine, to my mind.  I only forced myself to drink some, but didn't like it.

So bring your own protein drinks or powders. Decaf tea bags, splenda, nonfat milk (in an asceptic container – no refrigeration required.  Instant broths would be nice.  I suppose you could get some protein powder and bring your blender or magic bullet with you!  I didn't think that far ahead, and had to tack this trip on the end of a longer trip, so didn't bring as much as I might have.  But I would advise considering it, it would make the protein parts easier to eat as shakes with ice.
    Almost more important than the food is the food containers to make your food.  Bring a package of plastic cups - I have some 16 oz ones my husband found at a Walgreens near here.  Also plastic spoons for mixing stuff, and hot water cups.  Straws might be nice.
    The Cathedral Hill Hotel has ice machines and coffee makers in the room (use for hot water).  They will rent you a little refrigerator for $5/day, but that seemed like highway robbery to me, so we just get ice in the buckets to use for refrigeration.

If you can figure out some way to make SF jello, bring some packets, or if there is some ready made SF jello, bring that! Bring lots. I wish I had some. My husband has scoured the stores around here and can't find any.

Bring a couple of nightgowns at least.  You will be living in them for a while.  When I first got back from the hospital I just wanted to lay down and sleep. Then you have to get up to go to the bathroom and sometimes my bladder control was not perfect. Plus I was coughing up globs of pflegm for several days, so the nightgown got dirty. Luckily my husband noticed the cleaning service - $5 for a nightie. What a prince!

Maybe a sleep bra if you have one, just stretchy material. Actually my bras are working OK, the top incision on my sternum is pretty little and my bras aren't irritating it, but the first 2 days were braless for sure!

Get 4 pillows for yourself from the hotel staff. 3 behind you and one under your knees for watching TV or pretending to be awake, 2 under your head and 2 under your knees for sleeping.

Hotel tips: We had room 631 for the first 2 nights, it was the medical rate: $89/night. AC didn't work and we were on the street, so when you opened the windows for coolness you got all the noise of the street, night noise, people noise and garbage truck noise! Plus the room is small. Two full beds that were not more than 2 feet from the desk and TV setup. Pretty cramped quarters for 3 of us. The hotel is kind of run-down, not seedy but not up to date on the painting and carpet, looks like it could use a superficial spiff up.

My genius kind husband went to the front desk to see about: getting a room with AC, getting a room not on the street, getting a bigger room. All was accomplished with an upgrade to room 830, which is on the courtyard, bigger and with AC. There are some rooms with patios which are apparently booked, but those might be worth looking into. The hotel has been full with conventions etc. The Black Chamber of Commerce was here over the weekend – tons of gorgeous, successful looking black people – I was out in the hotel hallway taking a walk and ran into 3 beautiful women in evening dresses – very friendly, and we laughed at what a walking “fashion don't” I was at that point: sundress and cardigan with white athletic socks on and these shimmering women in their 40s dressed to the nines.

The complimentary breakfast buffet is terrific here, you get vouchers with your room, very nice for any eaters in your group (nothing for US though!).

I found that this hotel is actually owned by the Pacific Center Hospital! You would think that they would have some bariatric post surgery food on their menu!!!! Actually lots of abdominal surgery patients need a liquid or soft food diet, so why don't they have it here? Nuts if you ask me.

I got up this morning at 6:30, and didn't take the pain meds right way.  I was able to get out of bed and to the bathroom feeling pretty OK.  Not same as pre-op, but not cringing in pain or fear of pain.  So every day IS better.  Hopefully I can get out into the city today to do some walking and sight seeing.  There is a Matisse exhibit at the SF MOMA that I'd love to see.  Also a Blick Art store right down the street!  If I could find it I'd also love to get a pedicure - such a good feeling!  And I could be sitting down!

My son and husband are going out and having a great time in SF.  My husband just left for Peet's coffee, with the camera to show me some of the sights.  My son (11) and he have been eating good - udon is one of my son's favorites and they have found a great noodle shop.  Then last night was their second night at a Mexican place that they raved about.

I am sleeping incredible amounts of time.  The best time is about 1 hour after taking my pain med, (lke now!)  I feel good, can get up and down, can walk and no fear of pain.

One positive thing is that I seem to be swollowing pretty well.   I can take pills, but have to remember not to take a big gulp of water or I burp.  Just a little sip with the pill then lots of little sips after that.

Hard to belive but I really loved the jello at the hospital, SF I'm sure.  I've always hated jello and now I love it.  Go figure.  Can't wait till I get home and can fix some with SF Cool Whip!  That'll blow my tiny mind!

Well I made it, and I think I'm going to survive.  As it turns out I had lots of abdominal adhesions from an open gallbladder removal 10 years ago.  The doctor said it took 45 minutes to snip very carefully around all the scar tissue and fat packages that your omentum creates to keep things from leaking in your abdomen.

Then, the  hiatal hernia was bigger than expected, so that added more operating time till finally the VG.  I guess I was in the OR a lot longer than expected.  As a result I was so dopey the rest of the first day that I had trouble walking around, not the pain, just the fear of falling over.

The highlight was meeting Thin Lizzy, on the second day, she got her surgery done right before me.

The second day was a little less dopey, but when I got discharged I didn't get back on pain medications soon enough and had a really tough hour or two being hot and in pain.  I have Tramadol (a non-narcotic pain reliever) and liquid oxycontin.  the Liquid tatses awful!!!  Hard to take even though I need It.  Called the doctors and got a pill form that is working much better for me.

Finally thinking that I may survive, but not doing the kind of walking around and feeling good that lots apparently have soon out.  Had some buyers remorse - why go to all this trouble and expense to feel so awful?  But I kept telling myself that every day would be better than the last.

So there I was, on the Amtrak, en route to Chicago.  I thought I'd better do the blood thinner injection while I had access to my bare thigh (my son and I had a sleeper area (I hesitate to call it a room, which implies some kind of actual space)).  I had two pre-loaded needles of Loverin.  So I open the individual package up and it has some kind of cover over the needle end.  I twist and turn and pull and can't get it off.  I pushed the injector end and the whole end popped off and flew across the bed and the auto needle cover feature engaged and there I was with a useless piece of plastic.  I tried again and managed to wreck another one.

Finally, after walking with all all our luggage from the Amtrak station to the Blue Line to get to OHare, I was reunited with my other luggage, got another needle out, read the instructions and managed to get the rubber protector off by pulling REALLY hard.  Since I was in a subway station (pretty empty) I just wanted to get it over and pulled up my shirt to expose a nice roll of midriff fat, and poked myself.  Not too bad, but it did sting a bit and I could feel it for an hour or so.  Not terribly painful, but not fun.  I just took a look at it, I managed to bruise myself a bit (pretty impresive actually - might get a little sympathy from my husband.)  Next time, the thigh!  I think there must be fewer nerve endings there!

Hopefully I can get some shots off of Dr. C. since I wrecked 2 doses.  My sympathy for diabetics (already high) goes even higher!

The subway/bus/subway ride to OHare was hot, crowded and stressful, but now all thankfully over.  Just a nice flight to Seattle, a great nights sleep at the DoubleTree, seeing my sister, then SF tomorrow midmorning.

I really think I'll do well.  I've had a C section and a gall-bladder removal (emergency trip to Seattle) that started laproscopically and ended open.  And I did well with those.  The key was to stay on top of the pain so I could move around as much as possible.  A laproscopic surgery should be lots better.  I probably will have adhesions to deal with, and a hiatal hernia repair, but that will just require Dr. C to exercise his skills, I'm sure it won't be a big deal - hey I'll be in La La land!

So, more later, depending on wireless availability and time.

I have yet to do this, have to start tomorrow morning before flying from Chicago to Seattle, then continue 2X a day till I get home.  Must be to prevent blood clots when flying.  Not looking forward to giving myself injections but I will be fine I expect.  I will report back!!!

Drug is Lovenox and I am getting it because of flying to surgery and back home flights.

Otherwise doing OK, eating some splurge foods, but really pretty calm.

Took measurements, my right leg is 1/2" bigger than my left in every place but the ankle!  Just stronger muscles probably.

Can't wait till:
I can see my collarbones
No double chin
waist is less than 35"
size 16 pants fit
midriff diminishes
legs get less fat - wear shorts!!!
ring gets looser
feeling more fit
Stop SNORING (I hope, I hope) (My sister points out that thin people snore too, but I didn't when I was thinner.)

I have been traveling for the past 2 weeks with my family.  Staying with in-laws in NY state, with a long car trip to visit good friends in NC.  Now back in NY.  Getting my things together for the surgery next Tuesday.

Just got a call from the surgeon's office, I need to go to a pharmacy and get an RX for some thing prior to surgery.  Something I need to inject (!!!!)  Guess I'll be able to handle it.  OK, just got another call, its a blood thinner, will have to use it 3 hours before flying to SF on Monday and will need the rest for after surgery.

Have been trying to eat fairly sensibly, but its not easy away from home.  Wish I'd brought my old Medifast stuff, I could just have those protein shakes.  But I've also read that losing weight prior to the surgery doesn't affect long term success.  Guess its for the fatty liver issue - hope mine is OK.  I think I'm in pretty good general health, a little hypertension controlled by HCTZ and exercise, so I don't think my liver will be a problem.

Soon we will be traveling to get from NY to Chicago by train, then flying to Seattle, then finally flying to SF.

Things to do:  measure various places on body to have NSVs along the way,  get some soup to take to SF, take pictures.

The title is backwards - I got an email from LapSF that my insurance would not cover a VSG, but would cover me for RNY, lapband or a VBG.  I checked with my insurance co. and then double checked with my employer.  No go, no VSG, no point in appealling this.  So, Plan B:  self-pay.

Since I was going self-pay, I thought, OK this cuts through some of the red tape, lets make this red carpet!  I.e. lets get the date I want - soon, convenient, & with my husband.  Luckily when I called LapSF, they could get me into Dr. Cirangle's schedule on Tuesday, August 14, 2007.  Yippee!!!!!

That means I can fly to SF on Monday, have my consultation on Monday, 8/13, and the surgery on 8/14, and stick around in the area for a check back and still get back home  in time for my son's first day of middle school on 8/22.

Holey Moley.

Too bad about the insurance, luckily I can afford to self-pay, but felt obligated to find out if I could get coverage.

I guess this shows how strongly I feel about the VSG, I'd pay $17,000  of my own money to have a simpler surgery with fewer long term complications and nutritional deficiencies, and a good outcome.  Also feel that having the leading surgeon doing my surgery is worth a little more, although from what I've been reading several surgeons in Mexico are doing a fantastic job.

When I wrote the title, it made me think of the "old" days, waiting for the phone to ring, pre-marriage!!!  Also makes me remember how I hated waiting, so at least I should be grateful that I have a wonderful husband and family, and don't have to do that anymore!

Sent an email with my preferred date  (August 14) to LapSF, hopefully I hear on Monday if that is even possible.

I can't believe it, but after calling the insurance company this morning, just to see if my request for authorization had been received, and customer service confirmed that the request from LapSF was being reviewed, I checked my email  and saw that there was a message from Marilyn at LapSF.

It said " I have obtained the authorization.  Now to place you onto the schedule, you need to pay the non covered service fee of $5500.00    Once this is secured, we can place you onto the schedule."

5 magic words!!!!  "I have obtained the authorization" I had to call immediately and make sure that it means that my insurance will cover the VSG.  They said yes!!!  Man, that $5,500 was on the credit card faster than you can say Jack Flash!!!

Now I wait for Anne to call to schedule a date.  Holey Moley.

I just can't really take it in.  This could happen soon!  I don't have to wait until October!  Yeah!!!!!!!!!!