johnscry

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BAD, BAD, CRYSTAL!!  It's been so long since I've been on the website. Before surgery, I was here everyday to get support and information to help prepare me for my surgery. I will try harder to update on a regular basis! OK, here goes....

I had my surgery, Monday, November 23rd. The Sunday prior, I was put on a clear liquid diet and I had to drink magnesium citrate to clean me out. Let's just say I was in the house ALL DAY...lol.  Sunday night I drove to Jersey to stay with my friend (I like him ).  I didn't feel any anxiety about the upcoming surgery the next morning. When I woke up Monday morning...still no anxiety.  I thought I would've been a nervous wreck but I wasn't...go figure. We arrived at the hospital and they checked me in. No pre-op testing or anything. They got me IV'd and I spoke with Dr. Abkin (he's the BEST! ) Next thing you know I was wheeled to the operating room...still no anxiety! I heard the anesthesiologist ask Dr. Abkin if he was doing a new procedure...for a split second I thought oh, no...and then I was knocked out. When I came to, I was in pain but the nurses was GREAT! I was still very sleepy and nodding out quite often...lol.  They toke me to my room and gave me a pump so I could control my pain meds (what a GREAT invention...lol) I got up to walk which wasn't too bad but for the most part I slept the rest of the day.  The day after my surgery I was already feeling better. I looked at my stomach and noticed I only had 3 bandages! I was looking for 5 for the 5 incisions I thought I was going to receive. Now I'm thinking back to the operating room when I heard Dr. Abkin say he was doing a new procedure. Now I'm thinking that I didn't get the gastric bypass like I was suppose to. Ok, now I'm starting to feel a little anxious. The lady next to me also had the gastric bypass and she had 5 incisions. WHAT THE HECK!!! Dr. Bertha (also GREAT ) came in and confirmed that Dr. Abkin did a new procedure on me...that it was still gastric bypass. WHEW! I had 2 leak tests done that day to make sure everything was good...and it was. I had no appetite at all. I have 1 spoonful of jello and that was pretty much it. I was discharged Wednesday. I looked at the incisions after they removed the bandages. I had one incision right about my belly button that was about 2 inches long. I also had one incision on my left side that was 1/2 centimeter (I just measured it) and another incision that the drain was in and that also was 1/2 centimeter. Dr. Abkin was able to do my surgery with 3 incisions instead of 5! (did I say he is the BEST!) I felt GREAT! I was surprised how well I felt. No real pain, just soreness. I didn't need the wheelchair to take me to the door...I walked! I did fill the pain meds just in case I felt severe pain once the pain meds from the hospital completely wore off. I ended up taking 1 pill just to prevent any pain. For the remainder of the day I was fine. The next day was Thanksgiving. I didn't need to take any pain meds today. Just a lil soreness but I was up doing light house chores. I was feeling a lil weak but for the most part, I was fine. I didn't need any help taking care of myself event though my friend was there with me the whole time (I really like him ) I was on clear liquids until Friday when I was able to switch to full liquids. Still not feeling hungry so I had to force myself to drink. to be cont'd....I gotta go for now.

It's only been a week since I've posted and so much has happened! I had my appointment with the NUT  (literally! I think I should've been in the chair and she the couch but who cares, just a hurdle I have to jump over to reach the finish line so whateva!) Instead of giving me my psych evaluation, she sat there and talked for 55 minutes! Then had the NERVE to say we have to schedule a date for my evaluation! WTF! That's what I'm here for crazy lady! Oh boy, now I had see her again. I thought to be nice to her since she did have to clear me also. Ok, so I saw her again yesterday and answered almost 200 questions. She said she don't see any reason why I wouldn't be able to handle this change in lifestyle. She said she will call me next week with the results of my evaluation and also send the results to my surgeon and ins company. GREAT!

I had my appointment for my endoscopy 10/20th. Please tell me why I was nervous?  It went well...the doc told me my stomach looks good (I'm thinking, of course...I keep it well fed...lol). I didn't find time to get my labwork done BUT I will have it on my TO DO list no later than this coming Tuesday! Oh, and I forgot to make an appointment for my PCP. Poor guy doesn't know I've decided to have the surgery...guess he knows now 'cause I gave everyone his name and fax #...the surgeon, the NUT CASE, and the nutritionist.

Now about me....I CAN'T STOP EATING!!!! I eat when I'm hungry and when I'm not. I'm afraid to get on the scale. My surgeon don't require that I lose any weight before surgery but he may if I don't pull it together! BAD CRYSTAL!  I haven't told any of my family besides my daughter that I'm having the surgery. They wasn't supportive 5 years ago when I was looking to have it and I'm sure their minds haven't changed. Thank GOD for friends and OH! One of my very good friends that also looked into WLS all those years ago had a gastric bypass this past April. She sent me a pic and she looks MAGNIFICENT! She's already down 80lbs!  I'm so proud of her. Can't wait to get on the losing side. Well, that's all for now. TTYL!