m_hahn
Just interested - The first week
Jul 26, 2012
well I started this journey in January 2012. I went to my doctor and wanted to find out what I had to do for gastric Bypass . My doctor gave me the names of a few local surgeons that offer that service and the wild ride began ....I ended up calling Synergy bariatrics - Dr. Caruana on Buffalo NY for an appointment . The first step however is to take some online course , when you pass this course with a 100% it triggers them to call and schedule you for an appointment . . The course basically was a few minutes of on line demonstrations of the different types of bariatric surgeries out there , a quick multiple choice test and a documents section . This is where the wild ride comes in . The documents are a) a personal page . basically your who whats whens where and hows ETC , B( a form for your doctor to fill out c) forms for a review with a dietitian D) forms and physician listing for a psychological exam ( like are we crazy for wanting this surgery or what LOL E) your insurance information . Sounds easy Right ????---- NOT . It takes time to schedule all these appointments - see the doctors - doctors send letters back to your surgeon , etc in short - Bullshit waste of time . but it needs to be done . next blood work ... does that all come out clear . They usually recommend a series of B-12 shots prior to surgery again it takes time . At my surgeons office they like for you to attend some food classes to review why - how you got here like this isn't a miracle fix .. whatever made you fat before will make you fat again if you don't learn from this so hence .. The training ;;;;; and more time
Once all these things have been completed your surgeon can submit to your insurance for approval . My insurance denied me the first time so - more waiting . Insurances are specific on their qualifications for approval if I had to do this overagin I would have called my insurance while I was still collecting information and have them detail exactly what they want . I did call and get a copy of the coverage details but apparently I didn't understand them correctly so as i said line by line make sure you understand !
Anyways i was approved and I got my surgery date ... I had to start the liver reduction diet and follow the diet for 2 weeks prior to my surgery . The diet is 4 protein shakes a day , with 64 oz of clear fluids . You can basically have the shakes , clear broth , coffee , jello and non carbonated/ sugar free drinks like crystal light and Gatorade . You will also have to do some pre op testing and get clearance from your doctor during this time .
Surgery morning - nothing to eat or drink since 12 the night before - you arrive at the hospital get prepped - put gown on etc - you will have an IV --- I did not have a catheter , but that may be something your surgeon wants . I had the rouenh Y gastric bypass laproscopically . I was in surgery about 2 hours and recovery about the same ( a little longer actually I had some oxygen issues )
When I got to my room they made me get out of bed - use the washroom and then go back to bed - Because of my low oxygen issues they didn't give me any pain killers in recovery and I was miserable . But then the nice nurse came in and showed me how to use my morphine drip ( in my IV ) and gave me another shot for pain and I was out like a light . I slept for a good 6 hours . when I woke up I was much more comfortable pain wise and They brought me a tray with coffee , broth and jello on it . I really just needed some water as I said I was sleeping and let me tell you I snore so loud .... I was so dry i could feel all the bumps on my tongue . I ate only about 2 bites of jello , a sip of the coffee but a drank a white Styrofoam cup of water like it was nobodies business one-two ounces ata time .
In the morning when I woke up again . I freshed up a bit , brushed my hair and teeth , washed my face etc , I got on my robe and walked around a bit maybe ten minutes or so I had to go for an upper and lower GI . They make you drink this gross tasting clear liquid and take pics of your inside to verify no leaks . It took about an hour . wasn't bad . Pain not too bad today . Not using the morphine drip so I asked for that to get taken away , That was i could also get the oxygen thingy off my face . That was the most annoying thing thru the whole ordeal .. I wandered around on this day , watched TV . I did get a cramp in my back from the gas they blow you up with and it was uncomfortable but manageable ..... I went home the next morning
When I got home I was able to go without the pain meds all day . I did use them at home on days 1-3 before bed though just to make sure i got a good night sleep . I shower , do laundry , wash dishes, make the beds , etc . no real pain , Gas is till coming out and I can feel it in there but really no pa
I am a week out today and eating has changed some over the last few days . The doctor recommended that I stay on the clear full liquids for the week till I see him tomorrow . Right now I have been doing a coffee in the am about 7 - a protein shake around 10:30 with 4oz of water - soup about 1 pm and another shake around %pm . I also drink water all day about 1 & 1/2 bottles .i ate a semi cooked broccoli today and it just sat there like a lump all day - not good . so far no ad versions to food but i do have a weird pressure when I eat - maybe that's just the feeling of fullness ? maybe I'm over full ? maybe its gas ? ill follow up with you with some updates ..... good luck