It's Finally Happening...

Sep 10, 2012

Well, after a long 2 1/2 year struggle to attain WLS, I am finally in the beginning stages to an actual surgery date. All thats left is about 2 months of waiting and tieing up some loose ends, so to speak. As of Sept. 7, 2012, my surgeon, Dr. Takahashi of Assoc. of South Bay Surgeons notified me that she wrote orders to submit for insurance authorization/acceptance to perform the Gastric Bypass surgery. I received my Pre-Op packet and my Lovenox information box with sharps container and prep pads. I also was given the business card of the Bariatric Surgery Coordinator at Torrance Memorial Medical Center where I will be undergoing my GB RNY in the next couple of months. The only thing left for me to do is continue losing towards the pre-op goal of 285 which my surgeon outlined for me, attend a mandatory Pre-Op Education class with my coach, do a few lab workups, a few more final tests (i.e. another Chest X-Ray, EKG/EGC, Ultrasound of Abdomen/Legs), and my final Pre-Op appointment with Dr. Takahashi. Basically I was informed that all of this takes about 2 months but could be faster depending on how soon I finish everything. In my case, it's looking more towards mid to the end of November to have my actual surgery. And I am totally fine with that because I have a lot of planning to do as far as my budget and bills and first and foremost, the care of my son while I am recovering. So amongst all of that I am truly and utterly excited. I have not looked at food the same for awhile, but I am really starting to ignore it since finding out that I am on the path to surgery day! I have made an effort today to begin phasing out carbonated beverages and drinking from straws. I am also trying to sip constantly throughout the day and practicing discontinuance of liquids at least 30 minutes before and after a meal. I am also working on chewing my food to a "toothpaste" consistency so that I get used to doing it by time surgery day is here. I would like to begin a journal of sorts, either through a blog or YouTube, not sure yet and I definitely want to get some Pre-Op body shots (good ones to be able to compare better to post-op). Even though I am super excited, I am nervous and very afraid of all the what ifs. My worst fear is waking up on the table paralyzed but able to hear, see, and feel everything and not being able to alert the doctors. I also fear developing some crazy post-op complication like pneumonia or blood clots and dying because of it...that really scares me mostly because I have a 3 year old little boy that needs me. I think once I am away from the hospital setting, I will be way more relaxed. I was in a similar experience when I had my son via C-Section. I was a wreck in the hospital, just did not feel comfortable and always on edge. Once I was home, I was enjoying every minute of my new baby and my recovery. I am confident that I will be able to bounce back quickly and resiliently through this surgery as well. After all, I am a mom...that's what we do! :) I'll be updating soon and keeping all my OH friends posted on my journey to surgery day! I know that once it's all said and done, every fear, pain, hardship, moment of joy, tear, sweat...everything will be so worth it! xoxo

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