Wanda_Glover

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Had my first post-op appointment with Hunter at BWI (nutritionist).  He says that I am eating as he thinks I should and can start "solid" foods in two weeks!  Yeah!

Went for my two week post op today.  Weight was 226, down 19 pounds from surgery date!  Yeah me!  I expect my loss to be slow because Dr. Foreman tells me I am what's called a "light weight" because I only had 100 pounds to lose!  Bahahaha  

Anyway I am doing great other than slight anemia which I am taking iron for.  I am getting greater than 80 oz of water and 80 oz of protein (using supplements) which Dr. Foreman says is ideal.  Walking 30 min. a day which works out to about a mile.  My plan is to work up to 3 miles a day.

I can't tell the loss in my clothes yet as I am still a little swollen in my abdomen area.  Everyone at church, those that don't see me every day, tell me I have lost in my face, neck area but I can't tell yet.

I am completely off all medication including blood pressure.  Yesterday my BP was 126/82 and Monday it was 111/78!  Wow!  So, one of the reasons for the RNY has been accomplished, now on to the other (getting rid of the CPAP machine).  I abhor that stupid machine!  My PCP tells me I will have to lose more than 80 pounds to be retested.  I WILL get there!

Good luck to everyone who is going on this journey!

Well, even though I have never been a diary type person I fell compelled to keep this blog up on the off-chance someone might read it!

I arrived at Crestwood for my lap RNY on 4/30 at 7:30 am. My husband was with me and my best friend arrived while I was in the prep area. All throughout this process, I have been calm and assured that this was the right step for me. Even after attending a support group meeting and talking with a lady who had the most severe complications you could imagine, my mind did not sway. I had read about those complications and knew that with God’s hand on my surgeon I would be fine. THEN in walked the anesthesiologist. He proceeded to question me about my sleep apnea. Examined my mouth, asked if my bridges came out (no) and said my tongue was thick. Well, I’m obese of course my tongue’s thick. Well apparently because of the sleep apnea severity and the thickness of my tongue there are other complications that I was not aware of. He told me that they would have to extend my jaw and that it might break because of that; that the tube into my lungs may be hard to get in and if he couldn’t then the surgery could not be done; once he got the tube in, it might be difficult to get out. By this time I was scared spitless (which was not hard since I had not had anything to drink for what seemed like days!). My dear, dear friend held my hand and said "Let’s pray." I was a bit calmer and could sign the paperwork and got my happy juice!

My surgery took 4 hours instead of the estimated 1 ½. I’m not really sure why, but I suspect it had to do with the tube as I have a small chip on my back molar and my tongue was apparently scraped somehow. I feel like I have eaten something very, very hot, but it gets better every day.

I was sent to the OB ward. The nurses there were nice, but didn’t seem to know much about what to do with a bariatric patient. I noticed on a side table the breathing thingy. I knew I was supposed to deep breathe after surgery, but no one had explained how to use it. I opened it and started to blow in. Nope, those little balls were staying still. I was almost in panic mode when I thought to suck in instead of breath out. ALL THREE went up. Yeah!!! No one would come to help me walk either, so I just decided to get up and do it myself. My husband had gone home to stay with my children (they’re younger) so I was alone. I simply unpluged my legs and off I went.

I have to say I was truly "uncomfortable" the first day and a half but once I got home I began getting in all my water and have done well, I think. I am using the IDS 42g protein bullets to help with the protein because I really don’t have enough hair to lose any.

I want to thank everyone for their prayers and thoughts.

Oh, I haven’t weight yet, but go for my post op on 5/15. We’ll see then. I have scales, but am not going to go by weight. I went after this because of my health and so far it has done what I wanted it to do (the surgery). I have checked my blood pressure every day and it’s normal. I am off of ALL of my medications. This means $80 in my pocket every month from not buying the drugs! Yeah me! Yeah Dr. Foreman! Of course I know where that extra money is going to go in a few weeks, but if anyone is in the Shoals area and needs sizes 22/24 in about a month, drop me a note!

Went for pre-registration at Crestwood today. Was called later in the afternoon with the news that my "liver enzymes" were elevated and am now scheduled for an ultrasound of my gall bladder. I pray that this doesn’t keep me from having this surgery. My ultrasound is a 7:15 on Thursday and then my pre-op appointment with Dr. Foreman is that afternoon.

Well, after calling every other day since 4/12 with no response from Dr. Foreman's office, I decided to make an appointment with another surgeon.  I made that appointment and then called Foreman's office to tell them never mind, I heard "hold on just a moment please."  The coordinator came back on the line and GAVE ME A DATE!!!!  Never did get an explanation as to why no return call.   I really think they have a staffing problem there.  

I go for my pre-admission at Crestwood on Monday with my pre-op appointment with Foreman on Thursday.  Wow!  I can't believe it's finally here.

I have been very good about not having a "last meal" every time I eat.  I have ordered protein samples and vitamins and am ready to go!

I have finished all of the tests required by the doctor's office and as of 4/12 they have all of the reports.  I STILL have not heard from them with a surgery date.  I know I should be happy because I have been approved by the insurance company but I have never had to deal with such UN-organized people before.  I have seriously contemplated trying to find another surgeon.  I believe in Dr. Foreman, but his staff I am not so sure of.  I hope to have a surgery date soon.

Because I turned 50 on 3/15 I had to undergo a colonoscopy.  Everyone said it was a breeze....NOT.  I've had two children and I think it was worse than having them!  LOL....well, that's over with.  Now I have to have an updated mamogram.  That should be the last of the required tests.  Still believing that this is the best thing for me to do. 

I have completed the six month diet and Alabama Surgical Associates got my records on 2/14.  I did not hear anything from Stephanie after repeated e-mails and calls until yesterday.  That was very frustrating to say the least.  It made me wonder whether I would have that much trouble getting in touch with them after surgery if I had a complication or question.  

Anyway, I was told yesterday that four of my doctor's charts were not adequate and I have to get them supplemented.  My PCP's office staff is very nice and I expect that to be done expeditiously.  Hopefully I will have a surgery date soon.  

I am not a patient person and all this waiting is disheartening but I shall prevail!  Everyone with whom I have discussed this advendure with seems to be supportive.

The most difficult part so far has been coming off my arthritis meds.  I hurt continuously and today is especially bad because of the storms.  Tylenol helps, but I am trying to just go with the creams, etc.  I want to be HEALTHY!  Hopefully after the surgery, if I am approved, I will be able to come off of all the other meds for my other problems.

I have never been one to journal, so this is taking me out of my comfort zone but I have learned so much from reading others' blogs and wanted to give a little back.

 January 18, 2007 - I am not usually one to open myself up to people, but I have gained tremendous knowledge from all of the various journeys so decided it would only be fair if I reciprocate. I welcome comments.

Yesterday, I met with Hunter, the nutritionist, and with Dr. Foreman. Unlike most everyone else, I was not impressed with the staff at either BWI or Alabama Surgical. The receptions’ first words were "That will be $____(insert figure)." It’s probably just me, but I am a bit put off by someone asking for money prior to acknowledging that I had an appointment.

Everyone was cordial, but did not go the least bit out of their way to be of assistance to me; only answering specific questions when asked directly. For example, Dr. Foreman is requiring numerous tests (because of my age) prior to scheduling surgery, which I understand, but that are not required by my insurance. The nurse said that all of the test results would have to be in before they sent for insurance approval, which doesn’t make much sense to me since my insurance only requires the mandatory diet, not the additional testing.

Oh, well, just more hoops to jump through. This too shall pass quickly as I already have all of them scheduled. My plan is to gather all of the documentation they are requiring and send them along with a big bouquet of flowers :) My momma always told me you can get more bees with honey than vinegar.

I was very impressed with Dr. Foreman. He described the surgery and answered the questions that I had in a very "layman" way that I could understand. I am secure in my choice of him as a surgeon.

So the wait begins for finalization of all the paperwork and insurance approval.

9/21/06- Today I have my first appointment with BWI that is affiliated with Dr. Facundus to whom I will be referred. I am aware of the risks of the surgery but also know that I do not have much of a life as things stand now. I suffer from high blood pressure, spinal stenosis, fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, severe arthritis, some minor depression that is not treated, high cholesterol, high triglycerides. I'm not as bad off physically as some, but more than I should be at 49 years old! It hurts to walk because of the spinal stenosis and I have started having trouble with my knees that I am sure is weight related. Addendum: Met Kristi for initial consult. She is five years out and was having a dumping episode and felt just awful! Hmmm~~ Weigh in weight 249.5. The metabolism test showed me in the "average range, toward the lower end." I'm not sure what this means, but Kristi assured me that I would lose the weight after the surgery. Just having to go through the steps necessary to get approved by insurance. One thing I did learn that I had not read in anyone's profile was that I would have to give up gum, that if you accidentally swallowed the gum it would not go through the pouch and you would have to have surgery to remove it and that that surgery would not be paid by insurance because you would not have followed your surgeon's instructions. Not a big deal for me thank goodness! Special thanks for Nova lady for your kind words.