40sMomma

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My surgeon's name was actually Dr. Scott Cassie.  He performed the surgery under Dr. Penner's supervision.  He is originally from mid-Western Canada, but there isn't much in terms of bariatric services in the midwest, so he's here to train and bring his knowledge back there to start up these types of services for that area of Canada.

Young guy, married, sweet disposition, and seems to be a down-to-earth type of guy.  I liked him.

Well, I had my surgery Aug 22nd....my 40th birthday. 

The first person to wish me a Happy Birthday (live) was the nurse in preassessment.  She sang to me.  You'd think it would have been my husband, but sadly, no.

I almost didn't have surgery.  I woke up around 4 am the morning of my surgery with diarreah, which continued right up until about 1/2 hour before surgery.  They took blood tests for CBC white cell count and lytes, which thankfully came back okay.  They were very concerned about the diarreah though because they said if I was fighting any type of infection, my body would not be able to heal and fight the infection at the same time.

Everyone there was generally nice.  A few were even pretty funny.  I only met Dr. Penner once, briefly, just before surgery.  Turns out a student doctor ended up doing my surgery, Dr. Scott something....can't remember his last name right now.

....will write more later

Not even sure exactly what that stands for, but I know it's good. lol

I got a Pennington's flyer the other day and normally I'm all excited about it to see what's possibly going to 'improve' my appearance, but this time, there was no excitement, and I just threw it out.

I remember as I did that, I thought to myself - I don't need you anymore.  It felt good.

Well, I'm pretty sure I'm not drinking all 4 shakes each day.  But I'm okay with it, I've been busy painting and redecorating the kids' rooms before surgery (so I know it gets done properly!)

Down about 15 pounds in 1.5 weeks.  Nice to see it going down for a change.

It's been easier without the smells of food in the house as the kids are all away in various places, but they'll be home this week, so hopefully it won't be too bad.

Not much else to say.  Still managing and just waiting for surgery.

I've been on Optifast since the 31st of July.  It's not as bad as I had heard.  To me, it's just like that SlimFast drink I'd done back when I was a teenager.  Tastes the same.  It's not 'delicious', but I don't find it bad either.  In fact, I find that when I add flavourings, it seems less filling.

I haven't been able to drink all 4 drinks most days, but it's more of busyness than anything else. 

I don't feel hungry if I space them about 4 hours apart.  I've treated myself to sf freezies a couple of times, broth twice, sf jello twice and sf pudding twice.

I'm down about 10 lbs since the preop on Aug 2nd.  Which went by fast and well.  I was in at 11 am and done by 2ish, I think.

I told my work today that I needed the time off and it went better than I was expecting.  Right now, we're aiming at 3 weeks off and then seeing how I am.  It seems good to me.  Since I have a desk job.

I'm a little nervous about surgery, but not really.  I found I've thought a lot about dying this time.  Meaning with this surgery.  I've never thought about dying with any other surgery I've had.  I guess because this one is more serious.  I don't feel like it's a reality, but I know it could be.  We never think we can be the one in 500, do we?  I pray that I'm not that one and it all goes well.  I love my family and I don't want to leave them.  Not at this time in my life anyways.

Anyway, another week and a half and I'll be celebrating 40 years and the start of my new life.  I'm ready.

August 22, 2012, my 40th birthday with Dr. Penner.

Dr. Jackson is who I met with, but I did most of the appt with his training student.

What I thought was the most interesting piece of news though, and felt it worthy of sharing, so posted it on the forum,  is that he felt plastic surgery was going to end up being covered by OHIP within a year or two. I asked how that was possible and he said it's because there is a crisis situation right now. So many people need it. That's how bariatric surgery got approved in Ontario for OHIP coverage. So many people were applying for out of province surgery for it, that they approved it here. He said he felt the same thing was going to happen with plastic surgery for the removal of excess skin and that they are already discussing it. He said plastic surgery costs right now for a bariatric patient 2 yrs post-op was about $25k. So if you are a post-op person, make sure you keep going to your doctors and documenting any problems you are having with excess skin, even if they are just self-esteem vs physical. I'm sure since we all are so grateful OHIP covers RNY surgery, having the incredible gift of plastic surgery to remove excess skin will really make us feel lucky.

Well, I had my appt today.  Got a lot of apologies for all the bullpoop.

My appt was for tests.  That's it.  Arrrgh.

I am SO upset! I called on Friday morning and was told I still have another appt on April 3! I asked who it was with and she said Reena. I told them I already had my appt with Reena and they said this is a follow up. I don't understand. Reena told me as far as she was concerned the next thing I would hear is about the surgeon's appt. So I asked if I could get it sooner then, and she said that's the first available appt. I mean seriously!?!? I had to wait 2 months for a follow up appt? It feels so unfair. I am out of work and have to stay that way until after the surgery and I NEED to get back to work. The way it looks now is that I won't have surgery until June at the earliest and I am just so upset about it. I asked to get Reena's email or leave her a voicemail and the girl said she couldn't give it to me that she would pass on the message. I didn't hear back from her. I feel so deflated.

So I called last Thursday to see what's going on, and I was put on hold for a long time then told I would have to wait for Reena to call me.  That they are catching up on all the people before me and that there are a lot of them.   Stasis is not a fun time.

I had my psych appt Feb 7th and it went well.  It was the first appt where I felt like there was some detail and thought going into things.  The other appts have seemed loosy-goosey to me.

From here, I was told it would take 2 weeks for them to decide on my case and at that point they would book my surgeon's appt.  Haven't heard anything yet.  At that time the were already booking the beginning of April, so I don't see mine happening until later in April and then  I'll have to do the Optifast still so probably no surgery until May.

Have bought all my vitamins needed for one month so far and started buying sugar-free groceries, flavourings and assorted little things.  I'm planning to set up my own pantry for just my special foods so the kids/hubby know not to just eat them up.  lol