CarolF3

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Well, I finally picked out my comparison photos and put them on the computer-one already there from Nov 2012.

My surgery was Dec 17, 2012.

The last picture was from today at the park-June 9, 2013.

I can really tell the difference from then and today's pictures.

Motivation here and that I still need to get smaller clothes again-hard to keep up on so I just get basic stuff to wear.

Moving right along!!!

 

Carol

Well, there was a flurry of pre-op testing the week before surgery. Surgery was on Monday Dec 17, 2012 at Albany Medical Center.

My surgeon was Dr. T.Paul Singh-who is the head of Bariatric surgery at Albany Med.  He explained things right before I went in-that due to that they found gallstones in the Ultrasound he was also going to take out my gall Bladder as well. I was having the surgery-Lap via DaVinci and that meant better healing time. They gave me a med and I was out and woke up in Recovery with my JP Drain and foley and PCA pump. 

I was in and out of it in Recovery-went to sleep and woke up in my room. the Unit I was on is right next door to the Unit I work on at the hospital. My husband was right next to me. He had gone home and went to sleep for a bit and then back to the hospital to be with me before he went to work-yes, he works at the hospital as well. I used the pain pump for a bit and it made me nauseous-they gave me something for it and it helped a bit-but, continued to be a problem-so they discontinued the pump and gave me Tylenol instead and it helped-and it became my pain med of choice there and if I needed it at home-which I did not use much.

My main pain was getting in and out of bed.

I had a good experience with my surgeon with the surgery-I am pleased with his performance and the staff at AMC.

As far as costs are concerned I work for the hospital and my insurance there is a good one. I had to pay my inpatient co-pay before hand- $250.00 and that was it.

I am still on full liquid diet until Jan 3rd when I go for my first post-op appointment with my surgeon and my dietician. It will be when they advance my diet and I am looking forward to it.

I look forward to this new year with my new pouch and getting used to eating a certain way for it.

I walk and use my indoor exercycle for exercise.

 

Carol

 

Well, today starts my pre-op testing. They usually do it 2 weeks in advance, but, they wanted to get me in on schedule with Dec 17th surgery date. Today is Pre-Anesthesia screening and then on to Cardiology for clearance which includes an EKG. I am Normal sinus rhythm. They will compare my EKG to my last one to check for any changes.

Then tomorrow morning is my Upper EGD.

Nothing on Wednesday. Yay!!   On Thursday it is to Vascular  at 8am to check or blood clots in the legs and then on to Radiology to check for gallstones. After that I have a momentary break before heading to my surgeon's office at 1pm to sign the final surgery papers, etc.... Hubby and I then get to go home and go to sleep as I have to work that night (11p-7:30am).

Friday the surgery pre-op dept will call and let me know the time of my surgery and when to be there, etc...

Onward. It will be here shortly.

Carol

    

Well, today I went for my 2nd Support Group Meeting. That takes care of that requirement. Nov 14th I have my Pap Smear and that will finish the Cancer Screening. Nov 20th I go to the Pulmonary Evaluation to see if I need a Sleep Study or not. If so, then I will have it scheduled ASAP on my next day off. I work the night shift.  Then on Dec 4th is my PA appt and on the 18th is my Dietician again. Hopefully by the 4th I will get my surgery date, etc... 

Well, anyway it is moving right along.

I am chomping at the bit and wish to get all this done soon so I can get my surgery date.

 

Carol

Well, my husband and I are off work tonight. 

My insurance likes to handle things bit by bit.

My Psych Eval is finished and I hear I passed. Now, on Nov 12th at 11am is my 1st support group as I am off work the weekend before. I would love to go to one before that. I try to work it so that I am either off work that night or the night before. 

On Nov 12th I am scheduled for my Pap Smear and then on Nov 20th I am scheduled for my Pulmonary Eval. Nov 26th is my second required support group meeting before surgery. Towards the end of Nov I get another blood test to check on my A1c and my D3 to make sure they are better off. Dec  4th is my PA again and on Dec 18th is my Dietician again. hopefully by then I will have my scheduled surgery date.

Moving on bit by bit.

Carol

Well, they have me scheduled for 2 Info Sessions on Oct 9th and 11th. Then the Nutritionist on Oct 15th. Moving along slowly.

Hope to have more to write about after the Sessions.
I keep tracking my food and exercises in my Tracking Journal and an online source.

Still looking around for products to use as far as protein drinks and powders, etc....
Ones that are easy to get-Walmart, etc and reasonably priced.

Moving right along in my journey.

CarolF3

My husband and I currently live in the upper New York State area and are looking to move back to our home state of Florida in May of next year. We cannot move right now as we have to go by our apartment lease-which is up the end of May of next year.
I already checked in the Weightloss surgery program at the hospital I work at and it is a good one. If we were staying here I would sign up for it, but I want to stay with the same team when I go through it so I will wait for us to move and sign up down where we move to. 
 Meanwhile I am getting some things done that need to be done beforehand to get them out of the way (colonoscopy, etc..)
 I am doing good with my food and exercise tracking and keeping a log of it to show the Team I sign with. I keep plugging away with my exercises of which I use the combination of first going on my exercycle, then I do my Kettlebell workout, then sometimes I add my dumbbells and to finish it off I do my Chair boxing.
Keeping it up and making it a good habit.
 We are looking forward to moving as we both cannot tolerate the ice cold, snow and ice of every winter. We want to get back to our warmer climate and the beaches-we miss our walks along the beach.
  My husband and I both work the night shift at the hospital here and sleep daytime.
I work on our Cardiac floor as a Patient Care Tech where I do patient care, vital signs, draw blood, EKGs, etc. They run us ragged on my floor as the place is a busy one. I count that as my walking with all the walking that I do in an 8 hour time.

I will close for now.

I hope that everyone is doing well.

Carol