NidiaB

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Well, had the surgery and everything went really well...  I have nothing but good things to say about my surgeon, his entire team, and Tobey Hospital.  The care I received was excellent, and I felt well-cared for during the entire experience.

Overall, the surgery was much less painful than I expected, and I haven't had any problems at all since coming home.  I've been following the recommended full-liquid diet since I was discharged on October 30th, and everything so far has been fine.  I haven't had any issues with eating whatsoever.

On Thursday, I will be ready to advance to the soft foods and pureed textures, and I am looking forward to it!  The broth, SF Jello, SF puddings, and protein drinks are fine, but I really would like to have something with a bit more flavor after the last few weeks.  I'm not hungry, but it would be nice to move on to other textures and tastes.

At my first post-op doctor's visit my weight was 239 lbs, so I was happy with that!  Overall, I couldn't have wished for things to go any better, and each day I feel more comfortable with the eating and vitamin routine...

With all my pre-op appointments, that is!

Today I went to my last pre-surgical doctor's appointment, and also had my pre-op teaching visit with the bariatric nurse.  Everything went fine....and everything is a go for next Tuesday.

I still don't know what time my surgery is scheduled for, but hopefully it will be in the morning.  I have to call the hospital the night before to find out what time to show up that day, but the nurse told me that it will definitely be before noontime.

I weighed in at 254 at the doctor's office, but that is with clothes and shoes on.... I weigh alot less in the morning, with nothing on, but at 254, that still means a 20 lb weight loss pre-surgery, so I am pretty proud of that!

That's really it then...  The next time I post, it will all be over, and I will be home...  hopefully on my way to a life of good health and wearing much smaller sizes!!

Well, the last of the pre-op tests are finished.  Last Friday I went in for my colonoscopy, not a usual pre-op test for most people, but due to my history of ulcerative colitis, a necessary one.  And, the news was good!  My colitis is in remission, and everything looked fine...  My gastro doc sent a letter to my surgeon clearing me for surgery.

Monday, October 20th, I do have an office visit with the surgeon, the last one before my surgery date.  I also will spend some time with the bariatric nurse for the pre-op instructions/teaching, etc.  They will weigh me in at this visit, and I know that I have done well with my eating and exercising for the last six weeks.  My scale at home this morning said I am now at 252...so that means I am now 22 lbs less than I was during my first visit to the surgeon's office.  I'm pretty happy with that!  Of course, I will probably weigh a few pounds more than that at his office (with all my clothes on, and an afternoon appointment) but I will definitely show a decent loss for the last six weeks.

So, I've given everyone at work my notice, and anticipate being off for about 2 weeks or so..  of course, if I need more time, it won't be a problem.

So, I am just about ready..  I've stocked up on the things I need to have when I get home, have my vitamins, and protein supplements available too.  I'm a little nervous, but not too bad..  I've had surgery before, so I know there will be some post-op discomfort involved, but I'm fully confident that things will go well, and I will be fine.

Till next time....

Well, another busy week has gone by..  This past week I got medical clearance by my PCP, attended my last pre-op class, and had my initial appointment with my gastroenterologist.  Everything went well...

I have my colonoscopy scheduled for next Friday, October 10...and that should do it for pre-op testing.  Finally!  The colonoscopy itself is a breeze, but the day before, and the day of the procedure (because I am scheduled for later in the afternoon at 3:30 pm), mean two days of clear liquids.  That will be tough for me.  But, I just stocked up on the lime and lemon jello, chicken broth, and SF lemonade and will just persevere through it.  On Friday night I have a dinner party to go to, so at least I wil be able to relax and have a satisfying (but healthy) meal shortly after...

After the colonoscopy, the last pre-op appointment I have is with the surgeon and then with the Bariatric nurse in his office for pre-op teaching.  Those appointments are both on October 20th, just one week before my October 28th surgery date.

I feel ready... and I'm actually getting excited about having the surgery.  Of course, there are always a few fears and maybe a few nerves, but overall I feel really good about my decision and about the surgery itself.  I'm anticipating a fresh start and a new relationship between me and food/eating, and that makes me feel optimistic and prepared.  It's so strange to think that after a few hours of being asleep, when I wake up, my lifestyle will be changed forever...but in a better way!

I haven't been doing any of the "last meals" stuff... I am watching what I eat and sticking to making good food choices and watching portion sizes.  According to my scale, I am now at 256.  If I can lose two more pounds before my surgical office appointment on the 20th, that will give me a 20 lb pre-op weight loss...  I'm shooting for that, so maybe the two day clear liquid diet for the colonoscopy will help!

Anyway, I'll punch in again after the colonoscopy...

Since my last post I've now completed my third pre-op support group (just one more to go!) and had all my pre-op tests done at the hospital.  I have my mammogram tomorrow afternoon, and then just a few more appointments.

Next week I will see my PCP, he will do my medical clearance, and I have an appointment with my gastroenterologist too...  Hopefully, I will be able to get my colonoscopy scheduled ASAP, and there won't be any problems that will delay the surgery.

After the colonoscopy I should be appointment-free until October 20th when I see the surgeon and his nurse for my final pre-op appointments.  Staying as busy as I am, and keeping all these appointments, will make the month of October fly by, and before I know it, it will be surgery day...October 28th.

I feel ready... I know exactly what to expect, and have done my research and prep work.  I've already bought all my vitamins, and have quite a few protein supplements at home to try.  I've been stocking up on sugar-free jello and puddings, and other recommended foods I'll need for the first few weeks. 

On the eating front, I've been doing well too...  I've been sticking to 3 meals a day, low-fat and low-carb, and watching portion sizes; keeping my day to about 1200 or so calories.  My scale had me at 258 this morning, which would be a 9 lb loss since my last surgeon's office visit, and 16 lbs since my first visit.  Not too shabby!

Just got a call from Dr. Kruger's office and I have a surgery date!  My RNY is scheduled for October 28th...

My pre-op tests are coming up next week, and I have two more group workshops...  I also have to have a colonoscopy with my regular gastroenterologist and need to get medical clearance from my PCP before my last office visit with the surgeon and with the nurse for pre-op instructions on October 20th.

Things are cruising along pretty quickly now..  I'm pretty excited and amazed that I was approved so quickly by BCBS for the surgery.

Well..  Went to the Surgeon's office for the second time, and I lost 7 lbs!  It's a start...!

I started my 4 weeks of required group workshops last night too, and it was great!  This program has everyone participate in a 4-week group workshop where we are in small groups of 8, and work together over the month, meeting weekly, to prepare for surgery.

Everything is moving toward the eventual date for surgery....

My main goals now are to lose another 10 lbs or so, and make sure that I am caffeine-free (down to just about one caffeinated beverage a day now) by the end of month, and to exercise regularly at least 3 days a week.

Well, I've now attended the two required psychology appointments and am scheduled to start the 4-week support groups/workshops beginning this Monday, Sept. 8th.

I also have my second appointment with the surgeon and with the dietician this week, so alot going on!  I was surprised to get a call from the doctor's office yesterday, it seems they have scheduled several pre-op appointments for me at Tobey Hospital (Gall Bladder Ultrasound, EKG, Chest  Xray, and Labs for me on Sept 26th...and even a pre-op clearance appointment with my PCP.

So, even though it does seem like a long process, things keep rolling and moving toward an eventual surgery date.  I am estimating that I may get a date sometime in October or maybe early to mid November.

Well, I'm on my way...

Attended Seminar with Dr. Kruger on 7/15/2008

1st Surgical Appointment -  7/28/2008

1st Nutrition Appointment -  8/1/2008

Next up.... scheduled 2 appointments with psychology for 8/15 and 8/21:  following that I will need to attend 4 pre-op workshops.

I already have another appointment scheduled with the surgeon and with the nutritionist, those are about 5 weeks away...

My surgeon also suggested that I contact my gastroenterologist for a colonoscopy as I have a history of ulcerative colitis and he would like to ensure that things are okay before surgery..

There is alot of pre-op work to do, but I believe that these steps are vital in ensuring that I am well-prepared for the major life changes that having this surgery will require...  I am looking forward to heading down the WLS, and will stop by to update often.


Height - 5'1"
1st Appt with Surgeon Wgt - 274 lbs