pammylou
1/1/08
Jan 01, 2008
Well I will be three weeks out tomarrow. Things are going well. As of today I have lost 22lbs and am amazed each day how much better I am feeling. My blood sugars are almost normal - still take Glucophage 500 mg for a bit longer. I am having no problems with nausea, dumping or pain. I have a sore spot where the drain was, but it isn't enough to get me down. I will see the surgeon on Thursday and hope to advance in my diet from full liquids and blended stuff to a bit more interesting things. The only place I really notice loss of weight is of course the "girls". I usually lose there and then the mid area and last the stomach, butt and legs. So I am anxious to get this all happening in the next few months.
Post op!
Dec 26, 2007
One week out!
Been home for a few days and feeling better everyday. Still have pain and it is difficult to get up and down without it, but it is getting less each day. I am taking my pain meds about every 4-6 hours and at bed time. I am using all my protein and not having any problems getting it all in. No nausea or pain with the liquids. I still have a lot of bloating feeling. My belly feels like it is really tight like a drum. When I got home and stepped on the scale, I was so surprised, I had gained 5 lbs. I was 284. The night before the surgery I was 279.5 - I heard that this could happen. I as hoping that it will disappear fast. My dh said that if he had been eating what I was, he would have lost 14 lbs by now!
I am resting, reading, watching tv, wrapping a few gifts and just enjoying the Christmas season.
13 days out!
It's Christmas day and my daughter and daughter-in-law have taken over the duties that I usually did on this day. I help out a bit, but just enjoy the day with our family over in the afternoon. I am tired at the end of it, but it was a wonderful day.
Two weeks out!
Well - these last few days have gone by pretty fast. I can't believe I am two weeks out - it seems like a dream. I am feeling pretty good, minimal pain but when I do have any it is still in the area under my right rib. I have those days when my cpap stuffiness and sneezing occur and that isn't very comfortable. Sometimes I sneeze 8-10 times in a row. I have tried benedryl. but it doesn't seem to last very long. I did preop as well and according to what I have read, it is not unusual to have stuffiness for months getting used to the cpap. I have been using it since September so I would think that this would be better by now. It isn't a cold, it only lasts a day or two, but just keeps coming several times a week.
I am still on the full liquids! I was hoping to hear from my nut, (I emailed her to see if I could advance) but haven't heard from her. I think that the office must be closed as my surgeon said I didn't have to come in until Jan 3rd. That would have been fine except I am looking for something else to eat! I am bored with the liquids. And I was hoping to be able to eat something on New Years Eve!
I have been up and about pretty much and went to the store and a few other places since my first few days at home. As of this morning I am weighing in at 263!
Been home for a few days and feeling better everyday. Still have pain and it is difficult to get up and down without it, but it is getting less each day. I am taking my pain meds about every 4-6 hours and at bed time. I am using all my protein and not having any problems getting it all in. No nausea or pain with the liquids. I still have a lot of bloating feeling. My belly feels like it is really tight like a drum. When I got home and stepped on the scale, I was so surprised, I had gained 5 lbs. I was 284. The night before the surgery I was 279.5 - I heard that this could happen. I as hoping that it will disappear fast. My dh said that if he had been eating what I was, he would have lost 14 lbs by now!
I am resting, reading, watching tv, wrapping a few gifts and just enjoying the Christmas season.
13 days out!
It's Christmas day and my daughter and daughter-in-law have taken over the duties that I usually did on this day. I help out a bit, but just enjoy the day with our family over in the afternoon. I am tired at the end of it, but it was a wonderful day.
Two weeks out!
Well - these last few days have gone by pretty fast. I can't believe I am two weeks out - it seems like a dream. I am feeling pretty good, minimal pain but when I do have any it is still in the area under my right rib. I have those days when my cpap stuffiness and sneezing occur and that isn't very comfortable. Sometimes I sneeze 8-10 times in a row. I have tried benedryl. but it doesn't seem to last very long. I did preop as well and according to what I have read, it is not unusual to have stuffiness for months getting used to the cpap. I have been using it since September so I would think that this would be better by now. It isn't a cold, it only lasts a day or two, but just keeps coming several times a week.
I am still on the full liquids! I was hoping to hear from my nut, (I emailed her to see if I could advance) but haven't heard from her. I think that the office must be closed as my surgeon said I didn't have to come in until Jan 3rd. That would have been fine except I am looking for something else to eat! I am bored with the liquids. And I was hoping to be able to eat something on New Years Eve!
I have been up and about pretty much and went to the store and a few other places since my first few days at home. As of this morning I am weighing in at 263!
Surgery!
Dec 19, 2007
My surgery journey is a collection of things that I want to remember. There may be a few things that I forgot while writing this, but I want to be able to go back to this page and remember what I went throught to get this journey going. It is not much different than other stories, but I don't ever want to forget why and how I began. When things are tough, I want this to encourage me to keep going!
Dec 11, 2007 the night before the big day. I have been so busy at work that the days have gone by so fast. Can't remember where my list of things to do before surgery is so I do another. As I check each area off, it dawns on me - tomarrow is your long awaited surgery! I have read so many profiles on the site that say exactly what I am thinking - "the time flies by" and now we are here. I am hoping for a good sleep tonight, trying not to get that panicked feeling that I have had a few days ago. When the lights go out, I just try to say a silent prayer for peace and rest. I know that I am not sleeping well, up 2-3 times to go to the bathroom, nervous bladder I guess. I am not hungery after the 24 hours of liquids, but it is hard to get to sleep.
Dec. 12, 2007
I think I finally sleep from 2-4:30 and I am up before my alarm is off. My dh is up already and downstairs feeding the cat. So I take my shower, get dressed and run through my lists again. Watered a few plants, set a few things aside to put with my CPAP machine, lip gloss, glasses and my little black phone book. Then we are off! Presurg is busy, but I am number 3 called to come in and sign papers and then taken to the admission area. You know the drill, everthing off, no makeup, jewerly, or artificial parts! Once in bed, they check everything out, get your paper work ready and then since is it only 6:20am you now wait! About 6:45, one of the OB residents comes to see me. It was such a surprise- she offers her good wishes and gives me a hug. At 7 am the surgery manager comes it. We had met a month ago and she is a one year out RNY and she also gives me a good pep talk and hug. At 7:10 the manager from PACU (a former colleague from another hospital years ago), comes in and we talk abit as well. I feel so blessed to have a group of friends that have gone out of their way to see me off. At 7:20 am a minister from our church comes in to talk and pray with my dh and I. I am at such peace and don't feel a bit nervous. Finally at 7:30 I say goodbye to my dh and I am off to the peranesthesia area where the CRNA and anesthesiolgist talk to me. We discuss the fact that I may have to spend the night in the PACU if my oxygen levels decrease. SInce I had been diagnosied with severe sleep apnea and have oxygen on at night, he is sure I will do that in the PACU especially when I get my pain meds. My IV is started and off I go into the OR. Everyone introduces themselves and tell me what their role is. They make me feel so comfortable. They offer a warm blanket, one is underme already, but I decline, because I feel like I am having a flash!. So - I get my sleepy drugs and the surgery is done. I have a RNY, and repair of a hiatal hernia and a ventral hernia from my old gallbadder incision. The surgery lasts close to 4 hours. When I wake up, I am struggling in severe pain, I think I am in the PACU, but can't see clearly. A while later I see the clock and it is about 2:30pm. They keep telling me to breath, I think I am, but I no sooner fall asleep, the ask me to take deep breaths again. I have oxygen on, but apparently I am not breathing well enought. The morphine is not working well, so they start giving me dilaudid and it holds better without knocking out my respirations. I hurt all over, but the pain in my left shoulder is the worst. It's from the gas that is used during the lap, I know this but it still hurts. When I try to move something else is hurting so I try not to move for hours. Sometime that evening they want me to walk just a few steps - I can't believe that I am doing it. Hurts, but I know that it will help me get out of the PACU sooner. A medical doctor is assigned to cover my PCP since he doesn't have privilages at this hospital. She is very sweet and I like her alot. She does explain that she is going to be watching my oxygen and insulin while I am here. Time is completely lost in the PACU - I don't know of care what time it is, except my nurses change with each shift. I finally realize that it is the next day!
Dec 13, 2007
Still in the PACU, I am doing better, but can't be moved until the afternoon when they are hoping that my breathing levels are better. I finally get some serious ice chips and I ask for my lip gloss. I realize that my lips are huge and my tongue is swollen. Apparently I have bite myself during the early hours of surgery. It makes it hard to talk! I get my foley out in the morning and they are walking me again. I try to empty my bladder but after 15 minutes they put me back to bed. A few hours later I finally do it! It seems like a great moment, my nurses cheer me on as I walk back to my bed. I spend some time in a lounge chair - it is comfortable and I feel good being up. A friend from our church comes to visit. He is a retired surgeon and now just does surgery in the Phillipines with children who have cleft palates. It is is home country and he donates his time and talents to give children a better life. It is wonderful to see him and his wife and they are so supportive and pray with me. A little later, I finally get moved into my room about 3pm. A few of my friends and coworkers are there to great me. I know that I look awful, but everyone is kind. It is great seeing them, but I can hardly keep my eyes open. I had a dose of pain med before transport, so it is making me very comfortable.
The evening hours are painful, I am getting up to go to the bathroom and wash up occassionaly and sit in the lounge chair in my room or go for a walk in the halls with my nurse at first, later my husband takes me. This night I sleep pretty soundly, except for the times for vital signs, blood sugar or meds. I am starting to feel and hear some rumbling in my abdoment. The gas is moving! Also, I realize now that I have been put on insulin to cover my very high bllod sugar. They explain that even though I have had nothing to eat, my body is in shock and is overproducing glucose. It should settle down in a few days.
Dec 14th
I am feeling good this morning, now on liquid pain med and getting around the room and hallways myself. Both the Bariatric Nurse and Nut come and review my plan for the next few weeks. I am planning on going home, because that is how I was told by the surgeon it would be, but he now ihe s wanting to hold me over a day or two to resolve the issue of me still being on oxygen and insulin. He gives me an IV dose of diladid so that he can pull out my JP drain. I can't believe how long it is and how awful it feels coming out. But the wounds all look clean and he is happy that I am doing pretty good. He has a death in the family and will be away for the weekend so I will be seeing another surgeon while here in the hospital. My medical doctor is also concerned that my lungs are noisey and that my output is low. I get a chest xray and then a dose of Lasix to get some fluids out. I produce about a liter and everyone seems happy with that. I have a chance to get into the shower and feel really good. But later my urine drops again and I am asked to increase my fluids and I get another IV fluid bolus. I have had three IV sites so far, they don't last very long, so they call one of our Special Op Nurses to get a better site. It is later in the evening when the nurse, an older guy who has worked here along time, comes in. He has a bubbly personality and promises that this will be my last IV. He is quick and painless! WOW! I am still rumbling with gas, and soon have my first opportunity to pass some of it. Another WOW moment! It is like everyone before me has said - it feels good to get it out!
Dec.15th & 16th
I don't know what happened these two days - I felt so much better yesterday and now I really hurt. My drain area is where most of the pain is, but also around to the lower rib and side. I can't take a deep breath without the pain increasing and when I try to walk, I can straighten out. It is causing me alot of distress. During the night I am out of bed several times trying to find a comfortable area. I am exhauseted now and fall apart. I can't keep straight when my pain meds are due, so I sit there in the dark sobbing. My door is not closed completely and one of the very nices nurse aids comes in and sits with me for about 20 minutes, helping me to get it out and encourages me. I felt so blessed to have her come in. The unit has been very busy and noisey, so I don't know how she heard me. I know that she helped me at a time when I was done and appreciated all that she did in those short moments. My nurse came in later and gave me more pain med and also offered encouragement. They all have some special training to work with the Bariatric patients on that unit.
Dec 17th
When I got up to go into the bathroom I am feeling pretty gassy and lo and behold lots of gas and bm are out! The rest of the day I am really feeling so much better. When my surgeon comes in - I thought he would be upset that I didn't go home, he is glad to see my progress and says if I need another day I could stay, but I am now ready to go home. I get all of my instructions from him and I start packing. My dh had a few things to do at work and he will be back at dinner time to pick me up. So I take a nap, make a few more laps around the unit, have my tomatoe soup dinner and then leave about 7pm. It is great to be home, my kitty talkes to me as I come in the door - he is not sure who I am and why do I smell different! A bit later we all sit on the couch, turn on the fireplace, turn the Christmas lights on and savor the moment. I have done it! I didn't know if I could or would. I didn't know if I had the deterimination to start this journey, but it is here! Now to take each day at a time, to recover and grow strong. I got on the scale before heading to bed and was shocked to see that I had gained 8 lbs since surgery. But I knew that could happen, so I need to be patient and follow the plan before I see the changes. I am so looking forward to that!
Dec 11, 2007 the night before the big day. I have been so busy at work that the days have gone by so fast. Can't remember where my list of things to do before surgery is so I do another. As I check each area off, it dawns on me - tomarrow is your long awaited surgery! I have read so many profiles on the site that say exactly what I am thinking - "the time flies by" and now we are here. I am hoping for a good sleep tonight, trying not to get that panicked feeling that I have had a few days ago. When the lights go out, I just try to say a silent prayer for peace and rest. I know that I am not sleeping well, up 2-3 times to go to the bathroom, nervous bladder I guess. I am not hungery after the 24 hours of liquids, but it is hard to get to sleep.
Dec. 12, 2007
I think I finally sleep from 2-4:30 and I am up before my alarm is off. My dh is up already and downstairs feeding the cat. So I take my shower, get dressed and run through my lists again. Watered a few plants, set a few things aside to put with my CPAP machine, lip gloss, glasses and my little black phone book. Then we are off! Presurg is busy, but I am number 3 called to come in and sign papers and then taken to the admission area. You know the drill, everthing off, no makeup, jewerly, or artificial parts! Once in bed, they check everything out, get your paper work ready and then since is it only 6:20am you now wait! About 6:45, one of the OB residents comes to see me. It was such a surprise- she offers her good wishes and gives me a hug. At 7 am the surgery manager comes it. We had met a month ago and she is a one year out RNY and she also gives me a good pep talk and hug. At 7:10 the manager from PACU (a former colleague from another hospital years ago), comes in and we talk abit as well. I feel so blessed to have a group of friends that have gone out of their way to see me off. At 7:20 am a minister from our church comes in to talk and pray with my dh and I. I am at such peace and don't feel a bit nervous. Finally at 7:30 I say goodbye to my dh and I am off to the peranesthesia area where the CRNA and anesthesiolgist talk to me. We discuss the fact that I may have to spend the night in the PACU if my oxygen levels decrease. SInce I had been diagnosied with severe sleep apnea and have oxygen on at night, he is sure I will do that in the PACU especially when I get my pain meds. My IV is started and off I go into the OR. Everyone introduces themselves and tell me what their role is. They make me feel so comfortable. They offer a warm blanket, one is underme already, but I decline, because I feel like I am having a flash!. So - I get my sleepy drugs and the surgery is done. I have a RNY, and repair of a hiatal hernia and a ventral hernia from my old gallbadder incision. The surgery lasts close to 4 hours. When I wake up, I am struggling in severe pain, I think I am in the PACU, but can't see clearly. A while later I see the clock and it is about 2:30pm. They keep telling me to breath, I think I am, but I no sooner fall asleep, the ask me to take deep breaths again. I have oxygen on, but apparently I am not breathing well enought. The morphine is not working well, so they start giving me dilaudid and it holds better without knocking out my respirations. I hurt all over, but the pain in my left shoulder is the worst. It's from the gas that is used during the lap, I know this but it still hurts. When I try to move something else is hurting so I try not to move for hours. Sometime that evening they want me to walk just a few steps - I can't believe that I am doing it. Hurts, but I know that it will help me get out of the PACU sooner. A medical doctor is assigned to cover my PCP since he doesn't have privilages at this hospital. She is very sweet and I like her alot. She does explain that she is going to be watching my oxygen and insulin while I am here. Time is completely lost in the PACU - I don't know of care what time it is, except my nurses change with each shift. I finally realize that it is the next day!
Dec 13, 2007
Still in the PACU, I am doing better, but can't be moved until the afternoon when they are hoping that my breathing levels are better. I finally get some serious ice chips and I ask for my lip gloss. I realize that my lips are huge and my tongue is swollen. Apparently I have bite myself during the early hours of surgery. It makes it hard to talk! I get my foley out in the morning and they are walking me again. I try to empty my bladder but after 15 minutes they put me back to bed. A few hours later I finally do it! It seems like a great moment, my nurses cheer me on as I walk back to my bed. I spend some time in a lounge chair - it is comfortable and I feel good being up. A friend from our church comes to visit. He is a retired surgeon and now just does surgery in the Phillipines with children who have cleft palates. It is is home country and he donates his time and talents to give children a better life. It is wonderful to see him and his wife and they are so supportive and pray with me. A little later, I finally get moved into my room about 3pm. A few of my friends and coworkers are there to great me. I know that I look awful, but everyone is kind. It is great seeing them, but I can hardly keep my eyes open. I had a dose of pain med before transport, so it is making me very comfortable.
The evening hours are painful, I am getting up to go to the bathroom and wash up occassionaly and sit in the lounge chair in my room or go for a walk in the halls with my nurse at first, later my husband takes me. This night I sleep pretty soundly, except for the times for vital signs, blood sugar or meds. I am starting to feel and hear some rumbling in my abdoment. The gas is moving! Also, I realize now that I have been put on insulin to cover my very high bllod sugar. They explain that even though I have had nothing to eat, my body is in shock and is overproducing glucose. It should settle down in a few days.
Dec 14th
I am feeling good this morning, now on liquid pain med and getting around the room and hallways myself. Both the Bariatric Nurse and Nut come and review my plan for the next few weeks. I am planning on going home, because that is how I was told by the surgeon it would be, but he now ihe s wanting to hold me over a day or two to resolve the issue of me still being on oxygen and insulin. He gives me an IV dose of diladid so that he can pull out my JP drain. I can't believe how long it is and how awful it feels coming out. But the wounds all look clean and he is happy that I am doing pretty good. He has a death in the family and will be away for the weekend so I will be seeing another surgeon while here in the hospital. My medical doctor is also concerned that my lungs are noisey and that my output is low. I get a chest xray and then a dose of Lasix to get some fluids out. I produce about a liter and everyone seems happy with that. I have a chance to get into the shower and feel really good. But later my urine drops again and I am asked to increase my fluids and I get another IV fluid bolus. I have had three IV sites so far, they don't last very long, so they call one of our Special Op Nurses to get a better site. It is later in the evening when the nurse, an older guy who has worked here along time, comes in. He has a bubbly personality and promises that this will be my last IV. He is quick and painless! WOW! I am still rumbling with gas, and soon have my first opportunity to pass some of it. Another WOW moment! It is like everyone before me has said - it feels good to get it out!
Dec.15th & 16th
I don't know what happened these two days - I felt so much better yesterday and now I really hurt. My drain area is where most of the pain is, but also around to the lower rib and side. I can't take a deep breath without the pain increasing and when I try to walk, I can straighten out. It is causing me alot of distress. During the night I am out of bed several times trying to find a comfortable area. I am exhauseted now and fall apart. I can't keep straight when my pain meds are due, so I sit there in the dark sobbing. My door is not closed completely and one of the very nices nurse aids comes in and sits with me for about 20 minutes, helping me to get it out and encourages me. I felt so blessed to have her come in. The unit has been very busy and noisey, so I don't know how she heard me. I know that she helped me at a time when I was done and appreciated all that she did in those short moments. My nurse came in later and gave me more pain med and also offered encouragement. They all have some special training to work with the Bariatric patients on that unit.
Dec 17th
When I got up to go into the bathroom I am feeling pretty gassy and lo and behold lots of gas and bm are out! The rest of the day I am really feeling so much better. When my surgeon comes in - I thought he would be upset that I didn't go home, he is glad to see my progress and says if I need another day I could stay, but I am now ready to go home. I get all of my instructions from him and I start packing. My dh had a few things to do at work and he will be back at dinner time to pick me up. So I take a nap, make a few more laps around the unit, have my tomatoe soup dinner and then leave about 7pm. It is great to be home, my kitty talkes to me as I come in the door - he is not sure who I am and why do I smell different! A bit later we all sit on the couch, turn on the fireplace, turn the Christmas lights on and savor the moment. I have done it! I didn't know if I could or would. I didn't know if I had the deterimination to start this journey, but it is here! Now to take each day at a time, to recover and grow strong. I got on the scale before heading to bed and was shocked to see that I had gained 8 lbs since surgery. But I knew that could happen, so I need to be patient and follow the plan before I see the changes. I am so looking forward to that!
My journey so far!
Dec 05, 2007
I have been trying to get this info on this site for months and there has never been a time where I could just sit and think about my life. So I am going to try to fill in some areas that were milestones in my path to weight loss surgery. It will probably be boring or just like others on this site. But I thought it would help me remember what happened during this last year.
Before I got started on this journey - I already have Type II Diabetes, high BP and High cholesterol, glucoma, hearing loss and arthritis of knees and hands.
Dec 2006
Saw a women at our Sunday School Christmas party that I hadn't seen for a long time. We were similar in age, height and weight in the past, but look at her now. She has lost weight - not a little bit but a lot! I was guessing that she had WLS but didn't ask. I thought about her off and on for a few months and then starting investigating for myself. I was praying for direction on what to do and throughout this journey, I feel that my path was not in my control, but the Lords control. I prayed that I would be sensitive to what I was to do - that if the doors closed along the way that I would know that the time wasn't right yet.
Spring 2007
The hospital that I work for has a Bariatric site on their Web so I started there. That site offered some forms to fill out and come in for a interview. I went to the Information session before the doctors visit and I was impressed at the information provided including videos of the surgery itself. Sent in my paper work and got my appointment.
June 7th 2007
My first meeting with the surgeon. One hour devoted in learning more about me and what I would need to do to achieve approval for the surgery. I really like the entire staff - very friendly and personable. I am begining to understand the committment I will need to make to get there. I start with a physicial therapy evaluation and treatment to help me strengthen my back. I had a very servere sciatic nerve problem in Jan of 2005, which left me with permant numbness and pain. During the eval they told me that I would need to do PT for about 6-10 weeks to help me find some ways to get the needed strength for post op physical energy. So I did that for a few months. I also saw my PCP to get started on the required 6 month weight loss monitoring for my insurance approval. Also started my nutrition/exercise log that they like to see.
July 2007
Went to the required Nutrition class and preop teaching . I learned so much about the before and after of surgery. I met with the surgeon again and he planned our next step in the testing list: Colonoscopy and EGD. Since I've had a hiatal hernia he want ed look at that up close and I was due for a colonoscopy (last one 10 years ago).
August 2007
This was a busy month! Had the EGD and colonscopy: Results - polyps removed, several biopsies done. The whole thing wasn't bad! The results showed erosion in the esophagus and hiatal hernia - put me on Nexium. And the colonoscopy biopsy showed some irritation that he will want to watch over the next year. Next was the meeting again with the nutrition lady and surgeon to determine the next tests. I also saw the psych doctor and had an upper GI to see the hiatal hernia better.
Sept 2007
Had the sleep study - found severe sleep apnea, second study with CPAP and oxygen were evaluated and determined that I would need both at home. I am attending the monthly support group meetings as well and seeing my PCP. Not losing alot of weight, but learning about protein needs.
Oct 2007
Have my final meeting with my PCP and now can submit the paper work for insurance approval. A few delays over the next few weeks, needing more info for the insurance company and finally on 10/26 found out I was approved! I then had my Pulmonary Function tests with blood glasses, chest xray and another 9 vials of blood for the other tests. I picked up my FLMA papers and now waited for my meeting with the surgeon again! I am penciled in for the 28th of Nov.
Nov 2007
I wasn't prepared for what happened next. I was all set to plan on surgery on 11/28, but when I told my boss, she said that we were having our yearly License survey ( which was supposed to happen in Jan) on 12/10 & 11 and that I would have to postpone my surgery because I do all of the paperwork and preparations. I was really disappointed, but knew that God was in control and it would be alright. So I chose to have surgery on the 12th - I didn't want to run into the holidays, but I realized that this will work out better than ever. I will be able to take more time to recover than if I had the surgery before the survey. I would be home at Christmas - something that hasn't happen when you work full time. I think this will give me a chance to really feel the true meaning of Christmas. After all it is the birth of my Saviour and it will be the birth of my new life.
Now that the date is set I have begun ordering and trying the proteins out there. I wanted to have everything I need for my recovery so I am trying to get that done.
Dec 2007
12/4 - the women I mentioned that I saw last year at the Christmas party - well I saw her last night and went up to talk to her. She did have a open RYN 2 years ago. When I told her that I was having mine next week, she was so supportive and encouraging. We hugged and she said she would be my support and prayer warrior. I am so glad I talked to her. My DH hasn't been real supportive, but when he saw her, he couldn't believe how great she looked. And as I said befor, we were very close in age, height and weight. So now maybe he will have a better idea of how I might look next Christmas.
12/5 Had my preop testing (basic history and physical) so now I am officially done! Just the countdown to 12/12/07 - MY DAY!!
Before I got started on this journey - I already have Type II Diabetes, high BP and High cholesterol, glucoma, hearing loss and arthritis of knees and hands.
Dec 2006
Saw a women at our Sunday School Christmas party that I hadn't seen for a long time. We were similar in age, height and weight in the past, but look at her now. She has lost weight - not a little bit but a lot! I was guessing that she had WLS but didn't ask. I thought about her off and on for a few months and then starting investigating for myself. I was praying for direction on what to do and throughout this journey, I feel that my path was not in my control, but the Lords control. I prayed that I would be sensitive to what I was to do - that if the doors closed along the way that I would know that the time wasn't right yet.
Spring 2007
The hospital that I work for has a Bariatric site on their Web so I started there. That site offered some forms to fill out and come in for a interview. I went to the Information session before the doctors visit and I was impressed at the information provided including videos of the surgery itself. Sent in my paper work and got my appointment.
June 7th 2007
My first meeting with the surgeon. One hour devoted in learning more about me and what I would need to do to achieve approval for the surgery. I really like the entire staff - very friendly and personable. I am begining to understand the committment I will need to make to get there. I start with a physicial therapy evaluation and treatment to help me strengthen my back. I had a very servere sciatic nerve problem in Jan of 2005, which left me with permant numbness and pain. During the eval they told me that I would need to do PT for about 6-10 weeks to help me find some ways to get the needed strength for post op physical energy. So I did that for a few months. I also saw my PCP to get started on the required 6 month weight loss monitoring for my insurance approval. Also started my nutrition/exercise log that they like to see.
July 2007
Went to the required Nutrition class and preop teaching . I learned so much about the before and after of surgery. I met with the surgeon again and he planned our next step in the testing list: Colonoscopy and EGD. Since I've had a hiatal hernia he want ed look at that up close and I was due for a colonoscopy (last one 10 years ago).
August 2007
This was a busy month! Had the EGD and colonscopy: Results - polyps removed, several biopsies done. The whole thing wasn't bad! The results showed erosion in the esophagus and hiatal hernia - put me on Nexium. And the colonoscopy biopsy showed some irritation that he will want to watch over the next year. Next was the meeting again with the nutrition lady and surgeon to determine the next tests. I also saw the psych doctor and had an upper GI to see the hiatal hernia better.
Sept 2007
Had the sleep study - found severe sleep apnea, second study with CPAP and oxygen were evaluated and determined that I would need both at home. I am attending the monthly support group meetings as well and seeing my PCP. Not losing alot of weight, but learning about protein needs.
Oct 2007
Have my final meeting with my PCP and now can submit the paper work for insurance approval. A few delays over the next few weeks, needing more info for the insurance company and finally on 10/26 found out I was approved! I then had my Pulmonary Function tests with blood glasses, chest xray and another 9 vials of blood for the other tests. I picked up my FLMA papers and now waited for my meeting with the surgeon again! I am penciled in for the 28th of Nov.
Nov 2007
I wasn't prepared for what happened next. I was all set to plan on surgery on 11/28, but when I told my boss, she said that we were having our yearly License survey ( which was supposed to happen in Jan) on 12/10 & 11 and that I would have to postpone my surgery because I do all of the paperwork and preparations. I was really disappointed, but knew that God was in control and it would be alright. So I chose to have surgery on the 12th - I didn't want to run into the holidays, but I realized that this will work out better than ever. I will be able to take more time to recover than if I had the surgery before the survey. I would be home at Christmas - something that hasn't happen when you work full time. I think this will give me a chance to really feel the true meaning of Christmas. After all it is the birth of my Saviour and it will be the birth of my new life.
Now that the date is set I have begun ordering and trying the proteins out there. I wanted to have everything I need for my recovery so I am trying to get that done.
Dec 2007
12/4 - the women I mentioned that I saw last year at the Christmas party - well I saw her last night and went up to talk to her. She did have a open RYN 2 years ago. When I told her that I was having mine next week, she was so supportive and encouraging. We hugged and she said she would be my support and prayer warrior. I am so glad I talked to her. My DH hasn't been real supportive, but when he saw her, he couldn't believe how great she looked. And as I said befor, we were very close in age, height and weight. So now maybe he will have a better idea of how I might look next Christmas.
12/5 Had my preop testing (basic history and physical) so now I am officially done! Just the countdown to 12/12/07 - MY DAY!!
About Me
Tallmadge, OH
Location
33.5
BMI
Surgery
12/12/2007
Surgery Date
Aug 31, 2007
Member Since
