Alberta Newbie Here - Page 2 - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Jewlybean · 10-20-2009, 07:32 AM

Hi LaDawn,

Thank you for your post. Yes this is a geat site. It's actually kinda addictive. I've gotten nothing done around my house since I found it.

There are just so many things to read up on.
I will make sure to get my husband to update after my big day

~Jewl~

SummerEA · 10-20-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jewlybean

Hi SummerEA,

Thank you so much for your post and congrats on your success so far! It is really comforting to know that we have the same surgeon and that your experience was a good one.

I soooo wish that I could have joined TT sooner! ( I didn't have a computer) I have found that I've become obsessed with the whole thing.....Not that it's a bad thing....I have a LOT of learning to do. There is so much information on this site....It's almost overwhelming!

I didn't get much instruction from Dr. Nohr other than to buy WLS For Dummies and my Hospital Instruction Sheet....No Pre-op diet....I am also a smoker. (I know, I have to quit). The only time frame I have to go on is the Hospital Instruction Sheet.....It says at least 2 weeks before surgery.....I have decided that tomorrow is the day I quit.

The 20 day countdown begins today...I'm freaking out a little.....ok a LOT! I'm thinking that I should be going shopping to pick up the things I will need for when I come home from the hospital.....I have read peoples posts on here about what to get but there are sooo many opinions....

I appreciate your offer to come see me....I may just take you up on that! I have never met anyone who has had WLS in person. (that I know of) I would love to meet someone...see pictures...hear their story. I would love to hear Your story.

Thanks again for your post and your kind words. It has eased my mind a little. I'm not feeling so alone. I hope to hear from you again.

Jewl

Jewl,

So, I knew enough about surgery during my consultation that he didn't recommend the book to me but I ended up picking up two copies (one for me and one for my mom to read) but my surgery date got bumped a couple of times. I was originally schedules for May 2009 but then decided to take a year off school and it changed to March 2009 and then in Dec 2008 I got a phone call (the 18th actually) saying he wouldn't be able to do the March date, they needed to rebook. My choices: January 15, 2009 or sometime in June 2009. I was planning on going back to school in September so I took the January date but I felt scrambled for sure! Unlike a lot of our American friends, there is no "pre-surgery diet" and to be honest, I think I put on 10 lbs in the last month before surgery getting my fill of carbs! I loved pasta and my friends and I used to go to Boston Pizza for Pizza Bread and/or Cheese Toast all the time. So, I carb loaded. The night before I had dinner at the ABC restaurant... Chicken fingers, mashed potatoes and corn bread. Not good for me but it was comfort food. Starch, starch, starch! I had to be at the hospital at 6am but I swear I was so nervous I was up until 2 or 3 in the morning! As for smoking, quitting is a good plan... better for you in the long run!

But you also won't be able to smoke while you're in hospital so you're better off to quit now. You also won't be able to chew gum right away (some people say ever) so I'd recommend the patch or something. You will have enough emotional stuff going on that you don't need to add that in! Food is completely individualized, I hate to say! I know that some of the things people recommended on here I found revolting at first. I loved cream soups, I went from drinking skim milk to drinking 1% because it's what they gave me in hospital and the skim would make me sick... I can send you a list of the stuff I tried and loved and tried and hated if you want... Also, there were things that were fine one day and two days later would make me dump.

I'm VERY careful, even now of some of those things! If you have time to meet beforehand, I'm currently living in Red Deer but I'm for sure going to Calgary a couple of times in the next couple of weeks if you have a way of getting there to meet for coffee...? Just let me know! I have to run, I have class but I do have some pics in my profile and parts of my story are on the forum somewhere!

Take care of yourself! That's the most important pre-op thing I can tell you!

Jewlybean · 10-20-2009, 09:23 PM

Hi again Erin,

I dragged my hubby out today...I decided it was time to pick up some things that I may need for a pre-op diet. (broths, protein drinks) While i was sitting in the truck waiting for my hubby at the bank, my phone rang....It was the dietitian from Medicine Hat! It was like they were reading my mind. She got my email address from me so she could send me a handout for the GBP Diet. I got the handout and I am really happy with the info....It answered most of my questions....She is going to call me again at 10am on the 27th so we can go over the handout and she can answer any questions I have. I wrote down a few minor questions so I won't forget by the time she calls....
I decided to save the shopping for my next days off and we went to price out tires for hubby's truck....While we were doing that, the hospital called to verify my info and tell me to get the phone and fax numbers of a lab where I can get my blood work done.....They are going to phone me again around the 30th so I can give them the numbers. Then they will send the requisition for blood work to the lab. Then I can go to get my blood work done in Lethbridge. I don't have to go to Medicine Hat until surgery day! They can do all the pre-admission stuff over the phone! I am sooo happy!
The phone calls today have really made reality set in.....OH MY GOD THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING!! Can you tell I'm excited? LOL!
That would be really cool to meet for coffee! I don't mind driving to Calgary to meet you but I have to admit that driving in that city scares the crap out of me! How do you feel about High River? You will have to let me know the days that you will be there. The days that I'm not working will be...Oct 26-29and then Nov 4-8. Then of course surgery will be on the 9th.

Have a good one

~Jewl~

SummerEA · 10-21-2009, 12:19 AM

lol, I could do High River. Or Okotoks even... Weekends are generally better for me because then I don't have to skip classes (my mother tends to frown on that)

I could do later in the day on a Monday or Wednesday but otherwise a weekend is better. I was going to say, "So, how is the 7th? Midday? I'm supposed to be in Calgary that weekend anyway." But that's getting really close to surgery day so if you think of anything you want to ask me, it might be better to meet sooner. Otherwise, my bf and I could do a Claresholm run on a Saturday or Sunday possibly if that works better? PM me if you want and we can work out details!

And... with your surgery being the 9th (you won't want company that day other than family maybe, all you'll do is sleep) I have the 11th off anyway so I may be able to make a trip out there!

I know that I'd have loved to meet someone who had had the surgery and the people on this forum are great but I didn't want to be at the computer for a couple of weeks after so I know people on here and in my circle of friends were really worried about me. Facebook helped my mom let my friends know I was ok.

I know I was really glad about the pre-op stuff being done in Calgary. The post-op check-up has to be done in either Brooks or the Hat but it's not too bad from the Bridge which is good. My family doc when I lived in Lethbridge was brilliant (not the doctor who referred me for surgery who is in Calgary but my GP when I was a student there) and I know that your aftercare will be well taken care of. I had open and to be honest, the worst thing for me was having the stupid staples and foley catheter taken out because NO ONE would do it! :P It was completely stupid!

Anyway, I'm off to sleep for a few hours and then back to school early tomorrow! Don't stress! It'll be the best decision you've ever made!

Jewlybean · 10-30-2009, 03:16 AM

Wow! I can't believe how fast time is flying now! It's crazy! I've been so busy with last minute appointments that I waned to get out of the way before I'm all laid up.( eyes, dentist, post-op groceries and vitamins )
I would really love to meet up with you but I had no idea I would be so busy....What's up with that? LOL!.....If you do find yourself down here though while I'm in the hospital I'm probably going to be dying for a visitor....I so wish the surgery was in Lethbridge....Of course this may just be better....I imagine too many people could get overwhelming. My husband is only going to be able to be there the day of the surgery and then again when I go home....( It could be tragic to leave 2 teenage boys at home for too long )
Well' I only have 5 days of work left before I start my medical leave....I should say nights.....I'm trying to stay up until at least 6am so I can prepare for my Friday night shift....I don't think I'm going to make it...I would love to crawl into bed now.
Till next time...Have a good night!

~Jewl~

Lori P · 10-30-2009, 01:47 PM

hehehe

I might be able to pop over to the Hat and come visit you while you're all laid up in the hospital.

Your day will be here before you even know it!

Best of luck!!!!

*hugs*

Lori

Hychap2009 · 10-30-2009, 02:17 PM

Hi and welcome to TT.

Congrats on your surgery date. Do join the November 2009 Staplers where others will be going through this around the same time.

Good luck.