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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007 |
Location: London, UK |
Surgeon: Dr. Bruno Dillemans, Bruges |
Age: 51 |
Posts: 1,587 |
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Dearest Beautiful Olivia (and you really are!),
Thank you so much for your kind words - it is ALWAYS lovely to be appreciated!
I am glad I may have allayed some concerns. I believe very much in that forewarned is forearmed!
I would stress that you ought to pay a lot more attention than I did about AFTER care. Because I had had 3 caesareans, I was familiar with what to expect in terms of hospital/surgery. However, the two week ride I have had since is a totally different learning curve from bringing a baby home! I would nonetheless compare the process - perhaps, if you don't have children, your mother could relate to this point: you spend your time thinking, dreaming, planning and preparing for this surgery, like packing the babygros, and getting the nursery ready. You have chosen names for the baby, prepared the birth announcements and all the "happy" stuff that surrounds a birth. One day you leave the security of the hospital, with your new baby/surgery. As much loved and excited as you may be, the following few weeks are totally a new experience, even when bringing home new children the outcome is different each time...
So, you arrive home with your new bypass, you are feeling lousy or great, depending on how your surgery went. I was most lucky because Dr. Dillemans specialises in minimizing nausea and ulcers... (Incidentally, he creates the "limb" at 130cm [that is the length of the bypass] and this has a direct impact on how we feel and are able to eat very shortly after surgery in comparison to how they do it in the States).
I had only been able to take in so much information about what happens "after" and part of the "forgotten" aspect was indeed the self-injections. They are indeed a preventative measure against deep vein thrombosis (you have to wear special stockings too for 2 weeks) and are vital to take. It is straightforward, not very pleasant, but you get over it quickly (especially you I bet!). There is no point in dillying or dallying about, you need to do it for 10 days after you leave the hospital. When you think of it in terms of "life or death", I can assure you I opt for self-injecting! You pick up a roll of flesh below your navel and some 5 cm down you "stab" yourself, squeeze the trigger and before you have time to think, you hear the whiiishhh sound indicating you have finished. Protect your needle, retract it into the pre-loaded syringe and chuck it in the bin! Easy peasy.
I was indeed pleased to finish my last injection last night, so the ONLY medication I am taking (absolutely NOTHING else!), is an anti-ulcer forming protective capsule, to be taken for 3 months. That is hardly worth mentioning as you swallow it just like that, with a swig of water...
Write down any and all questions you have - we always think we remember and when in front of the situation have forgotten them!
Dr. Dillemans is a great man, probably at the pinnacle of his career. You are getting a fresh, 46 year old super qualilfied surgeon, who absolutely loves his work, full of energy and enthusiam and believing in what he does. He himself says he is merely the technician, ie his area of interest only really is his surgery. You need to strengthen your relationship with your doctor at home (especially necessary to have that in place for your return). Dr. D. is more than happy to answer questions by email. He admits to being little of an administrative man, his role is strictly the surgery. The aftercare aspect is something he will quickly tell you about for immediate benefit, his dietician is on hand for any questions. In fact, if Dr. D spent time on loads of pre and post consultation time, he wouldn't be as available as he is for his surgeries! He performs 45-50 surgeries per week and concentrates on his skill. He has even operated on his own mother!
You will find a brilliant idea from Marine, in her post above. She recommends keeping an eating diary and I will start just the thing tomorrow! I found it nigh impossible to eat today from the moment I woke up a 7:30 until 7:30 pm and hence went a whole day without food, and frankly with totally insufficient water. I enjoyed a good supper, and have been sipping that bloody water diligently ever since (lucky for me that I am a night owl!).
Taking your mother with you will be just fine! A very healthy bonding and rebirthing exercise for you both - it matters to a mother to see her child well and happy and if not, she feels it her "mother hen" responsibility to be there to look after her (32 year old) baby! Once a mother, always a mother!
Another tip: immediately after the Festive Season, start emptying cupboards, put your administrative private life in order, batch cook chicken soup, puree it and freeze it in yoghurt pot sizes so that you have something fresh and home made ready to dig out upon your return from Bruges...
You won't feel like doing very much when at the hotel (even less at the hospital!). I invested in an International SIM card (SIM4Travel) which makes calling from my UNLOCKED (non-network dependant) mobile a lot cheaper (in fact, I have mobile kept for travelling).
I doubt you'll be flying from Bournemouth. If you are taking the train, the most direct route is travelling by Eurostar from St Pancras International London to Lille and from there a taxi (a little over 150 euros one way, one hour's ride), rather than Eurostar to Brussels and then a local train to Bruges). I really recommend arriving one day before you are needed. Gwen drove through the Eurotunnel.
OK, information overload for you now!
Do keep in touch - we are ALL here to answer any questions and help!
I look very much forward to following your posts!
[incidentally, how long does a tattooed eyeliner last? You may want to search on the forum for Tattoos (under pictures?) - I looked at several yesterday! Quite fun to see who wears what!]
So, cheers for now!
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LAP RNY 10th Dec 2007 / 240lbs / BMI 39.9
Current 182 lbs / BMI 31.2 - Goal 140 lbs
TTF Gym Rat #70 & Sweedebear
Vim's thread http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/per...-umbrella.html
Depression is not an option:
just stick with it and you'll pull through...
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with Dr Dillemans in Bruges.
This photo was taken in April this year, I was around 135 lbs. I want to look like that again 
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