Laurie's Story - Page 2 - ThinnerTimes

fitbefore40 · 02-09-2006, 08:40 PM

OK - Just got back from the required support group meeting - it was fun - looks like I'm the only one without insurance problems!

According to the leader, it was a huge group of pre-op patients! Guess we all can't wait. There were 2 post op patients that only had the surgery LAST Monday - and they are already going to group! Both moved well - it was very encouraging. There was one girl that had her surgery on 11/11 and ended up with complications - she was in the hospital for 7 weeks. That's scary, but it's good to hear stories so that you can prepare yourself for anything.

Now I have to wait for my sleep study date.

On to the next step!

fitbefore40 · 02-16-2006, 09:24 AM

Ok, went to my PCP to get some initial blood work done - this is the only thing done through your family dr - my bariatric doc want the PCP to know what is going on etc.

So, the first person I see is the Nurse woman who weighs me, she asks me what brings me in - I tell her that I need labwork done for my impending RYN GB surgery.

She immediately gives me this pitiful look and asks me "are you suuuurrre that is what you want to do?" OK lady that I have just met and who has NEVER seen me or looked at my chart - why don't you pass judgment on me . . . you have not been 100+ pounds overweight for 12 years . . . . ARRGHHHH!

You know, she had a slight weight problem, she probably could have lost 30-40 pounds - but DON"T TAKE IT OUT ON ME!

My Dr on the otherhand, was super. I have to return tomorrow morning to let them have a morning draw . . . I'm avoiding Nurse Ratchet.

Gladitsme · 02-16-2006, 11:57 AM

Isn't it funny how people think they have the right to judge our choices?

fitbefore40 · 02-27-2006, 01:28 PM

Well, I did make it a few steps forward . . . All my bloodwork came back fine . . . that hoop jumped through - But I failed the hemoccult!! I only failed one of three slides, so I have to re-test. Now, I did eat beef one time during the test window and that probably screwed up the test - I just didn't THINK!! Thinking about eating is so important - NOT THINKING and ORDERING ANYTHING that is a BAD habit that I need to work on before this surgery!!

I dropped off my result today, so I'm waiting to hear back. If I failed again, I have to have a GI workup - eewwwwwww!!! Cross your fingers!

I had my sleep consult - my overnight is Wed and hopefully, I'll be sleeping pretty soon!!

If the hemoccult is negative, I'm still on for March 20th!!

On I work note, I told my boss I was going to be out with "surgery" beginning March 20th . . . he said, just make sure my cases are current and handled - no questions asked.

Great Boss!

Duckie · 02-28-2006, 01:30 AM

Good luck!! FYI: A hemocult can be off simply if you have hemoroids. Just a thought.

fitbefore40 · 02-28-2006, 11:53 AM

HOORAY HOORAY HOORAY - yes, I was negative on the hemocult retest!! I sooooo did not want to have a colonoscopy!!

With that out of the way, I feel like I can start counting down the days!!!

20 . . . . . . .

fitbefore40 · 03-03-2006, 12:24 PM

Sleep Study! hmmph! They should call it a "keep you up study" Just when I was sleeping well with all the wires, they woke me up and had me get on a CPAP machine. My blood oxygen level was in the 80s - so now I have the home version!!

Not too bad . . . I did have to have a "sleep deprived" EEG this morning - which sucked . . . but hey, it's one step closer.

17 days and counting!!

fitbefore40 · 03-10-2006, 01:48 PM

SPA day!!!

Yeah, I'd like it to mean Spa . . . but actually, it was Surgical Pre-Admission . . . . They took blood, did a physical, etc. I was there for 7 hours!!! I met with the surgeon - who is wonderful - he has done 2300 RNY GB - he's good at what he does!! He is also the Chairperson of the Professional Liability Section of the international bariatric society . . . so we talked malpractice insurance and tort reform!! He's super intellectual, and still very personable.

Anyway, I met with him, then the nutritionist, then did labwork . . . and it's all set for Monday the 20th.

Now, I'm just trying to get caught up at work!!

fitbefore40 · 04-10-2006, 09:45 PM

The time flew between SPA day and surgery day - getting everything squared away at work and home. Sending my kids off to day care on Mondy the day of the surgery was the hardest. I just kept thinking . . . wake up, I'm going to wake up and it will be over.

And in 1.5 hours, it was done - I woke up in recovery and thought, I'm alive, I didn't orphan my kids . .. morbid, but it was a real thought.

I spent an hour or so in recovery, then to my room. I had a roommate who had the same surgery, same doctor, 2 hours befoe me. I was more awake than she - good pain choice for me - I chose a PCA pump rather than an epidural. I was up and moving by 10 pm. Then sleep. The worst feeling was the dryness in my mouth - NO liquids until 10 am - even no brushing teeth because it may cue your stomach and then you could burst stapels and bleed out - so no liquids for me.

I slept pretty well, I woke one time with a cramp - a BAD one, but it went away . . . then onto Day one post op! Glad to be there. ICE DAY . . .yup, that's my food .. .Ice and damn glad to have it!!!

Gladitsme · 04-11-2006, 09:27 AM

Glad to see you back! Congrats on being on the loser side!