goodgmissm
11-25-04
Well... three days post-op and I've already learned my first lesson about my new little tummy. It truly does NOT hold very much at all, and if too much goes in too fast it is NOT a pleasant sensation at all. But that was very important for me to learn right away as it will help me do things the right way. Here's what happened: I've so far today consumed about 20 oz. of water, then around the time we spoke this morning I had my 1 oz. of chicken broth, 1 oz. of jello, 1 chewable bugs bunny multivitamin, my thyroid medication and my anti-depressant medication crushed up in a bite of the jello ( I think this may have been what started the downward spiral) followed by a chewable calcium. all in all, about 3-4 oz. of "stuff" (picture a qty. of about 2 little plastic medicine cups)... but within a half hour I was feeling very full and bloated and the very beginning of nauseated. Plus about that time I took some liquid pain medicine as it was that time of day. I ended up going in the bathroom to sit... once I relaxed a little I was able to go a little b it and release some of the air that has been rolling around in my tummy. But I hope I never forget that sensation because it is extremely uncomfortable. Like eating the largest meal you've ever eaten and then having dessert too. It's all a learning process. But I'm pleased to say that so far I've taken things slow and I have not been nauseated or spit up. But my energy spurts come and go. I'm having one right now, so I'm up doing my walking, checking email, deep breathing and coughing (ouch!). Then I'll prolly crash in front of the TV for another nap. It's nice to know that it is cold outside and I get to stay INSIDE in my jammies!
11-18-04
Whew.... what a day this was! Mmy life feels like it got turned upside down with only a few days until surgery. Today was labs and a bunch of other stuff and literally took all day. Here's my itinerary:
8am To West Des Moines for a pulmonary screening, arterial blood gases (not as painful as I was led to believe), and a chest x-ray. Also a trip to the pharmacy to collect the remaining nutritional supplements that were on my list.
10:30am (my appointments was actually at 9, but my first appointment took way longer than expected) to the Mercy Center for Weight Reduction for pre-op labs (two vials donated to the resident vampire), and a glucose tolerance test. I didn't mind the stuff I had to drink because by that time, having been NPO, I was so thirsty I was happy to have anything wet! After labs, I went back to the weight center for pre-op teaching on the JP drain, the G-tube, and Lovenox injections, as well as the "breathing thingy" that I will have to use to help avoid pneumonia. Then down to the surgery floor to speak to the OR nurse (who had the surgery in February and doesn't look like she was ever overweight!). Then down to the financial office to discuss my deductible (only $1800 - yay!). All of this took until 12:45.
1:30 appointment with my PCP for a history and physical and an EKG, all of which took until about 3pm.
I've spent the week so far stocking up on nutritional supplements (I got some sample packets of Isopure so I can decide which flavor I like - do you have a favorite?) I plan to spend the weekend cooking homemade broth (veggie broth and chicken broth) to eat and restocking my SF jello supply. I've been eating that for a long time so I don't have to adjust to that at all.
Friday night I am going to treat myself to a small meal at my favorite restaurant and then Saturday will be eating light, Sunday will be clear liquids and then "roto rooter" after 1pm. I hope it doesn't taste as nasty as I think it will. ha!
I am really excited, and a little nervous of course, but I know that I am in the best hands and I am well educated and prepared. I have only hit one snag and that was today with my EKG. They noted some changes since the last one I had (over a year ago), but because of that, I have to visit a cardiologist tomorrow afternoon to get final clearance for surgery on Monday. One last hoop to jump through! ha!
11-15-04
>>>>>WHOOSH!!!! That's the sound of ME being scheduled for surgery ONE WEEK FROM TODAY! I cannot believe that it's about to happen. I have so much to accomplish this week. I have decided to make my own broth to eat and I found two really great recipes for chicken broth and a yummy veggie broth. I'll make it and freeze in small quantities so I can have some home cookin' in spite of my restricted diet.
Tomorrow I have to pick up a binder of info from the surgeon's office that I have to read before my appt on Thursday, plus a video about lovenox. thursday will be a busy day:
8am pulmonary screening and chest x-ray
9:30 surgeon's office for pre-op labs and teaching
1:30 PCP for physical
Whew!
Wish me luck - I'll be joining the losers soon!
11-13-04
WOWIE KAZOWIE! I am A P P R O V E D! ! !
I was so surprised to find a letter from BC/BS in my mail this morning. AND... they approved my request the very next day after receiving it! Gosh - this is really happening! So many emotions running through me, happy, scared, hopeful, scared, excited, scared...I cannot wait to be through the surgery part and get to the reward. I will be talking to my surgeon's office on Monday to set a date for surgery and find out what else I have to do before then. I don't know if I will get on the schedule yet this month - have to work around my sister. Poor dear is having back surgery on 11-29 and will need my parents help much more than I will. So if I don't get it done pretty quickly, then I will have to make myself wait until mid-December.
11-12-04
Well, yuck - I have an ear infection. I've been battling a cold for two weeks now and it finally decided to settle in my ears. So I have antibiotics, decongestants, sinus spray and I hope it goes away fast. I don't want this standing in my way of surgery once I get approved.
Today I learned that my request has been submitted to BC/BS for approval. It was sent on Tuesday of this week. I expect to receive an answer before Thanksgiving. I also went to the sleep center to get a "clearance for surgery" from the sleep doc. He is requiring me to undergo a "pulmonary screening" next Thursday. That's one more hoop to jump through, but I am VERY glad that my care providers are being so thorough in checking me out, so that I will go into surgery as safely as possible. So here I sit waiting... and waiting...realizing that my file was submitted to insurance was just one more step toward this being real - and I have butterflies! And on a "yay me" note - I am down to 294 pounds, just because I've been trying to watch it and not gain any weight.
11-7-04
I guesss it's time to get something on this profile. I have chosen to go with the program at Mercy Center for Weight Loss in Des Moines - Dr. Steven Cahalan. My consultation with Dr. Cahalan was very reassuring. He spent a great deal of time with me asking questions, explaining the procedure and possible complications, and also answering my long list of questions. He never appeared to be in a hurry and that was very reassuring.
Last week, I was advised that my counselor had completed my psych eval. letter and had faxed it to the office. That was the last step before submitting to BC/BS for approval. Today is Sunday, and I was shocked to receive a phone call from my sleep center doctor. He said that the surgeon had written to him to ask for his final opinion as to my fitness for surgery. I've been on a CPAP for 2 years. The sleep doctor is having me install a "smart card" in my machine tomorrow so that he can have some official readings of my usage, and I will see him perhaps later this week to get his final examination. In the meantime, I am now only waiting for insurance approval to get the ball rolling toward surgery. I was hoping to have this done quickly and have my surgery before Thanksgiving, but at this point I am expecting to have a December surgery date.