Guest guest Posted June 12, 2005 Report Share Posted June 12, 2005 What a journey. Thank you for sharing the whole process. What a great sense of humor you have! Cecilia --- Robynn VanPatten robynnsf@...> wrote: > Actually, I just think Pammagail is adorable...like > " nightingale " or something. Yes, I had my surgery > on Wednesday a.m. i suppose I should use this > opportunity to recount the whole thing for those of > you who are still waiting. > > OK...so I was referred by my PCP in November, I > think. I was approved in early December. Because I > was going through Richmond, and they don't count > your weightloss until AFTER they weight you in at > the orientation, I anxiously awaited the orientation > date. I called a couple of times to inquire about > it, even though I probably shouldn't have (given the > instructions on the tape). i was just so darned > eager!! > > So, my orientation was in January. I weighed in at > 261, and I am 5'6 " . I'm now 41 years old, I turned > 41 in April. > > In February, I had my nutrition class, and I had to > meet with the new staff psychologist, even though I > already met with a wonderful woman named > Villareal at the Oakland facility. She gave me some > very good behavioural things to think about in my > upcoming surgery. If you look at a past post by me, > baci in January, it may have 's name in the > post...I listed some of the advice she gave. > > In March, I think I had some other class or > something (the memory is fuzzy). but, I was > incredibly busy at work, and while I had lost 19 > lbs., the remaining 7 lbs. were stubborn. My friend > from France came, and we walked around a lot, and I > couldn't eat much around him...so I lost a few more > lbs. But, my birthday came and went (I was aiming > to have the surgery by my birthday, or by the end of > April), and I still had those last three lbs. or so. > They kept going up and down. Up and down. Very > frustrating. > > Finally, in May, I thought 'enough is enough. " So, > I started doing protein shakes twice a day, and > salad with tuna in it at night. i upped my workouts > to a couple of hours every day (between walking, the > elliptical trainer, Pilates and weightlifting)...and > finally...at the end of May I reached goal. > > I called the office, and they were able to get me in > two days later! I went in, and weighed in on their > scale and I was a half a lb. below goal. I nearly > starved myself in the two days before that meeting, > because I wasn't positive how my scale and their > scales correlated. That was on a Thursday. I met > goal, and they gave me a surgery date for June 8th, > which was less than two weeks out! I was shocked, > thinking I would have to wait four to six weeks, at > least! > > So the next few days were a flurry of activity, > doing all of my tests, trying to get stuff done at > work...getting an airline ticket for my mom to be > here with me...etc.. > > I had to go in the following Tuesday for some tests > and the pre-op class. They weighed me in, which I > hadn't really expected. I was wearing a rather > heavy outfit, and I had gained FIVE lbs. I hadn't > done anything to merit that weight gain...just my > body going nuts. I was totally stressed, and I was > told that unless I was at goal on thursday (when I > had to be there for my final round of tests) they > may cancel the surgery. > > I freaked...and did everything I could to lose the > weight. I went in, and thank God, I was at goal > (actually a half of a lb. above.) > > On the day of surgery, they weighed me again, and I > was at 235, the goal weight. (I had lost the final > half lb.) So, I didn't have any " final meal " , > although on Friday p.m., Steve and I went to my > favorite Indonesian restaurant, and we had what we > would ordinarily have...only I had no alcohol, and > we shared a dessert (I only had two bites). That > gave me Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday to be > hyper diligent before weigh in. I worked out, and > mainly, I just didn't stress about it. I figured it > would happen, I would get there. > > So, the day before the surgery, I had been told to > call the same day surgery line, and they would tell > me when to arrive at the hospital. I called during > the requisite time period 1-3, and the message said > they would call me before 5. I did my final > errands...like had a pedicure and manicure (to > remove all polish, because you can't wear any in the > hospital), and I had them buff out my nails. Picked > up some flowers for my mom. Tried to find that > yoghurt everyone is talking about that is " Atkins " > approved. Bought Cream of wheat, and other stuff > I'd need for stage 2. Ordered my Bariatric > advantage vitamins, and paid extra to have them > delivered overnight. You know... > > No phone call. I called back right before 5. > Called the bariatric clinic, and they were already > gone. Called the surgery department. Finally, I > reached somebody who said they had left a message on > my machine (nope. no message on MY machine), and > they told me to be there at 7 a.m. I was first on > the board. > > I was glad about that, because the doctors are more > fresh when they are on their first one. So, I > wasn't worried about getting up on time. but then, > my garage door wouldn't open, and we had a bit of a > drama...but I figured out how to manual override it > (damn landlord...but that's a different story), and > we were on our way...that rainy, rainy morning. > > When I got there, I checked in. The wonderful Ricky > , RN, came out to the lobby and explained to my > mother and my husband what to expect, when they > would hear from him about my progress, etc.. He was > great. Really great and calming and reassuring. He > took me back to the back, and they settled me into a > very comfy recliner. He asked me questions, > inserted an IV (no big thang...he was good), had me > do some oxygen inhalations (I have asthma, so he > wanted to open my air passages), and he chatted with > me. I wasn't nervous at all, and he had a lot to do > with that. Just a steller human being. Really. > > The CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist) > came and sat down and talked to me. (I had met with > an anesthesiologist a few days before, but he came > and spoke with me anyway.) He asked about my > history, figured out I was allergic to Latex...and > learned that my sister had had a very bad reaction > to anesthesia in the past. And it is something that > can be genetic. (Find out if anyone in your family > has had malignant hypothermia). It may be > hyperthermia, not sure. Anyway, he called over the > chief of anesthesia to participate, and he asked > questions, too. They satisfied themselves, and > determined a protocol together. They were very > professional. > > They walked me into the surgery room, and Dr. Fisher > appeared. I asked him whether he had slept well, if > he was still hung over from a bender the night > before...if he had consumed a reasonable amount of > coffee (I asked the anesthesiologist if he was > bringing a book into the operating room, if he was > on any cold medication, and if he had enough sleep > the night before, too. He said he was still drunk, > but other than that, he'd be perfectly attentive. > smart ass. It was funny.) Dr. Fisher was in fine > form. I layed down on a table, and they tied my > arms...a little like Jesus on the cross, you know, > with your arms stretched out. No disrespect > intended. > > The last thing I remember saying is, " Dr. > Fisher...when you are making those little holes in > me, go gentle will you? Remember, the whole point > of this surgery is that I want to look damned good > naked! " Everybody laughed and that's the last thing > I remember. I think I went in at around 8 a.m., > maybe 8:30. > > The procedure took 2 and a half hours, and Dr. > Fisher went out and spoke to my mom, hubby and > brother to let them know I was fine, and in > recovery. > > I think I got back into my room at around 2 or so. > I took a while coming out of anesthesia. I always > have been a cheap date...it doesn't take much to put > me under. > > I had a private room (as did Pam and back when > I visited them). I was very out of it > initially...it was like people were speaking Swahili > to me. The two funny stories coming out of it is > that at one point I said to my mother, " That doesn't > even make sense in English! " And also, I spoke very > intelligently about building hospitals for about > five minutes, and I guess I was talking about Henry > J. Kaiser. ANd then I said, " And of course his > tricks, too. " My brother said, " Tricks? you mean > in archetecture? " I got really mad and said, " No, > his airplane tricks. He's a stunt flyer. " I have > no idea what the hell I was talking about. > > So, I got up and walked a few times. Had the Foley > catheter in (most uncomfortable) just for the first > walk, and then begged them to take it out. They > told me that if they took it out, and I didn't pee, > they'd have to reinsert it. I said, 'Fine, I'll > take === message truncated === __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 2005 Report Share Posted June 12, 2005 Thanks, Ceci.snickers_95203@... wrote: What a journey. Thank you for sharing the wholeprocess. What a great sense of humor you have!Cecilia--- Robynn VanPatten wrote:> Actually, I just think Pammagail is adorable...like> "nightingale" or something. Yes, I had my surgery> on Wednesday a.m. i suppose I should use this> opportunity to recount the whole thing for those of> you who are still waiting.> > OK...so I was referred by my PCP in November, I> think. I was approved in early December. Because I> was going through Richmond, and they don't count> your weightloss until AFTER they weight you in at> the orientation, I anxiously awaited the orientation> date. I called a couple of times to inquire about> it, even though I probably shouldn't have (given the> instructions on the tape). i was just so darned> eager!!> > So, my orientation was in January. I weighed in at> 261, and I am 5'6". I'm now 41 years old, I turned> 41 in April. > > In February, I had my nutrition class, and I had to> meet with the new staff psychologist, even though I> already met with a wonderful woman named > Villareal at the Oakland facility. She gave me some> very good behavioural things to think about in my> upcoming surgery. If you look at a past post by me,> baci in January, it may have 's name in the> post...I listed some of the advice she gave.> > In March, I think I had some other class or> something (the memory is fuzzy). but, I was> incredibly busy at work, and while I had lost 19> lbs., the remaining 7 lbs. were stubborn. My friend> from France came, and we walked around a lot, and I> couldn't eat much around him...so I lost a few more> lbs. But, my birthday came and went (I was aiming> to have the surgery by my birthday, or by the end of> April), and I still had those last three lbs. or so.> They kept going up and down. Up and down. Very> frustrating.> > Finally, in May, I thought 'enough is enough." So,> I started doing protein shakes twice a day, and> salad with tuna in it at night. i upped my workouts> to a couple of hours every day (between walking, the> elliptical trainer, Pilates and weightlifting)...and> finally...at the end of May I reached goal.> > I called the office, and they were able to get me in> two days later! I went in, and weighed in on their> scale and I was a half a lb. below goal. I nearly> starved myself in the two days before that meeting,> because I wasn't positive how my scale and their> scales correlated. That was on a Thursday. I met> goal, and they gave me a surgery date for June 8th,> which was less than two weeks out! I was shocked,> thinking I would have to wait four to six weeks, at> least!> > So the next few days were a flurry of activity,> doing all of my tests, trying to get stuff done at> work...getting an airline ticket for my mom to be> here with me...etc.. > > I had to go in the following Tuesday for some tests> and the pre-op class. They weighed me in, which I> hadn't really expected. I was wearing a rather> heavy outfit, and I had gained FIVE lbs. I hadn't> done anything to merit that weight gain...just my> body going nuts. I was totally stressed, and I was> told that unless I was at goal on thursday (when I> had to be there for my final round of tests) they> may cancel the surgery.> > I freaked...and did everything I could to lose the> weight. I went in, and thank God, I was at goal> (actually a half of a lb. above.)> > On the day of surgery, they weighed me again, and I> was at 235, the goal weight. (I had lost the final> half lb.) So, I didn't have any "final meal",> although on Friday p.m., Steve and I went to my> favorite Indonesian restaurant, and we had what we> would ordinarily have...only I had no alcohol, and> we shared a dessert (I only had two bites). That> gave me Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday to be> hyper diligent before weigh in. I worked out, and> mainly, I just didn't stress about it. I figured it> would happen, I would get there.> > So, the day before the surgery, I had been told to> call the same day surgery line, and they would tell> me when to arrive at the hospital. I called during> the requisite time period 1-3, and the message said> they would call me before 5. I did my final> errands...like had a pedicure and manicure (to> remove all polish, because you can't wear any in the> hospital), and I had them buff out my nails. Picked> up some flowers for my mom. Tried to find that> yoghurt everyone is talking about that is "Atkins"> approved. Bought Cream of wheat, and other stuff> I'd need for stage 2. Ordered my Bariatric> advantage vitamins, and paid extra to have them> delivered overnight. You know...> > No phone call. I called back right before 5. > Called the bariatric clinic, and they were already> gone. Called the surgery department. Finally, I> reached somebody who said they had left a message on> my machine (nope. no message on MY machine), and> they told me to be there at 7 a.m. I was first on> the board. > > I was glad about that, because the doctors are more> fresh when they are on their first one. So, I> wasn't worried about getting up on time. but then,> my garage door wouldn't open, and we had a bit of a> drama...but I figured out how to manual override it> (damn landlord...but that's a different story), and> we were on our way...that rainy, rainy morning.> > When I got there, I checked in. The wonderful Ricky> , RN, came out to the lobby and explained to my> mother and my husband what to expect, when they> would hear from him about my progress, etc.. He was> great. Really great and calming and reassuring. He> took me back to the back, and they settled me into a> very comfy recliner. He asked me questions,> inserted an IV (no big thang...he was good), had me> do some oxygen inhalations (I have asthma, so he> wanted to open my air passages), and he chatted with> me. I wasn't nervous at all, and he had a lot to do> with that. Just a steller human being. Really.> > The CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist)> came and sat down and talked to me. (I had met with> an anesthesiologist a few days before, but he came> and spoke with me anyway.) He asked about my> history, figured out I was allergic to Latex...and> learned that my sister had had a very bad reaction> to anesthesia in the past. And it is something that> can be genetic. (Find out if anyone in your family> has had malignant hypothermia). It may be> hyperthermia, not sure. Anyway, he called over the> chief of anesthesia to participate, and he asked> questions, too. They satisfied themselves, and> determined a protocol together. They were very> professional.> > They walked me into the surgery room, and Dr. Fisher> appeared. I asked him whether he had slept well, if> he was still hung over from a bender the night> before...if he had consumed a reasonable amount of> coffee (I asked the anesthesiologist if he was> bringing a book into the operating room, if he was> on any cold medication, and if he had enough sleep> the night before, too. He said he was still drunk,> but other than that, he'd be perfectly attentive. > smart ass. It was funny.) Dr. Fisher was in fine> form. I layed down on a table, and they tied my> arms...a little like Jesus on the cross, you know,> with your arms stretched out. No disrespect> intended.> > The last thing I remember saying is, "Dr.> Fisher...when you are making those little holes in> me, go gentle will you? Remember, the whole point> of this surgery is that I want to look damned good> naked!" Everybody laughed and that's the last thing> I remember. I think I went in at around 8 a.m.,> maybe 8:30.> > The procedure took 2 and a half hours, and Dr.> Fisher went out and spoke to my mom, hubby and> brother to let them know I was fine, and in> recovery.> > I think I got back into my room at around 2 or so. > I took a while coming out of anesthesia. I always> have been a cheap date...it doesn't take much to put> me under. > > I had a private room (as did Pam and back when> I visited them). I was very out of it> initially...it was like people were speaking Swahili> to me. The two funny stories coming out of it is> that at one point I said to my mother, "That doesn't> even make sense in English!" And also, I spoke very> intelligently about building hospitals for about> five minutes, and I guess I was talking about Henry> J. Kaiser. ANd then I said, "And of course his> tricks, too." My brother said, "Tricks? you mean> in archetecture?" I got really mad and said, "No,> his airplane tricks. He's a stunt flyer." I have> no idea what the hell I was talking about.> > So, I got up and walked a few times. Had the Foley> catheter in (most uncomfortable) just for the first> walk, and then begged them to take it out. They> told me that if they took it out, and I didn't pee,> they'd have to reinsert it. I said, 'Fine, I'll> take === message truncated ===__________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 2005 Report Share Posted June 12, 2005 Thanks, Ceci.snickers_95203@... wrote: What a journey. Thank you for sharing the wholeprocess. What a great sense of humor you have!Cecilia--- Robynn VanPatten wrote:> Actually, I just think Pammagail is adorable...like> "nightingale" or something. Yes, I had my surgery> on Wednesday a.m. i suppose I should use this> opportunity to recount the whole thing for those of> you who are still waiting.> > OK...so I was referred by my PCP in November, I> think. I was approved in early December. Because I> was going through Richmond, and they don't count> your weightloss until AFTER they weight you in at> the orientation, I anxiously awaited the orientation> date. I called a couple of times to inquire about> it, even though I probably shouldn't have (given the> instructions on the tape). i was just so darned> eager!!> > So, my orientation was in January. I weighed in at> 261, and I am 5'6". I'm now 41 years old, I turned> 41 in April. > > In February, I had my nutrition class, and I had to> meet with the new staff psychologist, even though I> already met with a wonderful woman named > Villareal at the Oakland facility. She gave me some> very good behavioural things to think about in my> upcoming surgery. If you look at a past post by me,> baci in January, it may have 's name in the> post...I listed some of the advice she gave.> > In March, I think I had some other class or> something (the memory is fuzzy). but, I was> incredibly busy at work, and while I had lost 19> lbs., the remaining 7 lbs. were stubborn. My friend> from France came, and we walked around a lot, and I> couldn't eat much around him...so I lost a few more> lbs. But, my birthday came and went (I was aiming> to have the surgery by my birthday, or by the end of> April), and I still had those last three lbs. or so.> They kept going up and down. Up and down. Very> frustrating.> > Finally, in May, I thought 'enough is enough." So,> I started doing protein shakes twice a day, and> salad with tuna in it at night. i upped my workouts> to a couple of hours every day (between walking, the> elliptical trainer, Pilates and weightlifting)...and> finally...at the end of May I reached goal.> > I called the office, and they were able to get me in> two days later! I went in, and weighed in on their> scale and I was a half a lb. below goal. I nearly> starved myself in the two days before that meeting,> because I wasn't positive how my scale and their> scales correlated. That was on a Thursday. I met> goal, and they gave me a surgery date for June 8th,> which was less than two weeks out! I was shocked,> thinking I would have to wait four to six weeks, at> least!> > So the next few days were a flurry of activity,> doing all of my tests, trying to get stuff done at> work...getting an airline ticket for my mom to be> here with me...etc.. > > I had to go in the following Tuesday for some tests> and the pre-op class. They weighed me in, which I> hadn't really expected. I was wearing a rather> heavy outfit, and I had gained FIVE lbs. I hadn't> done anything to merit that weight gain...just my> body going nuts. I was totally stressed, and I was> told that unless I was at goal on thursday (when I> had to be there for my final round of tests) they> may cancel the surgery.> > I freaked...and did everything I could to lose the> weight. I went in, and thank God, I was at goal> (actually a half of a lb. above.)> > On the day of surgery, they weighed me again, and I> was at 235, the goal weight. (I had lost the final> half lb.) So, I didn't have any "final meal",> although on Friday p.m., Steve and I went to my> favorite Indonesian restaurant, and we had what we> would ordinarily have...only I had no alcohol, and> we shared a dessert (I only had two bites). That> gave me Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday to be> hyper diligent before weigh in. I worked out, and> mainly, I just didn't stress about it. I figured it> would happen, I would get there.> > So, the day before the surgery, I had been told to> call the same day surgery line, and they would tell> me when to arrive at the hospital. I called during> the requisite time period 1-3, and the message said> they would call me before 5. I did my final> errands...like had a pedicure and manicure (to> remove all polish, because you can't wear any in the> hospital), and I had them buff out my nails. Picked> up some flowers for my mom. Tried to find that> yoghurt everyone is talking about that is "Atkins"> approved. Bought Cream of wheat, and other stuff> I'd need for stage 2. Ordered my Bariatric> advantage vitamins, and paid extra to have them> delivered overnight. You know...> > No phone call. I called back right before 5. > Called the bariatric clinic, and they were already> gone. Called the surgery department. Finally, I> reached somebody who said they had left a message on> my machine (nope. no message on MY machine), and> they told me to be there at 7 a.m. I was first on> the board. > > I was glad about that, because the doctors are more> fresh when they are on their first one. So, I> wasn't worried about getting up on time. but then,> my garage door wouldn't open, and we had a bit of a> drama...but I figured out how to manual override it> (damn landlord...but that's a different story), and> we were on our way...that rainy, rainy morning.> > When I got there, I checked in. The wonderful Ricky> , RN, came out to the lobby and explained to my> mother and my husband what to expect, when they> would hear from him about my progress, etc.. He was> great. Really great and calming and reassuring. He> took me back to the back, and they settled me into a> very comfy recliner. He asked me questions,> inserted an IV (no big thang...he was good), had me> do some oxygen inhalations (I have asthma, so he> wanted to open my air passages), and he chatted with> me. I wasn't nervous at all, and he had a lot to do> with that. Just a steller human being. Really.> > The CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist)> came and sat down and talked to me. (I had met with> an anesthesiologist a few days before, but he came> and spoke with me anyway.) He asked about my> history, figured out I was allergic to Latex...and> learned that my sister had had a very bad reaction> to anesthesia in the past. And it is something that> can be genetic. (Find out if anyone in your family> has had malignant hypothermia). It may be> hyperthermia, not sure. Anyway, he called over the> chief of anesthesia to participate, and he asked> questions, too. They satisfied themselves, and> determined a protocol together. They were very> professional.> > They walked me into the surgery room, and Dr. Fisher> appeared. I asked him whether he had slept well, if> he was still hung over from a bender the night> before...if he had consumed a reasonable amount of> coffee (I asked the anesthesiologist if he was> bringing a book into the operating room, if he was> on any cold medication, and if he had enough sleep> the night before, too. He said he was still drunk,> but other than that, he'd be perfectly attentive. > smart ass. It was funny.) Dr. Fisher was in fine> form. I layed down on a table, and they tied my> arms...a little like Jesus on the cross, you know,> with your arms stretched out. No disrespect> intended.> > The last thing I remember saying is, "Dr.> Fisher...when you are making those little holes in> me, go gentle will you? Remember, the whole point> of this surgery is that I want to look damned good> naked!" Everybody laughed and that's the last thing> I remember. I think I went in at around 8 a.m.,> maybe 8:30.> > The procedure took 2 and a half hours, and Dr.> Fisher went out and spoke to my mom, hubby and> brother to let them know I was fine, and in> recovery.> > I think I got back into my room at around 2 or so. > I took a while coming out of anesthesia. I always> have been a cheap date...it doesn't take much to put> me under. > > I had a private room (as did Pam and back when> I visited them). I was very out of it> initially...it was like people were speaking Swahili> to me. The two funny stories coming out of it is> that at one point I said to my mother, "That doesn't> even make sense in English!" And also, I spoke very> intelligently about building hospitals for about> five minutes, and I guess I was talking about Henry> J. Kaiser. ANd then I said, "And of course his> tricks, too." My brother said, "Tricks? you mean> in archetecture?" I got really mad and said, "No,> his airplane tricks. He's a stunt flyer." I have> no idea what the hell I was talking about.> > So, I got up and walked a few times. Had the Foley> catheter in (most uncomfortable) just for the first> walk, and then begged them to take it out. They> told me that if they took it out, and I didn't pee,> they'd have to reinsert it. I said, 'Fine, I'll> take === message truncated ===__________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 2005 Report Share Posted June 12, 2005 Thanks, Ceci.snickers_95203@... wrote: What a journey. Thank you for sharing the wholeprocess. What a great sense of humor you have!Cecilia--- Robynn VanPatten wrote:> Actually, I just think Pammagail is adorable...like> "nightingale" or something. Yes, I had my surgery> on Wednesday a.m. i suppose I should use this> opportunity to recount the whole thing for those of> you who are still waiting.> > OK...so I was referred by my PCP in November, I> think. I was approved in early December. Because I> was going through Richmond, and they don't count> your weightloss until AFTER they weight you in at> the orientation, I anxiously awaited the orientation> date. I called a couple of times to inquire about> it, even though I probably shouldn't have (given the> instructions on the tape). i was just so darned> eager!!> > So, my orientation was in January. I weighed in at> 261, and I am 5'6". I'm now 41 years old, I turned> 41 in April. > > In February, I had my nutrition class, and I had to> meet with the new staff psychologist, even though I> already met with a wonderful woman named > Villareal at the Oakland facility. She gave me some> very good behavioural things to think about in my> upcoming surgery. If you look at a past post by me,> baci in January, it may have 's name in the> post...I listed some of the advice she gave.> > In March, I think I had some other class or> something (the memory is fuzzy). but, I was> incredibly busy at work, and while I had lost 19> lbs., the remaining 7 lbs. were stubborn. My friend> from France came, and we walked around a lot, and I> couldn't eat much around him...so I lost a few more> lbs. But, my birthday came and went (I was aiming> to have the surgery by my birthday, or by the end of> April), and I still had those last three lbs. or so.> They kept going up and down. Up and down. Very> frustrating.> > Finally, in May, I thought 'enough is enough." So,> I started doing protein shakes twice a day, and> salad with tuna in it at night. i upped my workouts> to a couple of hours every day (between walking, the> elliptical trainer, Pilates and weightlifting)...and> finally...at the end of May I reached goal.> > I called the office, and they were able to get me in> two days later! I went in, and weighed in on their> scale and I was a half a lb. below goal. I nearly> starved myself in the two days before that meeting,> because I wasn't positive how my scale and their> scales correlated. That was on a Thursday. I met> goal, and they gave me a surgery date for June 8th,> which was less than two weeks out! I was shocked,> thinking I would have to wait four to six weeks, at> least!> > So the next few days were a flurry of activity,> doing all of my tests, trying to get stuff done at> work...getting an airline ticket for my mom to be> here with me...etc.. > > I had to go in the following Tuesday for some tests> and the pre-op class. They weighed me in, which I> hadn't really expected. I was wearing a rather> heavy outfit, and I had gained FIVE lbs. I hadn't> done anything to merit that weight gain...just my> body going nuts. I was totally stressed, and I was> told that unless I was at goal on thursday (when I> had to be there for my final round of tests) they> may cancel the surgery.> > I freaked...and did everything I could to lose the> weight. I went in, and thank God, I was at goal> (actually a half of a lb. above.)> > On the day of surgery, they weighed me again, and I> was at 235, the goal weight. (I had lost the final> half lb.) So, I didn't have any "final meal",> although on Friday p.m., Steve and I went to my> favorite Indonesian restaurant, and we had what we> would ordinarily have...only I had no alcohol, and> we shared a dessert (I only had two bites). That> gave me Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday to be> hyper diligent before weigh in. I worked out, and> mainly, I just didn't stress about it. I figured it> would happen, I would get there.> > So, the day before the surgery, I had been told to> call the same day surgery line, and they would tell> me when to arrive at the hospital. I called during> the requisite time period 1-3, and the message said> they would call me before 5. I did my final> errands...like had a pedicure and manicure (to> remove all polish, because you can't wear any in the> hospital), and I had them buff out my nails. Picked> up some flowers for my mom. Tried to find that> yoghurt everyone is talking about that is "Atkins"> approved. Bought Cream of wheat, and other stuff> I'd need for stage 2. Ordered my Bariatric> advantage vitamins, and paid extra to have them> delivered overnight. You know...> > No phone call. I called back right before 5. > Called the bariatric clinic, and they were already> gone. Called the surgery department. Finally, I> reached somebody who said they had left a message on> my machine (nope. no message on MY machine), and> they told me to be there at 7 a.m. I was first on> the board. > > I was glad about that, because the doctors are more> fresh when they are on their first one. So, I> wasn't worried about getting up on time. but then,> my garage door wouldn't open, and we had a bit of a> drama...but I figured out how to manual override it> (damn landlord...but that's a different story), and> we were on our way...that rainy, rainy morning.> > When I got there, I checked in. The wonderful Ricky> , RN, came out to the lobby and explained to my> mother and my husband what to expect, when they> would hear from him about my progress, etc.. He was> great. Really great and calming and reassuring. He> took me back to the back, and they settled me into a> very comfy recliner. He asked me questions,> inserted an IV (no big thang...he was good), had me> do some oxygen inhalations (I have asthma, so he> wanted to open my air passages), and he chatted with> me. I wasn't nervous at all, and he had a lot to do> with that. Just a steller human being. Really.> > The CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist)> came and sat down and talked to me. (I had met with> an anesthesiologist a few days before, but he came> and spoke with me anyway.) He asked about my> history, figured out I was allergic to Latex...and> learned that my sister had had a very bad reaction> to anesthesia in the past. And it is something that> can be genetic. (Find out if anyone in your family> has had malignant hypothermia). It may be> hyperthermia, not sure. Anyway, he called over the> chief of anesthesia to participate, and he asked> questions, too. They satisfied themselves, and> determined a protocol together. They were very> professional.> > They walked me into the surgery room, and Dr. Fisher> appeared. I asked him whether he had slept well, if> he was still hung over from a bender the night> before...if he had consumed a reasonable amount of> coffee (I asked the anesthesiologist if he was> bringing a book into the operating room, if he was> on any cold medication, and if he had enough sleep> the night before, too. He said he was still drunk,> but other than that, he'd be perfectly attentive. > smart ass. It was funny.) Dr. Fisher was in fine> form. I layed down on a table, and they tied my> arms...a little like Jesus on the cross, you know,> with your arms stretched out. No disrespect> intended.> > The last thing I remember saying is, "Dr.> Fisher...when you are making those little holes in> me, go gentle will you? Remember, the whole point> of this surgery is that I want to look damned good> naked!" Everybody laughed and that's the last thing> I remember. I think I went in at around 8 a.m.,> maybe 8:30.> > The procedure took 2 and a half hours, and Dr.> Fisher went out and spoke to my mom, hubby and> brother to let them know I was fine, and in> recovery.> > I think I got back into my room at around 2 or so. > I took a while coming out of anesthesia. I always> have been a cheap date...it doesn't take much to put> me under. > > I had a private room (as did Pam and back when> I visited them). I was very out of it> initially...it was like people were speaking Swahili> to me. The two funny stories coming out of it is> that at one point I said to my mother, "That doesn't> even make sense in English!" And also, I spoke very> intelligently about building hospitals for about> five minutes, and I guess I was talking about Henry> J. Kaiser. ANd then I said, "And of course his> tricks, too." My brother said, "Tricks? you mean> in archetecture?" I got really mad and said, "No,> his airplane tricks. He's a stunt flyer." I have> no idea what the hell I was talking about.> > So, I got up and walked a few times. Had the Foley> catheter in (most uncomfortable) just for the first> walk, and then begged them to take it out. They> told me that if they took it out, and I didn't pee,> they'd have to reinsert it. I said, 'Fine, I'll> take === message truncated ===__________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 2005 Report Share Posted June 12, 2005 Robynn--That's a great description of your progress. If you keep a journal, you should copy that post into your journal. I've done something like that; I do posts on the boards and copy the same post into my " blog " , which you can read at http://www.sandiantoytrain.blogspot.com/ . About smells after surgery, When I got off the airplane in Sacramento (it was about a week after surgery), I was hit with the smell of the cinamon buns. For me, it didn't make me hungry at all, it just smelled pleasant. Don't worry about being tired all the time, needing frequent naps. Your body is still recovering. I bet within a month you'll be back at top form with lots of energy. --Sandi H. (Citrus Heights) Surgery by Dr. Leo - 6/03/04 weighed 315 at orientation (May '03) -- BMI 60 252 at surgery --BMI 46.1 last weighed at 176.5 (06/11/05) --BMI 33.3 (I've lost a total of 138.5 pounds!!!! 75.5 pounds since surgery.) I'm 5'1 " tall. Official goal is between 130 and 140 pounds (although ideal weight for my height is around 110 pounds) Then I'll start shopping around to get rid of excess skin. sandiantoytrain @ yahoo . com So, that's the deal. No regrets. No real hunger at all, although I noticed that the smell of pizza in the hallway kinda stirred my tummy juices, but I hadn't eaten for many many hours at that point. On the other hand, I was able to sit down to dinner, with everybody eating turkey, salad and sour dough bread...and I was perfectly fine with my broth and my jello. > > I don't feel hungry. My mother is making enchilada casserole today (bitch) for my brother and aunt who are coming to see me. I imagine the smell of hamburger, onion and garlic frying might have an impact on me. But, oh well. Maybe I'll take a walk during that crucial time. She's been pretty good so far, and is trying to use th eopportunity to shed a few lbs. while she's at it...so mostly she's eating salads with protein in it...and the smells aren't so extreme, you know? > > It's my brother's fault. He asked for the enchilada casserole. And he's fat. So, there you have it. (Bitter, no not at all.) Actually...it may not be an issue at all. I just worry it will be, and I kinda don't want to have any issues for a while, yet. I prefer the honeymoon period, thanks very much! > > Anyway, back to drinking my water. Took my B-12 today. gotta be careful about those vitamins. I want to stay healthy. > > That's all the news that is fit to print.... > > Robynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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