Guest guest Posted May 2, 2001 Report Share Posted May 2, 2001 Dear Mike, Congratulations!!! Dr. Ren switched me this past Thursday, April 26th and I have to say that I had a great experience from my first consult through my last (I used all of the doctors she had recommended, Barrie Wolfe/nutrition; Dr. Warren Huberman/Psych & Dr. Sherman/Gastro, Dr. Sherman was wonderful and my Endoscopy experience was not unpleasant at all). My stay in the Recovery Room and on the 14th floor in NYU's Transplant Unit were good too. The nurses were very responsive and top notch. It would have been a real waste of money for me if I had hired a private nurse or companion. When I rang the buzzer I always got a nurse or aide right away and they took care of whatever I needed to be done. My foley catheter was taken out the morning after surgery (Friday) and by the afternoon when Dr. Ren popped in a 2nd time to see me, I was having some pain and my stomach had become distended. Right away, she did a leak test (which was negative). Then, Dr. Ren came in to see me at 2:00 a.m. because she was still worried about me as the nurses reported that I was still having alot of discomfort and needed more pain medication, which had been administered. She examined me and determined that I was not fully emptying my bladder and I had not passed gas. She ordered the foley catheter to be put in again to empty my bladder (the bag 1/2 way filled up right away) and a Ducolax suppository to help with the gas pains. Dr. Ren was very responsive to my needs from beginning to end. I felt much better by the next a.m. when the catheter came out and I was emptying my bladder by myself. The suppository helped me pass gas which made me feel so much better. Gio was wonderful too, he visits Dr. Ren's patients (as did Barrie, her nutritionist) in the hospital to make sure everything is going smoothly. I have nothing but praise for Dr. Ren and her team. I have four very tiny incisions, my biggest one is only 1 1/4 " and one is IN my belly button. I have 2 small punctures where the drains were and those are so small, that I have a regular Band Aid on them. I have some black and blue bruising around the incisions, but they will disappear in time. See my post to Tracey about Pain. My pain was managed very well. I was up and walking, deep breathing and coughing the next a.m. after surgery and I credit my great pain relief with my quick recovery. I was discharged on Sunday a few hours after lunch (they wanted me to have a second meal of soft foods while still in the hospital). On Monday, I went to the grocery store with my mom and yesterday (Tuesday) we quickly shopped 3 stores and ran an errand after we saw my daughters school play. I feel great and my friends can't believe that my incisions are so tiny and how well I am getting around (I also have 2 kids, 7 & 9 years old) My mom left yesterday afternoon as she knew that I could manage just fine without her help. I sip water with a splash of Gatorade constantly and at this point I am eating very small, frequent amounts of food (which satisfies me). My BMs are very loose which I was told is normal, but not at all urgent. I did not need to use a bathroom once while I was out Monday and Tuesday. I just find that when I go, I need to go about 2 more times more right away and then I am done for about 4 hours. Gio told me as my body adjusts, this gets better. Best of luck in your journey. You made a great choice. My only regret is that I didn't have this surgery sooner. Jane J. BMI 42 and Shrinking April 26, 2001 Lap BPD/DS Dr. Ren NYU Medical Center, NYC www.thinforlife.org > Well, I went ahead and made and appointment with Dr. Ren, > Thanks for all who have answered my questions about traveling, Dr. > etc. I have a friend that works at NYU also so it will be easier to > handle NYC with a friend along. Anyway, the Psych eval is friday May > 11th, and I see Dr. Ren on May 14th. Wish me luck, the path has just > begun. > > Mike > Pre-op > 278/BMI 49 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 2, 2001 Report Share Posted May 2, 2001 > Hey Debbie, I am traveling from Nashua, NH. Actually I work in Massachussetts, but I live over the border. I am taking the amtrak from outside of boston to Penn station, staying at my friends over the weekend, and then home. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.