Re: Fears

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Its normal to have those fears at this point so dont worry. You are under

alot of stress, which is normal.

As far as my surgery was concerned, the surgery was no big deal to me and

perhaps that is becuz I have had lots of surgeries before and knew what to

expect. Mine was not painful becuz I had an epidural so after surgery those

meds kicked in and I never felt pain above a 2 out of 10. I had no fears

whatsoever as I knew I was doing the right thing and had so much confidence

in my surgeon. Yes, I would do it all over again to be able to accomplish

where I am now. I lost 78 lbs in less than 7 months (my husband lost 112 in

the same amount of time)

We eat normal meals now and when we eat out we order things weve always

loved and usually end up taking left overs home for another meal. We do eat

alot more food than someone with the RNY, thats fer sure but the lbs just

keep falling off!

The quality of our lives is so much better than it was before and we knew

if we didnt have the surgery our lives would be shortened and miserable.

The DS is truly a miracle and Im thrilled that I was able to have it. I

hope this helps in some small way to alleviate your fears........

Judie

Fears

> Hi- A couple of people on this list have already been very helpful,

> but I was wondering if I could get more information. I have never

> had surgery of any kind and I'm trying to come to terms with my fears

> concerning surgery in general. Could anyone please help me by

> telling me about their surgery. I have read all the reports and

> medical info, but I am interested in actually people reports. So

> that I can ask questions related to your own experiences. What was

> the surgery like? How long were you in pain? How bad was it? How

> good was it? What were your fears and how were they alleviated (if

> they were)? Would you do it again? Were the tests before the

> surgery painful? Answers to these questions and any other

> information would truly be helpful.

>

> Take care,

>

>

>

>

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Judie- Thank you. Thank you. I can't explain how helpful it is

to get reports from others. I am so glad your experience was so

great. Can I ask 2 more questions? You mentioned an epidural...I've

heard horror stories about them...do they hurt really badly? Someone

even told me that if you move during an epidural you could damage

your spine...is this true? Secondly, if you don't mind telling

me...who was your doctor and how did you wind up chosing him/her?

Thanks again,

[Guest guest]

Hi again, ,.

Ive been where you are right now so I understand how helpful all this

information really is. I was starving for this stuff a year ago and couldnt

get enough as Im sure you understand. Its thrilling to learn all this, isnt

it?

My epidural was very uneventful. It wasnt painful at all. They just rolled

me on my stomach in the operating room and did their thing. I didnt feel

anything except some pressure, then it was all over and they turned me over

and off to lala land I went. When I woke up there was NO pain whatsoever.

Compared to my gall bladder removal 11 yrs ago this was a piece of cake. I

woke up after gall bladder removal in terrible pain and they had a hard

time managing my pain with morphine which didnt work (demorall finally did

the trick but I woke up in the elevator on the way to my room and they didnt

have the pain meds in me at that time so it was really, really painful. I

could have killed them for letting me get this way)

I dont know about moving as they didnt tell me anything but I think most of

us lie still anyway to prevent any unnecessary pain or otherwise. The pain

management team who put the epidural in used a florascope machine to guide

them with insertion which probably explains why there was no pain and

nothing to worry about as far as damaging your spine. The needle doesnt

actually go right into the spine though.....just the nerves around it.

My surgeon was Dr Welker in Portland, Oregon. I had origionally planned on

having the RNY and found the duodenal switch site by accident one sunday

morning and couldnt believe I didnt know about this. I found Dr Welkers

email address and sent him an email and within an hour he emailed me back!

And then, at 9 at night he called my husband and talked to him for almost an

hour! What surgeon does that anymore? We finally went to the support

meeting in portland about 2 weeks later and met him there and had our

consultation at that time and surgery a month later. We love him....hes the

most compassionate man and is a very big advocate for the obese.

If you have any more questions dont hesitate to ask.......Im more than happy

to share with you anything that will answer questions and put your mind at

ease!

Judie =)

Re: Fears

>

>

>

> Hi Judie- Thank you. Thank you. I can't explain how helpful it is

> to get reports from others. I am so glad your experience was so

> great. Can I ask 2 more questions? You mentioned an epidural...I've

> heard horror stories about them...do they hurt really badly? Someone

> even told me that if you move during an epidural you could damage

> your spine...is this true? Secondly, if you don't mind telling

> me...who was your doctor and how did you wind up chosing him/her?

>

> Thanks again,

>

>

>

>

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I can totally relate to what you are going through. Before my DS, I had never

had any type of surgery either, and I was very worried. I can tell you about

my own personal experience, however, each one differs.

For my pre op test I had a two part cardio test, upper GI, psych evaluation,

lung x-ray, ultrasound, and they tested my lungs, as well as alot of

bloodwork/bloodgas.

None of these tests were particularly painful, maybe a little uncomfortable

at times, but overall, it wasn't bad.

I had my surgery on a Wednesday. When I came out of the anesthesia, I wasn't

feeling much of anything, in fact, I barely remember that day at all. In USC,

what they generally use for pain control after surgery is the epidural. By

day 3 I couldn't wait to get it out, because the whole time it is in they

have to keep you cathederized, and it was VERY uncomfortable for me. They

took it out on Saturday and I started taking vicodin, which seemed to work

alot better for me. It was hard to get up out of bed the first couple of

days, but got better with time. I strolled the halls a few times a day, and

got tired out very easily. I couldn't stand eating anything, but I savored my

ice chips. I came home after 5 days. I won't lie, the first few days were

rough, and I asked myself why in the world I had done this to myself. It has

been 10 weeks now, and I do not have any regrets. It has been worth it

already. I have lost 64 lbs with little to no effort at all. Some days I can

eat pretty well, and some days can barely eat a few bites. I returned to work

after 9 weeks, and that has been going well. After 12 days or so, I started

driving again, although it takes some people longer. I felt fine after 4

weeks, so I had a little vacation after that before returning to work. I hope

this answers some of your questions. If you would like to ask me anything

else, feel free to ask. Everything's still pretty fresh in my mind.

Kim

Dr. Anthone USC

DGB/DS open 4/18/01

-64lbs.

[Guest guest]

Hi Stacey

I had an epidural with the birth of my son....I think most moms in labor opt for them...it hurts when they start it....putting it in but not horribly...and you can move but not a great deal. As far as pain relief...they do the trick. I had some residue back pain for months after, but again, that when away....Ask the doctor though if you have a choice....

Cindy S

[Guest guest]

:

I see you've gotten a lot of good replies so I'll keep mine short.

My surgery was uneventful and pain free. Then it hit the fan. I had

a stomach leak which developed the day I went home from the hospital

and had to return to the ER and be re-admitted. Lots of pain and

serious complications due to the leak. But as to the original

surgery and epidural there was no problem whatever. If you feel a

need to find out about my complications go to the link at the bottom

of my signature. Some people want to know what bad can happen and

others don't. What happened to me was VERY rare.

The only invasive test before surgery was a colonoscopy which was not

painful. I was knocked out for it. Some surgeons require an

endoscopy but mine didn't. Other than that it was all blood work

which isn't fun but not particularly painful. I would absolutely do

it again. I now am totally off medication for and symptoms of high

cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, type II diabetes, and

congestive heart failure. I now have a life. Before I didn't.

Regards.

Joe Frost, old gentleman, not old fart

San , Tx., 60 years old

Surgery 11/29/00 by Dr. Welker

Lateral Gastrectomy with Duodenal Switch

340 Starting Weight, currently 230

http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Patients/Joe/joe.html

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WLS-12StepRecovery

> Hi- A couple of people on this list have already been very

helpful,

> but I was wondering if I could get more information. I have never

> had surgery of any kind and I'm trying to come to terms with my

fears

> concerning surgery in general. Could anyone please help me by

> telling me about their surgery. I have read all the reports and

> medical info, but I am interested in actually people reports. So

> that I can ask questions related to your own experiences. What was

> the surgery like? How long were you in pain? How bad was it? How

> good was it? What were your fears and how were they alleviated (if

> they were)? Would you do it again? Were the tests before the

> surgery painful? Answers to these questions and any other

> information would truly be helpful.

>

> Take care,

>

>

[Guest guest]

> For my pre op test

Hi Kim- Thank you for the information. You mentioned I could ask a

couple of questions, so here goes...you said,

" I had a two part cardio test, upper GI, psych evaluation,

> lung x-ray, ultrasound, and they tested my lungs, as well as alot

of

> bloodwork/bloodgas. "

How long did these tests take? Did you have it all done in one day,

or were they done over the course of a few days/weeks?

I'm not sure if you can answer this or not, but whatever doctor I

chose, will most likely be some distance away from me. This being

the case, will I be able to have all my blood work, evaluations, etc.

done by a doctor closer to me with the information sent ahead to the

DS doc, or will I have to have the tests done with the doctor who

will perform the surgery.

Any help or info is grately appreciated. Thanks again.

[Guest guest]

,

A lot depends on the doctor you choose. Some doctors insist on having the tests done where they say. I used Dr. Macura of Staten Island, NY and I was able to get all my tests (except pre-admit) done in Pennsylvania. He even accepted the evaluation from my therapist, who I've been seeing for a while.

I will say that the tests did take a while. Some of the blood test took a couple weeks, I guess since they are not the usual ones. The worst was the sleep apnea, didn't know I had it. I had to take 2 sleep tests with long waits for doctors appointments between. I thought it would never finish, but the wait was worth it. It took me 5 months from my first appointment with Dr. M to my operation.

Rita Black10/17/2000 First Consult. Dr.MacuraOpen BPD/DS 4/23/20014/23/01 - 400lbs. BMI 635/1/01 - 391lbs. BMI 615/22/01 - 368lbs. BMI 586/21/01 - 360lbs. BMI 5550 lbs. gone

How long did these tests take? Did you have it all done in one day, or were they done over the course of a few days/weeks?I'm not sure if you can answer this or not, but whatever doctor I chose, will most likely be some distance away from me. This being the case, will I be able to have all my blood work, evaluations, etc. done by a doctor closer to me with the information sent ahead to the DS doc, or will I have to have the tests done with the doctor who will perform the surgery.

[Guest guest]

,

I had all of my tests scheduled over a 3 day perdiod. The first day was

cardio part one, lab work, and psych. Day 2 I had cardio part 2, upper GI,

lung x-ray, and ultrasound. Day 3 was the lung test and blood gas. Dr.

Anthone said I could have the pre op here in town, but I chose to have it all

done in the same hospital where I would be having surgery, plus my PCP is

really old and out of it. I think it's time for him to retire! :-) I'm sure

you could do your pre op, and forward all of the results on to your surgeon,

it just might take a little bit longer. Do you have a specific surgeon you

are leaning towards?

Kim

Dr. Anthone USC

4/18/01

-64lbs

[Guest guest]

I don't think deciding against a Dr. because of his " bedside manners " if you

will. You have to have full trust and confidence in a Dr. when you have

surgery. If you go in worrying or upset, you can't really concentrate on

healing if you have to concern yourself with your Dr. personality.

Anita

still investigating

BMI 41.9

[Guest guest]

Hi Kim- Thanks for the information. Its a relief to know I can have

it done in town. As for leaning towards a surgeon...not yet...I had

been researching RNY up until a couple months ago, so am now in the

process of looking into qualified surgeons in the North East. I

investigated a surgeon who is in my area, but from everything I read

he is a real bastard (pardon my language). I have dealt with grumpy

and down right rude doctors all my life and I am unwilling to have

surgery with someone who will scare me or be rude to me....that

probably sounds immature, but I just can't see putting my life in the

hands of someone I am afraid of. I need to really research more

doctors before I can be certain.

Thanks again,

[Guest guest]

Hi Rita- Thank you for your response. You mentioned a sleep apnea

test. Does everyone have to take that test and what is the test

like? You also mentioned a Doc. in Staten Island...I'm not sure I am

familiar with this Doctor. So far I have only heard of Dr. Ren's

group and Dr. Gagner's group. Did you like your doc?

Take care,

[Guest guest]

Stacey,

I have sleep apneia, and my test involved clipping a little led

monitor to my finger. The monitor keeps track of your blood oxygen

level vs. time. If the level drops percipitously and various time of

the night then you have a postive diagnosis.

The other way to test it is with a full sleep study, but this is not

considered economical in most cases.

Hull

> Hi Rita- Thank you for your response. You mentioned a sleep apnea

> test. Does everyone have to take that test and what is the test

> like? You also mentioned a Doc. in Staten Island...I'm not sure I

am

> familiar with this Doctor. So far I have only heard of Dr. Ren's

> group and Dr. Gagner's group. Did you like your doc?

>

> Take care,

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Chris

:-)

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Dr. Macura asks for a clearence from several specialist before surgery depending on any problems you might have. One everyone must see is a Pulmontologist (sp?). It is up to the Pul. dr. if you need a sleep study.

Dr. Macura seems to be a hidden treasure. I'm sure that when I first started my research, he was listed on either the ABS list or some other list. I can't find him now. I had heard that he removed his name because he wasn't taking any new patients for a while. He just got too busy. But he is taking new ones now. I can't list them now, but I remember on my first visit seeing all the degrees and certificates on his office wall and being impressed. I was a lab tech for 20 years so I know what most of it means.

He only does open surgery, both RNY and DS.

I also thought Staten Island Univ. Hospital wonderful. Everyone there seemed to really care about the patients. Also, both my husband and I suffer from agoraphobia (can't be in crowds), Staten Island is almost like not being in NYC.

Rita Black10/17/2000 First Consult. Dr.MacuraOpen BPD/DS 4/23/20014/23/01 - 400lbs. BMI 635/1/01 - 391lbs. BMI 615/22/01 - 368lbs. BMI 586/21/01 - 360lbs. BMI 5550 lbs. gone