Post Number 653

January 4, 2006

Wow Amy got me thinking about my surgery, I am coming up on my 3rd

year January 16th and have be able to maintain a 170 weight loss.

I went back and started reading some of my post, it really brought

me back.

I just wanted to share with you all a post my husband posted in this

group the day of my surgery. was not my husband at this

point we had only been dating for 18 months, but when I read this

post it just brought tears to my eyes just thinking about how loved

and supported I was. We were married on sept 5th 2004. I think I

have some before and after pictures in my album under photos and I

have to say I never thought I could be a pretty bride lol, oh well

heres the post.

________________________________________________________________

Pat,

Shell's full name is Griego. She's in ICU with several

other women that have hade this surgery. As for where she is, see

below, a message I just sent to our family members :

Hi gang,

's surgery is over, and she is feeling fine. We got up at

5am, in order to get ready to be checked in at 6:30. The checkin

process went fairly quickly, and she was whisked off to surgery at

7:30. At that time, I went upstairs to the cafeteria, to get a bagel.

Just as I'd sat down to have the bagel, 's nurse called,

asking me to come down to sugery-prep, so I could take some pictures

of . What a time to be thinking of photo opportunities.

Nonetheless, I rushed downstairs to complete the task. After that, I

called 's mom, to let her know she was in surgery, and was

expected to be out around 11 am. At 10:30, her aunt, mom, sister,

and grandmother showed up. Unfortunately, was nowhere to be

seen at 11, 12, or even 1 pm.

The surgeon finally caught up to us around 1:45, to let us know that

what was originally intended as a laproscopic procedure, with only a

few pin-prick holes on her skin, ended up having to be the open

procedure. It's the most common, and she went through it with flying

colors though. He said there were too may problems interfering with

doing it laproscopically. But she WAS fine, and was in the ICU,

waking up. We'd be able to see her in an hour.

After the hour was up, we were allowed in to peek at her for maybe 10

min, before visiting hours were over for the afternoon (more later).

She was fast asleep anyway, so we opted to come back at 4:30, when

visiting hours resumed.

Once 4:30 rolled around, one or more of us stayed by her side for the

entire evening. Most of this time, just slept. However,

around 7:30, the hospital staff roused her, and walked her around

the ward. For just having had major surgery, only to walk around

(with the assistance of a walker), was extremely impressive, as well

as encouraging. As of 9:30 though, she was tired again, and ready

for a long sleep.

She is still in ICU, and will probably be there tomorrow (Friday) as

well. This is not because she NEEDS to be there, but that the regular

rooms are full. There are ***NO*** plants/flowers allowed in ICU, so

if you plan on sending gifts, please wait until she gets a private

room (hopefully Saturday).

The address is :

South San Francisco Kaiser

South San Francisco, CA 94080

650.742-2555.

ICU Hours : 10am-2:30, 4:30-10pm

She's in the East ICU, in room 112, I think. However, being in ICU,

that could change at any moment, so just ask at the front desk where

she's at.

Tomorrow, 's mom will stay with her from 10-2:30. I have to

go to a meeting in my new office (with my new manager) at 10 am, so I

should be there around 2 pm. I forgot to ask if she was able to take

visitors or not, so I'd call first, if you wish to stop by. She does

NOT have her cell phone, but when there, I will have both MY cell

phone, as well as hers. Mine is currently suffering from a

drained battery because of today's events, but commuting 50 + min

each

way to Milpitas will charge that puppy up for sure <smile>

Hope that catches you all up on current events. If you have

questions, feel free to call.

January 4, 2006