Finally on the other side!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/6/00 3:26:49 PM Central Daylight Time, KIkerd@...

writes:

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Wonderful report Kayla, So happy for you. Thanks for sharing your

experience. You were very brave and honest. You will never regret this

important step in your life. MGB 1 20 2000/ 242 lbs at surgery/

150 lbs now/ age 56 and 5 ft 1 in tall.

[Guest guest]

Thanks Karla for the update..sound like you are doing well! AT least we all

know now if the pain meds aren't working t ell them to check the machine!!

Geez!! I can't wait for the day i am writing my postop story!!

Holly in Illinois BMI 52

[Guest guest]

Karla, I was just curious what you height and weight was at the time of

surgery. I have no idea how much Dr. R. bypassed on me. Liz

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone!

It is so great to finally be a post-op. I am going to try to

tell you my adventure so please bare with me.

Had to be at the hospital at 6am Friday the 4th. Registered

and then sat and waited in the waiting area up stairs for them to

take me up to the fifth floor. At that point I wasn't to nervous. I

didn't get a chance to meet any of my littermates until late Friday

evening and early Saturday morning. Once they took us up to the 5th

floor we got to go in a room and get undressed and put on those

beautiful gowns. The nurse () that took all of my vitals was

great. She had a good since of humor and was very kind. My mom

slept in one of the chairs while we waited. Unfortunately, evertime

I heard something out in the hallway I thought they were coming after

me. That's when I really started getting nervous. I fealt like my

whole body was shaking. I was the 3rd one out of 10 scheduled for

that day. They did not come and get me until almost 10:30 instead of

9:00am.

I had my sister weigh me before they took me down and I

couldn't believe it, I had already lost 12 lbs. since I started this

process back in February. Once they got me down stairs I couldn't

help but to let the little tears flow down my cheeks. I said my

goodbyes to all of my family that was there and they took me to the

holding area. Dr. R spoke to me as they were wheeling me into the

holding area. He noticed I was crying and and told me that it was

not to late to change my mind if I wanted. I informed him there was

no way I would change my mind now because I had worked to hard for

this.

Nurse Sheila put my IV in my hand. She was wonderful. I

spoke with the doctor that was going to put me to sleep and then they

took me into the operating room. I moved from the one bed to the

other and then they started strapping me down. They put pillows

under my knees and that is just about the last thing I remember until

they were wheeling me into my room.

My mom said that Dr. R had came and spoke with them for about

15 to 20 minutes about my procedure. That really impressed her and

the rest of my family. He said my liver looked great and that he

bypassed 8 feet instead of 6 feet due to my height and amount of

weight I needed to loose. I had thought about asking him to do that

but then I decided that I would just take whatever he could give me.

I was just glad to have it done. It only took 40 minutes for my

procedure.

As the day progressed I was miserable the pump for my pain

meds did not seem to be doing me any good. I ended up with the dry

heaves. ABout 8pm we found out that the button for the pump was not

connected correctly and I had not been getting any kind of pain

meds. Once they took care of that I was good to go. I had a few

sips of juice and water and also a half of a popsickle. I didn't

want anything else and I had to force myself to take in that much.

Around 10 or so I finally met Drema, Flo's daughter, who was

great. She is as special as here mom. I tried to check up on Kathie

but she was asleep. I then sent my family home and I called it a

night.

The nurses were great! They were there if I needed anything

and they really seemed to be concerned. I got up about 4 am and took

another long walk and then went back to bed. The more you walk the

better off you will be.

I was released to go home about 9:30am. I am sorry this is

so long but I'm going to have to finish this later.. So until then...

Love to all and big {{HUGS}}

Karla Ikerd

8/4/00