Re:thanks & my consult

[Guest guest]

Thanks to all who have posted the threads about wondering if you were doing

something crazy to your body if it wasn't in bad shape (yet). And the fears

you had when you woke up and said " what have I done to myself? "

I was thinking those exact things and expecting that I would feel the same

way when I woke up after it was over (if I get there).

I had my consult with Dr. Oakley (the one with Dr. Hess) last Monday. He was

very nice and caring. I had the BPD/DS fully explained to me by a video done

by Dr. Hess and again a one on one with Dr. Oakley. I really see how it

works now.

The reason we don't have the ulcer problems with this surgery is they learned

from the old BPD (first done in Italy) and they keep that small portion of

the duodenum?

which prevents that. The way I understand now is, the enzymes necessary for

absorbtion go down one channel, while the food goes down the other. They

meet in the common channel. The reason you still have to watch sugars and

carbs is those foods do not need the enzymes to be absorbed.

I had a couple of tests done Monday (blood and EKG) and got a list of others

they want done, but can get them done locally.

It was a Very LONG day because I live 3 hrs away from Bowling Green. I

stayed with a friend a little under 2 hrs away the night before, so I didn't

have as far to drive in the am, but it was a LONG time before I actually got

to talk to Dr. Oakley (got there 10:10 am, saw Dr. Oakley 4:00 pm - had

tests done in between time, but spent a lot of time sitting in the waiting

room) By the time I saw Dr. Oakley, I was tired and I think he was too. I

hardly got to ask any of my questions that I brought with me. I also was

thinking he would be impressed with all that I knew about this surgery from

the internet, but he didn't seem so sold on the internet. I asked about the

central line and he told me he would not want one UNLESS he was getting major

surgery, which this is. That this helps if they need a vein quickly and

without one things can turn to pandamonium if they need a vein fast and can't

find one. I asked if I could have my tapes on during surgery and he didn't

seem to keen on that idea, tho why I do not understand. I asked about

complications I had read on line about the central line and the neurological

thing that resulted when the anesthesiologist didn't move someone's body

enough - well he seemed to think I was pulling out those one in a million

complications and being concerned about things that aren't likely to happen.

He said they use the epidural because they found this is the best way for

pain management and you can get up and walk right away, plus they use the

sleeves on your legs to keep clots from forming. It was a long day, a tiring

day and a sobering day. I got a little scared about the whole prospect of it

all and asked myself the same questions about if I should really do this. Of

course, I don't have insurance approval yet, so who knows if I will get

it.......however, Dr. Oakley did say that my high cholesterol would lead to

more problems, possibly heart attacks. My family background includes most

deaths caused by heart attacks. Also, they said I was 5 ft 5 inches (I

thought I had another 1/2 inch) and my BMI was 46. Here I thought it was a

little over 40. I do know that all I seem to do now is gain weight and can't

lose it like I used to, so if I don't do this, I will probably end up heavier

with more problems (right now boarderline high blood pressure).

Anyway, thanks for all the encouragment from you guys - I'd never really do

this without you! Carole