Re: I made it, and a few other things

[Guest guest]

,

Congratulations! I'm glad everything went well for you. Tell me, how long

was your wait from your initial consult with Dr. Ren and your surgery date?

I have my initial appointment with Dr. Ren on Jan. 7th and am hoping to have

the surgery as quickly as possible after that. What insurance coverage did

you have? I'm very interested in any other details, info etc. that you

think would help me in this process. What kind of pre-op testing did you

need? Did it take long to arrange those? What time of the day was your

surgery? (In other words, did you have to spend a lot of time waiting and

getting nervous? Sorry for all the questions, but I'm trying to get myself

as prepared as possible.

Again, congratulations and keep us posted on your progress!

Thanks,

ann

I made it, and a few other things

Hi everyone. I made it to the other side and am alive and well. My

surgery, a BPD/DS with Dr. Ren, was the 6th and I got home on

Saturday. All went very well and though it took a little longer than

planned due to extra muscle mass in my abdomen, I'm recovering

quickly and easily (so far at least). So much so that I've been on my

own for the most part since back. My sister isn't feeling well and I

really felt I was up to doing everything on my own, so I shoo'd her

and friends away. I have to remind myself to take it easy though. So,

that's that. I can only say that my experience with Dr. Ren, her

staff, and those at the hospital (NYU Medical)was fabulous.

Question: How long does the excessive diarrhea last? I know it's

normal, especially now, less than one week from surgery and my body

is trying to recover from a major shock (my surgery was lap and

lasted 5 1/2 hours), but, excuse the graphicness, but it is very

watery at the moment. I'm just wondering if it's a normal

readjustment period my body is going through or if it's because I've

tried to eat a couple of semi-normal foods already (ex. a little bit

of low-fat tunafish and some soft meatloaf yesterday)? I just started

mushing up some Acidophilus in my food and plan on taking 2 of those

a day. Am hoping that helps. Any suggestions? Am I wrong to try the

foods I did already? It's just that I seem to be recovering so

quickly that I figured why not give it a shot? Figured too that I'll

learn a lot from trial and error. BUt, I don't want to do something I

shouldn't, for my body's sake.

Oh, just to clarify, I did talk to Dr. Ren, right before I went into

surgery, about her stance on performing the DS in the future. She

said that everything got blown out of proportion and that she WILL

perform the DS on a patient who wants it and is educated about it.

She'll decide on a case by case basis, but certainly will not stop

doing the surgery. So, , maybe you should add her back to the

Web site? Your call, obviously.

Lastly, I have a standing appointment with Dr. Herron at Mt. Sinai

for Dec.6th that I had made before I was able to get into see Dr.

Ren. Does anyone want this appointment? Figured some of you out there

may want to move your appointment up. Let me know if so.

Okay, that's all for now. Hope all is well with everyone. Again, if

you have any eating suggestions for this newly post-oper, I'd

appreciate your input!

Thanks,

D. in NYC

lap DS with Dr. Ren 11/6/01

----------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

,

Congratulations that everything went so well for you and that you are home

now and doing great. Just remember to take it easy, sip that water and do a

little walking every day. Good to see you back here!

Judie

[Guest guest]

Hi nanne, thanks for the support and congrats.

I'll give you some details, I'll try succintly, and if you need more,

feel free to e-mail (privately is okay too).

I'm the perfect example that if something is meant to be, it will. I

called Dr. Ren's office on August 22nd to schedule an appointment and

was told she had a cancellation that day, in 2 1/2 hours, and if I

could get there, it was mine. You bet I did. I had an appointment

with an RNY surgeon and cancelled immediately so I could see Ren

instead (at that point I had just learned about the DS and was

anxious to see one that perfomed that surgery and NOT the RNY). So I

met with her that day and it was then that we schedule my surgery for

Nov. 6th. I think I could have gotten in a week earlier, but that

didn't work for my schedule.

Since I have an HMO, Oxford Freedom, I contacted my PCP to tell him

about my surgery plans and was told to come in and see him. He gave

me a full physical, including bloodwork and an EKG, and I had him fax

the results to Ren. I was educated about the surgery, was certain I

wanted it, and he didn't have too much to say, to be honest.

I also had my therapist fax her a psych. evaluation (though they

highly prefer you use their shrink, Warren Huberman, who does not

take insurance and charges $250 for the evaluation). I also met with

Barrie, the nutritionist, and that was a piece of cake(and who's

visit is covered by the surgeon consultation). As for other pre-op

tests, I had an endoscopy (which showed that I had a small hyrnia,

esophogitis and GERD, but miraculously, my h-pylori test came back

negative...phew, another good omen)and a PFT (Pulmonary Fuction Test)

because I have asthma. This included, as I've said in earlier

postings, having my arterial gases checked. That same day, a week

before surgery, I had my pre-admin. testing which was a relatively

quick check-up with a nurse, blood tests, a chest x-ray, and a

meeting with an anesthesiologist.

As for the insurance approval, it was pretty anti-climatic. A few

weeks before the surgery, I called Ren's office to find out where I

stood in the process. I was put on hold for a few minutes and then

told I had been approved. Phew. When I think about how so many of you

out there have been struggling for approval for years, I realize how

truly lucky I am.

My surgery was scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tues. 11/6 and I was told to

be there 2 hours ahead of time. As it turns out, my surgery was

delayed a bit until noon and I finished up around 5:30. It was done

fully lap. Of course I was a little nervous but not much (my b.p. was

only 100/70 so I guess I wasn't THAT riled up). I really think that's

because I knew deep down that I had carefully come to this 'place'

and that this surgery was meant to happen. And it did. And well, as

far as I can tell.

If you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

D.

> ,

>

> Congratulations! I'm glad everything went well for you. Tell me,

how long

> was your wait from your initial consult with Dr. Ren and your

surgery date?

> I have my initial appointment with Dr. Ren on Jan. 7th and am

hoping to have

> the surgery as quickly as possible after that. What insurance

coverage did

> you have? I'm very interested in any other details, info etc. that

you

> think would help me in this process. What kind of pre-op testing

did you

> need? Did it take long to arrange those? What time of the day was

your

> surgery? (In other words, did you have to spend a lot of time

waiting and

> getting nervous? Sorry for all the questions, but I'm trying to

get myself

> as prepared as possible.

>

> Again, congratulations and keep us posted on your progress!

>

> Thanks,

>

> ann

>

>

> I made it, and a few other things

>

> Hi everyone. I made it to the other side and am alive and well. My

> surgery, a BPD/DS with Dr. Ren, was the 6th and I got home on

> Saturday. All went very well and though it took a little longer than

> planned due to extra muscle mass in my abdomen, I'm recovering

> quickly and easily (so far at least). So much so that I've been on

my

> own for the most part since back. My sister isn't feeling well and I

> really felt I was up to doing everything on my own, so I shoo'd her

> and friends away. I have to remind myself to take it easy though.

So,

> that's that. I can only say that my experience with Dr. Ren, her

> staff, and those at the hospital (NYU Medical)was fabulous.

>

> Question: How long does the excessive diarrhea last? I know it's

> normal, especially now, less than one week from surgery and my body

> is trying to recover from a major shock (my surgery was lap and

> lasted 5 1/2 hours), but, excuse the graphicness, but it is very

> watery at the moment. I'm just wondering if it's a normal

> readjustment period my body is going through or if it's because I've

> tried to eat a couple of semi-normal foods already (ex. a little bit

> of low-fat tunafish and some soft meatloaf yesterday)? I just

started

> mushing up some Acidophilus in my food and plan on taking 2 of those

> a day. Am hoping that helps. Any suggestions? Am I wrong to try the

> foods I did already? It's just that I seem to be recovering so

> quickly that I figured why not give it a shot? Figured too that I'll

> learn a lot from trial and error. BUt, I don't want to do something

I

> shouldn't, for my body's sake.

>

> Oh, just to clarify, I did talk to Dr. Ren, right before I went into

> surgery, about her stance on performing the DS in the future. She

> said that everything got blown out of proportion and that she WILL

> perform the DS on a patient who wants it and is educated about it.

> She'll decide on a case by case basis, but certainly will not stop

> doing the surgery. So, , maybe you should add her back to the

> Web site? Your call, obviously.

>

> Lastly, I have a standing appointment with Dr. Herron at Mt. Sinai

> for Dec.6th that I had made before I was able to get into see Dr.

> Ren. Does anyone want this appointment? Figured some of you out

there

> may want to move your appointment up. Let me know if so.

>

> Okay, that's all for now. Hope all is well with everyone. Again, if

> you have any eating suggestions for this newly post-oper, I'd

> appreciate your input!

> Thanks,

> D. in NYC

> lap DS with Dr. Ren 11/6/01

>

>

>

>

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

--

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, !!

I'm so glad to hear that you're doing well! You " sound " so chipper!

Ready for questions?

How much water have you been drinking everyday?

Were/are you nauseated and/or dizzy? Vomiting?

Were/are you in terrible pain? Using painkillers?

Do you thinks it helps quite a bit to have this procedure performed

laparoscopically, in terms of recovery time and pain? Some of what

our sweet Hull is going through has me deeply concerned, but

then again his was done openly. Granted, some of this is just crap

that everyone has to go through regardless of method. Still . . .

BTW, just took my mom to see Gagner cuz she's afraid to drive in " the

big city " (yes, this is a woman from L.A.--go figure!) so while my

little girls and I were with her in NY, we did many of the touristy

things we talked about, including seeing the Rockettes' Christmas

show. Had SUCH a good time! Since my surgery date is Tuesday the

20th (your birthday, right?), I told hubby that soon thereafter he'd

be carrying me down to see the Macy's parade! HA!

Love,

[Guest guest]

,

So glad everything went smoothly! You seem to be following the same track,

dietarily, that I did. (had chickren croquettes and shrimp in lobster sauce

within a week of coming home). As to the diarrhea:watery may be normal for

now. The important point is " How often are you running to the head? " and is

it controllable (when you get the urge, do you have to hit the bathroom

immediately or can you hold until convenient?). I found that within a month

my BM's had firmed up and times per day were down to 1 or 2 in the am and 1,

maybe, later in the day. Good luck to you and I hope all continues to go

smoothly!

Marcia

I made it, and a few other things

[Guest guest]

Hi Judie, thanks!

Yeah, I've deliberately left my hospital band on to remind myself

that I had surgery less than a week ago and to take it easy (just in

case my swollen and slightly sore abdomen aren't enough, not to

mention the lovely diarrhea!).

Glad to be back and on the other side!

,

> ,

> Congratulations that everything went so well for you and that you

are home

> now and doing great. Just remember to take it easy, sip that water

and do a

> little walking every day. Good to see you back here!

>

> Judie

[Guest guest]

, I've deliberately left my hospital band on to remind myself

that I had surgery less than a week ago >>>>>>

Ah yes! Might be a good idea to start a " WLS Journal book " with the braclet

in there! (Kinda like one of those baby books)

So glad you are feeling pretty good, !

Judie

[Guest guest]

Hi again to you !

Okay, here are some answers for you...

I've been sipping water almost all day long, which is the norm for

me. I probably should kick it up a notch, and plan to.

Thankfully, no nausea or dizziness! At all.

I had a morphine pain pump right after surgery, and to be honest,

don't know how much that did. I know that they control the amount and

frequency of what you can self-administer, so maybe it's more of a

pyschosomatic thing. haha. From the 2nd day on, I got an occasionl

bag of Toradol in my i.v. I did have to ask for it (think you have to

for most pain meds.). They also offered Percoset and I took that on

only a few occasions (one pill, not two) in hopes it would help me

sleep.

For me, who's a side-sleeper, I had a hard time sleeping on my back.

It was too uncomfortable sleeping on my side, especially with 2 JP

drains coming out of me! So, a lot of my pain came from my back,

surprisingly so. I wish I had brought a heating pad with me to the

hospital because they didn't have any. They did give me a pad that

they nuked in the microwave but that didn't stay warm for more than

10 seconds at a time. Useless.

Anyway, I was given a Vicadin rx for home and have only taken 3 (at

night to help sleep since I move around a lot), but pretty much feel

pretty well. Still have the expected swelling and tightness in my

abdomen, but nothing I didn't feel after a tough work-out while on my

college's tennis team years ago(kinda feels like I did 100 sit-ups.

Hey, that's down from 10,000 immediately post-op!).

From what I can tell, lap recovery is a a bit easier. The down side,

is you're under anesthesia longer, but the hospital stay is less and

the recovery quicker.

Glad you had a nice time in NYC! I knew you would! You get that hubby

to carry you down to the parade is right! Just watch out for those

runaway floats. Hahahaha. And yes, the 20th is my birthday so I'm

sure your surgery will go fabulously!

Anything else I can do for you, just let me know!

> Hi, !!

>

> I'm so glad to hear that you're doing well! You " sound " so

chipper!

> Ready for questions?

>

> How much water have you been drinking everyday?

>

> Were/are you nauseated and/or dizzy? Vomiting?

>

> Were/are you in terrible pain? Using painkillers?

>

> Do you thinks it helps quite a bit to have this procedure performed

> laparoscopically, in terms of recovery time and pain? Some of what

> our sweet Hull is going through has me deeply concerned, but

> then again his was done openly. Granted, some of this is just crap

> that everyone has to go through regardless of method. Still . . .

>

> BTW, just took my mom to see Gagner cuz she's afraid to drive

in " the

> big city " (yes, this is a woman from L.A.--go figure!) so while my

> little girls and I were with her in NY, we did many of the touristy

> things we talked about, including seeing the Rockettes' Christmas

> show. Had SUCH a good time! Since my surgery date is Tuesday the

> 20th (your birthday, right?), I told hubby that soon thereafter

he'd

> be carrying me down to see the Macy's parade! HA!

>

> Love,

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Marcia, great to hear from you again!

Yes, luckily, all is going well. Glad to hear that you too kinda

pushed the food envelope early on. A DS friend today said that she

was overly worried in the beginning and ate only mushy foods for the

first 3 weeks in fear of busting a stich. Is that easy to do?! Eeks,

that worries me!

My feeling at the moment is to use common sense and to sort of learn

from trial and error. Is this okay?

The runs are controllable and with little to no cramping and/or

burning (you know, the usual lovely diarrhea characteristics). As for

frequency, I'd say I hit the head, #2 wise, maybe 4 times a day or

so. Maybe a little more, but not much if so.

So, that's that. Thanks for the reply. Hope to talk to you again soon.

> ,

> So glad everything went smoothly! You seem to be following the same

track,

> dietarily, that I did. (had chickren croquettes and shrimp in

lobster sauce

> within a week of coming home). As to the diarrhea:watery may be

normal for

> now. The important point is " How often are you running to the

head? " and is

> it controllable (when you get the urge, do you have to hit the

bathroom

> immediately or can you hold until convenient?). I found that within

a month

> my BM's had firmed up and times per day were down to 1 or 2 in the

am and 1,

> maybe, later in the day. Good luck to you and I hope all continues

to go

> smoothly!

> Marcia

>

> I made it, and a few other things