Ready4success

I'm on the 28th too.

I'm on the 28th too.

I'm August 28th too. I can't even think about it without getting nauseous.

Has anyone heard of Victory Hospital in Houston or any of the Victory Hospitals? I'm scheduled to have surgery there, and I've never heard of it. It's odd because Houston is home to the world renowned Texas Medical Center, and I'm having surgery at a hospital I've never even heard of. Please tell me someone knows something about this hospital.

In the case of rings that WON'T come off, we are able to tape it to your finger so it doesn't cause a burn. With any jewelry that remains on your body, there is a risk of burn, so it's safer to just remove it. As soon as you are awake enough to put it back in, you can. I've seen patients put piercings back in as soon as they opened their eyes. Plastic spacers are not a risk for burn, but can still be ripped out of the skin by accident, so it's safer for EVERYONE to just remove it.

Thanks for the advice everybody. I'm going to talk to my manager in the morning to make sure I'll have enough time to apply for FMLA and STD if I take the August 15th date. That means I will have to hurry and buy all my pre-op diet stuff to start it on Wed. Here we go....

I don't know if my anxiety is normal, but to me it seems so extreme and I wonder if I'm doing too many things at once. My surgeon's office called to offer me the first available date, August 15th, I said it was too soon. WHAT??? I couldn't believe those words came out of my mouth. She then offered August 28th, and I told her that I would get back to her. I couldn't help it, it was like I lost control of my body or something and couldn't say yes. I have been waiting and wanting an August date, because I got a new job, and I'm only hanging on to my current job because my deductible and OOP were met. I don't know if I'm panicking because I'm starting too many things at once, or if everyone goes through it. I'm starting a post master's program on August 27, I'll maybe have surgery August 28, and I start my very first job as a NP on September 17th. I've always done many things at one time and have been able to handle it, but this time I'm not so sure. What do you guys think? I feel like ALL of my dreams are coming true, but I just want to bury my head under the covers. Thanks for any advice.

The fact that so many people knew about it is NOT surprising to me. I AM surprised that they acted so unprofessionally by letting you know that they knew about it. When something like that happens, it has to be documented, it goes to risk management, and everything gets rehashed numerous times to analyze any wrong doing and address whether anything could have been done differently. In other words, it is a BIG deal. On your next day of surgery, your team will be talking about it again, and they'll probably be freakishly cautious with everything, treat you with kid gloves, and meet your every need. When you get to the floor, the nurses there will know about it too, because it has been documented , they'll get the news in report, and they will have access to your records. This type of behavior by healthcare givers is normal, it's kind of our way of saying that we're going to take extra great care of you because of what happened. If you get annoyed, just tell them to leave you alone, we can be sickenly sweet sometimes. Once again, good luck and you'll wake up with your itty, bitty stomach. I know you'll do fine.

My two main vices! I felt a chill go down my back when I read this. It's like crack, that's why I'm afraid to take a sip. One will never be enough for me, that's why I'm diabetic, but oh the memories of a Dr. Pepper (in the can) on the way to work, and a Big Red (in the bottle) during my lunch. Yummmmmm. (As I take a sip of my G2 Fruit Punch)

First off, I am not a doctor, but I am an OR nurse and I've seen this happen once in 12 years. In my experience, we turned off the gas (CO2), and did chest compressions until the pt was resuscitated, then we started the gas at the lowest rate possible to see if he would tolerate it, and he did. We slowly went up on the gas until we got adequate insufflation until we were able to see, and we were able to successfully finish the surgery. This was a surgeon with decades of experience, and we were operating on another surgeon, so that maybe why we proceeded with the surgery. I agree that your surgeon needs a plan in case it happens again, and you should know the plan. I'm sorry that this happened, but glad you're okay. I wish you the best of luck!

One of the anesthesiologists at my job had wls, but he told everyone he started a low carb diet and running, and we believed him. He drank his low carb shakes at work, and dropped over 100 pounds in no time. We all admired his dedication to a low carb diet, and never knew any different. It wasn't until much later that he told me personally that he had the sleeve. Do you think he was trying to give me a hint, lol?

First off, I'm sorry that you're having such a hard time. It does seem that only the good stories get told here, doesn't it? I hope with the help of your new doctor, you can get on the road to being mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy. I am still pre-op, so I don't have anything to add to your post about regrets, but I was just wondering about your reasons for having the surgery. The reason I ask this is because it seems that no one mentioned the risks versus the benefits of the surgery and how it applies to your PERSONAL situation. Take me for instance, I'm 36 years old and I have diabetes, hypertension, arthritis in both hips, and in my right knee. When I consider sticking myself four times a day for the rest of my life because of the diabetes, I'll risk the surgery. When I consider taking 2 medications twice a day everyday for the rest of my life and insulin to lower my blood sugars versus keeping candy in my purse in case my blood sugar gets too low, I'll risk that too. When I consider losing a foot or a leg from diabetes, it's a real no brainer for me, I'll risk a complication in surgery. When I consider taking 2 b/p meds everyday in an effort to prevent stroke, I'll take the risks of surgery. I am in physical pain from the time that I wake up until I go to bed, and it doesn't help that I have a very physical job (nurse), so just the thought of maybe going an entire day without pain is enough to make me risk a surgery that may cause a leak, a clot, or future surgery. This is why I AM choosing the surgery. My heart goes out to you, and I hope you start to feel better really soon. I wish someone had real discussions with you about this surgery and how it would affect YOUR life, but it's not too late to discuss this with your psych. I think you can still feel positive about the decision you made, because your reasons for making that decision are still there. I hope once you start to feel better physically and mentally, the reasons for the surgery will outweigh the complications you're having. Good Luck and Feel Better Soon! (hugs)

Thanks everybody!!!! Here is what I did: 1. April 27-Initial surgical consult (visit #1) 2. May 24-Met with dietician (visit #2) -Lab work & EGD done -Psych eval done 3. June 27-PCP (medical necessity/clearance) -Met with dietician (visit #3) -Final Nutrition consultation 5. July 24- Got approval You only need 3 visits, and the first visit counts. I tried to streamline the process as much as possible by using the surgeon's dietician on staff just to save time with fewer delays. I did use the psych through my insurance, since their psych was cash only. I paid my $25 co-pay instead of their $215 cash fee. I lost 8 pounds and gained back 3, so I don't think it matters. I expect to lose at least 10 pounds on the pre-op diet. It was very frustrating at times, but it was worth it. My surgery, hospital stay, and all associated fees are covered at 100%. Woohoo!!!!

My paperwork was sent by my surgeon last Tuesday, and was accepted by Cigna on Thursday. I called on Friday just to make sure, and was told a decision would be made no later than today...and yep, I got the call saying I was approved. Not sure how I feel, overwhelmed that this for real now. The surgery scheduler is supposed to call with a surgery date. Good Luck to everyone with Cigna, sometimes they can surprise you.

I'm here, OR nurse, at work. Eating hummus on my lunch break.

My paperwork was sent on Tuesday of last week, accepted by Cigna on Wednesday. I called this morning to see if a decision had been made and was told the nurse is still reviewing it. They have 5 days to review it before making a decision. Apparently, the nurse needs ALL 5 days, because tomorrow makes the 5th day. Nurses, such slow pokes. (I'm a nurse, lol) :-)

Good Luck and Get Well Soon!

I think this statement says it all. Make an influence on the one person that can still benefit, your son. Your husband went from his momma's house to yours (even though he had his own place, it belonged to his mother), your step-daughter went from her mom's house to her grandma's house, now the grandson is being raised by the grandma. There is a pattern that was in place long before you came into the picture. Your MIL is an enabler. Don't become one too. Take care of your son, and mold him into an independent and responsible person. My concern is that he will be influenced by your husband and think that is how a man handles responsibility, by passing it on to his momma. Don't worry about the 21year old, she's grown, and don't worry about the grandson, because great grandma (the enabler) will make sure he's well taken care of, like she did with your husband before you came along. I think you can have a decent relationship with your step-daughter and your grandson, but just accept it as it is.

Congrats...........and Happy Birthday! What a great gift!

I would recommend a hotel stay, maybe 1/2 way between the hospital and your home, because I had robotic surgery in May, and that 40min ride home was hell. It's going to hurt either way, but maybe breaking up the ride into two days may help. Also, consider getting an abdominal binder to reduce bouncing pain from bumps in the road. Good Luck!

Well, I called Cigna today, and found out that my bariatric's office actually submitted my info on Tuesday and it was accepted yesterday. The rep said my 5 days for review started yesterday, so I should know if I was approved or not by Wednesday of next week. Excited, but skeptical.

I almost feel like my eating has been out of control. I find myself eating and doing things that are just crazy. Could it be that my food addiction is evolving since my mind knows that I'm about to chop off 80% of my stomach?

Congratulations! I'm glad someone's insurance is actually doing what they're supposed to do.

Sorry to hear you're feeling so sick. Is your pain still the same as it was right out of surgery? Sometimes, it's the IV pain meds that cause nausea. Do you think you can try going longer without it, like if it's ordered every 4 hours, try going until 6 hrs before asking? If you can't, then you can't, but the sooner you're able to move around, the better you'll start to feel. Hope you feel better soon. Hugs

Wow, what an amazing story. I'm glad to hear your family is doing well, and good luck on your journey to becoming healthier.