Tana_Q

I have something else to add to the discussion. If anyone EVER feels like they are being given poor care while they are still in the hospital, please be your own best advocate and speak up. You can start by asking for the charge nurse. Then you can ask for the nursing supervisor. If it is during the day you can ask for a patient advocate or patient representative, all hospitals have them or have someone acting in that capacity. If you still feel like your voice is not being heard ask for the hospital administrator.
I actually do agree with Kim that it is in one's best interest to have a friend or relative stick close by if possible. If you find you really don't need them, send'em home!
But also remember that the vast majority of doctors and nurses WANT to help you and want you to do well. Also remember that not everyone dressed in scrubs that comes in your room is a licensed professional. In some hospitals housekeeping and nurse's aids wear scrubs too.
Also if speaking with staff is not getting you anywhere, have your family call and inquire too.

I believe that the OP really feels something awful happened and an injustice was done to her. However, as a RN of almost 16 years (8 working in the hospital), I have had a few patients who dramatize things due to various reasons. Medication given in the hospital can make one wonky. Just the fact of having surgery can make one "off" for a bit. There are times I was accused of hiding the call button when in fact the patient dropped it on the floor!
The fact that OP lost so much blood can temporarily deprive the brain of oxygen. That also can cause perception to be way off. OP claims the whole state of LA is corrupted? Come on. OP I am sorry that you had a complication and were so sick for a bit. Yes, you could be recalling everything correctly. BUT, if a medical review board and all those lawyers don't agree with you then maybe, just maybe you are not remembering correctly?
I also think you should get to another surgeon and get checked out. I also think maybe it would help you to talk to a professional about this as you do sound traumatized from it. Best of luck.

Haven't popped in this forum in a while... I am now 8 months out from surgery and have lost 150 lbs! I am only 15 lbs from goal so we are definitely TTC. Hoping it happens naturally! Congrats to all the pregnant Sleevers!

Talk to a high risk OB before stopping any meds. Stopping either the Cymbalta or Oxy suddenly could actually be dangerous for you and the baby. Many women take opiate pain meds throughout pregnancy if absolutely needed. The baby will just have to be monitored for a few days. Congrats!

Thanks Cheri, I didn't realize obesity help had a pg forum, going to check it out. I have noticed that my cycles are becoming MUCH more regular as I had months of no period when I was at my heaviest. So that is a good thing!

I believe that the OP really feels something awful happened and an injustice was done to her. However, as a RN of almost 16 years (8 working in the hospital), I have had a few patients who dramatize things due to various reasons. Medication given in the hospital can make one wonky. Just the fact of having surgery can make one "off" for a bit. There are times I was accused of hiding the call button when in fact the patient dropped it on the floor!
The fact that OP lost so much blood can temporarily deprive the brain of oxygen. That also can cause perception to be way off. OP claims the whole state of LA is corrupted? Come on. OP I am sorry that you had a complication and were so sick for a bit. Yes, you could be recalling everything correctly. BUT, if a medical review board and all those lawyers don't agree with you then maybe, just maybe you are not remembering correctly?
I also think you should get to another surgeon and get checked out. I also think maybe it would help you to talk to a professional about this as you do sound traumatized from it. Best of luck.

There have been a few posts about tubes and I think it may be confusing for some.
A PP wrote that everyone gets a tube for surgery and she is right, it is an ET tube or endotracheal tube. That will help breathe for you during surgery as it is connected to a ventilator (respirator). The majority of the time those do come out before you are awake.
Someone else here had an NG tube or nasogastric tube. That is very different. It is inserted through one of your nostrils and goes down the esophagus to your stomach. It is placed on very light suction to decompress and eliminate and blood/fluid from the stomach. It seems that this is not a common thing for most WLS but could potentially happen.
I hope this helps!

There have been a few posts about tubes and I think it may be confusing for some.
A PP wrote that everyone gets a tube for surgery and she is right, it is an ET tube or endotracheal tube. That will help breathe for you during surgery as it is connected to a ventilator (respirator). The majority of the time those do come out before you are awake.
Someone else here had an NG tube or nasogastric tube. That is very different. It is inserted through one of your nostrils and goes down the esophagus to your stomach. It is placed on very light suction to decompress and eliminate and blood/fluid from the stomach. It seems that this is not a common thing for most WLS but could potentially happen.
I hope this helps!

I have something else to add to the discussion. If anyone EVER feels like they are being given poor care while they are still in the hospital, please be your own best advocate and speak up. You can start by asking for the charge nurse. Then you can ask for the nursing supervisor. If it is during the day you can ask for a patient advocate or patient representative, all hospitals have them or have someone acting in that capacity. If you still feel like your voice is not being heard ask for the hospital administrator.
I actually do agree with Kim that it is in one's best interest to have a friend or relative stick close by if possible. If you find you really don't need them, send'em home!
But also remember that the vast majority of doctors and nurses WANT to help you and want you to do well. Also remember that not everyone dressed in scrubs that comes in your room is a licensed professional. In some hospitals housekeeping and nurse's aids wear scrubs too.
Also if speaking with staff is not getting you anywhere, have your family call and inquire too.

Hello fellow March Sleevers,
I just got my date today, March 15th and I cannot wait. 5 weeks can't pass soon enough for me. But I am trying to be zen about it and lose a little weight before the surgery.
I have struggled with my weight for the past 13 years. It seems I was okay, never skinny but mediumish build until I hit 30. Then I started to gain, gain, gain. Now at 43 I want to live and be healthy! I have a young son who needs me and he is my inspiration each day.
I look forward to this journey.

I'm sure there are some from LI here. I'm waving at you from Westchester Cty. ::::::waves::::::

I will do some very small, probably insignificant things to be more active but I can't do a whole lot. My herniated discs have been acting up due to the weight and I am in pain everyday. Standing or walking hurts a lot after just a few minutes. But I can do some sitting stuff. Thanks!
Yes they are! I just want to blink my eyes and have the day here already.
I want to hear it all! I'm just glad I'm not the only one who obsesses over this. I am also researching all the foods from different sites, chewable Vitamins, a thermos for my protein shakes, lol. I do need to read a lot more older posts here though, good idea.
Thank you, I guess obsessing isn't so bad.
Aw, hun that stinks. But I do feel a bit better!

I agree with happy. My surgeon doesn't have to do 5 sleeves a day to get my business. He is a good doctor with good stats and he knows the abdominal anatomy extremely well! Plus stats can always be manipulated so I personally wouldn't go with someone based on numbers and stats only. A surgeon can be fantastic doing 5 sleeves a month.
Also as PP said, insurances are just staring to cover it so would think that is reflective of a lower # of surgeries performed as well.
ETA: There's also a downside to having a doctor do a LOT of surgeries everyday. They will be more tired! Or perhaps rushing just a bit. Productivity is not indicative of quality IMO.

Sorry to hear this and hope your leak heals soon!

Hi, RN here chiming in. I'm in NY and the nursing programs are just as competitive so I get what you are saying. I would do both for sure especially since your classes are only 2 x a week. I probably wouldn't tell your school ahead of time as you don't want to lose your spot.
Congrats on both your upcoming surgery and nursing school. School is tough but one of the best times of my life. My nursing school comrades were awesome. You'll love and hate it!

I am glad to see that straws are not necessarily a complete no-no. I always use a straw cup and have for many years. I have teeth that are sensitive to cold and it would hurt a bit to not have my straws!

OP you are going to lose all that weight and GAIN your self esteem back mama! Then you will realize that verbal/emotional abuse does not have to be put up with. Your kids deserve better than that. Having 2 parents together but unhappy and Dad treating Mom like crap is not a positive thing for them. Having a Mom who is happy, content, and respects herself is so much better for them.
Good luck and just know that you don't have to live like that.

Thanks Raquel. I have heard more + things about my insurance since I first posted this so I'm really hoping it will go as smoothly as yours did.

OP you are going to lose all that weight and GAIN your self esteem back mama! Then you will realize that verbal/emotional abuse does not have to be put up with. Your kids deserve better than that. Having 2 parents together but unhappy and Dad treating Mom like crap is not a positive thing for them. Having a Mom who is happy, content, and respects herself is so much better for them.
Good luck and just know that you don't have to live like that.

Oh how frustrating! I know how it feels when $350 feels like it might as well be $3,500. Can you try selling anything on eBay or Craigslist? I've done that before when I've been in a bind. You'd be surprised at what people will buy. Cut corners and throw any extra money to the side. I hope you can get this!

I was merely pointing out that you have stores all over your town, with one even called Complete Health Services Ideal Protein Centre. But you don't even want to try those options. As is noted in several other posts on this topic and echoed in my initial post, what works for one person is not necessarily going to work for another. My cousin loves isopuke. Everybody's tastes are different. It is going to require a search. But, if you feel your taste buds won't tolerate the best of what Saskatoon can carry, then by all means, go online and order samples. But it may be beneficial to you to have something local because you truly will not know until after your surgery. Will you have something you can tolerate? How long to ship more of it to your home?
As long as you find what works for you, that is what is important. As with any endevour, to have success, one must set themselves up for success.
It wasn't so much of having a bad day as it was straw breaking the camel's back of posts stating that a person can't handle Protein shakes, but has tried only one and isn't willing to go around searching for what may work for them. The boards, including OH, are littered with them. I struggled with protein, too, early on. Having one I loved pre-op and couldn't stomach post, I finally found one that worked, but it was still difficult to get the required amount in. It was probably week 3 before I was able to do so, but I kept trying. I can see how it could be an easy trap to fall into and I sincerely want us all to succeed in this. Maybe some are luckier than others, but I do believe we can help create our own luck with preparation.
If you wouldn't mind, could you read my post here? Thanks:
http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/28313-can-we-get-back-to-support-and-stop-attacking-each-other-please/page__view__findpost__p__241161
I wish the best of luck to you in this.