ewhitt

Last pre-op appointment with surgeon was yesterday. Getting a tad nervous, but far more excited than anything else. Cleaning house like a crazy person and getting on to husband about everything I will not be able to do when I get back. Still working in the office to get ready for being off for a long time. I know I am replaceable, but when you have patients that you know and love (I am an oncology nurse) it's tough to disappear for a month and not be able to share stuff with them. My bag is mostly packed. Now I am working on packing my daughter's bag for the night in the hotel near the hospital with her daddy. They will have a good time, and they will be close to come get me when I am discharged. I'm just sad and I will miss that teeny little girl! (She's 4, and I KNOW she will be fine, it's just the momma heart missing her). I JUST found out I have to be on Clear liquids the day before surgery. I'm not at all complaining, cuz I know some of you have been on clear liquids for a week already. It's just that my church has a big "Homecoming dinner" Sunday afternoon that I will miss completely! I'm not gonna go and sit there and not eat.

I was JUST talking to Stacy about how badly I want to pack my bags! I was always the kid who would sit down just after Christmas (when I got new clothes) and make a list of stuff to take to summer camp! I have a few piles of things here and there, but nothing IN the bag yet. I have all my foods/liquids ready and I am working on being very diligent with my diet this week (no formal pre-op diet). I really need to buckle down and clean house this week too. I have work all week, so I am trying to organize the office for my absence (big meeting with the boss this afternoon to do that). This weekend is packed full of social events, which makes me happy because I won't have time to worry about anything then! One last appointment with the surgeon tomorrow and then all my hoops have been jumped through. My surgery is at 930, I have to check in at 730, and I live almost 2 hours from the hospital. So I will be getting up at the crack of dawn to get to the hospital on time. Very exciting!!!!

That is AWESOME'. Congrats!

I am on VSG way more often than FB! So I had pre op class yesterday, and they told me NOT to stock up on a lot of clear fluids. By the time I am home, I will be on full liquids (creamy Soups, pudding, etc). One thing they said that I knew, but didn't think about was if we drive more than one hour, we need to stop and walk around prevent blood clots. Well, my drive from the hospital is 2 hours away, so I will have to stop. I guess I will just walk down the side of teh highway? (Just kidding, I know better) I'm getting a little nervous, but socially scheduled myself so full, so I would not have a lot of time to worry about it. I do need to get some quality time at home to clean and organize a bit at home. I just told my boss that I would need 4 weeks off instead of previously requested 3 weeks. My job is quite stressful, and I just can't imagine working and concentrating on getting all my Protein and Fluid requirements in AND worrying about work. I am from southern Ohio, and I am going to Columbus to have my surgery. Very excited as the time dwindles down.

I remember that feeling well. It's so awesome when you finally get that date and you know your journey is beginning for REAL!! Congrats! I'm July 1, so I'll fill ya in on all the details.

I love these posts! I am feasting on hearing all the success stories! (Cuz you know I aint feasting on anything else! Congrats and enjoy your trip!

This is SO funny. I went to pre op classes yesterday, and we discussed all these issues. I heard myself saying "I've read..." several times when the nurses were talking about this or that. Items of "contention" included: straws, medical ID bracelets, NSAIDS, pop, chunky cream of ____ soup, strained cream of ____ soup, how long to wait between medications, catheters, etc, etc, etc.

I need to vent a bit. My first appointment with the surgeon was April 16. I got all my requirements done by May 15. Finally got ahold of the office lady on the 24th, had insurance approval by the 27th. I have tried to call daily since then. Beginning on 5/30, the bariatric coordinator has been out of the office, and NO ONE else can help me schedule anything. Not the surgery, not the pre op, nothing. I feel like I'm in a holding pattern. So I know this isn't a terrible amount of time to wait, but I feel as though I have gotten no where with this office. I love the surgeon, but I do not like dealing with her staff.

So today I am at the hospital for labs, EKG, chest X-ray and more nutrition classes. This is starting to feel very very real. After this, I only have my preop with surgeon and then all my checklist is done, I just have to show up for actual surgery day. Only a teeny bit nervous at this point. My big fear is the recovery room. And it's not fear as much as I hate that feeling of your brain waking up and your body laughing, saying "nope, not time yet". I remember about 20 years ago I ha a surgery and woke up and asked the same thing every time I woke up. I'm k ow the recovery nurses are used to that. It's funny, because I was the only one really irritated by it. SOOO... I'm ready to do this thing!

Do you not remember my post about undies? No, all patients have to be equally embarrassed, nurses/ doctors/ cops/ judges... It's the only way to keep the nurses who are caring for us happy!

First and foremost- be selective in who you tell, since you can't untell. Secondly- do your homework. I work in a doctors office and I had a doctor tell me that I would "have to take Iron shots for the rest of your life". Which I politely said was "not necessarily true (moron)". That's all I got.

Yea!!!!! Awesome job for all you new residents of onederland!!!

Oh dear Lipstick!! You are just too sweet! :wub:

My doctor's plan is water and ice on day of surgery, clear liquids post op day 1, full liquids post op day 2, and if I'm doing ok, go home on Day 2 in the afternoon.

"I noticed the Torani sugar free syrups on my last shopping trip there. I'm pretty sure you can get them on Amazon as well if you don't mind paying the shipping--or maybe try the Torani website (http://www.torani.com/) to see which stores near you might carry the sugar free versions. My local grocery store has the full-sugar versions, but not the sugar free ones." We were talking about it on page one. I think it is a flavor adding syrup that some people are adding to their Protein shakes.

From what I have heard (I'm still pre op), I would be interested in your B12 level. That can zap your energy big time.

I got 2 quiche bowls for after surgery to eat from. They are like 5 inch diameter circles, and they are ceramic, so they may hold the heat a little bit if I eat really slow. I also bought demasste spoons, and cocktail forks. I will have a set in my purse for when I am out. (I found a cheapo tampon-hiding bag to keep them in, just as a side note).

VERY awesome NSV! I can't wait! So happy to see this success!

I saw someone post a week ago or so about "chubby girl mind", and said she wasn't able to bring herself to buy a smaller size because she never thought she would wear it. Well, I thought "i'll stop that right now" and I bought a size 14 at the consignment shop. Now I look at those jeans like they are a huge waste of money, cuz I will never fit in them... But I KNOW I WILL! It's just the way we are used to looking at ourselves.

Sounds great! Congrats to your success, and thanks so much for the support!

I have Anthem. My doctor's office submitted it Friday before memorial day, and I called insurance to check the status on Tuesday afternoon and it was approved. I didn't have to wait on the insurance at all... it was the doctor's office that dragged their feet. But I'm scheduled now, so all is forgiven.