Cherry

Yes I do believe it!!! There are people in this world who are in one particular profession, NOT because they don't have the smarts to be in a different profession, but because they got 'stuck' somewhere.

What's a little suprising is that my doctors (all of them) tell me constantly that most people never ask questions like mine. When I was going to be having an endoscopy, one of the questions I asked the doctor was if the specific anesthesia people (or those monitoring me) had a protocal or were trained in case I had bad reaction to the anesthesia and/or stroked? He told me "that won't happen" and when I said, "well what if it did?" he began to get an attitude while explaining how minimal the risks were blah blah blah.... and I didn't like his answer because I AM in the high risk minority. He then cancelled my procedure and said I had too much anxiety.... WTH? No, HE had the anxiety. When I asked my RNY doctor what type of metal the staples are made of, and he answered, he also said "Wow, there's a question most people don't ask". I am an EMT and I LOVE biology. Plus its my body, my life.... and I want to know what other people are doing to it basically. Apparently a lot of people just dont think to ask or they have a lot more trust than I do.

I learned a ton by watching some autual surgery videos. Today my surgeon not only answered all of my qustions, he showed me some of the tools used! Was fun and awesome!

Well just watched about 20 youtube videos of actual surgery and got many of my questions answered. I really enjoyed watching them. Off to see my Dr in the morning!

LOL thanks.... now I am reading about Lovenox injections? LOL just what I need to know about. I see my Dr again tomo. My surgery in April 17.

I once asked a doctor serious questions about my endoscopy. He was mortified and cancelled my procedure and told my PCP it was becasue I had too much anxiety. Ummm noooo, it was because HE had too much anxiety when I asked practical questions. I was f*cking pissed - I needed the endoscopy and had waited 3 months for it!

Well I just watchd a video that definately helped me understand the stapling procedure!!

I'm a little fearful that if I ask my surgeon these things, he's going to think I am a nut. If I can get a little bit of info here, it would be very helpful. Please keep in mind, I am a (not active) EMT so I am very interested in understanding biology. When you cut the stomach, what happens to the inside contents during the surgery; the acid, enzymes, and any contents? Can or does it leak out in to the cavity or muscles/fat that surrounds the stomach? IF not, WHAT prevents it? If so, can this' poison' you or contribute to infection? (I am referring to the time DURING the surgery) Once the stomach is disected and the old stomach is stapled up and moved out of the way, what occurs INSIDE of it? I have read that normal functions continue but I don't think I really understand what can be 'normal' about a stomach that is no longer serving it's function. Maybe someone can explain? And finally, what about nerves and vessles to the old stomach and the new pouch; Does the doctor just leave them all attached as they were (some to the new pouch and most to the old stomach)? Can one bleed out from the disection of vessles? Are any vessels caulderized during all of this? Oh and 1 more.... Is muscle ever cut during this procedure? I know it's laproscopic and the cavity is inflated with gas, but is there any muscle anywhere that needs to be disected/resected? Thank you

I SWEAR by Flinstones!!! (pre op I take Flinstones complete)

Well I will not be taking Biotin again..... I started today and took a 5000 capsule in the AM with Breakfast, then late afternoon with a late lunch... I also ate 3x more today than I normally do and was excessively hungry. I haven't felt hungry like this in 3 months, and I actually just dropped 30 lbs (pre op). So it happened that I was looking up the correct amount of biotin tonight to be sure that 10,000 wasn't dangerous or anything and I was APALLED to see the dozens and dozens of people who said they gained weight and had additional hunger. Many stopped taking it, and numberour people never noticied a benefit in their hair regardless. So today was the first and last day I will be taking it. I was sooooo hungry today and couldnt figure out why. Now I know.

I'm also with Dr Pham. Date is April 17. I'm at Sister's though. Have some questions for you....

well Well so much for me being a washed up EMT!!*crawling back in my cave now* :ph34r:

soooo similar to me!!! There's a lot of focus on the weight....for me there's the daibetis too and sleep problems. I'm sleeping better now for 3 reasons; I have the cranky carbs out of me, I am on a new medicine that helps, and because of the medicine I have less physical pain in my disabled limb. In terms of weight though, I have another 80 lbs to go to be where I want to be (60 to reach my first goal). My Dr doesn't use the same liquid liver-reduction diet that other doctors seem to use. The diet he does use is similar to the diet I have been following for 8 weeks now. I do not anticipate that I will drop a lot of weight on the 2 wk Pre op diet. I start my 2 wk pre op diet on tuesday.... and it's not going to be any huge deal to me to be honest.

I have never even heard of this med! WTH? What is it and what's it for?

in one of my past traumas, I lost about 2/3 of my hair. It was devestating to me (at the time). I am pre-op and it's starting again. I am off to the store to find Biotin today!!! Any other specific Vitamin?

I too am affraid of telogen effluvium. I've had it happen 3 times in my life already from traumatic events and it was AWFUL. I don't take a ton of pride in my appearance, but I LOVE my hair. This was very devestating to me. I have been trying to "heal" my hair now since an event caused this again 2 years ago. I've read many topics here and people saying to increase your protien, but I dont think this helps telogen effluvium. I am pre-op and just lost 30 lbs, and it's already starting for me. So your Dr's advice was the Biotin???

ok so I am in a different boat.... I have lost 30lbs in 2 months pre-op.... AND my blood sugars are improved as well. Because I have lost weight, my family has now basically done a 180 and is NOT supporting my surgery. To me though, it's an illusion.... I have lost weight plenty of times before and it's always been temporary. It's hard though because I dont want to be one of those people who backs out of it, then a year later goes through with it and the biggest regret is not doing it the first time! My date is 4/17

I want your doctor!! (j/k - I like my Doc a lot) but a stuffed bear sounds wonderful!

OMG what does that taste like, ewww LOL

Excellent answer and thank you!!!

Yes but what is egg protein? I can eat egg whites like hens are endangered. LOL

WOWOW sooo helpful!! Thank you!

My question is about the immediate reactions after anesthesia.... I have special circumstances because I am allergic to morphine and get highly nauseous. In the past, my operating team has given me certain meds (its a steroid) to prevent that nausea..... I also get a scopalamine patch behind the ear I also HATE being tubed and have experienced sore throats for weeks after past surgery. So when you come out of anesthesia, and you begin to throw up, how difficult is that? Can one even throw up since they just did stomach surgery????

WOWOW sooo much information!!! Thank you all so much! I am hoping to not be on pain meds after day 1. I have bad allergies, including morphine. Being in pain for me, so sometimes better than the reactions I have to meds. So on that note, I am going to start another thread topic about anesthesia and nausea.... and if that describes you, please respond in the new topic. THANK YOU ALL And to the lady who had several surgeries including the colon resection.; OMG poor child! I am glad you made a comparison. I had a large bone graft procedure after a bone infection and my bone had crumbled/disintegrated basically inside of me. It was very painful. On another occasion, I had a gall bladder attack for 2 weeks straight before it burst and I passed out. I remember the pain and the recovery. Other occassions were ovarian cysts which SUCKED.