Elisabethsew

Good question and a tough one. There is a difference when you state you are an RN. If a person posts that they are having pain in the right side and I say, "I'm an RN, it's just gas." and the person ends up having appendicitis that leads to peritonitis or septic shock because they listened to me, my license could be in jeopardy. What an RN can do is ask questions such as, "Do you have a fever? Do you have an appendix? Are you passing gas? Can you keep food down? etc." Based on the answers you can say things like, "Not having a fever does not mean you don't have an infection. You need to see your MD for some blood testing ASAP" and similar statements. If you're not a NP, you really can't diagnose or dispense medical advice. That's why I always say to call your MD because it could be, X, Y, Z. Patients share their EXPERIENCES or dispense advice based on their experiences. Since the patient is not claiming professional health care status, the person getting the advice can choose to take the advice or ignore it. It's two equals exchanging conversation. Healthcare professionals are licensed and held to a higher standard. You can be sued for all the things MDs are sued for and have to practice within the boundaries of the state that grants you the license. Now... get back in school. We need RNs!

It's interesting you ask that. In late May, I will be getting my PhD in Adult Education. The PhD is called the terminal degree because it's the highest one you can earn. However, my mentor constantly reminds her learners that getting a PhD is the BEGINNING of learning how to be a researcher. I find that's the case with everything in life and the more I learn, the more I see how much I don't know. This banding experience is definitely a challenge. LOL.

I've been an RN for over 25 years and my advise is to always follow whatever your MD recommends. There is often a fine line between advice and opinion and I have to sometimes step back and reread something before posting it. I don't think anyone intentionally wants to give "bad" advice to another person but when it comes to questions that seek permission to alter the person's post-op plan of care, there really only is (in my opinion) ONE response and that's "check with your MD/follow your MD's instructions." I was hungry toward the end of the 2nd post-op week of liquids so I called the surgeon's office and spoke with a PA. She told me I could add a few ounces (no more than 4) of part skim or low fat ricotta cheese to my diet once a day. That got me through the rest of the liquid phase. However, had she told me I had to stick with only liquids, I would have done it. I would also agree with WASA as concerns being in the health care profession and obesity and weight loss surgery. Being banded required me to learn as much as everyone else... and I still am. I'm sorry to hear that peoples' feelings were being hurt and I hope they don't let that keep them from posting. However, if a hurt feeling saves a person from the possible complications that can arise from not following post-op instructions, it's a small sacrafice.

Just curious... do you work for a group of surgeons?

The problem has been dealt with so let's try to get back to the topic.

Nobody wants anyone to leave the forum and lively debate is great. People get to hear other points of views. Whether they agree or not, it's always good to listen and learn. However, sometimes people feel the debate gets off topic and the focus becomes personal. This is certainly NOT a reason for anyone to leave.

Just a gentle reminder that religion is always a "hot" topic and people are often passionate in their beliefs. Debate is fine as long as it presents the various sides of the topic. When it gets personal and off topic, people can feel that they are being singled out.

Some people do have those symptoms/problems after surgery but they go away once the anesthesia is completely out of your system. If you ever need to have surgery again, make sure you explain these side-effects to your surgeon and anesthesiologist. I hope you're feeling better!

Just something to make you smile... CURTAIN RODS----PRICELESS She spent the first day packing her belongings into boxes, crates and suitcases. On the second day, she had the movers come and collect her things. On the third day, she sat down for the last time at their beautiful dining room table by candle-light, put on some soft background music, and feasted on a pound of shrimp, a jar of caviar, and a bottle of spring-water. When she had finished, she went into each and every room and deposited a few half-eaten shrimp shells dipped in caviar into the hollow of the curtain rods. She then cleaned up the kitchen and left. When the husband returned with his new girlfriend, all was bliss for the first few days. Then slowly, the house began to smell. They tried everything; cleaning, mopping and airing the place out. Vents we re checked for dead rodents and carpets were steam cleaned. Air fresheners were hung everywhere. Exterminators were brought in to set off gas canisters, during which they had to move out for a few days and in the end they even paid to replace the expensive wool carpeting. Nothing worked!!! People stopped coming over to visit. Repairmen refused to work in the house. The maid quit. Finally, they could not take the stench any longer and decided to move. A month later, even though they had cut their price in half, they could not find a buyer for their stinky house. Word got out and eventually even the local realtors refused to return their calls. Finally, they had to borrow a huge sum of money from the bank to purchase a new place The ex-wife called the man and asked how things were going. He told her the saga of the rotting house. She listened politely and said that she missed her old home terribly and would be willing to reduce her divorce settlement in exchange for getting the house Knowing his ex-wife had no idea how bad the smell was, he agreed on a price that was about 1/10 th of what the house had been worth, but only if she were to sign the papers that very day. She agreed and within the hour his lawyers delivered the paperwork. A week later the man and his girlfriend stood smiling as they watched the moving company pack everything to take to their new home........ And to spite the ex-wife, they even took the the curtain rods I LOVE A HAPPY ENDING, DON'T YOU?

Hi Amanda, I'm glad to hear that you're recovering from the surgery and yes, there is also an emotional recovery that needs to take place also. Give the support group a try. You'll find you're not in this alone.

Hi Brandy, As you likely are already aware, birth control pills predispose women to blood clots. This risk is increased in women who are obese, over 35, and smoke. Rather than stopping the medication, ask your surgeon about administering lovenox or another anticoagulant prior to surgery and for a few days afterwards. I have not heard of having to stop birth control pills but different MDs have different policies on what they want and don't. Be sure to tell your surgeon what happens if you stop the med. You might also want to have your OB/GYN write or call the surgeon. Let us know what the outcome is.

Tell your wife not to be scared. She can stay with you most of the time. The day of the surgery, you go to the registration area (first left after you enter the front door of the hospital). They go over your info., put a band on your arm, and then you sit in a chair and wait (maybe 10 minutes) to be called by someone over at security. This person will take you on the elevator to the holding room in the recovery area. You'll be given a garment bag to put all your clothes in and shown to a bathroom where you'll change into a gown (it will fit) and an OR hat. The garment bag will be taken to your room and you go into the pre-op area and get weighed and then jump in a bed. At this point, your wife will join you. An anesthesiologist will come to talk with the two of you and then you'll see your surgeon. The RN will start an IV and you'll get an antibiotic through that just prior to going to the operating room (OR). Once you're taken to the OR, your wife goes to the waiting area just outside the recovery area. When they have you settled in the recovery room, they will bring your wife in to see you and she can stay with you and accompany you when they bring you to your room. I hope that helps a little?

Good luck with the study!

Different surgeons require different pre-op testing. For the esophageal test, you're required to have nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before the test. Most testing of this type is done with sedation... a small IV and they push the medication through the IV line. It takes less than 10 minutes and you feel nothing.

Do you see a psychiatrist who prescribes your meds? If you do, your surgeon (and insurance carrier) might accept a letter from him/her saying your OK to have the surgery. Call the surgeon's office and ask. You are NOT the first one to fail the exam and I'm sure they have a plan B.

Welcome and congratulations on the upcoming surgery. I could only sleep on my back for the first week or so. Surgeons usually advise not tanning during healing as it can cause hyperpigmentation of the scar tissue.

Welcome to you and your husband and congratulations on your success.

Welcome and congratulations on the surgery. You'll be a lot of people here so read the post and respond to those that interest you.

Welcome and congratulations on your upcoming surgery. If you're finding it hard to stick to the pre-op diet, call your surgeon's office. Sometimes they give you one or two foods to have in moderation that make all the difference. Read a lot of posts here and ask questions. We look forward to having you.

By the eighth day after a fill you should be able to tolerate a normal diet. You might want to give your surgeon's office a call in the AM and check in with them.

Welcome and congratulations. It's wonderful that you're doing this as a couple. Many members have used your surgeon so read the posts and you'll learn a lot.

Welcome and congratulations on your decision to have the surgery. Read a lot of the post here and you'll learn a lot.

The next time you go for a fill INSIST on a different person. The maximum should be twice before getting another person to try. I have had fills with and without the novacaine and was stuck twice for the first fill and once for all the rest.

That flu is going around. I'm glad to hear you're feeling better. Make sure you rehydrate yourself after that ordeal.