neonatalicurn

I've recently had a horrible experience, need to vent, and wondered if anyone else went through something similar. This past Sunday, I got stuck and vomited. Not the first time it's happened, so I expected to spend the next couple days on liquids. Monday morning I tried a couple sips of warm tea and it came up almost immediately. I called my MD's nurse and explained the situation; she asked me to come in Wednesday at 1PM and she would get me worked in. (My MD is in the clinic all day Monday and half a day on Wed/Fri, other days he is in surgery, doing rounds at the hospital, or at a nonbariatric clinic right on the same block as the bariatric clinic. Also, he is the only person who does fills/unfills. He has no partner or another person trained.) I agreed with her suggestion thinking that the band would loosen up enough to dring at least by Tuesday morning. Unfortunately, I was wrong. I couldn't swallow my own spit much less Water. So, I called the clinic again on Tuesday. By this time I'm desperately thirsty, I've lost 10 lbs since Sunday, I'm vomiting up what little spit I'm producing and accidentally swallowing at least every 2 hours. My temperature is over 100 and my skin turgor is getting worse; my eyelids and skin over my knuckles would stay up in a little peak if I pinched them. I was peeing in small amounts sporadically. I knew I was dehydrated and voiced my concern to the nurse. She responded that he was in surgery all day, and she would try to get ahold of him. And, if she didn't call back, come in the previously arranged time on Wednesday. I responded that I didn't think I could wait that long. Her answer to this was to go to the ER. I was astounded! During the year and a half that I've been a patient, the MD and staff have constantly hammered into me to just give them a call if I need anything . I take this to mean that if an urgent situation like this arises, I can call and get their help quickly. I was very wrong. She did call back and told me to be at the clinic at 0830 Wednesday morning; the MD would come in between hospital rounds. I was so tired by this point and agreed. The next morning my husband drove me to the clinic (by this time I'm very weak, I'm down 12 lbs d/t Fluid loss). I check in and am told that it could be one hour or even three hours before he comes by. By this time I'm so tired and dispirited that I can hardly think. I burst into tears and say I'm going to have him take out all of the fill, I haven't had anything to drink in nearly three days, I've tried to get an appointment for the past two days, my husband has to be at work at 10, etc... I can't even completely remember everything I said, my brain was so clouded. I sit and the desk clerk tells me he has been paged. By the time I see him, it's nearly 11AM!! I had him take all of the fill out although he was initially going to just take a bit out to "decompress", but I insisted. I have a one-month appointment made, but I'm really debating going back. I love my band and don't regret having it done, but don't wish to risk a repeat of this experience. I am about 20 lbs away from my healthy weight and have learned a lot of great habits, so I don't doubt that I could do it. It would just be more slowly. Has anyone else had an experience like this? How did your doctor respond? Sorry so long and thanks for reading:redface:

Thanks for posting, y'all; but I do agree with Humming Bird (ha! of course:rolleyes:). An ER visit would have consisted of waiting for several hours, only to have them call in my bariatric MD anyway to unfill my band since no one else in my city can (and would also incur a large bill). I actually did regret not going to the ER after calling the clinic on Tuesday when I realized on Wednesday morning that it would still be awhile before I would see the MD. I could have at least had some relief from IV fluids. But, the point is that I entered into this doctor/patient relationship with the expectation that something like this would be taken care of very quickly. This was an urgent situation that was turning into an emergent one, and my doctor was aware of it. Unfills take less than 10 minutes; and, as a nurse myself, I know that any paperwork would not take long, either. This entire situation could have been avoided on Monday if they had offered to work me in then. Now I wish I had pushed for that harder:redface:.

I just found out that I have a large hiatus hernia that will be repaired along with my lap band surgery, and I'm wondering how the recuperation will be. How has your experience differed from those that did not have a hernia repair as you've noticed on this site?

Will any of the restaurants at Universal Orlando/Seaworld let you split an entrée?

That is hilarious, Boss Lady!!! Hope you continue to do well!

I just had my preop education today. My surgery is the 21st, so on Friday I start a 10 day, 30 grams of carb/day, and 100+ grams of protein/day diet. Then, I start a 4 day clear liquid diet. I'm really having some doubts about how I'm gonna do this. I've tried Atkins before and it did not last long! Any encouragement/tips would be greatly appreciated!!! (:biggrin:I'm still so excited about finally getting to this point!!:thumbup:)

I also answered a questionnaire that asked for my weight goal. My surgeon and nutritionist have not suggested one to me though. I've set several small goals for myself and will revise them if needed as I lose. My ultimate goal is 140lbs which is in the middle of my healthy weight range; but, if I am healthy and feel great at a heavier weight, that goal will change, too!

I completely get what you're going through!!! The last time I had surgery was when I was 7 and had my tonsils taken out! I had not even had an IV since then until I had an EGD a month ago. I'm so excited and ready for my band; but, at the same time, I'm getting more and more nervous as my surgery date gets closer. Totally conflicted!!! But, I know this decision to have this surgery is the right one for me. Wishing you well!

6 miles-Week 1 24 miles to go Haven't done cardio last few days due to shin splints. I just went to the grocery store yesterday and my right leg was killing me!!! Any tips on dealing with shin splints?

Thank y'all!!! I love the pic-on-the-fridge idea! I love the cruise idea, too, but all this surgery prep has about cleaned out my pockets despite having good insurance!!! I've cleaned out my cabinets and that has helped. If I don't see it, I tend not to want it. I went ahead and started a day early, and I got through it pretty well! I just hope I can keep it up. I've heard other people say that the first few days are the hardest. Hope it's true:unsure:

I have soooo been looking forward to today!!! I got my binder with all my pre- and post-op info (I love binders, any type of office supply, really), and I know it will be attached to me at the hip for the next 6 mos and maybe more. I can get a little obsessive about things I'm excited about; I've read 5 books about the lapband/WLS in the last 3 months. Anyway, I'm just a little concerned about the pre-op diet. Friday, I start a 10-day 30 grams of carb/day, 100+ grams of protein/day diet. Then, I do a 4-day liquid diet. I can be pretty disciplined in the beginning, but Atkins was one of the hardest diets for me to follow. I'm such a carb-addict!!! Thankfully, I have a coworker/friend who's doing all this with me, so it will be easier to be accountable at work. I think I'm going to use this blogging thing to be accountable otherwise. If anyone has any tips/encouragement to offer, I will greatly appreciate it!!!

I have soooo been looking forward to today!!! I got my binder with all my pre- and post-op info (I love binders, any type of office supply, really), and I know it will be attached to me at the hip for the next 6 mos and maybe more. I can get a little obsessive about things I'm excited about; I've read 5 books about the lapband/WLS in the last 3 months. Anyway, I'm just a little concerned about the pre-op diet. Friday, I start a 10-day 30 grams of carb/day, 100+ grams of protein/day diet. Then, I do a 4-day liquid diet. I can be pretty disciplined in the beginning, but Atkins was one of the hardest diets for me to follow. I'm such a carb-addict!!! Thankfully, I have a coworker/friend who's doing all this with me, so it will be easier to be accountable at work. I think I'm going to use this blogging thing to be accountable otherwise. If anyone has any tips/encouragement to offer, I will greatly appreciate it!!!

Thanks to everyone who responded!!!! I guess I should have clarified that if I lose so much that I'm under 218lbs, my BMI will be less than 35. I'm at 236 right now, so I'm pretty confident that I won't be less than 218 by 7/21. Still needed a little reassurance, so thanks again!!!!

How much weight did you lose on the preop diet only (not counting any weight you may have lost prior)? I'm a little worried that I may lose too much weight on the preop and not be able to have my surgery! My preop should start around July 14th. My surgeon recently advised me to add consistent exercise, and I've really started to lose weight. While I'm glad to be losing, I know that if I don't get my lapband, I'll just gain it back! I went from 244 to 235 in the last month; I'm aware that some of it is water weight, but the weight loss is not slowing down. If you know of another thread that answers my question, please post where it is. Thank y'all!!!!

This is a great idea!!! I'm just getting back to exercise and my surgery is 7/21, so I'm giving myself a conservative first goal. I'd like to join in if y'all will have me!!!:biggrin:

July 21st!!!

I've been exercising sporadically, but, Monday, my MD told me to start exercising more consistently. I've exercised before and been successful in losing weight, so I'm going to go back to what I used to do. Soon, I'll have the band to help me keep it off! I'm going to work my way up to walking on the treadmill for an hour on 5 to 6 days a week. I, also, do weight training with dumbbells at home or machines at the gym 3 to 4 days a week with a day off in between. And, don't forget to stretch! There are sooo many places on the internet to find routines. One of my favorites is www.shapedietplan.com. When I first started using it, you had to pay for it. Now, it's free. Well, that's my plan simplified!

I like Freedom Fighters, too! It denotes strength, and I'm gonna need some strength! And we're already jewels, aren't we?

I just got my date yesterday.....July 21st! I can't wait!:thumbup:

I totally agree with Juniper. Please no sappy names!!!! I looove Freedom Fighters! I just got confirmation at my MD today; my preop is 7/8 and my surgery is 7/21! I can't wait! I had to do the 6 mo. diet thing and it's been a long 5 mos!

Thank y'all for responding!!! I'm am sooo looking forward to my surgery! I hope to have a solid date on Monday.

I think half of the people I work with have been banded! There are seven other nurses that I know of, and one of my coworker friends and I are getting banded together. We're definitely keeping Dr Pinson busy!