Alicia28
5 WEEK POST- OP APPOINTMENT(1 MONTH)
Mar 12, 2008
2 WEEKS POST-UP
Feb 19, 2008
Well its been 2 weeks already.. My pain is gone but I am still exhausted.. I still feel hungry all the time and have cravings. I hope that changes; and luckily I havent gotten sick from anything I ate SO FAR.. I did sign up for Curves and have only gone a few times because I am down with a Cold again. I hope I can go back this week.. I mostly am eating pureed egg salad and lean meat pureed with beef broth and about 3 eight oz. servings of sugar free instant breakfast daily..So far I have lost roughly around 27 pounds but I still dont notice a difference.. Maybe next month!
FIRST POST-UP Doctor visit
Feb 12, 2008
ROOM 583 FOR 4 DAYS!!
Feb 08, 2008
WELL, i had my surgery on 2/5/08(FAT TUESDAY)... I arrived at 7:30 am. They registered me, then took me back to get changed in a gown,took vital signs, blood, and gave me a blood thinner. They also gave me a breathing exercise tube to circulate the air in my lungs. That, I am still having trouble with..lol .. Around 9 am they took me to the holding area.. I had the nicest nurses, they were willing to do anything to make me feel comfortable.. They also asked if I wanted my family to be there with me and they searched the whole hospital for them, until they found them.. The anstheioloigist came in and did more blood work and also got me started on the IV. Shortly after my parents arrived Dr. Dallal came in too see if I had any more questions or concerns and went over everything again. He said they would get started in like 20 minutes or so, at that time it was like 9:30 am..
About 10:15 am or so they wheeled me into the room, made me get onto the operating table. The last I remember was there was 3 nurses there and the anstheiologist. Dr Dallal and his nurse, werent in the room at the time.. I remember the anstheiologist put a mask over my face and that was it... I remember the nurse was waking me up in the recovery room, telling me everything was over. She said she would take me up to my room in an hour and gave me pain medicine. I passed out again, then she told me in 20 minutes I would go up. AGAIN, I feel back to sleep. I started waking up after I got off the elevator. The first thing I saw was my dad... I was so happy to see him and knowing I was alive. As soon as they got me in my room, they took all my vital signs, blood sugar etc. I dont remember much except everything being a big blur that day.. I do remember them saying my sugar went out of control over 200, when I am not even a diabetic. My heart rate was at a dangerous rate, the nurses kept coming in over and over to check it. I couldnt urinate, they talked about putting a cathetar in.. I was on oxygen..I was bruised badly over my whole stomach and I had severe pain. All of my nurses were great..
The next day, I felt even more pain and all the gas was still trapped.. I had more bruises too and still had the same symptoms as the day before and they wanted to keep a close watch on my heart. The only thing that changed was, I was finally able to urinate.. Wednesday evening, I felt so much better. I had so many visitors in and I was so excited to see everyone. A few hours later things took a turn for the worse, after my heart was somewhat under control, my pain was on a scale of a ten being the worse ever. I had to ask everyone to leave. I was ready to burst out into tears.. My stomach was even more bruised and I felt like I got hit by a bus. The gas was still trapped in me, I wasnt able to get rid of anything. Things continued into all day thursday.. All of the nurses were so nice to me.Dr. Dallal felt bad because he knew my surgery was rougher then most with all of the side effects I had. Thursday despite all of the pain, I kept walking and walking all day and it still didnt help my get rid of the gas. Dr. Dallal again wanted to keep me overnight. A total of 3 nights staying over.. By Friday, I begged and begged to come home. He seemed like he wanted me to stay but, I knew I would do better at home. He gave me tyneol with codeine to take every 4 hours.. Friday afternnon when I got out, I was still so tired and in pain. I begged my mom to take me to a store to get pajamas. I walked around and did ok. Saturday things got a little better but still having pain and not able to get rid of any gas yet.. Sunday the pain eased some.. In the afternnon and night it got a whole lot worse. AGAIN, still no passing of gas and no bowel movement. I dont mean to be gross but I am concerned if that is normal or not.
Tomorrow ( monday February 11, 2008), I see the doctor for a check up so I will see what he says about everything.. I am suppose to go back to work February 19, 2008. I am not sure if I will be ready. I am starting to think if I should take off another week or so or, should I go back part time for a week.. I just still have the pain and no passing of gas yet or a bowel movement. The doctor's staff also lost all of my leave of abscence papers for both of my jobs which really frustrated me because my employers need this info right away and the staff didnt seem to want to deal with the problem. After they said they lost the paperwork,the next day they said they realized they mailed it. It's almost been a week and nothing still has arrived. So we shall see...
This week. I still feel so so hungry and I am craving everything in site. I thought you werent suppose to feel this way. People said after the surgery you wont want to eat or have the cravings you used to have. Guess it was wrong for me so far..lol..
Dr Dallal also said I could have anything liquid to drink this week even including milk. Even though I cant eat more then a few bits, I still feel hungry. I have been having sugar free jello, sugar free instant breakfast with skim milk. I also just started drinking the NECTAR protein drink and had the muscle milk pudding tonight, which was really good...
I just hope and pray I made the right decission because right now, I am having many doubts.. Again we shall see what the doctor says tomorrow..
FAT TUESAY
Feb 04, 2008
Right now it is 10 pm on monday night. My surgery it tomorrow on FAT TUESDAY...lol.... What a day to have it on!!! I am expected to be at the hospital at 7:30 am.. Right now, I am a nervous wreck and I am just hoping I am making the right deccison for myself.. I weighed myself today and it look like I have lost 16pounds so far from the pre op diet.. I just cant belive after all of these months of waiting, that the day has finally arrived...
Pre-admisson testing
Jan 30, 2008
Today,(January 30,2008) I went for my pre op testing.. I couldn't believe how everyone was so nice and how they bend over backwards for you. Today they went over my history and background, and took my vital signs. My blood pressure was normal, thankfully! A few weeks ago I went off of the blood pressure medication because it made me feel like a zombie and I couldn't perform my job well.. So I was glad to hear it was a normal blood pressure reading. I then meet with the technician who took my blood.. She was awesome and great at verifying everything with me about the procedure as well. She said I couldnt get a better doctor if I tried.. That made me feel more confident about my decission going with Dr Dallal. After that I meet with Dr. Dallal. I lost about 9lbs this past week doing the pre op diet. He was thrilled about that. We then talked and went over everything making sure I was comfortable with everything still. He said not to fear anything, he promised he would take good care of me.. I also got my before picture taken too and Christine who works in the office said she is rooting for me and said I really left an impression with her, how hard I tried with getting this surgery going for myself and coming to so many seminars about the procedure. She is a real sweetheart.. Shortly after meeting with Dr. Dallal, I meet with the anstheiologist; he was awesome too and explained every detail what he would be doing. He also is a cardiologist which again I feel more comfortable, in case if things were to go bad.. So next Tuesday, on FAT TUESADY (the holiday) I will be getting my surgery.
I was looking so forward to everything , but on Sunday January 27, 2008. I had to get my 3 year old parrot put to sleep because she was poisoned. I have been so upset and devistated by all of this stiil. Two weeks before that I lost Oinky, my guinea pig. So it has been a sad couple of weeks.
After everything was finished at the hospital, we went to the bird store to see if they were getting any parrots in like the one I had. They said one was due in any minute now. She was flying in from Florida. When I saw her, I knew I wanted to put a deposit down and get her , I just still need to get over everything first. I figured it would keep me busy with everything going on with the surgery and keep me not thinking about food. When I got home my dad said he wanted to buy the parrot for me as a gift with everything I am doing for myself, getting my health on track, and knowing I wanted another bird. I was shocked, because my dad never really got me any gifts before in my life, he always left it up to my mom. So this alone means so much.. So over all, today went really well for the most part... Stay tuned about surgery on Fat Tuesday..lol..
January 2008
Jan 22, 2008
On January 4, 2008 I called the surgeon's office to find out what was going on. They looked in my file and said there was no authorization letter sent to my insurance and the girl connected me to someone else to find out what was going on. The woman didnt answer so I left a message and never heard back from her. So, I decided to call AGAIN on January 8, 2008. They said they were waiting back on a report and they had just recieved it. They said they were going to submit everything later on that day. I felt so relieved cause I thought something was really wrong.
On January 11,2008 it was my birthday. I did so much partying over that weekend. I figured next year I would not be able to eat as much,have cake,etc.. We went all over from The Cheese cake Factory on Friday to Shady Maple's smooregeborg in Lancaster, Pa. on Saturday.
I am not a real religeous person but over that weekend I went to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, to light candle and say a prayer that everything would work out ok with this surgery. I went there 10 years ago or so to pray for a serious illness I had for which I couldn't walk for 2 years. When I went there that time and prayed within a month I started to heal. I couln't believe it, I really felt it had work. So I wanted to try it once more again. My family went too.
On January 18, 2008 I recieved a phone call while I was home for lunch and it was Dr. Dalla's office. They called to tell me I was approved for surgery. I started to cry, I just couldn't believe it. My dream really did come true. I was so so so happy to hear that news. I really thought I was going to get denied since I didnt really lose to much on the 6 month diet. I just gained because of all the fluid in my feet. I also realized my family doctor had forgot to include some very important things to be submitted as well from the previous "idiot" doctor I had. We set up an appointment for the pre admission testing on January 30, 2008 and SURGERY WILL BE ON FEBRUARY 5,2008.
I am still am in shock over all of this. This past weekend of January 18.19, and 20th I just went out everywhere to enjoy my last "REAL" meals out dining. I told everyone that knew about the surgery that I got approved and they were so thrilled.
On January 21, 2008 I took my measurements and pictures that I will post up here soon.
January 22, 2008 I started my first day with the liquid diet. So far it's ok. I am just still hungry but I know its going to take a few days to get over it.
January 25, 2008- I am still doing the pr op and have not cheated at all. It is hard though I just feel so hungry and slugish but that could be that I am still sick with bronchotis. I Mostly have been having,slim fast high protein shakes, carniation instant breakfast sugar free with skm milk, GNC 100% whey pro-performace shake, jello, and chicken broth soup with carrots and string beans. I am just getting more and more excited each day to get this surgery done. I hope I can also fit in restauraunt booth soon too without being uncomfy. That is a goal I hope to accomplish very soon..lol
December 2007
Jan 21, 2008
On December 6, 2007, I saw the exercise therapist, she was soo nice and so warm. She took measurements,checkeded my flexibilty, and made me take a walk with her to see how fast I could walk with the weight I was at for 6 minutes around the hospital.She said in 9 months we would do it all over again to see how much I improved. She gave me all kinds of exercises to do at home and she was also saying the best thing I could do right now to prevent the skin from sagging was to start muscle toning exercises, she said sometimes when you wait till surgery or after, it sometimes is to late to fix that problem. She asked me what some of my goals were and I told her I want to go back to curves, which I want to do SOON. She also was taking such an interest in my life, which ment so much to me. I was so glad to have her assisting me. I told her I was so scared I would get denied, and she said I have no worries at all. She said she could basically promise me everything would be ok and if it wasnt, we would appeal it. Again, I was so happy to have someone like this by my side.
Later that day I saw the dietician. She explained what everything would be like from pre-op to post up to the rest of my journey in life. She made me feel so good about everything too. Any questions I had she said she would always be ther to help and I would have her support for the rest of my life too. She also said she is there at the support groups along with the exercise therapist to guide us through everything. She also gave me many hand outs to read about the surgery. Again, I was so pleased with everything.
December 13, 2007 all my information was suppose to be submitted for insurane approval but there was suppose to be a snow storm. My family doctor and I had an appointment that night to get my last final weigh in. She said she was going to have to cancel because of the storm and that she would fax everything to the surgeon. I told her I would just reschedule because I didnt want to fax all the paperwork over, there was just so much to give to the surgeon. Right then Iand there I knew this was going to be a problem because I needed to get my last weigh in. So, basically she told me to weigh myself on another scale and fax it over to her and in the morning she would have everything ready. When I told her what I needed she got vey frustrated with me, but I left her a list a month ago what I needed for the surgery approval but apparently she forgot and got irritated. I just let it go. When I faxed over my weight, I just left her a little note what to include. The next day my mom went to pick it up and the doctor appologized. My mom got most of the paperwork that I needed. I should say it was good enogh at least. We decided to wait till December 19,2007 on a Monday to hand everything in to the surgeon. So, that weekend I just made copies of everything to back myself up. On December 19, 2007 my mom handed the paperwork in to Dr Dalla's staff because I was working. They said I should hear something in 7- 10 business days. Over 2 weeks went by and I heard nothing. I figured I would wait till after the holidays to find out what the story was.. I was really starting to get worried and have my doubts and was getting really depressed at this time.
November 2007
Jan 21, 2008
November 30, 2007, I saw Dr. Dallal for my official consultation. Again he was great explaining all the details to my family and I about the surgery. I thought my primary doctor was the one who would have to submit the paperwork to my insurance; when he told me he did it, I was so relieved. I always assumed my doctor had to do that cause no one really explained to me what I had to do. He told me once it was submitted and approved I could get the surgery in 2-3 weeks. Again I was shocked and thrilled. I had a few more steps to do finish this process and that was to meet with the exercise therapist and the dietician in December and also the physcologist.
October 2007
Jan 20, 2008
I am getting more and more anxious each day. Nothing really has changed much, still being monitored and getting weigh ins. Next month my doctor is going to start doing pre op testing. If all goes well everything will be submitted to insurance December 13, 2007 for surgery approval,
