bravonna
7 Weeks
May 19, 2008
My father had his gastric bypass surgery on Thursday. He is a little sore, but doing well. Please keep him in your prayers.
Two-Week Check-up
Apr 10, 2008
I went to the doctor today and I am down 17 lbs. How amazing is that! I feel great. I have started eating moist foods and I have had no complications. I return to work on Monday. I am very ready. Please continue to pray for me.
God' grace
Mar 30, 2008
Day of Surgery (Friday)
Got to the hospital Friday morning around 5:30 AM. Had surgery about 8:00 AM. Everything went well. They said there were not problems and that the surgery was quick (about an hour). I woke up in recovery, bandaged and in a lot of pain. The nurse reassured me everything was alright. Later I went to my room and immediately started walking. My stomach was very swollen and I was in some pain and very gassy. I continued to walk and every 2 hours. I was given a small cup of ice chips. Nothing else. I used my morphine pump like I was a crack head. I walked almost every hour. The staff was impressed on how well I was doing. I couldn't sleep all night due to the leg massager they put on my legs to prevent blood clots.
The Day After (Saturday)
I was on ice chips until I had the leak test around 11 00 AM. The leak test went very well. You drink this nasty sweet solution and then they x-ray your abdomen. I saw my pouch. It is so small. After the leak test, I walked. Then I talked with my doctor. They gave me diluted cranberry juice which I tolerated well. Within 30 minutes I was going home.
Home
I was pretty sore and very gassy. So all I did was walk and sip water. I was able to get a lot of sleep once I found a comfortable position. Praise God. I made it through.
Sunday
I was still a little gassy. I overdid it today when I went to the grocery store. I walked about an hour while shopping. Once I got in the car, I had excruciating pain on my left side. When, I got home I took my pain medicine and slept. Once I woke up, I had some decaf coffee, which helped me pass the gas and I felt much better.
Endoscopy Done
Mar 25, 2008
I am ready for surgery on Friday. To my great surprise I am not nervous at all. I am very excited. I have claimed a complication free surgery in the name of Jesus.
I am so ready to start my new life. I am looking forward to having this new confidence I never had before. I'm looking forward to trying new things and not being afraid of failure or other's criticism of me. This has been a major problem for me even when I was smaller. I was always worried about what others think of me. Now, I really don't care. I cannot and will not live my life concerned. So, today I say goodbye to the insecure woman and hello to the God-fearing woman that I dream of being. I want my life to be a reflection of God's grace. Jesus came not only for us to have life, but to have life more abundantly. I believe that I deserve all of God's blessings and I stand bold and courageously expecting good news. I will now ask and know that it shall be giving. Not because I am better than anyone , but because I am a child of God and through him all things are possible.
PRE-OP
Mar 20, 2008
After I chatted with the doctor, I was given my pain medicine procedure and sent down to the AMC hospital around 11:30. I signed in, payed my deductible which was extremely high. After 30 minutes with the insurance coordinator, I was put in a room. They gave me a urine sample, drew blood, took my vitals, weighed me again and then I had to have a chest x-ray. This took about 2 hours. Lastly, the anesthesiologist came late and discussed what to expect during surgery. I did not get out until 2 PM. It took all day. I was so upset. They need to work better with the hospital to speed up the process. Anyway, I am happy it is over. My surgery is 8 days away. Now all I have to do is have my endoscopy and wait for the BIG DAY.
Pre-op Diet
Feb 22, 2008
When I went for my pre-op on Thursday, I was sure Dr. Rashid would put me on a 2-week liquid diet to help shrink my liver before my surgery. But to my astonishment, she reported that they don't do liquid diets anymore. She now wants her patients on a high protein diet which consists of lean meats and lots of fruits and vegetables. So I was relieved. Yesterday, was my first day and it went well. I had eggs and cantelope for breakfast, a protein shake for lunch and chicken salad for dinner. Hopefully, I can lose at least 13 lbs. before surgery.
The doctor set my after surgery weight goal at 135 lbs.
My personal goal is 125lbs. Pray for me
Consult with Surgeon
Feb 21, 2008
She is a really caring, concerned, compassionate physician. She has only done 300 operations by herself, but has never had any complications or deaths. Which is a blessing. She stresses after-care and contributes her complication-free record to well-educating her patients. She viewed my file and discovered that I am on oral hydrocortisone. MY PCP prescribed it to improve my thyroid. Dr. Rashid reported that it contributes to slow healing and wants me off it 4 weeks before surgery. So my dates had to be pushed back a few weeks. At first, I was little disappointed, but I know that this is God's plan. Actually, it works out better for me. Having my surgery in late March gives me time to find a better job. Plus, I do not have to take off so many days from work since spring break is the week after my surgery. God is good.
So here's my new dates:
March 20- Pre-op
March 25- EGD
March 28- Gastric bypass surgery.
I'VE GOT A DATE!
Feb 02, 2008
God gave my this approval
Jan 25, 2008
My co-morbidities are hypothyroidism,asthma, stress incontinence,and IBS. I completed my six month supervised program along with Weight Watchers. My PCP, David Kunz supports me 100%. He wrote letters and got all my clearances in a matter of weeks. I got my psych and nutritionist letter. Within a few months, I submitted 147 pages of paperwork to Peachtree Bariatrics. The packet was submitted to BCBS on January 14.
I have always had faith in God, but this year it has increased. This year, I have prayed more and believed more. I am not a preacher, but I can only tell you what I know and I know that God is good. I prayed boldly and courageously to God about this surgery. God answered my prayers and I was approved 3 days after submitting. On January 18th, I called the insurance company and I was approved. Now I am waiting on a surgery date. Please continue to pray for me.
