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*Treatment results may vary
Can't believe I'm sleeved!
Procedure was Friday, December 23, 2016. Released from hospital Christmas evening. At home resting. Trying to get everything in so that recovery goes well. Prayerfully no set backs!
Pre-Surgery Day
For yesterday's pre-op appointment day, thought I was going to be able to be footloose and fancy free to be able to log on and type updates in real time. Wrong. Not only was I wrong but I was so drained and cold that I had no energy to summarize last night.
My day began at 8:00 a.m. with my follow up appointment with the Pulmonary Specialist. This process actually identified that I have sleep apnea. I knew nothing about SA prior to starting. I may have had it for a while and didn't know. What I know now is that I am feeling better with the CPAP that I've been using for about a month and a half, but I don't want to be dependent on it long term. My surgeon requires 75% compliance with the device over the course of 30 days. I achieved 73% compliance and the nurse practitioner ok'd me to move forward.
My next appointment was at 9:00 a.m. with the nurse practitioner who works with the program (the bariatric program that I am using is at a teaching, research-based hospital and it includes three doctors). She took/recorded my current vitals and reviewed (once again) my medical history, then order new labs. It was at this appointment that I received three packs of sterile/antibacterial wipes to use the night before and morning of surgery.
My next appointment was at 10:00 a.m. with the anesthesiology department for a screening. I discussed former surgery with the attending doctor. He recording additional information in my electronic file. Based on my report of getting winded while walking up flights of stairs while carrying bags, and because of a tumor I had a few years ago, he order cardio ultrasound as a precautionary measure and added some additional lab work (including a thyroid test). New 3:30 appointment added to day. The great news is he called this morning to let me know that the results of those additional test were normal.
After that appointment, I headed to the laboratory so the medical vampire could extract my blood. 15 tubes in all. My goodness!!! Even if the temperature wasn't frigid I would have still been cold. And exhausted. While I waited to relinquish those 15 tubes, my support person, AKA my beloved mother, called to let me know she had arrived. I let her know where I was and she headed to meet me. We waited for about 10 mins (in sure I hadn't been there for no more than 5-10 mins by myself) before I was called back. The draw took about an additional 10 mins. Both arms. Two different medical vampires (lol, hey, I just realized that I'm finally starting to become a little funny, hopefully). That's hilariously insane. But it wasn't a bother.
By the time that was all over, it was a little after noon. I took my mom to the cafeteria. We got some Starbucks and I got a cup of roasted vegetable soup. It was near 12:30 p.m. when we paid. I decided to stop by the cardiovascular department to inquire about the ultrasound. My next appointment, the consent/nutrition class, was from 1:00-3:00 p.m. I didn't know if it would end at exactly 3:00 p.m. due to questions (from other soon to be WLS completed patients). I figured it was best to let someone in THE cardiovascular department know I may have been late or try to push the appointment time back. I ended up with the latter (4:30 p.m.).
After that, my mom and I headed to the 1:00 p.m. appointment. If I counted right, there were 10 of us in all, each with a support person. During that time, the nutritionist gave us another handout that is similar to one we received from the pre-preop nutrition class and reviewed it with us. She gave us a sample packet of PB2 and one chewable multivitamin. Blank stare. Really? That's all? Yes, that was all. About halfway through the session, the nurse practitioner arrived to take over with the consent. We each received our own individual packets, based on our procedures. Basically, it was consent, as well as an acknowledgement of the possible risk and complication.
(I'm getting sleepy now so I'm going to pause right here. I'll try to finish tomorrow for sure. But I'll close and say that nothing out of the norm or ordinary happened and that was perfectly fine by mean. Simple and concise is a great thing. We didn't see or talk to the doctors. That was a tad bit disappointing. Today marks 9 day until surgery. Oh, I'm first. Scheduled for 7:30 a.m. Reporting to the hospital at 5:30 a.m. I asked for the first opening. Hoping by night time I am doing well and have walked enough to actually rest.)
My day began at 8:00 a.m. with my follow up appointment with the Pulmonary Specialist. This process actually identified that I have sleep apnea. I knew nothing about SA prior to starting. I may have had it for a while and didn't know. What I know now is that I am feeling better with the CPAP that I've been using for about a month and a half, but I don't want to be dependent on it long term. My surgeon requires 75% compliance with the device over the course of 30 days. I achieved 73% compliance and the nurse practitioner ok'd me to move forward.
My next appointment was at 9:00 a.m. with the nurse practitioner who works with the program (the bariatric program that I am using is at a teaching, research-based hospital and it includes three doctors). She took/recorded my current vitals and reviewed (once again) my medical history, then order new labs. It was at this appointment that I received three packs of sterile/antibacterial wipes to use the night before and morning of surgery.
My next appointment was at 10:00 a.m. with the anesthesiology department for a screening. I discussed former surgery with the attending doctor. He recording additional information in my electronic file. Based on my report of getting winded while walking up flights of stairs while carrying bags, and because of a tumor I had a few years ago, he order cardio ultrasound as a precautionary measure and added some additional lab work (including a thyroid test). New 3:30 appointment added to day. The great news is he called this morning to let me know that the results of those additional test were normal.
After that appointment, I headed to the laboratory so the medical vampire could extract my blood. 15 tubes in all. My goodness!!! Even if the temperature wasn't frigid I would have still been cold. And exhausted. While I waited to relinquish those 15 tubes, my support person, AKA my beloved mother, called to let me know she had arrived. I let her know where I was and she headed to meet me. We waited for about 10 mins (in sure I hadn't been there for no more than 5-10 mins by myself) before I was called back. The draw took about an additional 10 mins. Both arms. Two different medical vampires (lol, hey, I just realized that I'm finally starting to become a little funny, hopefully). That's hilariously insane. But it wasn't a bother.
By the time that was all over, it was a little after noon. I took my mom to the cafeteria. We got some Starbucks and I got a cup of roasted vegetable soup. It was near 12:30 p.m. when we paid. I decided to stop by the cardiovascular department to inquire about the ultrasound. My next appointment, the consent/nutrition class, was from 1:00-3:00 p.m. I didn't know if it would end at exactly 3:00 p.m. due to questions (from other soon to be WLS completed patients). I figured it was best to let someone in THE cardiovascular department know I may have been late or try to push the appointment time back. I ended up with the latter (4:30 p.m.).
After that, my mom and I headed to the 1:00 p.m. appointment. If I counted right, there were 10 of us in all, each with a support person. During that time, the nutritionist gave us another handout that is similar to one we received from the pre-preop nutrition class and reviewed it with us. She gave us a sample packet of PB2 and one chewable multivitamin. Blank stare. Really? That's all? Yes, that was all. About halfway through the session, the nurse practitioner arrived to take over with the consent. We each received our own individual packets, based on our procedures. Basically, it was consent, as well as an acknowledgement of the possible risk and complication.
(I'm getting sleepy now so I'm going to pause right here. I'll try to finish tomorrow for sure. But I'll close and say that nothing out of the norm or ordinary happened and that was perfectly fine by mean. Simple and concise is a great thing. We didn't see or talk to the doctors. That was a tad bit disappointing. Today marks 9 day until surgery. Oh, I'm first. Scheduled for 7:30 a.m. Reporting to the hospital at 5:30 a.m. I asked for the first opening. Hoping by night time I am doing well and have walked enough to actually rest.)
Two weeks and counting
Soooo, my pre-preop diet was not okay. Today starts my official two week pre-op diet, and I am sweating bullets over it. My uneasiness is making me quite nervous about the new way of eating that's to come. I think some of it is anxiety and nerves.
I have an all day pre-op appointment this coming Monday. What fun that will be? I've learned so much here that I have tons of questions to ask so I thank this forum for the lessons.
No one's story, that I've read, revealed a requirement to have someone attend the pre-op day as a support person. It was odd to learn that because it was rather late. I would guess that many doctors know that people still, in 2016, are freely willing to share about WLS. Some patients may really need a solid amount of time to sort out who such a person would be. I know some people who are against this and would not support. Others who know and would support me, reside in other states. Again, it just seemed strange to wait so late to share that as a requirement. Also I must take my vitamins with me on Monday to demonstrate my commitment to a life of supplements. I have pill versions of the three required but I'm going to order liquids and chewable forms now. I'm rather bummed that my team doesn't offer samples, of anything, at least they haven't as of yet. Not even a coupon. I plan to inquire (and express my dissatisfaction) if they don't offer any on Monday. I understand not wanting to shell out samples at seminars but once a date is set it seems reasonable.
Perhaps I'll share Monday's experience, in real time, during the visit, during or after each stage. Maybe that'll help me be more active cause right now I suck and I know I'll be upset when I visit this time next year and have such a short story.
I have an all day pre-op appointment this coming Monday. What fun that will be? I've learned so much here that I have tons of questions to ask so I thank this forum for the lessons.
No one's story, that I've read, revealed a requirement to have someone attend the pre-op day as a support person. It was odd to learn that because it was rather late. I would guess that many doctors know that people still, in 2016, are freely willing to share about WLS. Some patients may really need a solid amount of time to sort out who such a person would be. I know some people who are against this and would not support. Others who know and would support me, reside in other states. Again, it just seemed strange to wait so late to share that as a requirement. Also I must take my vitamins with me on Monday to demonstrate my commitment to a life of supplements. I have pill versions of the three required but I'm going to order liquids and chewable forms now. I'm rather bummed that my team doesn't offer samples, of anything, at least they haven't as of yet. Not even a coupon. I plan to inquire (and express my dissatisfaction) if they don't offer any on Monday. I understand not wanting to shell out samples at seminars but once a date is set it seems reasonable.
Perhaps I'll share Monday's experience, in real time, during the visit, during or after each stage. Maybe that'll help me be more active cause right now I suck and I know I'll be upset when I visit this time next year and have such a short story.
Provider Review
Haven't had the procedure yet.