I'm Out!

Feb 12, 2007

2/12/07: I'm home from the hospital and on the recovery route. I had surgery on the 8th and was kicked loose about 9:30 the next morning.  I spent most of that day in bed and on the couch. I still find quite a bit of pain on my left side- I think mostly the port incision, afterall, it is the biggest.  I have not been too hungry yet and I think I'm doing a pretty good job of getting in my fluids- trying to take it slow and easy.  I'm supposed to try to go back to work on Wed. or Thursday but I'm not sure how my uniform pants will fit as I am still pretty bloated thru the waist.  The big loose pants I took to wear home from the hospital were barely loose enough to come home in.  My hubby has been taking very good care of me, making sure I get my meds and liquids in, but he went back to work himself today and I'm left to fend for myself.  I go back and see Dr. Oh on Friday for my 1 week Post-Op appt. and then I should be released to drink the protein shakes again.  Maybe that will stop some of this never-ending grumbling coming from my tummy.

Ready to Roll!

Feb 05, 2007

2/5/07- Well, it's been a few short weeks since I've updated and a lot has happened in that time!  I completed my Psych Eval and I'm proud to announce I am mentally stable.  I've visited the Internist and had my Nutrition seminar. All I had left was my Pre-Op Appt. on 2/7/07 and to show up for surgery 2/20/07.
Last Wednesday, Tina from Dr. Oh's office calls and moved me upto 2/8/07!  WhooHoo!  That meant I was thrown on an instant clear liquid diet due to the time crunch, but that saves me a week on it later so what the heck. I have all of my liquids, proteins, vitamins and other supplies ready to go. 

More Hoops Jumped!

Jan 18, 2007

1/18/07:  This week has gone quickly.  Monday I had my Pshyc eval. and I'm willing to say I'm probably not crazy at least I wasn't before filling out all of those little circles!  That night I attended another support group meeting and my hubby was able to join me.  He got a lot of his questions answered and even made me a little teary-eyed with all of his support.  
Wednesday was my nutrition class and they finally filled us in on the two week clear liquid pre-op diet.  He also wanted me to start "protein loading" by adding 2 shakes a day and to start the vitamin regimen to help with recovery.  
Looks like I'll continue the liquids for another 4 weeks after the surgery and then have 2 weeks of mushies before starting to add some more regular foods. It's going to be a long haul!
Next Monday I see Dr. Oh to find out how all of my tests have gone and then need to see the internist on the 29th- not sure yet what that is for.
I have another class on Monday the 5th with the hospital's WLS nutrition to find out even more information.  Then all that is left is my Pre-op appointment and Surgery!

EGD

Jan 11, 2007

1/10/07  I went to have my EGD scope today at St. Frances today.  My hubby planned the day off to take me and overnight we received some snow.  Being the retired marine that he is we arrived almost 2 hours prior to my 0800 appointment time.  It wasn't all bad, although they didn't take me until around 0930, I think that was actually earlier than they originally planned due to others not making it. 
I guess I was in there for almost an hour start to finish.  The last thing I remember was the nurse telling me he was putting something into my IV that might make me light headed.  Then I woke up in a recovery room.  The papers they sent home with me say I have gastritis, esophogitis, a Hiatal hernia and he performed a biopsy and removed a polyp while in my tummy.  I don't see Dr. Oh again until 1/22 so I'm not sure how any of this will affect the surgery- particularly the hernia.
All I noticed afterwards was being a little gassy, things I swallowed seemed to go down really slow and the back of my throat feels like I've thrown up lately!

3.5 hours of tests- still more to come!

Jan 08, 2007

1/8/07- Well I spent much of my day at St. Frances Hospital today undergoing an array of tests- Ab Ultrasound, Chest x-ray, Pulminary, and blood work.  I think everything went fine (except for the 5 needle sticks to eventually find enough blood in me!).  It was 2 pm by the time they went looking for blood- I'm a hard stick and hadn't had anything to eat or drink since last night... I don't think they should have been surprized!  Now I look like a junkie with both arms and my hand poked and bruised!  Other than that they were great- walked me from one test to another so I wouldn't get lost.  I go back Wednesday for my Endoscopy.  Friday it's off to Madigan to see what TriCare has to say about all of this!


I have a date!

Jan 04, 2007

1/5/07- The Dr's office called today and I now have a date, February 20th!  I've been looking so forward to this and now it scares me.  I'm sure I have all of the same concerns as most folks going thru this adventure but this seems to be moving so fast- totally the opposite of what I've read on most posts.  I went to a seminar in early November and saw my Dr. three weeks later for a referral.  I have dual insurance coverage- Federal Blue Cross/Blue Shield thru my job and TriCare Prime thru my hubby.  My Dr. said I could self refer with the BC/BS and she would write me a referal for TriCare.  I was scheduled for a consoltation with Dr. Oh on December 22nd. He was listed as a preferred provider with both companies.  At the appointment I was scheduled for my Endoscopy test 1/10 and a follow up on 1/22.  Since then, TriCare has called to have me consult with their Dr. on 1/12.   Last Friday the gal in Dr. Oh's office called to see if I would like to schedule my surgery- I was floored!  I asked if this meant I was already approved- apparently BC/BS does not do preapprovals!  She said you have the surgery and take your chances!  She said that their success rate on bypass approval has been very good but since they are only starting to cover LapBand in 07 she has no history to judge by- that's scary!  I hope TriCare is a little more reassuring.  I sure can't afford to have both of them deny me.  I'm all scheduled for all of my additional tests with Dr. OH and surgery set for 2/20.  Hopefully I'll have some answers from TriCare by then!


About Me
Tacoma, WA
Location
29.9
BMI
Surgery
02/08/2007
Surgery Date
Nov 21, 2006
Member Since

Friends 15

Latest Blog 6
I'm Out!
Ready to Roll!
More Hoops Jumped!
EGD
3.5 hours of tests- still more to come!
I have a date!

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