nld3328

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

I hope this works- I have a video blog of my WLS journey on YouTube ...  along with OH, Youtube has been a great source of info, support, and inspiration.  Check it out if you get a chance
~nicole


http://www.youtube.com/user/nld3328

Well, after I write this I am off to clean the house top to bottom.  I want everything in order for Monday!  My Surgi-birthday!  Monday is the day a new me is born! 

I have a lot to do- cleaning, laundry, making lasagna rolls for the family to eat while I'm in the hospital, making the sugar free pudding I can eat when i get home, and I'm sure I'll think of a host of other things as the day progresses.

Not looking forward to Sunday- clear liquids only!  I know I shouldn't complain as I haven't had to do any pre-op liquid diet etc.  Then Monday is nothing at all- except brushing my teeth!  Surgery is scheduled for 2PM, get to hospital by 12 noon.  That means all morning nothing at all!  I won't open my mouth for fear of the dragon breath within!!!!

Wish me luck and keep me in your prayers if you pray.  I look forward to reporting how everything went!

~nicole

I went to the hospital today for my pre-op appointment.  It was about an hour and a half total time.  They had me fill out paperwork and gave me a folder booklet full of the surgery departments info like how much it costs for TV service etc.  Then they called me back and got a height and weight.  then I waited in a small exam room and they did an EKG, blood pressure and took some blood.  Next a Nurse came in and ask me health history, explained that I can't eat 24 hrs beofre surgery- clear liquids the day before nothing after midnight.  Then a Nurse practioner came in and went over it all again to make sure and then did a breif exam and listened to my heart and lungs.  Then it was over.  Now I have to organize myself and get everything ready so I am calm on May 3rd.
Besides that, I let my mom know (against hubby's better wishes) that I am having surgery on 5/3 and she tells everyone in her church group!  Now I will be bombarded with ?'s and scrutiny everytime I see them.  I am annoyed to say the least.  But, it should be fine once I get over it a little.
That's all for now,
~Nicole

I was able to go to the hospital's support group this week.  It was a really nice group of 30+ people.  Lots of pre-ops were there and many recent post-ops.  After some intros and such we broke into smaller groups where a few post ops were able to talk to us pre ops about the diets, pain, hospital stay etc.  Over all I was pleased with it and glad I went.  I hope I can go to the next one but I will be just about a week post op- so we'll see.
Also, I got my pre-op surgical visit scheduled for next week where i guess they will draw blood, check vitals etc.  That is the last step until surgery- I can't believe it! 

It's official!  I am approved!  Just got off the phone with a RN rep from my insurance.  She wanted to let me know they offer a phone call follow up with an RN if I would like after surgery.  She wanted also to make sure my surgeon's prgram offered follow up care and support groups etc.
So, now I need to schedule my pre op testing!
~Yay
Nicole

  Well, I have tried a lot of the protein samples I received from netrition.com and bariatriceating.com.  Netrition's package came in 1 day, but there a few protein samples that aree questionable.  I don't think they are specifically formulated for gastric bypass.  The package from BE was great.  I read through the book the owner of the site wrote about her gastric bypass surgery and journey.  Very easy read, informative (if not light on details and sugary sweet about surgery) and it is filled with healthy recipes to try later on.  The celebrate vitamin samples were good and the inspire and other powders are good and easy to blend.
I ordered a box of ready to drink protein drinks for convenience, calcium chewables and chewable multivitamins.  
   My surgeon's office suggests a regular multivitamin plus an extra calcium.  But, after reading through OH and some other resources, I decided to order the Bariatric advantage multis because of the extra vitamins in there that are specifically for Gastric Bypassers' needs, like Biotin for hair and nails, water soluable types of the fat soluable vitamins and more.  The surgeon will write  a script after surgery for a special folic acid iron supplement they prefer us to be on, so that will take care of the iron portion.
  I also ordered from netrition (due to cheaper pricing and availability) a no flavor Nectar protein to mix into tomato soup post op, as well as a roadside lemonade and iced tea flavor Nectar makes.  I am not too crazy about the chocolate types because they remind me of slimfast.  They will be good for once every other day maybe and I have a big jug of vanilla to make the sweet type any how.
  Overall, I feel pretty prepared for surgery as far as protein and vitamins.  Next, I will work on getting a few small spoons and bowls and maybe a magic bullet type appliance for easier shake mixing.  I have a digital food scale, a couple of cute little measuring cups that measure in ounces and tsp and tbls, a blender bottle (don't like it too much) and a nice big refillable water bottle with a mouth opening instead of a straw (don't want to suck air).
  I will be checking on my insurance approval this week or next and scheduling my pre op testing on april 5th or so.  Hopefully all the ducks are in a row and I can move on smoothly to surgery with no stress.
~n

Yay- I am super excited!  I met with Dr O'Malley, and even though I didn't see him for an hour past my scheduled appt., everything was great.  He is very factual and professional.  I had a list of ?'s and he patiently explained the answers.  After that he had me get on the table and listened to my heart and lungs, then had me lay down and explain where the 5 incisions would be and showed me about how long they would be.
After that, we headed to his secretary's office to schedule a date.  May 3rd!
I can't believe it is happening, I am still cautiously reserved, the insurance still has to approve.  The secretary said she will be mailing out the request next week and I will recieve a letter from them with the answer.  She said all should go well as I have met all the requirements.  She also said I should recieve an answer before they do.  I guess that is so I don't bother them to see if the insurance approval has come in yet.
I also have an envelope with some pre surgery test requests that I should do about 3 weeks prior to surgery.
I have some free Celebrate vitamin samples I requested off their website, a sample pack of protien powders from netrition (they came in one day) and also some products from Bariatric eating.com (nice website but shipping is expensive).
I am trying some shakes- not liking them, they taste like slim fast to me.  The only one I likes so far was the roadside lemonade flavor mixed in crystal light.
All for now, thanks for reading,
~Nicole

Well I checked my insurance coverage and I can't get the DS without having a BMI of 5o or greater.  So, it looks like RnY will be my surgery.  I was hoping for DS becasue I have PCOS and there are some significant metabolic problems.  The research I did  for DS , seemed to eliminate some of those problems.  I think there are some metabolic plusses from the RnY too, so I will try and find out what the surgeon knows about that on Turs.  I can't believe it will be here in a few days then they will schedule my surgery and send off the request to my insurance company. 

YAY!  Last Nutrition appt!  All went well, scheduled with the surgeon for next week.  THat means barring any unforseen mishap I will be having surgery sometime around the end of April.
I have to find out if my insurance will cover DS and Sleeve as I may chose that procedure if they do.  I probably will end up with the RnY just becasue I know it is covered.
Super excited- a little nervous too!

Hi everyone,

I had another nutrition appt today and maintained.  I need one more and the nut scheduled it on mid march instead of the end of the month to speed things along.  For me, I will go to the last nutrition meeting on March 10th, if all goes well I will schedule with the surgeon the next week or two.  After that I should get a surgery date 4-6 weeks out, so we are looking at early May.  I am really excited and nervous now that it is coming to the end. 

I still need to research more on the RNY and Sleeve to make a decision on the surgery type.

Take care,
~Nicole