Snigglefritz
Surgeon is Robert Casillas http://xnet.kp.org/misg/bariatrics/casillas.html
I am on facebook too http://www.facebook.com/Snigglefritz
April 2011 This is the beginning of my journey. I have started my WLS Options classes to prepare for surgery. These classes are 12 weeks long 1 &1/2 hours long.
7/6/2011 Yes, done with my last class :)
7/11/11 Referred to Kaiser West LA.
I was referred for my surgery today after taking and passing all of my options classes. I am very excited. I should be getting a call within the next two weeks to set up a consult with the surgeon.
8/3/2011 I have lost a total of 14 lbs since I started the options in April. I was called today for my surgery date of 8/23/11.There was a cancellation so I took it. Now the journey continues :)
7/28/11 Had consult today. YAY cleared for surgery. Only thing is I was told the RNY is best for me. I was not prepared to hear that. I was ready for the sleeve and had my head set for only that. After Dr. Casilla's told me the reason and explained clearly all about why people with (GERD) should not have the sleeve, then I agreed. He did work with me and tell me to stop taking my pepcid and naproxen and see if I still have GERD, if not he would do the sleeve. I will stop those pills and see, but I'm pretty sure I will stall have gastric reflux.
Meanwhile, I am on a cancellation list for surgery, otherwise it will be a 2 month wait. I am excited and ready to go. Have my hospital bag packed too!
8/15/2011 Pre-op was today and went well. Lost 2 more lbs down 16 lbs now. Doctor was please, but said do not gain weight now to surgery.
This morning for Pre-op I checked in to Kaiser West LA and seen doctor Casillas then the Anesthesiologist. After the anesthesiologist you wait to sign a clearance paper for surgery. After this you head back to the surgery dept to see the RN to go over your after surgery diet, what you can eat when.
Sometimes you might have to go the EKG and have one done. I was cleared so that was good, didn't need one.
After I am done with all of this you head down to Member Services to sign up for any FMLA or disability forms.
It was a 3 hr ordeal so best to take off work! After all I am done and cleared.
Went to the grocery to get some clear and full liquid items ready for next week.
8/21/2011 Well 2 more days. Yes I get excited, anxious and nervous at times. it comes and goes. I just dread the pain afterwards as I have a hard time with pain pills. Some people I hear do not having as much pain as others. Maybe I'll get lucky and be one of those :)
8/23/2011
Surgery day, and not nervous at all. Arrived at the hospital quite early but that’s ok. Surgery was at Kaiser West La and what a great place. We took the elevator to the 3rd floor surgery check in , the elevator took us right in to only one room, check in room.
Checked in and noticed the room was very nice. They also have a huge tv monitor that shows where you are in the hospital at all times. This gives the person waiting for you up to date information on where you are. It does not give your name, only a private number so your family member knows it’s you.
Went back to pre op holding and they weighted me gave me a gown and took me to the little divided room with the gurney type bed. Well let me tell you, that was the most relaxing pre op I have ever seen, and I have see it over 12 times. They have a thick mattress on the gurney and a warmer air filled balloon type thing between the sheet and blanket to keep you warm. You could adjust this warmer yourself. How nice was that? I felt like I was climbing into my own bed.
The nurse check my status, asked questions and administered meds and started my iv. She did the best IV I have ever had too. After this the doctor and anestheslogist came to talk to me. Then they brought my husband back for a last minute kiss and off to surgery.
We arrived in the surgery room and they moved me to the surgery table and I remember them asking me to place my arms out to my side. I seen my doctor in there and they placed a mask on my face and asked me to take slow deep breaths and good night!
Woke up in post op recovery and oh boy! Oh boy in as I didn’t feel to bad, and my nurse was phenomenal She knew I was hot, and I can’t stand to be hot. She was breaking those cold packs and placing them in the knack of my neck to cool me off. She was also waving me with some kind of cardboard thing to keep me cool. I have never had a nurse go above and beyond like that. Really worked because when I get hot I get sick.
Off to my room once all was cleared. I remember the ride to the room slightly because I am medicated. Got up in my bed and that was another great thing, they had a bar to pull yourself up with. Boy was that helpful.
Next I remember waking up and moaning in pain. Did that for a few seconds hit my pain pump and out again. I did that a couple times and then woke up enough to chat.
My daughter arrived to be with me, she joined my husband already in the room and I a woke a little more. I was able to chat some but kept nodding off to sleep. I tired to get up and walk a little and go sick to my stomach. I threw up twice but not even a teaspoon amount. I was sick mostly from then pain meds as I can’t take them. Back to the bed for me.
I napped on and off for hours, and then toward evening I woke enough to go to the restroom sit up a second and walk… no nausea YEAH
I was in much less pain now and able to get up without being sick. Husband had gone home to get rest as he has been there with me since 3 AM. My beautiful daughter remained with me all night.
She helped me stay motivated and walk around some. I think her for motivating me and spending loving quality care with me. I really think she helped me get to go home faster
8/24/2011
Next day sip water oh fun. Not easy, they come to you with this very small pill like cup and say you need to drink this in one half hour. That was the first time one half of an hour because the shortest time in my life. Iddiy -bitty sips and time whew that was hard. Working on the sips and got my water in. Now I can go home.
On the way home I slept which was great because we were in the LA traffic all the way. Get home and I am able to walk slowly, sip slowly and sleep. This is all I did for the rest of the day.
Next day it was easier to get bigger sips in. Now I am able to walk more and feel better, go almost pain medicine free. I am a bit sore and the incisions are sore some but over all doing great.
Clear Liquids : Isopure this is all I am trying to get in because there are 40 grams in one bottle. They want to you to get in 1 ½ bottles a day.
The day the 24th I almost made it to one bottle. Stomach to small to get it in, plus I keep falling asleep.
8/27/2011
Doing really good. Learning how to take the medicines I need to take. Some are cut up and some are poured out into a liquid.
Full liquids : From 8/27 to 9/7 I now drink premier Protein and Muscle Milk brand protein H20 water J I make sure I get two of the premier proteins in as they have 30 grms of protein per drink. They want us to have at least 60 protein a day. I have sugarless popsicles and fudgecicles no sugar added. Some people might not be able to hold down the fudgecicles but I can J I have Canpbells soup at hand Creamy chicken has to be strained but is delicious. I also have the creamy Tomato parmesan bisque. Some people might not be able to tolerate the tomato so take it slow. I am lucky to be able to. Try many different sugar free jello’s and puddings.
8/31/2011
One week post op and doing great thank God. I am so happy with my decision. I have lost 5 lbs so far. I am very happy I chose the surgery I did (RNY) and very happy Dr. Casilla’s was clear to me why I should do this procedure versus the sleeve.
I am on a full liquid diet right now, which is good to me. There are many good tasting things on the full liquid diet. It’s surprising you cannot drink much at all. It’s very difficult to get in all your liquids so sip sip sip.
Full Liquids still see under 8/27
9/2/2011
Doing great with this new procedure. I am getting use to the percolating feeling in my stomach each time I take in liquids. I am still on full liquids and can move on to puree foods on Wednesday. Returned to see doctor Casillas’s today He said I was doing great. He cleared me to get into the swimming pool. This is good so I can build my stamina. I see the dictation doc on the 27th and Casillas in 3 months.
Full liquids still see under 8/27
9/7/11 Doing great still. Very happy of this choice. There are days I want to cry because it’s working. Makes me very happy.
Soft food / pureed now J
My first scrambled egg was this morning. For lunch I had the inside of a Hebrew national hot dog. It’s 97 % fat free. For dinner I had 3 viennia sausage. Between these I have protein drinks, protein water, and V8 juice and yogurt.
9/12/2011
Been doing great all this time until this morning. I seem to have some discomfort and don’t know why. Sometimes it seems like it’s the surgery area and bowel area, and sometimes it seems like the incisions.
Having only light food today to see how it goes. One scrambled egg for breakfast and then soup for lunch.
Ok it’s afternoon and I feel better after going to the restroom. Now I think it might have been my bowels being full and pushing on my tender stomach area. I am having filet magnum again with a few bits of fresh corn cut off the cob and blended .YUM
Before the wellness multivitamin I take the chewable Bariatric Fusion 120 tabletsfrom www.gastricbypasssupplements.com
9/13/2011 down fro 248 to 235 in 3 weeks :)
Fell much better today. I am just tired as I have had my second menstrual cycle in 3 weeks. Something about this surgery can cause this. I am taking wellness vitamins which have green tea and something else for energy. They really help. These are sold at www.celebratevitamins.com
Multivitamin (Wellness Formula) Capsule
30 Day supply
Whether you are attempting to simply lose weight, or you are preparing for surgery, the majority of obese and overweight patients are deficient in large number of vitamins and minerals. We have created our new Wellness Formula Multivitamin to work in conjunction with a medically managed weight loss program by providing all the necessary vitamins and minerals while adding key additional components to enhance weight loss, burn fat and increase energy.
· This helps you with your energy level and vitamins too. You still need to add a few but not many. These vitains help you lose weight. I took then before surgery and I an now taking them to help with my energy too.
Whether you are attempting to simply lose weight, or you are preparing for surgery, the majority of obese and overweight patients are deficient in large number of vitamins and minerals. We have created our new Wellness Formula Multivitamin to work in conjunction with a medically managed weight loss program by providing all the necessary vitamins and minerals while adding key additional components to enhance weight loss, burn fat and increase energy.
Multivitamin Capsule - Multivitamin
www.celebratevitamins.com
Celebrate Bariatric Vitamins is your source for post bariatric surgery supplements, vitamins and information. Chewables, capsules, tablets and more!
