wheezer53
32 days - - - September 24, 2007
Sep 24, 2007
Hey... I think its about time I update... since my surgery was 32 days ago!
Well, I have to say it ain't been an easy road, but I would do it again, anytime! First and foremost, I have lost weight...kind of slow, but losing weight, afterall that is what this whole thing is about!
Secondly, I have had the most terrible backaches. I don't know if I have exploding herniated discs or what, but terrible backaches. If it continues, it will be back to the doctor.
Thirdly, I am finding out what foods I can and can't eat. There are so many things that are tempting to eat, and then blah, find out it doesn't work. It seems as though the good things I enjoyed eating before, I can't do, like chicken. Seems as though I've heard of others who can't tolerate chicken. Well, I can eat it with Light mayo processed into a mush! Tuna is no problem if it is processed too. Some say they are sick of the liquid diet, but I've found these are most of the foods I can tolerate at least for now. I can eat some beans, rice, mashed potatoes, etc. but have to be real careful about how much I am eating......DUMPING SYNDROME IS REAL!!! And Papaya Enzyme is a lifesaver!
Well, that is about all for now. The BIG southern california storm kind of wimped out. We got a smattering of snow, ice, hail, whatever, but nothing like they forcasted. So all you boarders out there, will have to wait a little longer.... soon it will be cold, they will begin making snow, and I will begin my hybernation in the house. "COLD" brrrrrrrr..........don't like it.
until next time..... :)
Well, I have to say it ain't been an easy road, but I would do it again, anytime! First and foremost, I have lost weight...kind of slow, but losing weight, afterall that is what this whole thing is about!
Secondly, I have had the most terrible backaches. I don't know if I have exploding herniated discs or what, but terrible backaches. If it continues, it will be back to the doctor.
Thirdly, I am finding out what foods I can and can't eat. There are so many things that are tempting to eat, and then blah, find out it doesn't work. It seems as though the good things I enjoyed eating before, I can't do, like chicken. Seems as though I've heard of others who can't tolerate chicken. Well, I can eat it with Light mayo processed into a mush! Tuna is no problem if it is processed too. Some say they are sick of the liquid diet, but I've found these are most of the foods I can tolerate at least for now. I can eat some beans, rice, mashed potatoes, etc. but have to be real careful about how much I am eating......DUMPING SYNDROME IS REAL!!! And Papaya Enzyme is a lifesaver!
Well, that is about all for now. The BIG southern california storm kind of wimped out. We got a smattering of snow, ice, hail, whatever, but nothing like they forcasted. So all you boarders out there, will have to wait a little longer.... soon it will be cold, they will begin making snow, and I will begin my hybernation in the house. "COLD" brrrrrrrr..........don't like it.
until next time..... :)
September 7, 2007
Sep 07, 2007
Today I had a visit with my PCP to discuss the possibility of adding a Vitamin D supplement. Seems as though this is a problem with many patients. My PCP was pleasantly surprised to see that my weight had dropped 25 lbs since my last visit with him. Hopefully at my next visit, I will have lost another 25 and we can agree the surgery was a good thing to do! VERY 
!!!!
!!!!September 4, 2007
Sep 05, 2007
Today, I went back to doctors office and had them remove my staples and stiches. Boy it sure feels better. Best of all, Julie the nutrionalist said I was ready to begin a soft, pureed type food diet. I weighed in at 250, a little disappointed, but according to blogs I've read, the weight loss will begin soon. Many say you are pumped full of liquids through your IV in the hospital and I have trouble with fluid retention anyways. It was nice to see a few of my bypass buddies...all having their staples removed. Well, Best of Luck to all who've began this journey...a journey of a lifetime....of change....and a better way of life!
Today...6 days post op AUGUST 30, 2007
Aug 30, 2007
Today I am 6 days post op, and still feeling the effects of the surgery. But that is expected. I did have a rather unusal experience at the Cedars Sinai hospital and thought I would share it, in case there are others out there who are pre-op and possibly thinking of this. I will note also, this is not the first time this has happened to me, but two times before during other surgeries.
After the GBP surgery, I was taken to a "Penthouse" room on the 8th floor. It had hardwood floors, a sofa, table, four chairs, and room for the guest cot. It had a refrigerator in the room also. Everything had been going great until 3 days after the surgery when they were checking my vitals one last time to begin the discharge process. Upon checking my blood pressure, they noticed my pulse was over 135 bpm laying in bed. And with further investigations and after I told them I was suppose to be on 180 mg. of Varapamil per day for heart palpatations, they discovered someone (mainly the nurse on duty) had not been giving me my required medicines, but only the GBP medicines. Well, this threw an iron into the fire, as now I was being transferred to the Cardiac unit on the 5th floor for observation. After arriving to my very small room with no amenities, they hooked me up to the monitors and administered the correct dose of varapapmil. Within 4 hours I was back to my normal 81 bpm, but they decided to keep me an extra day to monitor my condition. Isn't it amazing that all it took was giving me my correct medications. On August 28, they decided to release me. My doctor came in that morning, checked me out, removed my drain, and told me I was good to go, but I would need clearance from the cardiac doctor. An hour later he came in and gave me the thumbs up and released me. But my story doesn't end here. Seems as though since I came into the bariatric department, I would have to be released through the bariatric department and that included discharge instructions from the GBP doctor. After many phone calls and 6 hours, they finally got the discharge intructions from the GBP surgeon and I was on my way out the door....finally!!! Only to encounter major traffic in the LA area (but that is a common thing.) We finally arrived home at 9 pm after stopping the required 30 minute stops. Glad I am home and hope and pray I won't have to visit that hospital anytime soon.
Oh yea, two other times in other hospitals was my regular medicines withheld and I had similar consequences. My advice? When they tell you to provide a list of your medications, make 2 or 3 extra copies in BIG BOLD PRINT, even keeping one under your pillow. And when they tell you to leave your medications at home, give to a responsible person and tell them to hold it for you and keep it handy.
I was withheld on the following medications besides varapamil for my heart; prednisone for my asthma, aciphex for GERD, and never given any Advair for my asthma. It is a wonder I didn't go into a full blown asthma attack at the hospital. My responsible person was able to give me my Advair at least.
What will I do? Write letters to the hospital and doctor about these events and hope it never happens again to anyone else.
This warning should help you consider your options at your time of surgery and Good Luck!
Oh, yea... I've lost an amazing 26 lbs. since the beginning of my liquid diet to now!
HIP HIP HOORAY!!!
After the GBP surgery, I was taken to a "Penthouse" room on the 8th floor. It had hardwood floors, a sofa, table, four chairs, and room for the guest cot. It had a refrigerator in the room also. Everything had been going great until 3 days after the surgery when they were checking my vitals one last time to begin the discharge process. Upon checking my blood pressure, they noticed my pulse was over 135 bpm laying in bed. And with further investigations and after I told them I was suppose to be on 180 mg. of Varapamil per day for heart palpatations, they discovered someone (mainly the nurse on duty) had not been giving me my required medicines, but only the GBP medicines. Well, this threw an iron into the fire, as now I was being transferred to the Cardiac unit on the 5th floor for observation. After arriving to my very small room with no amenities, they hooked me up to the monitors and administered the correct dose of varapapmil. Within 4 hours I was back to my normal 81 bpm, but they decided to keep me an extra day to monitor my condition. Isn't it amazing that all it took was giving me my correct medications. On August 28, they decided to release me. My doctor came in that morning, checked me out, removed my drain, and told me I was good to go, but I would need clearance from the cardiac doctor. An hour later he came in and gave me the thumbs up and released me. But my story doesn't end here. Seems as though since I came into the bariatric department, I would have to be released through the bariatric department and that included discharge instructions from the GBP doctor. After many phone calls and 6 hours, they finally got the discharge intructions from the GBP surgeon and I was on my way out the door....finally!!! Only to encounter major traffic in the LA area (but that is a common thing.) We finally arrived home at 9 pm after stopping the required 30 minute stops. Glad I am home and hope and pray I won't have to visit that hospital anytime soon.
Oh yea, two other times in other hospitals was my regular medicines withheld and I had similar consequences. My advice? When they tell you to provide a list of your medications, make 2 or 3 extra copies in BIG BOLD PRINT, even keeping one under your pillow. And when they tell you to leave your medications at home, give to a responsible person and tell them to hold it for you and keep it handy.
I was withheld on the following medications besides varapamil for my heart; prednisone for my asthma, aciphex for GERD, and never given any Advair for my asthma. It is a wonder I didn't go into a full blown asthma attack at the hospital. My responsible person was able to give me my Advair at least.
What will I do? Write letters to the hospital and doctor about these events and hope it never happens again to anyone else.
This warning should help you consider your options at your time of surgery and Good Luck!
Oh, yea... I've lost an amazing 26 lbs. since the beginning of my liquid diet to now!
HIP HIP HOORAY!!!
. . . done did it . . .
Aug 28, 2007
August 24, 2007
August 20... PM
Aug 20, 2007
. . . 3 1/2 days to go... thanks for the support guys!
5 days to go
Aug 19, 2007
.... 5 days and counting...
7 day countdown.... 8/18/07
Aug 18, 2007
... the pre-ops are all done, the nutrition class is history....now the countdown has begun.
Really though, I am looking forward to this and just soon get it over with.
Thanks for all the prayers... so far things are going well.... down 8 lbs on liquid diet. Guess if I wanted to be on a liquid diet the rest of my life, I wouldn't have to have this surgery......
Really though, I am looking forward to this and just soon get it over with.
Thanks for all the prayers... so far things are going well.... down 8 lbs on liquid diet. Guess if I wanted to be on a liquid diet the rest of my life, I wouldn't have to have this surgery......
All LIQUID DIET
Aug 10, 2007
Today starts all liquid diet for 10 days....oh well "GET USE TO IT!!!"
Surgery a go~
Jul 27, 2007
Well...good things come to those who wait....
"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They will mount up with wings of Eagles. They will run and not be weary, they will walk and not be faint."...Teach me Lord....to wait." Isaiah 40:31
Surgery is a go for August 24, 2007.........
A lot to do, but days will go by fast
About Me
Big Bear Lake, CA
Location
30.3
BMI
Surgery
08/24/2007
Surgery Date
Mar 08, 2007
Member Since
