My Weight Loss Surgery Journal

November 2002

11/1/02 - Just posted all of the answers to my questions to the nurse at my initial visit in September.

Just one week from today is my surgery!  I'm so excited to begin my new life!  

My last day at work will be next Wednesday, so I can do the pre-op stuff on Thursday.

I've been eating a lot of 'last meals' the past couple of weeks, but have actually lost a couple of pounds since my initial consult in September.  

11/2/02 - Went to the grocery store and stocked up on the special/liquid foods I'll be eating on Wednesday and Thursday this week to get ready for the BIG DAY on Friday.  Goodies such as Gatorade, cream of chicken soup, apple juice, and instant oatmeal.    

11/3/02 - I began getting things ready for the hospital on Friday.  I washed my favorite old, comfy bathrobe to take along.  My list of things to take includes:

  • bathrobe

  • Birkenstock sandals (for hall-walking in comfort with my bad ankle!)

  • make-up bag with essentials like chapstick, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner in one, face cleanser, comb, hair gel, toothbrush and toothpaste

  • ear plugs

  • my little Walkman CD player/radio and some favorite CD's

  • journal and a pen

  • heavy socks (my feet are ALWAYS cold)

  • my favorite pillow

  • camera - for a pix in pre-op area of my surgeon and me 

  • latest copy of "Creative Keepsakes magazine

  • my insurance card 

  • pre-authorization letter from my insurance company

I also picked out the loose denim dress I'm going to wear to the hospital and home again, since I'm sure I won't want anything tight against my tummy yet.

Support group meeting tomorrow night and then the special nutrition and pre-surgery class on Tuesday afternoon.  I think I'm just about ready!

11/5/02 - The support group meeting last night was very good.  Two women from a local vitamin store were there to talk about (and let us sample) various Calcium supplements.  Vitamins and mineral supplements, as well as protein, will be lifelong concerns after the surgery, since I won't be eating enough to get all the needed nutrients through food.

My husband attended the support group meeting with me last night, and also met me this afternoon for the nutrition and post-op class given by the Patrice, the bariatric nurse (she's also my surgeon's wife).  The class lasted a full 3 hours.  

Each patient was given a 3-ring binder full of everything we need to know for the immediate days following surgery to long-term.  I was thrilled to see how well organized and thorough they are!  But, I'm sure this is why my surgeon's practice has such a good reputation.  It's great reference material to answer just about any question I might have as I get used to my new life.

One of the items included was a personalized, laminated card I've seen discussed on listservs.  It is a "Special Diet Request" card and explains that I have had gastric bypass surgery which has reduced my stomach capacity to 3-6 ounces. 

It asks that I be allowed to order a smaller portion or make a selection from the children's menu.  It lists my surgeon's name, address, phone number and fax.  The back side has the following statement in big, red letters:  
          EMT ALERT:  Use Extreme
          Caution When Inserting Any
                    Tubes in Esophagus!

Oh yes, found out from Patrice that I'm the first one on Dr. Johnell's schedule for Friday...7:30 a.m., which will mean I'll need to be at the hospital by about 5:45 a.m. I believe.  I'd rather be first I think.  

I also met the girl who is having surgery on Friday, just after mine.  Probably be seeing her on Friday or the weekend as we're walking the halls.  It's possible we'll be roommates.

11/6/02 - Last day at work for a while.  The hospital surgery scheduling called me at work this morning and went through all my history, medications, etc.  She wasn't sure if I should take my blood pressure medications on Friday morning so asked me to call Dr. Johnell's office and ask.  She also said my surgery is scheduled for 9:50 rather than 7:30.  So, I'm supposed to be there at 7:45.  She said the other girl is scheduled first.  

I talked to Connie at Dr. Johnell's office and she said to take my Cozaar and Norvasc but none of my other medications.  She also said that since the other girl has a higher BMI, Dr. Johnell always does the higher BMI patient first.  I don't understand why, but whatever.   I actually like that better I think, I can sleep later for one thing.  

Made it through the full liquid diet today.

Went tonight and picked up my RX for after surgery, groceries for right after surgery, and B-12.

11/13/02 - Well, my surgery is over and I'm home.  Actually came home on the 11th, but haven't taken time to update the website.  For now, I'll just say that everything went great.  Only 'problem' I had was an allergy to the tegaderm tape/bandage they used over the central line in my neck.  I have red, raw skin on my neck where the blisters broke.  That will be a while healing and itches and is sore, but definitely not a huge problem!

I'm also very very happy to say that I saw my PCP this morning and haven't taken ANY of my 3 blood pressure medications since surgery and have his blessing to continue without them.  Also, 1 of my 2 diabetes meds has been stopped and he told me to cut the dose of the other one in half!  He said to watch my blood sugars carefully and I may be able to be off it that one in a few weeks!  I'm so thrilled!!  The MAJOR goals of having surgery nearly accomplished in just days after my surgery!  It's incredible!

11/14/02 - Brief update.  Saw the nurse and the surgeon today.  They both think I'm doing wonderfully.  Got the drain out, and it didn't hurt a bit.  See him again in 3 weeks.

And guess what?  I'm no longer 'morbidly obese' per my BMI!  I'm now merely 'obese.'  Is that cool or what?  Small victory, but a victory nonetheless.

I'm getting stronger every day.  We mixed the protein differently today and it tastes much better than yesterday.  I'm getting in all my liquids, supplements, and protein.  I plan to follow this program to the letter.  Would seem rather pointless to go through all this and not!   

Hard to believe, but I received more flowers today!  I'm just overwhelmed by the support of my boss, friends, and co-workers.  I'm very very lucky.

11/23/02 - Developed severe pain in my lower intestines on Sun, Nov. 17, and nearly passed out from the pain.  I literally had drenching cold sweats all over my body and was 'tingly' and dizzy and lightheaded.   It was awful.  Called the Dr and went to the ER post-haste. 
 
Was admitted about 2 am with an infection of some sort and fever.  They did a CT scan on Monday and found a large pocket of fluid on my intestine near the colon, at the bottom of the "Y" of the surgery. 
 
Nothing is 'wrong' with the surgery itself; everything from it is perfect.  This was just random bugs (grew out both gram positive and gram negative bugs) that liked me for some reason.
 
By Sunday night they had started antibiotics by IV and by Monday afternoon 4 different ones at once - all their 'big guns.'  Still, I had a 102 fever and was one very sick puppy.
 
Tuesday about 1 p.m. they took me back to surgery and found a big abscess.  They drained it and left a drain in (hope to get it out sometime next week). 
 
Anyway, having a second surgery on the 11th post-op day from the other one has been ROUGH!  I finally got dismissed from the hospital about 3:30 yesterday (Praise God!) 
 
I got a roommate Thursday night and was ready to kill either her or her family.  Never got a second's sleep last night with all their carrying on.  She's a woman my age, you'd think she would be able to get by for at least a few hours without the entire family there. 

I got home from the hospital late Friday and will be moving slow for a while.  I'm on 3 different antibiotics for a while.

11/30/02 - My RNY surgery was 3 weeks ago yesterday.  I admit, I'm not doing as well as I would be if I hadn't had the infection and second surgery, but I am getting better every day.  I stopped taking any pain medicines on Thanksgiving morning.  

I've started riding my recumbent bike again for short periods, and that seems to be helping my strength.

Started on pureed foods on 11/27, but admit food still has very little appeal to me.  It takes so long just to get all the protein drink in, and my medicine and vitamins, but I'm trying to eat a little more 'real' food every day.  I can't believe how HUGE a 2 oz. 'bowl' of oatmeal looks!  It's amazing! 

8/02 | 9/02 | 10/02 | 11/02 | 12/02 | 1/03 | 2/03

© 2002-2003 Vicki S. Mossman
All rights reserved

vmossman2@attbi.com
Last updated on 2/10/03