Surgery to be scheduled

I know it has been awhile since I posted.  Just saw my surgeon he is pleased with my wait loss.  I am down to 235.  He is scheduling me with an appointment in 2 weeks and tentatively scheduling the surgery for some time in August.   If I am down to at least 230 at my appointment he will put me on a liquid diet for 2 weeks to loose the rest of the weight.  He will not do the surgery until I am 220 or less.  I am pretty confident that I can loose the weight.  I am hoping the surgery will help with the symptoms of course I am also worried that it might not work or make things worse but I am trying not to focus on that.  I am so tired of being sick.  I keep getting upper respiratory infections and the chest pain is a constant companion.  Food and pills just seem to sit in my esophagus.  We are looking at doing the surgery laproscopically which is what I hope we do.  I have used up all my sick leave and most of my vacation time so if I am out of work too long it will be without pay.  Will keep you posted.  hope everyone is doing better.  Bill, Bea and Janice your posts along with others have been very helpful.  Kitt hope things are going well for you and thank you for all the support you give everyone.  Take care everyone and God bless you all.  You are all in my prayers

Post Edited (k9lov3r) : 7/9/2009 1:03:22 PM (GMT-6)

k9lov3r. It's nice to hear from you and I'm glad to hear of your progress. My surgeon had an absolute requirement for weight before he would do the surgery; it's part of his protocol for successful outcomes and it works (are going to Cleveland???)

Interestingly, keeping the weight off hasn't been that hard (I lost 45 pounds last year to have mine and then lost 10 more after the surgery). With my latest dx I've been eating, but finally put the brakes on at 14 pounds..I'm happy to say that I've taken 8 of those off!

Denise, Bill and others have been through this more recently than I, but anything I can do to help you with, you know I will. (It really was worth it..I'll tell you that much!)

I'm glad you've returned!
Janice

Thank you all. I will keep everyone posted on my journey.  I am having this done in Temple, Texas at a teaching hospital.  Don't know how many surgeries he has performed, but he seems to be very knowledgeable and informed about the surgery.  Will have to ask him about that on our next meeting.  Thanks to all who have posted on this forum it really does help those of us about to go through this.  When I first found out about this surgery i was discouraged by the number of people who had bad experiences, but most of those were posts from people who had the procedure when it was still relatively new.  Hope I will be able to burp after the surgery but just in case I can't it wont be to hard to kick my diet pepsi addiction since I have not had one in about 2 weeks.  I still crave them but someone told me once she quit drinking diet sodas and lost weight.  I was tihinking it had nothing to do with not drinking diet soda since it has no calories.  I figured what the hey so I stopped drinking them and i lost more weight .   BY the time I rocover from the surgery maybe all the cravings for soda will be gone.

Take care everyone and thanks for being there

 

Hi k9lov3r,
Glad to hear you're moving forward with the surgery. I too read so many negative posts that it kept me from having the surgery for many years. I don't know if you've read my post-surgery posts, but they might be helpful to you as well. Just use the google search in the upper right hand corner and google "dencha". I tried to post regularly right after the surgery. I had it done on February 27th, and am about 4 months post op.

I was told I couldn't burp after the surgery, but had burps popping out right after surgery, and as a result haven't had as many problems with bloating. I was told that I won't be able to vomit, so I've got anti nausea meds handy, just in case I get sick. I don't want to test it, since it can do some harm to the wrap.

I think you'll find the recovery to be much easier that you expected--especially after reading all those horror stories.
Just be sure that your surgeon has lots of experience doing the surgery, and since you're in a teaching hospital, I'd make him promise to be the one actually doing the wrap--not one of his residents. The residents can assist, but why would you go to an experienced surgeon only to have a newbie do the procedure. I had that situation as well, and extracted a promise that my surgeon would do it. According to my family doctor, they have to honor your request.

Good luck, k9lov3r. I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have.
Take care,
Denise

I was wondering since I still have plenty of time before my surgery if anyone has any suggestions on what to buy prior to surgery to make the recovery process any easier. What kind of foods should I have on hand. I really hate jello but can eat it if neccessary. Any foods you would suggest avoiding. I already found out bread is not a good idea. I live alone and have friends that will be keeping an eye on me, ubt I hate to send them shopping for me for things that i could have already gotten before the surgery. What quesions do I need to discuss with my surgeon at our next meeting. From reading these posts I do know I will be asking him about prescriptions for liquid pain medication and anti nausea medication. I will be working on compiling a list because I alwasys forget to ask something.
I have a very active job. I am a public service officer at a police department. I can work in dispatch which is relatively calm mostly answering phones and entering them into the computer, or the information desk which is taking reports and asnwering questions. I also wok in the jail, where I could end up in a fight with a uncooperative or drunk prisoner. Any idea on how long it might be before I will be able to work in a position where i might get into a serious fight. I can work light duty in the dispatch office but we are limited to the amount of time we can spend on light duty
Thank you and good luck to all those of you recovering from or still dealing with GERD

Hello k9,

Did I ever mention I love your name.  I have a Doberman..........puppy.  I always thought having a k9 dog would be so rewarding.  I am a nurse so I understand the "getting into fights with drunks" We have the county jail in our city.  I was always fortunate to have the county deputies with the prisoners when they presented to ER.  Only one time did a prisoner get ahold of my stethscope around my neck but the deputies were right there.........well I am off topic. 

 

I know you will get some sound advice on what foods to have on hand.  I remember Denise posting some great advice as well as others.

I am finding the diet cola discussion interesting.  I drink a lot of Diet Coke and have not been able to lose weight.  Perhaps I could learn to live without it and see how it goes. 

 

Keep on talking with us and let us know on your date of surgery.

 

Wishing you the best,
Kitt

 

 

Mary,

Hey if I may ask, what are you using for your liquid meal.  You may email me by clicking on the blue envelope on the left if you would rather not post your choice of liquid meal.  :)

Take care
Kitt

Well the surgery is scheduled for the 19th of August with all my preop being done on the 11th. Now it is just the waiting game I still need to loose 4 more pounds I think i can do that. My doctor wants me to keep loosing more weight after the surgery I just can't please him. My goal is to get sown to 180 even though all the charts say i should get sown to 140. That is not gong to happen I can see 180 but 140 no way. Guess I will have to go through life being short for my weight.

He wants me on the liquid diet till the surgery that will be rough. He said I can have some fruits or a salad without dressing. How tasty, might as well go outside and graze in the front yard. Seriously I will do anything he asks because I want this to be over with so I can get on with my life. Will continue to lose the weight he recommended after the surgery because the more weight i have them more chance for the surgery to fail.

This is a teaching hospital but he will be performing the surgery and he is the most experienced surgeon in the area. I feel comfortable with him performing the surgery. thanks to all of you will keep a journal of my experience and post them as soon as I can after surgery
Mary

Hi k9lov3r,

 

Good Morning and I am so glad to read you have your date...............we will all be right here to cheer you on throughout your surgery. 

I am just so proud of you for sticking to the liquid diet and I know as one who has fought a weight problem all my life that it takes huge amounts of willpower to stick to a strict meal plan.

How I wish I had Griff's problem. 

Keep on talking with us as we are all here for you.

Gentle Hugs

Kitt

Hi K9 lov3r

I am new to the forum.  Just had the surgery on July 22.  I was also so anxious to get it done.  Scheduled surgery is worse than emergency surgery in that regard,  More time to stew and think about it.  I am starting to be able to eat normally the last couple of days, but chewing, chewing,chewing.  I grew up in rural southeastern Okla and Temple Texas was like Mecca to us Okies.  We knew that it was one of the best medical centers in existance.  I know you will be in good hands.  Give yourself time.  That is what I have the hardest time with, just being patient and taking one day at a time.  I have dropped about 10 lbs without even trying with all the small meals both before and after the surgery.  I think it will be an encouragement to stay thinner for me.  I am a small person, but have been a bit overweight the last few years. Good luck with the surgery and baby yourself.  My animals also just stare at me and wonder what's going on.  They are able to get a little closer now.  Good for me and for them. Before you know it you will be healing too. Good luck

Mariacarole

Good Morning Mary,

I will start you a new thread to cheer you on throughout your surgery and recovery so look for your new thread.

Make sure you feel comfortable in posting your experience and sharing your story with all of us.

I am praying for you my friend.

Hugs

Kitt

 

Hi Mary,
Don't worry...you'll do just fine. The recovery is so much better than I could have ever hoped for!
Once you're home and feeling up to it, let us know how you feel! We'll worry about you until you check in with your friends here!
It sounds like you're ready to go--and prepared for your return home after surgery!
We're here to provide support, encouragement, and information and you recover.
We will welcome you to the "Wrapped Club"!
Take care,
Denise

Good luck tomorrow Mary! Drop by here when you are ready and let us know how things are going.

Take care,
Bill