Pre-Op Testing - Appointment

Yesterday I had my pre-op appointment at the hospital where they took my blood and I had an Upper GI. the nurse got my vein on the first stick, so I was super happy about that. I have always had a horrible time with nurses drawing my blood.

After the blood work I had to go to Radiology, and boy was it packed!!! I had to wait quite a while, and I was sooooo thirsty. I wasn't really hungry, but I had a case of cotton mouth like you wouldn't believe. So I patiently waited for what seemed like forever, until this cute x-ray technician, Randy, called me back. I was thinking "Great, out of all these old women nurses, I get the ONE FREAKING GUY that just happens to be pretty cute. FML!"

So he gets me back to the room, and asks me if I have on a bra, while looking at my tata's. Uh HELLO! You think these big ol' things just sit here on their own? So I answer him, a bit sheepishly, and he tells me I need to take it and my shirt off and hang them on a hanger and put on this 3 arm hole gown. So I do, and go out there. The Radiologist comes in and gets started. I was all over the table, tossing and turning like a beached whale, and my gown comes open/off, exposing my back fat and my side boob. OMG it was SOOOO embarrassing! I could have died right then.

But anyway, after everything was finally done, my mom and I went to Walmart to purchase me all of my post-op stuff I may need, as well as trying to find some "loose fitting clothing" for me when leaving the hospital. I got almost everything I need, except for a few cold/frozen items and some Isopure. I was going to get a bottle and try it for the first day or so after surgery, when I can only have clear liquids since I need 40g protein a day. I'll have to pick those up at the local GNC this week.




I can't believe that it is really this close! 8 Days!!!!

Pre-Op Testing - Scheduling

When I was approved for surgery and setup a date with the nurse I was told I would be hearing from pre-op testing to setup my Upper GI, bloodwork, and other tests. So I have been patiently waiting for them to call me for almost 2 weeks now. Finally I got tired of it and said screw it, I'm calling someone!

After talking to about 7 different people, who all kept transferring me to another person (I swear I talked to every department at the hospital) I finally just called the nurse back and told her I was getting the run-around. She gave me the direct number for Pre Testing and told me to call them.

So I did. I finally got a hold of a girl, and we got my appointment scheduled!! Its for August 9th.

I guess if you want something done, you've gotta do it yourself!

What happens now?

Well I completed my classes last week (see previous post) so now I don't really know what I'm suppose to be waiting on; I guess for my ship to come in, LOL.

In all seriousness, I called the surgeon's office and asked them if I had any more requirements that I needed scheduled and what happens now. I specifically asked about a sleep test and an endoscopy. She said I didn't have to take either of those! YAY! Im SO glad! I was worried about the sleep test because I do NOT want to be on a CPAP machine. I can't even stand to put the hubby's on my face with it off, much less with it on and blowing that air in my face. I have anxiety attacks when air blows in my face, like from a car air conditioner.

So basically they are going to get all my paperwork together and submit it for approval. I'm thinking I am going to try to get a surgery date in late July or the first week of August. My schedule is just SO busy in July with so many birthday parties and family things. My birthday is August 28th, so I really wanted to be out of the liquid stages at my birthday, but IDK how that will turn out. What a way to celebrate turning 24 though! It will probably be one of the *best* birthdays I have ever had.

Off topic, I just finished organizing my brand-spanking-new coupon organizer. I have really gotten into coupon clipping thanks to my wonderful friend (Paula). She found these coupon organizers online. I got a purple one and she got a hot pink one. They are so cute and functional! It is my new favorite thing.



Check it out:

Appointment Update

So it's been a while since I posted last, mostly because I haven't had anything of value to talk about. My psychiatrist and nutrition appointment were on Monday and Tuesday. Those were a trip!

The psychiatrist was... interesting. I had no idea what to expect because I have never been counseled, but I really enjoyed the visit. He did make me cry though when he asked me about my family, specifically my grandmother. I just broke down because I miss her so much. She passed away on June 6th 2006. Asking me about her a week after the anniversary of her passing was not a good idea, lol! Regardless of my "breakdown" he still said that he believed I was a good candidate for surgery. YAY!!!

I wish I could say the nutritional class was helpful, but sadly it was a total waste of time! I don't know if it is because I have pretty much already educated myself or because of the lack of information and "goodies" that I received. The nutritional class was broken down into 4 sections: emotional perspectives, what to expect during the hospital stay, Chaplin session, and dietitian.

I really enjoyed the first two sections. The emotional perspectives was conducted by my psychiatrist then one of the RN's from the bariatric wing came in and told us what happens on the day of surgery and the days following it. I was glad to finally get some clarification about that, because that is one thing that I did not know about because it varies from hospital to hospital.

After the RN, a Chaplin came in to talk to us. The hospital that I am having surgery at is Catholic-based, and they require a Chaplin session. It was a bit awkward, seeing as though I am not Catholic and didn't feel comfortable with the scenario. Finally, it was the dietitian's turn. She started off by informing me (the only Sleeve patient out of the whole 3 people in the class) that she only had information for the RNY. WTF?? I am required to sit through (and pay for) this and listen about a procedure that I am in no way interested in? Talk about feeling ripped off! I guess she saw the disappointment in my face so she corrected her statement to say, "But most of the items that I will discuss are the same for the VSG." Uh, no they aren't! I am pretty sure that re-routing your intestines and cutting out a portion of your "already there" stomach are two totally different things!! I did pay attention to after surgery and the different phases of food, leading up to regular foods. So I guess my time with her was 50/50.

Like I said, I was a bit disappointed about the lack of goodies. I was really hoping to receive either some protein drinks or samples or SOMETHING!!! All they gave us was a measly 32oz Memorial Hospital water bottle. And it is ugly.

So I am glad to have these two appointments behind me, but I don't really know what is suppose to happen now. I guess just wait and see if Dr. Rutledge's office contacts me within the next week. I have my monthly follow-up appt with my PCP tomorrow. We are going to discuss my blood work and he is going to write a letter of medical necessity. Hopefully I will have some good news within the next few weeks!

OMG this is really happening!

I have to admit I am a pessimist. I rarely ever see the glass as half full, and I am quick to assume the worst in most scenarios. I have been skeptical that I would even be able to have this surgery from the get-go, thinking that I will never receive this wonderful gift of surgery. But I have to admit that slowly, very slowly, I am starting to come around. I am starting to see the good in everything that happens, versus the bad. It has really changed my outlook on life. I feel more like the "old Amy" that I was when my hubby and I met - and I love it!

Well on Friday I went to my newly established PCP and he was delighted to hear about my WLS, which put me at ease, because my previous PCP was an asshole. He said he would be more than happy to write me a letter, but needed to get to know more about me first (which I liked) and ordered that I have my blood work done. He said that if I have high cholesterol then he can put it in my letter, along with my risk factors for developing diabetes, which I am assuming are pretty freaking high right now. When the appointment was over, I went to check out and make my follow up appointments for the lab work consultation and to get my letter. Well, I go tomorrow to get my blood drawn, but I have to wait until late June to get my letter and see what was in my labs. I have to admit, my old pessimistic ways started creeping back up and I was getting frustrated. I calmly explained to the receptionist that I was trying to coordinate a WLS into my schedule and if I could get in any earlier I would appreciate it, so she put me down for June 17th. Not great, but not bad either. I'll take it and be happy about it.

Not much happened over the weekend, just cleaned and watched movies (along with my exercising). Sunday night right when I was going to lay down for the night Ryan sliced a huge chunk of skin from his right index finger, up close to the nail. Having the husband that I have, I always keep a supply of first aid supplies on hand, because you just never know what he will do next. So I cleaned his wounds and gauzed him up (I have always been pretty good w/ medical and first aid) then tried to lay back down, but I had so much adrenaline from the rush of his injury that I just tossed and turned all night! I finally was able to go to bed around 2ish, only to wake up at 6:15. Ugh.

This week is a 4 day work week, then a 4 day weekend, and another 4 day work week, so YAY! That news gives me something to look forward to and keep pushing through, even though I am wore-smack-out. Also, I got a call today from a Karen at Memorial Hospital (where I am having my surgery) wanting to set up some appointments with me. I was in shock! I got through the phone call, but as soon as she hung up I felt like I could bounce off the freaking walls! OMG this is really happening! I am really moving along, completing my requirements like they are nothing. The feeling of accomplishment is so grand. I just love it.

I ended up setting up my psychiatric evaluation along with my nutritional class. My psych eval is on June 14th, and class is on June 15th. The class is a 1/2 day class from 8a-11a. I am so excited. I just can't wait!

A bad weekend and 1st surgeon meeting

Wow, so what an eventful 5 or so days. Where do I begin...... well I'll start with the weekend. This weekend was HORRIBLE!!! I haven't been as sick as I was on Sunday in a a LOOOONG time. I was dizzy, nauseous, throwing up, freezing, burning up, headache, & couldn't swallow or hardly talk because my throat was hurting so bad. It was BRUTAL! I vomited until there was nothing left in me to vomit. It was violent.

All this could not come at a worse time, because Monday was my appt with the surgeon. I had planned on taking a 1/2 day at work then going to see him, but given my condition and how weak I was, I decided to forgo the whole day. At 12 I decided to go to the walk in clinic to get some antibiotics in me. I thought I was planning good because my appt with the surgeon was at 3:30, about 30 mins away. We were at the doctors office until 3, so I called to let them know I would be a few mins late. I didn't figure it would matter anyway right? Doctors are late for their appointments all the time. Well Miss Receptionist tells me if I'm not there by 3:45 then I need to call and reschedule. I was pissed off. Here I am sick as a DOG, trying to hurry and rush around, not having ate (and kept down) a complete meal since Saturday, and she's telling me I need to reschedule. Aw Hell No. I told her I would be there, and we took off. Thank God my husband is a seasoned Dirt Track race car driver or else we probably wouldn't have made it.

We get to the office at 3:35. Take that Miss Receptionist!!! Guess what? We end up waiting in the lobby until 4:30. I told you. Doctors are always late. I shouldn't have even called down there. I've learned my lesson for next time. When we are finally called back, I am nervous. Or maybe its the illness. IDK, but I'm not feeling good either way. I just want this to be over. He drops a bomb on me, that he thinks I should go with the Bypass, because of my BMI being 57. WTF, it was 54.9 a month ago. I have actually lost weight since I hadn't been eating. Whatever.

So he goes on to tell me about RNY. I never wanted the bypass, and I wasn't too hot about him suggesting it either. It was almost like he was trying to change my mind. When he saw that I wasn't changing my mind he told me about the Sleeve. Turns out he has done about 80 sleeves, and 800 RNYs. His leak rate is 1% and he has never had a death as a result of surgery. Those numbers made me feel a bit better, but I am concerned about the 80 sleeves. I know 1 of his sleeves, and she said she had "trouble," but wouldn't elaborate. I wouldn't put it past her to be jealous about sharing her WLS spotlight and trying to thwart me, so I'm taking her opinion with a grain of salt.


I left the office with a list of things to do and places to visit. I was told that I need to lose at least 20lbs by surgery date (which is TBA). He said he didn't care how I did it, he just needed some room in there to move around. He suggested a White Trash diet, which is basically if it is white and not a meat, throw it away. Pretty simple and easy to remember. Once I get feeling better I plan on starting it. The nurse is going to contact UHC and see what all my requirements are. She said I have to do a pre-op diet, as designated from UHC, but when I contacted them they told me I didn't. If I do end up having to, I believe my 6-8 month long appts with a dietitian will qualify me. The surgeon said that he isn't available until mid-June for a surgery date, so I know I wont be having anything done until probably around July. Which is fine. I can live with that.

I know that May is going to be very busy, as I have a lot of things to get done and a lot of doctors to see.

Appointment Shuffling

So yesterday when I got home from work I had a message on my answering machine from Dr. Rutledge's office saying they needed to cancel my appointment, and reschedule. WHAT?! I was so sad because I just KNEW I was going to have to wait twice as long now. Heck, my initial appointment wait period was 31 days from the day of the seminar. So I moped all night last night, with a feeling of lead in my stomach.

This morning I anxiously waited until 9am to call the office and reschedule, hoping the sooner I call the sooner they can get me in. Turns out my new appointment is 3 days earlier than the previous one! YAY! So my new date is 5/10.

On a side note, Ryan and I finally planted the 3 lilac trees I bought (spontaneously) the other day. I hope the dogs don't pee on them and kill them. I need to get some stakes to tie them up, that way when it storms or we have "Windsdays" they wont blow over and break off. I'm so excited that we are finally able to make our place more like home!