Re: scared to death

[Guest guest]

maria

i understand about being unsure of what will happen, my date is oct28 2003.

you willbe in my prayers. outside of this group is there not any support groups

in ypur area that you can attend? i've found that really helps me alot. just

stay prayed up. and remeber that GOD knows that you have children to raise and

he would not take you away from them.

nora

pre-op

10-28-03

michigan

williams2614@...

[Guest guest]

maria

i understand about being unsure of what will happen, my date is oct28 2003.

you willbe in my prayers. outside of this group is there not any support groups

in ypur area that you can attend? i've found that really helps me alot. just

stay prayed up. and remeber that GOD knows that you have children to raise and

he would not take you away from them.

nora

pre-op

10-28-03

michigan

williams2614@...

[Guest guest]

maria

i understand about being unsure of what will happen, my date is oct28 2003.

you willbe in my prayers. outside of this group is there not any support groups

in ypur area that you can attend? i've found that really helps me alot. just

stay prayed up. and remeber that GOD knows that you have children to raise and

he would not take you away from them.

nora

pre-op

10-28-03

michigan

williams2614@...

[Guest guest]

Hi , You sound a mess girl. First of all we need to get you calm You

are not going to die. I too thought the same thing and this is a very

dangerous surgery for anyone but you are at a higher risk of dying if you have

the

co-morbidities like high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes and are ill

from it all to start with. Patients like I and yourself who are just plain fat

but healthy have the best chances with the surgery because we are generally

healthy anyways. I was so scared too that the day of my surgery I almost backed

out but before I knew it, It was over and I was alive and happy it was over and

soon you will be too I was 378 post op and that was 11 months ago, I also

have 3 small children and there are ssooo many out there like us too. Being

scared is normal, this is a big life changing operation, but you will be ssooo

much happier and healthier in the long run... I am still 246 but feel wonderful

and I wear jeans now and fit in movie seats, ect, ect, what a GREAT feeling.

I play with my kids more, go out with them more without feeling ashamed of my

size, the lists go on about all the good things that happen. Do keep in mind

it doesn't happen over night though. WE DID NOT GET FAT OVERNIGHT. It will take

time but it goes faster than you think. You will be sore for a couple weeks

but not too bad (NO LIFTING). DO NOT LISTEN TO ANYONES STORIES THAT DO NOT

REALLY KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT, they are just spreading gossip not facts.When in

doubt, ask your doctor. When I first came home I was on lliquids for 2 weeks. I

lived on sugar free jello and broth in a can, much better than boullion cubes

also alot of crystal lite, it is ssooo good. I have never pureed my foods but

I was just lucky so you may have too. I ate mushy foods that were easy to chew

until I felt comfortable eating the more solid or the solids I ate alot of

cream of chicken soup. Today I eat almost anything, chinese makes me sick

alot so I stopped eating it but I eat most everything else, even pizza but just

a

slice. For vitamins I take a multi w/ iron in the morning with a folic acid (

trying to have a baby), a subligual B-12 (melts under your tongue) regular

b-12 does not absorb and then I also take a calcium tablet, something like

citracal, and at bedtime I take an iron tablet. That is all I am on. I do not do

protein shakes, never found one I could tolerate, they don't taste the best but

some on here have found wonderful yummy ways to make them. Well, my kids are

up to something so I will let you go for now. I hope this is some help to you.

I am here if you need a friend, we all are here for you. Good Luck and God

Bless.

PS: I live in NY too, Up here near the Montreal border to Canada...

ROBIN, NEW YORK

AGE-41

OPEN RNY

OCT. 18TH, 2002

DR. EDWARD HIXSON

SARANAC LAKE, NY

378/246/170???

132 LBS GONE FOREVER : )

What a GREAT feeling : )

[Guest guest]

Hi , You sound a mess girl. First of all we need to get you calm You

are not going to die. I too thought the same thing and this is a very

dangerous surgery for anyone but you are at a higher risk of dying if you have

the

co-morbidities like high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes and are ill

from it all to start with. Patients like I and yourself who are just plain fat

but healthy have the best chances with the surgery because we are generally

healthy anyways. I was so scared too that the day of my surgery I almost backed

out but before I knew it, It was over and I was alive and happy it was over and

soon you will be too I was 378 post op and that was 11 months ago, I also

have 3 small children and there are ssooo many out there like us too. Being

scared is normal, this is a big life changing operation, but you will be ssooo

much happier and healthier in the long run... I am still 246 but feel wonderful

and I wear jeans now and fit in movie seats, ect, ect, what a GREAT feeling.

I play with my kids more, go out with them more without feeling ashamed of my

size, the lists go on about all the good things that happen. Do keep in mind

it doesn't happen over night though. WE DID NOT GET FAT OVERNIGHT. It will take

time but it goes faster than you think. You will be sore for a couple weeks

but not too bad (NO LIFTING). DO NOT LISTEN TO ANYONES STORIES THAT DO NOT

REALLY KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT, they are just spreading gossip not facts.When in

doubt, ask your doctor. When I first came home I was on lliquids for 2 weeks. I

lived on sugar free jello and broth in a can, much better than boullion cubes

also alot of crystal lite, it is ssooo good. I have never pureed my foods but

I was just lucky so you may have too. I ate mushy foods that were easy to chew

until I felt comfortable eating the more solid or the solids I ate alot of

cream of chicken soup. Today I eat almost anything, chinese makes me sick

alot so I stopped eating it but I eat most everything else, even pizza but just

a

slice. For vitamins I take a multi w/ iron in the morning with a folic acid (

trying to have a baby), a subligual B-12 (melts under your tongue) regular

b-12 does not absorb and then I also take a calcium tablet, something like

citracal, and at bedtime I take an iron tablet. That is all I am on. I do not do

protein shakes, never found one I could tolerate, they don't taste the best but

some on here have found wonderful yummy ways to make them. Well, my kids are

up to something so I will let you go for now. I hope this is some help to you.

I am here if you need a friend, we all are here for you. Good Luck and God

Bless.

PS: I live in NY too, Up here near the Montreal border to Canada...

ROBIN, NEW YORK

AGE-41

OPEN RNY

OCT. 18TH, 2002

DR. EDWARD HIXSON

SARANAC LAKE, NY

378/246/170???

132 LBS GONE FOREVER : )

What a GREAT feeling : )

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

First of all it is very normal to be scared before surgery. Any surgery can

have complications. My surgery went well and I had no complications so far.

My day of surgery went like this. I checked in. My husband, daughter, aunt and

uncle were there with me. First they took me back to pre-op where I changed, my

vitals were checked, an IV started, and the stockings that inflate and deflate

to prevent blood clots were put on. My family then joined me in pre-op. (The

nurses evenput me in a private pre-op room, not the ward, because I had so many

family members with me) The surgical nurses, my surgeon and anetheiologist all

came in at some point and introduced them selves. When it was closer to

surgery, I was given something to relax me. i was taken to the operating room

and met another nurse who worked with my surgeon and that's all I remember until

I woke up in the recovery room.

Right after surgery they put a binder around my stomach. I wore this the entire

time I was in the hospital and for about a week later. My vitals were checked

frequently that first day. My IV stayed in the entire time I was in the

hospital. The first Day and a half I was on a liquid diet. The day after

surgery I had a swallow test to check for leaks. That was fine, so I was put on

a pureed diet which I was on for 4 weeks. I was up walking the first night, but

pretty much sleeping that day and the next. I came home 3 days after surgery.

All in all, I didn't find anything to scary once I was there.

As far as scar tissue around the intestines, I haven't heard of anything.

I hope I helped and didn't add to any of your fears.

Debbie R. WI

8/7/03 RNY

286/250/150

scared to death

Hi everyone,

my name is maria and i'am having surgery on oct 1, 2003

in NY with Dr Gadaleta at nsch. I have 3 small children and are

afraid of dying. Can someone please give me some comfort about what

to expect. My husband is very supportive and i did not tell anyone

else due to not wanting to hear everyone's comments. I need to know

that iam not going to die that day. My kids need me and i need them.

i have no health issues expect that iam 310 lbs and if i don't get

this done i'am probley going to die from being so obese. Just in

general speaking with my SKINNY friends they say people are crazy who

get this done because they attach the rectom to your throat???

Someone else said that they have heard of scar tissue growing around

the intestines and dying from that in less that 10 years post op. So

this is why i have no one to speak about this with. I need to have a

little education on what vitiams take and what to eat the first

month. MOst of all i need to know what happens the day of??? Iam

soooo frightened. i cry everyday my children want to know why i

always cry and i feel like i am losing my mind. Sometimes i feel

like i just want to close my eyes and wish that oct 1 was over and i

lived through it. but then realty sets in and iam still fat and

getting fatter and no one understands how i feel expect all of you

guys. I cannot stay this way any longer and i am willing to take

this chance. PLease let me know what i have in store for me after and

before. Thanks

Regards

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

First of all it is very normal to be scared before surgery. Any surgery can

have complications. My surgery went well and I had no complications so far.

My day of surgery went like this. I checked in. My husband, daughter, aunt and

uncle were there with me. First they took me back to pre-op where I changed, my

vitals were checked, an IV started, and the stockings that inflate and deflate

to prevent blood clots were put on. My family then joined me in pre-op. (The

nurses evenput me in a private pre-op room, not the ward, because I had so many

family members with me) The surgical nurses, my surgeon and anetheiologist all

came in at some point and introduced them selves. When it was closer to

surgery, I was given something to relax me. i was taken to the operating room

and met another nurse who worked with my surgeon and that's all I remember until

I woke up in the recovery room.

Right after surgery they put a binder around my stomach. I wore this the entire

time I was in the hospital and for about a week later. My vitals were checked

frequently that first day. My IV stayed in the entire time I was in the

hospital. The first Day and a half I was on a liquid diet. The day after

surgery I had a swallow test to check for leaks. That was fine, so I was put on

a pureed diet which I was on for 4 weeks. I was up walking the first night, but

pretty much sleeping that day and the next. I came home 3 days after surgery.

All in all, I didn't find anything to scary once I was there.

As far as scar tissue around the intestines, I haven't heard of anything.

I hope I helped and didn't add to any of your fears.

Debbie R. WI

8/7/03 RNY

286/250/150

scared to death

Hi everyone,

my name is maria and i'am having surgery on oct 1, 2003

in NY with Dr Gadaleta at nsch. I have 3 small children and are

afraid of dying. Can someone please give me some comfort about what

to expect. My husband is very supportive and i did not tell anyone

else due to not wanting to hear everyone's comments. I need to know

that iam not going to die that day. My kids need me and i need them.

i have no health issues expect that iam 310 lbs and if i don't get

this done i'am probley going to die from being so obese. Just in

general speaking with my SKINNY friends they say people are crazy who

get this done because they attach the rectom to your throat???

Someone else said that they have heard of scar tissue growing around

the intestines and dying from that in less that 10 years post op. So

this is why i have no one to speak about this with. I need to have a

little education on what vitiams take and what to eat the first

month. MOst of all i need to know what happens the day of??? Iam

soooo frightened. i cry everyday my children want to know why i

always cry and i feel like i am losing my mind. Sometimes i feel

like i just want to close my eyes and wish that oct 1 was over and i

lived through it. but then realty sets in and iam still fat and

getting fatter and no one understands how i feel expect all of you

guys. I cannot stay this way any longer and i am willing to take

this chance. PLease let me know what i have in store for me after and

before. Thanks

Regards

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

First of all it is very normal to be scared before surgery. Any surgery can

have complications. My surgery went well and I had no complications so far.

My day of surgery went like this. I checked in. My husband, daughter, aunt and

uncle were there with me. First they took me back to pre-op where I changed, my

vitals were checked, an IV started, and the stockings that inflate and deflate

to prevent blood clots were put on. My family then joined me in pre-op. (The

nurses evenput me in a private pre-op room, not the ward, because I had so many

family members with me) The surgical nurses, my surgeon and anetheiologist all

came in at some point and introduced them selves. When it was closer to

surgery, I was given something to relax me. i was taken to the operating room

and met another nurse who worked with my surgeon and that's all I remember until

I woke up in the recovery room.

Right after surgery they put a binder around my stomach. I wore this the entire

time I was in the hospital and for about a week later. My vitals were checked

frequently that first day. My IV stayed in the entire time I was in the

hospital. The first Day and a half I was on a liquid diet. The day after

surgery I had a swallow test to check for leaks. That was fine, so I was put on

a pureed diet which I was on for 4 weeks. I was up walking the first night, but

pretty much sleeping that day and the next. I came home 3 days after surgery.

All in all, I didn't find anything to scary once I was there.

As far as scar tissue around the intestines, I haven't heard of anything.

I hope I helped and didn't add to any of your fears.

Debbie R. WI

8/7/03 RNY

286/250/150

scared to death

Hi everyone,

my name is maria and i'am having surgery on oct 1, 2003

in NY with Dr Gadaleta at nsch. I have 3 small children and are

afraid of dying. Can someone please give me some comfort about what

to expect. My husband is very supportive and i did not tell anyone

else due to not wanting to hear everyone's comments. I need to know

that iam not going to die that day. My kids need me and i need them.

i have no health issues expect that iam 310 lbs and if i don't get

this done i'am probley going to die from being so obese. Just in

general speaking with my SKINNY friends they say people are crazy who

get this done because they attach the rectom to your throat???

Someone else said that they have heard of scar tissue growing around

the intestines and dying from that in less that 10 years post op. So

this is why i have no one to speak about this with. I need to have a

little education on what vitiams take and what to eat the first

month. MOst of all i need to know what happens the day of??? Iam

soooo frightened. i cry everyday my children want to know why i

always cry and i feel like i am losing my mind. Sometimes i feel

like i just want to close my eyes and wish that oct 1 was over and i

lived through it. but then realty sets in and iam still fat and

getting fatter and no one understands how i feel expect all of you

guys. I cannot stay this way any longer and i am willing to take

this chance. PLease let me know what i have in store for me after and

before. Thanks

Regards

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

If you weren't scared, I'd be worried for you! My surgery was 8/6/03

and I can honestly tell you the hardest part for me was kissing my 2

kids (ages 2, 6) goodbye and praying to God that I'd see them again!

It's tough and it will be a hard day for you.

My pre-op weight was also 310. I'm 33 years old and was scared to

death of what kind of problems my weight was going to cause me. I am

so happy I did the surgery. The first couple weeks were a bit hard.

Everytime I'd see a burger or pizza on tv I'd have head hunger and

have to tell myself I would die if I ate something like that! You're

not going to believe how you have very little appetite and how quickly

you become full (even on soup!)

Every day has gotten easier and the 37 lbs I've lost have made it so

worth it.

I will pray for you ! YOu're going to do great! Keep in touch.

Jean in AZ

310/273

8/6/03 laprny

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

If you weren't scared, I'd be worried for you! My surgery was 8/6/03

and I can honestly tell you the hardest part for me was kissing my 2

kids (ages 2, 6) goodbye and praying to God that I'd see them again!

It's tough and it will be a hard day for you.

My pre-op weight was also 310. I'm 33 years old and was scared to

death of what kind of problems my weight was going to cause me. I am

so happy I did the surgery. The first couple weeks were a bit hard.

Everytime I'd see a burger or pizza on tv I'd have head hunger and

have to tell myself I would die if I ate something like that! You're

not going to believe how you have very little appetite and how quickly

you become full (even on soup!)

Every day has gotten easier and the 37 lbs I've lost have made it so

worth it.

I will pray for you ! YOu're going to do great! Keep in touch.

Jean in AZ

310/273

8/6/03 laprny

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

If you weren't scared, I'd be worried for you! My surgery was 8/6/03

and I can honestly tell you the hardest part for me was kissing my 2

kids (ages 2, 6) goodbye and praying to God that I'd see them again!

It's tough and it will be a hard day for you.

My pre-op weight was also 310. I'm 33 years old and was scared to

death of what kind of problems my weight was going to cause me. I am

so happy I did the surgery. The first couple weeks were a bit hard.

Everytime I'd see a burger or pizza on tv I'd have head hunger and

have to tell myself I would die if I ate something like that! You're

not going to believe how you have very little appetite and how quickly

you become full (even on soup!)

Every day has gotten easier and the 37 lbs I've lost have made it so

worth it.

I will pray for you ! YOu're going to do great! Keep in touch.

Jean in AZ

310/273

8/6/03 laprny

[Guest guest]

I want to thank you for asking a question I was too afraid to

ask.

I have been fighting for this for so long. When I started I was in

pretty good health, but extremely overweight. During the five years

I have been fighting, not only have I become more obese, but I have

gotten all these cormobidites that I thought I would never get, I was

too healthy. Most have been in the past two years. I am glad I

started the process when I did, because if I would have to fight 5

years now, I probably wouldn't see it.

As scared as I am, given the choice for even a chance at a better

life, or the future I face if I do nothing, I choose to take the

chance.

I have read all I can get my hands on, ask damn near every question I

can think of. I have seen the motality rates go down significatly as

more of these surgeries are performed. This is all very reasurring,

but it still doesn't ease the scared little girl inside. But I will

get up the morning of my surgery, I will bathe, kiss my kids good

bye, crying the whole time, go to the hospital, do what they tell me

to do, and I am sure do a fair bit more crying before I go into

surgery. Makes me wonder about the intubation in the nose with it

swollen up from crying....go for the throat guys, please! And after

I am asleep (pretty please with a cherry on top?).

My first appointment is tomorrow. I am not even thinking about

denial from insurance because I have just gone too far, and hey,

power of positive thinking!

When it is my time, I hope that the people here will be there for me

in spirit as they have been, and continue to be, for so many others.

So when you go in, remember, you won't be alone.

boogie

[Guest guest]

I want to thank you for asking a question I was too afraid to

ask.

I have been fighting for this for so long. When I started I was in

pretty good health, but extremely overweight. During the five years

I have been fighting, not only have I become more obese, but I have

gotten all these cormobidites that I thought I would never get, I was

too healthy. Most have been in the past two years. I am glad I

started the process when I did, because if I would have to fight 5

years now, I probably wouldn't see it.

As scared as I am, given the choice for even a chance at a better

life, or the future I face if I do nothing, I choose to take the

chance.

I have read all I can get my hands on, ask damn near every question I

can think of. I have seen the motality rates go down significatly as

more of these surgeries are performed. This is all very reasurring,

but it still doesn't ease the scared little girl inside. But I will

get up the morning of my surgery, I will bathe, kiss my kids good

bye, crying the whole time, go to the hospital, do what they tell me

to do, and I am sure do a fair bit more crying before I go into

surgery. Makes me wonder about the intubation in the nose with it

swollen up from crying....go for the throat guys, please! And after

I am asleep (pretty please with a cherry on top?).

My first appointment is tomorrow. I am not even thinking about

denial from insurance because I have just gone too far, and hey,

power of positive thinking!

When it is my time, I hope that the people here will be there for me

in spirit as they have been, and continue to be, for so many others.

So when you go in, remember, you won't be alone.

boogie

[Guest guest]

hi maria,

i'm going for surgery in the morning so when i get back i will give you all

the details.....i feel the same as you - 2 babies i have to be here for. i

am having health problems and i know this surgery needs to be done NOW.....

visit our website

www.geocities.com/tanyarn96/countryside.html

www.poncetihomes.com

-- scared to death

Hi everyone,

my name is maria and i'am having surgery on oct 1, 2003

in NY with Dr Gadaleta at nsch. I have 3 small children and are

afraid of dying. Can someone please give me some comfort about what

to expect. My husband is very supportive and i did not tell anyone

else due to not wanting to hear everyone's comments. I need to know

that iam not going to die that day. My kids need me and i need them.

i have no health issues expect that iam 310 lbs and if i don't get

this done i'am probley going to die from being so obese. Just in

general speaking with my SKINNY friends they say people are crazy who

get this done because they attach the rectom to your throat???

Someone else said that they have heard of scar tissue growing around

the intestines and dying from that in less that 10 years post op. So

this is why i have no one to speak about this with. I need to have a

little education on what vitiams take and what to eat the first

month. MOst of all i need to know what happens the day of??? Iam

soooo frightened. i cry everyday my children want to know why i

always cry and i feel like i am losing my mind. Sometimes i feel

like i just want to close my eyes and wish that oct 1 was over and i

lived through it. but then realty sets in and iam still fat and

getting fatter and no one understands how i feel expect all of you

guys. I cannot stay this way any longer and i am willing to take

this chance. PLease let me know what i have in store for me after and

before. Thanks

Regards

[Guest guest]

Hi ! Welcome to the group! I can't guarantee that you aren't going to

die, because the facts are that a few people do die from this surgery. That

said, I really don't think you will, as long as you make sure you get up and

walk after surgery. I can't stress that enough. I went through the memorials

on www.obesityhelp.com (great website, as is www.gastricbypassfamily.com ),

and what I noticed most is that a lot of them died from embolisms. Those can

mostly be avoided. As for the surgery itself, I have no idea who told you

they attach the rectum to the throat, but they are seriously misinformed. I

ve also never heard of anyone dying from scar tissue around the instestines.

Go to http://www.bariatric.com/1new.htm and they have a video there that

you can watch to show you how the surgery is actually performed. And at

http://www.gastricbypassfamily.com/SOthers.html there is a lovely letter you

can email or print out to give your friends and family members.

I have a document from a different group pasted below...Your surgeon may do

things differently, but as a basic guideline, this should help. BIG HUGS and

wishes for an uneventful surgery and recovery.

in Indiana

Pre-Op

260/125ish

What to Expect

CONSULTATION

" Meet with surgeon (medical history)

o Discuss clearances: pulmonary, cardiac, sleep study, psych)

" Meet with patient counselor

PRE-ADMISSION TESTING (P.A.T.)

" Nurse will do an assessment including vital signs and asking a lot of

questions, as well as giving you:

o Pre-op instructions (see below)

o Information on Advance Directives for Health Care

o Information of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)

o Hibiclens sponge with instructions for use

" Dietary/Nutrition will talk to you about early post-op diet and vitamins

and will answer questions

" You'll have a variety of tests done, including blood work and urinalysis

as well as the following (unless noted):

o Chest x-ray (unless you've provided one that is less that 6 months old)

o Gall Bladder ultrasound (unless you have one that is less that 6 months

old or if you had your gall bladder removed)

o Pulmonary function test - PFT's (unless you have one that is less than 6

months old)

o EKG (unless you have one that is 6 weeks old)

o Arterial blood gases - ABG's (if you are over 375 lbs. or have sleep

apnea)

" Respiratory Therapy will do the PFT's, ABG's, and EKG and will give you're

your Insentive Spirometer (IS) to practice with

" The Internal Medicine physician will meet with you to do a complete

assessment and to review your test results to see if you need any further

testing, medications, etc. (i.e. antibiotics, blood pressure meds).

" Either the nurse, the physician, or both will tell you any specific

medication instructions, i.e. anything that you should start, discontinue,

or change, and specific medication instructions for the day of surgery.

" You won't see your surgeon at P.A.T.; however, if it's been more than 6

months since your initial consultation, arrangements will be made for you to

have a short re-consultation with the surgeon (this will be either before,

during, or after P.A.T.)

" Nursing will do an assessment including vital signs and asking a lot of

questions, as well as giving you:

o Information on Advance Directives for Health Care

o Information of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)

o Hibiclens sponge with instructions for use

o Pre-op instructions which will include (but are not limited to) the

following:

" The day before surgery, solid foods up until 12:00 NOON and then clear

liquids only for the rest of the day until midnight - be sure to drink

plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration.

" Nothing at all after midnight unless you have been instructed to take

medications the morning of surgery - and then only with a small sip of water

" The day before surgery, use your suppository or bowel prep at 6:00 p.m. or

as instructed by the nurse at P.A.T.

" On the Friday BEFORE your surgery, you will be called and given an arrival

time for your surgery the following week - don't be late! No one has a set

surgery time - for each surgeon that day you will be either the 1st patient,

2nd patient, 3rd patient, etc. and your surgery will be done when your

surgeon is done with his previous surgery. Usually, you should be taken to

the operating room about 2 hours after your scheduled arrival time, but

please remember, delays can cause your surgery to start later.

" The day of surgery:

" Bring your incentive spirometer (IS) and CPAP/BiPAP (if you have one), the

morning of surgery

" No nail or toe polish, at least not on both pointer fingers and both big

toes - no acrylic nails on pointer fingers and no nail jewelry on any

fingers

" No hair accessories, braids, twists, rolls, extensions, barretts,

pony-tail holders

" No jewelry…PERIOD! No tongue rings, nose rings, nothing. Try your best

using soap/lotion, etc. to get rings off that are stuck. If you absolutely

can't get them off, they can be taped; however, if you get swelling in your

hands, which can happen due to surgery, anesthesia and IV fluids, your rings

will have to be cut off

" No contact lenses - if you have contacts or eyeglasses, bring your

eyeglass case and contact lens holder

" Bring your completed Advance Directives with all sections signed by you

and your patient advocate, as well as 2 witnesses that are NOT family;

therefore, it can be friends or neighbors and can not be hospital staff

" No make-up, powder or lotions anywhere on body

" Shower the morning of surgery & use Hibiclens scrubber for 5 minutes on

abdomen, then rinse off

PRE-OP (Day of Surgery)

" You may bring one (1) person with you up to the pre-op area. Any

additional family/friends/pastors, etc. will have to wait downstairs in the

1st floor waiting room. The pre-op waiting area is very small and there

physically is not room for more than one guest per patient. If you have

someone that really wants/needs to see you in pre-op, then the person who is

with you will have to go downstairs and trade places with them. If you

have small kids, you'll need to either leave them with someone at home or

have someone with them in the waiting room since they can't come to the

pre-op area - and remember, it will be a long day spent waiting around a

hospital waiting room for an adult, let alone kids!

" Bring your incentive spirometer (blue breather), CPAP/Bi-PAP (if you have

one), and Advance Directives up to the pre-op area. Leave all other

belongings (i.e. purse, jewelry, baggage, pillows, etc.) in your

car…otherwise your guest will have to carry it around all day.

" Once you arrive at the hospital, the admitting clerk will admit you, have

you sign some paperwork and then the lab will draw your blood (if ordered).

The clerk will then bring you and one guest to the pre-op area.

" The pre-op nurse will weigh you, measure you for the abdominal binder that

you'll wear after surgery, collect your blue breather, CPAP (if applicable)

and Advance Directives (if you filled them out completely) and take you to a

cubicle where you'll get changed into a gown, hat and support stockings.

Your guest will wait in the pre-op waiting area for about 30 minutes while

the nurse gets you changed, your IV started, your inflatable compression leg

wraps on, and asks a lot of questions. Once this is done, your guest can

come and sit with you until you go in to surgery.

" The nurse will give you a small bee-sting-like injection in the upper arm

or abdomen that helps to prevent blood clots. It's not a blood thinner, but

makes the platelets in the blood less sticky.

" If ordered, the nurse will give you a breathing treatment to open up your

lungs and give you some medication to decrease acid in your stomach and help

prevent nausea during and after surgery.

" Your surgeon will come in and go over some surgery information and see if

you have any questions. He/she will then have you sign a consent for

surgery.

" The anesthesiologist will come and ask some questions, go over your health

history, look down your throat and tell you about your anesthesia. He will

then have you sign a consent for anesthesia.

" Just before you go in to surgery, the nurse will spray your mouth to numb

the back of your throat and will give you a medication through your IV to

make you relax.

" When you go in to surgery, your guest will return to the main 1st floor

waiting room. At this point, they can take all of your belongings out to

the car (unless they REALLY want to lug them around all day!) They can go

to the cafeteria or outside, but should plan on being in the 1st floor

waiting room approximately 1 ½ hours after you go in to surgery. This is

where the surgeon will come and find them and let them know when surgery is

done. It may be longer than 1 ½ hours, so they shouldn't be worried if it

is 2 hours or a little longer.

" After the surgeon comes and finds them they should wait 1 hour and then go

to the nurses station to find out what room you are in.

OPERATING ROOM

" Once you go into the operating room, the circulating nurse will have your

scoot over on to the operating room table. The medication that you are

given in pre-op is enough to make you relax and not care, but leaves you so

that you can still follow directions.

" At this point the anesthesiologist will begin putting you to sleep. You

will have a tube down your throat and medication in your IV to put you out.

Most people don't realize this is going on and don't remember any of it

after surgery.

" The nurses will be getting your prepped and draped for surgery and will

insert a urinary catheter into your bladder after you are asleep (this will

be removed the following morning).

" The surgeon will come in and perform your surgery - when finished, he/she

will find your family and let them know your surgery is done and how it went

" The surgical staff will transfer you onto your bed, your binder will be

put on, and anesthesia will begin waking you up slowly and take out the

breathing tube - in rare instances, the breathing tube will stay in and be

removed later in the recovery room.

" At this point, you'll be wheeled into the recovery room.

RECOVERY ROOM

" Your planned stay in the recovery room is 45 minutes - and then you'll be

taken to your room.

" Once in the recovery room you'll be hooked up to monitors and oxygen. You

ll wake up and find that you have an oxygen mask on your face, binder on

your abdomen, a urinary catheter in your bladder, and a drain tube in your

abdomen - but you probably won't remember much, if any, about your stay in

the recovery room.

" The nursing staff will ask you to rate your pain on a scale of 0-10, with

0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain imaginable. You will be given

pain medication and reminded how to use the PCA (patient-controlled

analgesia) pump.

" You will be instructed to cough, deep breathe, and use your incentive

spirometer - it won't feel good, but it is necessary to help prevent

pneumonia and respiratory problems.

" Before leaving the recovery room, your oxygen mask will usually be removed

and you'll have a smaller oxygen tube called a nasal cannula that sits just

at your nose.

HOSPITAL STAY

" The day of surgery is day zero. The day after surgery is day 1…..the

2nd day after surgery is day 2, etc…..most patient go home on day 3 (i.e.

if your surgery is on Monday, then Monday is the day of surgery, Tuesday is

post-op day 1, Wednesday is post-op day 2, and Thursday is post-op day 3 and

you should go home this day.

" You will get up to walk for the first time about 4 hours after surgery.

The nursing staff will instruct you on how to get up and will help you the

first couple of times, but then you will be expected to do it yourself.

Beginning the day after surgery, you will need to get up every hour and go

for a walk - and the more you walk the better you feel - and you feel even

better on post-op day 2 and 3 (discharge day) because you'll get to take a

shower.

" You'll continue to get breathing treatments per your surgeon's orders to

keep your lungs open and clear.

" You'll get weighed every day - don't be surprised to gain weight because

you are being pumped full of fluids….you'll lose this fluid weight when

you go home.

" The evening of surgery you will begin on ice chips - 1-2 ice chips per

hour. This will continue for the day after surgery.

" On the second day after surgery (post-op day 2), you will go for an x-ray

to check for leaks. You will walk to the elevator with someone from

radiology, go down to the 1st floor, drink a small amount of nasty-tasting

liquid and then have an x-ray.

" If your x-ray is clear, then the surgeon will start you on 30 cc per hour

of water (about a small shot-glass full). That evening you should get to

have a clear-liquid dinner. The following day is post-op day 3 (discharge

day) and you'll have a clear liquid breakfast around 7:00 a.m. and then a

clear liquid lunch around 10:30 a.m. If all goes down well, you'll be

discharged around noon or a little after. You'll usually keep your IV in

until the day you go home - this is how you get your IV fluids and pain

medication.

" Your urinary catheter will come out the morning after surgery (post-op day

1).

" The drainage tube in your abdomen usually comes out the morning that you

go home, but in some cases (if you are still having a lot of drainage), it

will still be in when you go home and the surgeon will remove it at a later

date.

" Finally, before being discharged you'll have to have a bowel movement to

be sure things are working inside. Different surgeons a different protocol,

but on the day before you go home you can expect to have either 1 or 2

suppositories, as well as 1 or 2 enemas to help get things moving.

" Dietary will talk to you a couple of times while you are in the hospital

and will give you excellent instructions on your eating plan over the next 6

weeks.

" A nurse will go over your discharge instructions which will include

showering every day, medication instructions (including pain medication),

what to look for (i.e. infection/problems), lifting restriction of 5 lbs.,

no driving, and returning for a 2 week follow-up appointment.

2 WEEK, 6 WEEK, 3 MONTH, & YEARLY FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENTS

" Encouragement is made for you to continue going to support group meetings

" At all follow-up appointments you'll be weighed and vital signs will be

taken

" 2-week follow-up appointment:

o Any remaining steri-strips will be removed

o The internal medicine doctor will see you

o As long as incision is closed, you'll be cleared to take a tub bath

o As long as you aren't on pain medication and your incision is closed, you

ll be cleared to begin driving

o Lifting restriction will be lifted to 10 lbs. and will continue at 10 lbs.

until the 6 week follow-up visit

" 6-week follow-up appointment:

o You'll be cleared to resume regular activity

o Dietary will talk to you to see if you have dietary questions/concerns

" 3-month follow-up appointment:

o Blood will be drawn

o Dietary will talk to you to see if you have dietary questions/concerns

" 1-year and yearly follow-up appointments:

o Blood will be drawn

o Dietary will talk to you to see if you have dietary questions/concerns

o Your surgeon will talk to you to see how you are doing and if you have

questions

-- scared to death

Hi everyone,

my name is maria and i'am having surgery on oct 1, 2003

in NY with Dr Gadaleta at nsch. I have 3 small children and are

afraid of dying. Can someone please give me some comfort about what

to expect. My husband is very supportive and i did not tell anyone

else due to not wanting to hear everyone's comments. I need to know

that iam not going to die that day. My kids need me and i need them.

i have no health issues expect that iam 310 lbs and if i don't get

this done i'am probley going to die from being so obese. Just in

general speaking with my SKINNY friends they say people are crazy who

get this done because they attach the rectom to your throat???

Someone else said that they have heard of scar tissue growing around

the intestines and dying from that in less that 10 years post op. So

this is why i have no one to speak about this with. I need to have a

little education on what vitiams take and what to eat the first

month. MOst of all i need to know what happens the day of??? Iam

soooo frightened. i cry everyday my children want to know why i

always cry and i feel like i am losing my mind. Sometimes i feel

like i just want to close my eyes and wish that oct 1 was over and i

lived through it. but then realty sets in and iam still fat and

getting fatter and no one understands how i feel expect all of you

guys. I cannot stay this way any longer and i am willing to take

this chance. PLease let me know what i have in store for me after and

before. Thanks

Regards

[Guest guest]

Hi I'm debkroll of Iowa I was at one time 379 and now down to

330.So don't worry you'll do great and wonderful.The main thing

after surgery is get up and start moving right away Plus always

remember to drink water and take the Vitamins you need.I'm only down

40 lbs from Aug.18, to Sept 17 of this year.I'm never hungry or miss

the food.It sounds crazy but I'm happy about that.they say later I

will be hungry and ect.But just then to be careful on what you eat

and how much.I don't regret what I've done people are already

telling me they see I'm losing the weight and how much better I

look.That Makes my day to hear that.So Don't worry your hubby &

children and your self will be Greatful that you chosed to do this

for your New Thin Life.So Smile and Keep your mind thinking

Wonderful thoughts and God will help you throught what every Life

throws at ya.God Bless and keep in touch on how thing are going.You

have many friend here thjat understand you and everything that will

go on after.God Bless a friend debkroll of Iowa down 40 lbs and

counting. Your In my Thoughts & Prayers and have a safe and fast

recovery

.

---

In Gastric_Bypass_Family , " curkids3 "

wrote:

> Hi everyone,

>

> my name is maria and i'am having surgery on oct 1, 2003

> in NY with Dr Gadaleta at nsch. I have 3 small children and are

> afraid of dying. Can someone please give me some comfort about

what

> to expect. My husband is very supportive and i did not tell

anyone

> else due to not wanting to hear everyone's comments. I need to

know

> that iam not going to die that day. My kids need me and i need

them.

> i have no health issues expect that iam 310 lbs and if i don't get

> this done i'am probley going to die from being so obese. Just in

> general speaking with my SKINNY friends they say people are crazy

who

> get this done because they attach the rectom to your throat???

> Someone else said that they have heard of scar tissue growing

around

> the intestines and dying from that in less that 10 years post op.

So

> this is why i have no one to speak about this with. I need to

have a

> little education on what vitiams take and what to eat the first

> month. MOst of all i need to know what happens the day of??? Iam

> soooo frightened. i cry everyday my children want to know why i

> always cry and i feel like i am losing my mind. Sometimes i feel

> like i just want to close my eyes and wish that oct 1 was over and

i

> lived through it. but then realty sets in and iam still fat and

> getting fatter and no one understands how i feel expect all of you

> guys. I cannot stay this way any longer and i am willing to take

> this chance. PLease let me know what i have in store for me after

and

> before. Thanks

> Regards

[Guest guest]

Hi I'm debkroll of Iowa I was at one time 379 and now down to

330.So don't worry you'll do great and wonderful.The main thing

after surgery is get up and start moving right away Plus always

remember to drink water and take the Vitamins you need.I'm only down

40 lbs from Aug.18, to Sept 17 of this year.I'm never hungry or miss

the food.It sounds crazy but I'm happy about that.they say later I

will be hungry and ect.But just then to be careful on what you eat

and how much.I don't regret what I've done people are already

telling me they see I'm losing the weight and how much better I

look.That Makes my day to hear that.So Don't worry your hubby &

children and your self will be Greatful that you chosed to do this

for your New Thin Life.So Smile and Keep your mind thinking

Wonderful thoughts and God will help you throught what every Life

throws at ya.God Bless and keep in touch on how thing are going.You

have many friend here thjat understand you and everything that will

go on after.God Bless a friend debkroll of Iowa down 40 lbs and

counting. Your In my Thoughts & Prayers and have a safe and fast

recovery

.

---

In Gastric_Bypass_Family , " curkids3 "

wrote:

> Hi everyone,

>

> my name is maria and i'am having surgery on oct 1, 2003

> in NY with Dr Gadaleta at nsch. I have 3 small children and are

> afraid of dying. Can someone please give me some comfort about

what

> to expect. My husband is very supportive and i did not tell

anyone

> else due to not wanting to hear everyone's comments. I need to

know

> that iam not going to die that day. My kids need me and i need

them.

> i have no health issues expect that iam 310 lbs and if i don't get

> this done i'am probley going to die from being so obese. Just in

> general speaking with my SKINNY friends they say people are crazy

who

> get this done because they attach the rectom to your throat???

> Someone else said that they have heard of scar tissue growing

around

> the intestines and dying from that in less that 10 years post op.

So

> this is why i have no one to speak about this with. I need to

have a

> little education on what vitiams take and what to eat the first

> month. MOst of all i need to know what happens the day of??? Iam

> soooo frightened. i cry everyday my children want to know why i

> always cry and i feel like i am losing my mind. Sometimes i feel

> like i just want to close my eyes and wish that oct 1 was over and

i

> lived through it. but then realty sets in and iam still fat and

> getting fatter and no one understands how i feel expect all of you

> guys. I cannot stay this way any longer and i am willing to take

> this chance. PLease let me know what i have in store for me after

and

> before. Thanks

> Regards

[Guest guest]

Cristi, How nice of you to write out all that information about

your hospital experience. That was a heck of alot of information.

I'm sure many pre-op person would appreciate reading it. I work in a

hospital, and all that info written down is even an eye opener for

me.

Jill H.

[Guest guest]

Cristi, How nice of you to write out all that information about

your hospital experience. That was a heck of alot of information.

I'm sure many pre-op person would appreciate reading it. I work in a

hospital, and all that info written down is even an eye opener for

me.

Jill H.

[Guest guest]

Loretta, I am amazed!!! That is so great! I loved reading your

letter. Such inspiration for the rest of us.

Charlotte

265/254/160

Sept. 25

> Hi ,

>

> My name is Loretta, I had my surgery done in Hershey, Pa. by Dr.

Cooney. He is wonderful. My surgery was done on October 14, 2002.

I am almost 1 year out. I do go to the support meetings and love

them. People there are great. I started out in January of 2002 on a

diet on my own. I lost 82 lbs before my surgery. My starting weight

was 389. When I went in for my surgery I was 307. It is almost 1

year and my weight at our last meeting was 158.

[Guest guest]

Loretta, I am amazed!!! That is so great! I loved reading your

letter. Such inspiration for the rest of us.

Charlotte

265/254/160

Sept. 25

> Hi ,

>

> My name is Loretta, I had my surgery done in Hershey, Pa. by Dr.

Cooney. He is wonderful. My surgery was done on October 14, 2002.

I am almost 1 year out. I do go to the support meetings and love

them. People there are great. I started out in January of 2002 on a

diet on my own. I lost 82 lbs before my surgery. My starting weight

was 389. When I went in for my surgery I was 307. It is almost 1

year and my weight at our last meeting was 158.

[Guest guest]

Loretta, I am amazed!!! That is so great! I loved reading your

letter. Such inspiration for the rest of us.

Charlotte

265/254/160

Sept. 25

> Hi ,

>

> My name is Loretta, I had my surgery done in Hershey, Pa. by Dr.

Cooney. He is wonderful. My surgery was done on October 14, 2002.

I am almost 1 year out. I do go to the support meetings and love

them. People there are great. I started out in January of 2002 on a

diet on my own. I lost 82 lbs before my surgery. My starting weight

was 389. When I went in for my surgery I was 307. It is almost 1

year and my weight at our last meeting was 158.

[Guest guest]

,

Yes, it is a very scarey thing. You have to put all your negative thoughts

out of your mind and only think of the positive. Put it in your physician

hands, but most of all put it the GREAT PHYSICIAN'S. Trust God and your

physician

and everything will be fine. If it help any I am 59 years old and in a

wheelchair and I had a ton on medical issues including having a very life

threating

aorta anneurysm. I also was weighing almost 400 lbs. My age was a big factor

and I just breezed through the whole thing. I was in the hospital 2 days and

after 2 weeks I could not tell that I had surgery except I could not eat but a

little bit. It has been 6 months and I have lost 81 pounds. If I were not

in the wheelchair I would have really lost a lot more, but I'm happy even if it

is slower for me. One my doctors even tried to hold me back from having it

done because in in his opinion I would not make. Well I hear to tell you that

I did make it and I am so thankful for my new life.

A. B.

LAP RNY 3/22/03

Dr. Steve Weinstein, MD.

Mobile, Alabama

BMI 65/54

386/305-81 LBS.

[Guest guest]

,

Yes, it is a very scarey thing. You have to put all your negative thoughts

out of your mind and only think of the positive. Put it in your physician

hands, but most of all put it the GREAT PHYSICIAN'S. Trust God and your

physician

and everything will be fine. If it help any I am 59 years old and in a

wheelchair and I had a ton on medical issues including having a very life

threating

aorta anneurysm. I also was weighing almost 400 lbs. My age was a big factor

and I just breezed through the whole thing. I was in the hospital 2 days and

after 2 weeks I could not tell that I had surgery except I could not eat but a

little bit. It has been 6 months and I have lost 81 pounds. If I were not

in the wheelchair I would have really lost a lot more, but I'm happy even if it

is slower for me. One my doctors even tried to hold me back from having it

done because in in his opinion I would not make. Well I hear to tell you that

I did make it and I am so thankful for my new life.

A. B.

LAP RNY 3/22/03

Dr. Steve Weinstein, MD.

Mobile, Alabama

BMI 65/54

386/305-81 LBS.

[Guest guest]

,

Yes, it is a very scarey thing. You have to put all your negative thoughts

out of your mind and only think of the positive. Put it in your physician

hands, but most of all put it the GREAT PHYSICIAN'S. Trust God and your

physician

and everything will be fine. If it help any I am 59 years old and in a

wheelchair and I had a ton on medical issues including having a very life

threating

aorta anneurysm. I also was weighing almost 400 lbs. My age was a big factor

and I just breezed through the whole thing. I was in the hospital 2 days and

after 2 weeks I could not tell that I had surgery except I could not eat but a

little bit. It has been 6 months and I have lost 81 pounds. If I were not

in the wheelchair I would have really lost a lot more, but I'm happy even if it

is slower for me. One my doctors even tried to hold me back from having it

done because in in his opinion I would not make. Well I hear to tell you that

I did make it and I am so thankful for my new life.

A. B.

LAP RNY 3/22/03

Dr. Steve Weinstein, MD.

Mobile, Alabama

BMI 65/54

386/305-81 LBS.