surgery

[Guest guest]

i started out 2 years ago in richmond i had to have emergency hernia surgery so they cancelled it for a year. my surgeon pushed for me to get this. dr fisher in richmond did not want to do it but dr dutta in fremont is going to do ittopazmisskitty wrote: How did you get a date so fast? I have a hernia repair that is going to be fixed at surgery too. However, if I can't get my 10% and kaiser says I need the hernia repaired now, Bariatrics says i guess you will just have to have two surgeries won't you...Bunch of crap.Jeanne >> well i know i am new to the group i just signed up yesterday> and i finally figured out how to use this.

i went for my consultation > today with dr dutta in fremont and he said my surgery will be in the> second week of january. im very excited but alittle scared. i also > have to have hernia repair. does anyone have any advice.......>

[Guest guest]

Good luck Lilka. We will be here for you when you get

back.

Laurie

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Lilka Don't worry, you will fall over the cliff and do just fine. You will have a tool and that will be your parachute. We will all be on the ground waiting for you to come to the ground to welcome you. Congratulations and I will pray your nerves will settle, and the mixed feelings get better and make sure your surgery goes well. Then we can welcome you to the ground (the other side). It will all be worth it. Stay strong, we love you. Here's a hug. DonnaLilka wrote: Hi. My surgery is on Monday at 10:30-11.AM. I am now counting the hours and I am just going because I made the decision and my time is now. I deeply hope I have not made a mistake and will have digestive problems the rest of my life. I feel quite prepared for anything, however.

There is no turning back now. I don't really want to but I see I have some mixed feelings. I have been reading newsletters from different sources and they warn me so deeply about continuting some of my worst problems: Nibbling, snacking, spacing out, not being mindful, using food to escape. These are my problems and I intend to spend the next months getting over these problems or at least giving it my all. In my marriage, I have never sworn to be faithful but I have been.The consequences of not being faithful were just too terrible. Now I will not swear not to nibble, etc or eat sweets but i will try not to. Maybe the consequences are also just too terrible. Thanks again to all of you here for getting me to the brink. Now I must just fall over the cliff. Lilka Donna JordonDSJordon@...

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[Guest guest]

Lilka:

I hope you get a chance to read this before your big day. This is a

re-post of my surgery day.

Remember these words (in reference to your cliff):

" When you come to the edge of all the light you know and are about to

step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of

two things will happen: there will be solid ground to stand on, or

you will be taugh to fly. " --Author Unknown

Lilka, may you find not only the solid ground, but the courage to

extend your wings and soar like an eagle.

Here's my experience

The morning of June 3, 2003 dawned cloudy and gray, just the way I

like it. We entered the parking lot at Kaiser Richmond and then

walked through the main entrance of the Hospital. My feelings were

all over the place. I was steady-nerved and ready for the surgery,

yet the fear of not being there for my partner and my parents was

heavy on my mind.

I checked in with the receptionist on the second floor and waited for

a while. My parents and my partner were chatting happily, but I was

silent, trying to calm myself with deep breathing. I looked out the

window and saw yellow daffodils growing on the balcony, and the sun

was trying to peer through the gray sky. I excused myself to go to

the bathroom. As I washed my hands, I looked at myself in the

mirror. " Well, here it is. The day you've been waiting for for so

long is finally here, " I said silently to myself. I looked at my

face for a minute and then smiled at myself in reassurance.

As I came back to the waiting area I looked at the clock: 8:30 AM.

My time had arrived. Ricky, the pre-op nurse tech, came out and

said, " Francisco… " He introduced himself to my family. I reminded my

partner that I wanted some pictures. We were all smiles like we were

about to go on a roller coaster as Ricky took a picture of the four

of us. I said good-bye to my family, and entered the surgery prep

area.

Ricky led me to the changing room where he gave me a hospital gown,

cap and slipper/socks. I put my things in a bag and Ricky labeled

them and took them away. Again, I looked at myself in the mirror of

the changing room saying silently, " You gotta get through this to get

where you wanna go. "

I sat in the recliner chair that Ricky pointed out to me. He took my

vital signs and asked me a few questions. I asked if I was going to

be weighed, and he said, " If you want to, hop on the scale. " I let

out a little, " Yes! " when I saw the number—264.5—because that meant I

had lost 35 pounds prior to surgery. That was a little miracle in

itself. Ricky then gave me some medication and a cup of tart liquid,

and then he began the business of inserting the IV. I started my

deep breathing, closed my eyes a little and thought of the turquoise

waters of Bora Bora.

I sat back in the recliner for another hour and a half waiting for

the previous gastric bypass surgery to conclude. I looked at the

newspaper Ricky gave me, read the funnies and enjoyed the smooth jazz

Ricky had playing on his boom box. Other nurses—both men and women—

came to talk to me and ask questions. Each time they concluded their

talk with me, they would say something like, " Everything's looking

great. " At about 10:15 AM, I saw a woman on a gurney being wheeled

out of surgery. It was Patrice! She'd made it! She was " on the

other side. "

" Do you have any questions? " Ricky asked. " Yes, " I replied. " When

are you gonna knock me out? " Ricky told me that the Operating Room

would be ready in about ten minutes. I immediately launched into a

silent Lord's Prayer, and asked God to help me make it through the

surgery, and to help my family stay calm during the next few hours.

A nurse led me first to the bathroom; I needed to go one last time.

Then she walked me into the Operating Room and I thought, " This is

really gonna happen; no turning back now. " The operating table

looked like some sort of crucifix with two or three round bright

lights suspended above. They had me get up on the table and center

myself. The air was cold and the yellow walls with the bright lights

made the room seem somehow brightly golden.

The nurse anesthetist had a very reassuring tone in his voice—tender

and kind yet competent and professional. He bent over me and looked

me in the eye as he said, " We're gonna have you breathe a little

oxygen while we give you something to relax you. " I hardly noticed

that they were restraining my arms. There was a totally child-like,

vulnerable feeling that came over me, but in this gentle man's deep

brown eyes and warm voice, I found comfort. " This will calm you down

gradually… " is the last thing I remember.

I woke up in recovery in a mild haze, but very aware that I'd just

had my gastric bypass surgery. The first thought to come to mind was

a prayer: " Thank you, God, for letting me survive. " I don't remember

much else. I remember being wheeled into my room, and seeing my

mother's face. Her tears made shiny little tracks down her cheeks.

I said, " Mom, I'm OK. I made it. " She put her hand to my cheek and

said, " My baby Son… "

Somehow I mustered the presence of mind to remind my partner to take

more pictures and make sure to get everything—EVERYTHING—in the

picture. Soon I noticed that there was another IV (unattached to

anything) in my right hand. I was instructed on the use of my PCAU

(patient controlled analgesia unit—pain relief!). I told the nurse

that I needed to go to the bathroom. She told me that I had a

catheter attached to a balloon in my bladder; I readjusted myself on

the bed and the pressure went away. What a strange feeling. Thank

the Heavens Above that I was NOT awake when they inserted that!

My partner sat by my side and moistened my mouth with lemon swabs

given to him by the nurse, and he cleaned the bit of blood off my

fingers left by the insertion of the second IV. Dr. Fisher popped in

to ask how I was doing. " No real pain, just tightness, like I've

just done a thousand sit-ups. " Little by little, hour by hour, I

felt better, and by 7 PM, the nurses had me up-and-walking around the

hospital ward.

The next day, Dr. Fisher came by to see me, and we had a little chat

about how two friends of mine had abandoned me one week prior to the

surgery. He explained that some people in our lives just cannot

handle what we're going through; we have to be very aware that some

will try to sabotage us whether they mean it maliciously or not. He

told me that I don't need people like that in my life—my new life.

He gave me some powerful advice: " Francisco, take this tool with you,

and don't ever look back. "

Francisco

P.S. I'm off to church, and I'll say a prayer for you.

>

> Hi. My surgery is on Monday at 10:30-11.AM. I am now counting the

> hours and I am just going because I made the decision and my time

is

> now. I deeply hope I have not made a mistake and will have

digestive

> problems the rest of my life. I feel quite prepared for anything,

> however. There is no turning back now. I don't really want to but I

> see I have some mixed feelings. I have been reading newsletters

from

> different sources and they warn me so deeply about continuting some

of

> my worst problems: Nibbling, snacking, spacing out, not being

mindful,

> using food to escape. These are my problems and I intend to spend

the

> next months getting over these problems or at least giving it my

all.

> In my marriage, I have never sworn to be faithful but I have

been.The

> consequences of not being faithful were just too terrible. Now I

will

> not swear not to nibble, etc or eat sweets but i will try not to.

> Maybe the consequences are also just too terrible. Thanks again to

all

> of you here for getting me to the brink. Now I must just fall over

the

> cliff. Lilka

>

[Guest guest]

Lilka....

Congratulations on your big day tomorrow. I will keep you in my

prayers for a successful surgery and speedy recovery.

Regards,

Gordy

>

> Hi. My surgery is on Monday at 10:30-11.AM. I am now counting the

> hours and I am just going because I made the decision and my time

is

> now. I deeply hope I have not made a mistake and will have

digestive

> problems the rest of my life. I feel quite prepared for anything,

> however. There is no turning back now. I don't really want to but I

> see I have some mixed feelings. I have been reading newsletters

from

> different sources and they warn me so deeply about continuting some

of

> my worst problems: Nibbling, snacking, spacing out, not being

mindful,

> using food to escape. These are my problems and I intend to spend

the

> next months getting over these problems or at least giving it my

all.

> In my marriage, I have never sworn to be faithful but I have

been.The

> consequences of not being faithful were just too terrible. Now I

will

> not swear not to nibble, etc or eat sweets but i will try not to.

> Maybe the consequences are also just too terrible. Thanks again to

all

> of you here for getting me to the brink. Now I must just fall over

the

> cliff. Lilka

>

[Guest guest]

Gordy Are you making to the ez meeting tomorrow night? I'll bring the clothes. Take care. DonnaGordy wrote: Lilka....Congratulations on your big day tomorrow. I will keep you in my prayers for a successful surgery and speedy recovery.Regards,Gordy>> Hi. My surgery is on Monday at 10:30-11.AM. I am now counting the > hours and I am just going because I made the decision and my time is > now. I deeply hope I have not made a mistake and will have digestive > problems the rest of my life. I feel quite prepared for anything, > however. There is no turning back now. I don't really want to but I

> see I have some mixed feelings. I have been reading newsletters from > different sources and they warn me so deeply about continuting some of > my worst problems: Nibbling, snacking, spacing out, not being mindful, > using food to escape. These are my problems and I intend to spend the > next months getting over these problems or at least giving it my all. > In my marriage, I have never sworn to be faithful but I have been.The > consequences of not being faithful were just too terrible. Now I will > not swear not to nibble, etc or eat sweets but i will try not to. > Maybe the consequences are also just too terrible. Thanks again to all > of you here for getting me to the brink. Now I must just fall over the > cliff. Lilka> Donna

JordonDSJordon@...

Yahoo! Photos – Showcase holiday pictures in hardcover Photo Books. You design it and we’ll bind it!

[Guest guest]

Lilka,

Just hold the thoughts of the good you hope to come from this in your

mind like a candle shining in the dark. I understand your fears. Yes,

there may be problems - but you know the problems that you already

face, and you're taking a calculated risk for the chance of great

gains.

I'm not a gambler or a risk-taker. In my whole life, there have only

been two things that I've done that I viewed as seriously as having

this surgery - getting married, and having children - and in both

cases I was terrified that I might be making a mistake. My fear came

from the fact that they were both irreversible. Rather, they could be

reversed, but not without horrible consequences to me and those I

loved. But in both cases the risk of NOT going through with it was

worse than the risk of going ahead.

That's how I view this surgery, and it sounds like at some level

you've made that same decision. We'll all be praying for you and

pulling for you tomorrow.

Cathy C.

[Guest guest]

Lilka, you are just an adorable person and a very

lovable person. You never made a promise to be

faithful but you have been. I never looked at it like

that. You are going to be fine with your surgery. I

know we post about how we had this thing or that

things that is classified as a no no and that is why

sometimes I am hesitant to post that I have tried

something. I don't want to give the idea that you can

do this thing and eat whatever because you can't. You

will make the right decisions when the time comes.

Once you see the transformation it makes it a little

easier to say no. I can say that because I am only 11

months out. I sure hope and pray that when I am two

and three years and beyond that I still think this

way. I tell you this, I am not going to spend much

time worrying about that because life is short and

there is not enough time in the now to enjoy what I

have but I do what I can.

Just in case anyone is interested, I talked to my

sistah and she is doing well. She is rolling up

on her year.

Take care.

Pam Marsh

--- Lilka wrote:

> Hi. My surgery is on Monday at 10:30-11.AM. I am now

> counting the

> hours and I am just going because I made the

> decision and my time is

> now. I deeply hope I have not made a mistake and

> will have digestive

> problems the rest of my life. I feel quite prepared

> for anything,

> however. There is no turning back now. I don't

> really want to but I

> see I have some mixed feelings. I have been reading

> newsletters from

> different sources and they warn me so deeply about

> continuting some of

> my worst problems: Nibbling, snacking, spacing out,

> not being mindful,

> using food to escape. These are my problems and I

> intend to spend the

> next months getting over these problems or at least

> giving it my all.

> In my marriage, I have never sworn to be faithful

> but I have been.The

> consequences of not being faithful were just too

> terrible. Now I will

> not swear not to nibble, etc or eat sweets but i

> will try not to.

> Maybe the consequences are also just too terrible.

> Thanks again to all

> of you here for getting me to the brink. Now I must

> just fall over the

> cliff. Lilka

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I am only seven days behind you and so far I know I have made the

right decision! You have to and remember we are going through this

together. Let me know as soon as you get home. I will be praying

for you and me both.

Peggy

>

> Hi. My surgery is on Monday at 10:30-11.AM. I am now counting the

> hours and I am just going because I made the decision and my time

is

> now. I deeply hope I have not made a mistake and will have

digestive

> problems the rest of my life. I feel quite prepared for anything,

> however. There is no turning back now. I don't really want to but

I

> see I have some mixed feelings. I have been reading newsletters

from

> different sources and they warn me so deeply about continuting

some of

> my worst problems: Nibbling, snacking, spacing out, not being

mindful,

> using food to escape. These are my problems and I intend to spend

the

> next months getting over these problems or at least giving it my

all.

> In my marriage, I have never sworn to be faithful but I have

been.The

> consequences of not being faithful were just too terrible. Now I

will

> not swear not to nibble, etc or eat sweets but i will try not to.

> Maybe the consequences are also just too terrible. Thanks again to

all

> of you here for getting me to the brink. Now I must just fall over

the

> cliff. Lilka

>

[Guest guest]

I am only seven days behind you and so far I know I have made the

right decision! You have to and remember we are going through this

together. Let me know as soon as you get home. I will be praying

for you and me both.

Peggy

>

> Hi. My surgery is on Monday at 10:30-11.AM. I am now counting the

> hours and I am just going because I made the decision and my time

is

> now. I deeply hope I have not made a mistake and will have

digestive

> problems the rest of my life. I feel quite prepared for anything,

> however. There is no turning back now. I don't really want to but

I

> see I have some mixed feelings. I have been reading newsletters

from

> different sources and they warn me so deeply about continuting

some of

> my worst problems: Nibbling, snacking, spacing out, not being

mindful,

> using food to escape. These are my problems and I intend to spend

the

> next months getting over these problems or at least giving it my

all.

> In my marriage, I have never sworn to be faithful but I have

been.The

> consequences of not being faithful were just too terrible. Now I

will

> not swear not to nibble, etc or eat sweets but i will try not to.

> Maybe the consequences are also just too terrible. Thanks again to

all

> of you here for getting me to the brink. Now I must just fall over

the

> cliff. Lilka

>

[Guest guest]

As I have said before, I'm 7 days behind Lilka. I don't know about

her but you sure made me feel a little better. How long were you in

the hospital?

> >

> > Hi. My surgery is on Monday at 10:30-11.AM. I am now counting

the

> > hours and I am just going because I made the decision and my

time

> is

> > now. I deeply hope I have not made a mistake and will have

> digestive

> > problems the rest of my life. I feel quite prepared for

anything,

> > however. There is no turning back now. I don't really want to

but I

> > see I have some mixed feelings. I have been reading newsletters

> from

> > different sources and they warn me so deeply about continuting

some

> of

> > my worst problems: Nibbling, snacking, spacing out, not being

> mindful,

> > using food to escape. These are my problems and I intend to

spend

> the

> > next months getting over these problems or at least giving it my

> all.

> > In my marriage, I have never sworn to be faithful but I have

> been.The

> > consequences of not being faithful were just too terrible. Now I

> will

> > not swear not to nibble, etc or eat sweets but i will try not

to.

> > Maybe the consequences are also just too terrible. Thanks again

to

> all

> > of you here for getting me to the brink. Now I must just fall

over

> the

> > cliff. Lilka

> >

>

[Guest guest]

As I have said before, I'm 7 days behind Lilka. I don't know about

her but you sure made me feel a little better. How long were you in

the hospital?

> >

> > Hi. My surgery is on Monday at 10:30-11.AM. I am now counting

the

> > hours and I am just going because I made the decision and my

time

> is

> > now. I deeply hope I have not made a mistake and will have

> digestive

> > problems the rest of my life. I feel quite prepared for

anything,

> > however. There is no turning back now. I don't really want to

but I

> > see I have some mixed feelings. I have been reading newsletters

> from

> > different sources and they warn me so deeply about continuting

some

> of

> > my worst problems: Nibbling, snacking, spacing out, not being

> mindful,

> > using food to escape. These are my problems and I intend to

spend

> the

> > next months getting over these problems or at least giving it my

> all.

> > In my marriage, I have never sworn to be faithful but I have

> been.The

> > consequences of not being faithful were just too terrible. Now I

> will

> > not swear not to nibble, etc or eat sweets but i will try not

to.

> > Maybe the consequences are also just too terrible. Thanks again

to

> all

> > of you here for getting me to the brink. Now I must just fall

over

> the

> > cliff. Lilka

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Peggy Your surgery will be Jan. 30th? You are also in my thoughts and prayers. Donnapegmo1212 wrote: I am only seven days behind you and so far I know I have made the right decision! You have to and remember we are going through this together. Let me know as soon as you get home. I will be praying for you and me both.Peggy>> Hi. My surgery is on Monday at 10:30-11.AM. I am now counting the > hours and I am just going because I made the decision and my time is > now. I deeply hope I have not made a mistake and will have digestive > problems the rest of my life. I feel quite prepared for anything, > however. There is

no turning back now. I don't really want to but I > see I have some mixed feelings. I have been reading newsletters from > different sources and they warn me so deeply about continuting some of > my worst problems: Nibbling, snacking, spacing out, not being mindful, > using food to escape. These are my problems and I intend to spend the > next months getting over these problems or at least giving it my all. > In my marriage, I have never sworn to be faithful but I have been.The > consequences of not being faithful were just too terrible. Now I will > not swear not to nibble, etc or eat sweets but i will try not to. > Maybe the consequences are also just too terrible. Thanks again to all > of you here for getting me to the brink. Now I must just fall over the > cliff. Lilka> Donna JordonDSJordon@...

Yahoo! Photos Ring in the New Year with Photo Calendars. Add photos, events, holidays, whatever.

[Guest guest]

All my best thoughts and wishes go with you!

Huggles

>

> Hi. My surgery is on Monday at 10:30-11.AM. I am now counting the

> hours and I am just going because I made the decision and my time

is

> now. I deeply hope I have not made a mistake and will have

digestive

> problems the rest of my life. I feel quite prepared for anything,

> however. There is no turning back now. I don't really want to but

I

> see I have some mixed feelings. I have been reading newsletters

from

> different sources and they warn me so deeply about continuting

some of

> my worst problems: Nibbling, snacking, spacing out, not being

mindful,

> using food to escape. These are my problems and I intend to spend

the

> next months getting over these problems or at least giving it my

all.

> In my marriage, I have never sworn to be faithful but I have

been.The

> consequences of not being faithful were just too terrible. Now I

will

> not swear not to nibble, etc or eat sweets but i will try not to.

> Maybe the consequences are also just too terrible. Thanks again to

all

> of you here for getting me to the brink. Now I must just fall over

the

> cliff. Lilka

>

[Guest guest]

Peggy:

I almost missed this question because it didn't have my name on it,

but I'm glad I saw it.

I was in the hospital two days following my surgery, but nowadays, I

think they release people a lot earlier, especially if they are doing

well.

You'll be in my prayers as your day approaches. I already said a

prayer for you.

Francisco

> > >

> > > Hi. My surgery is on Monday at 10:30-11.AM. I am now counting

> the

> > > hours and I am just going because I made the decision and my

> time

> > is

> > > now. I deeply hope I have not made a mistake and will have

> > digestive

> > > problems the rest of my life. I feel quite prepared for

> anything,

> > > however. There is no turning back now. I don't really want to

> but I

> > > see I have some mixed feelings. I have been reading newsletters

> > from

> > > different sources and they warn me so deeply about continuting

> some

> > of

> > > my worst problems: Nibbling, snacking, spacing out, not being

> > mindful,

> > > using food to escape. These are my problems and I intend to

> spend

> > the

> > > next months getting over these problems or at least giving it

my

> > all.

> > > In my marriage, I have never sworn to be faithful but I have

> > been.The

> > > consequences of not being faithful were just too terrible. Now

I

> > will

> > > not swear not to nibble, etc or eat sweets but i will try not

> to.

> > > Maybe the consequences are also just too terrible. Thanks again

> to

> > all

> > > of you here for getting me to the brink. Now I must just fall

> over

> > the

> > > cliff. Lilka

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I am glad you can have this surgery.Where as I can't

and the hernia is quite huge. But good for you.I will

pray and keep fingers crossed for you.

--- Laurie Fitzgerald laurie.fitzgerald@...>

wrote:

> Hi

>

> I have surgery to repair my umbilical hernia on

> 3-15. It will be done

> laproscopically, but with general anesthesia, so

> they plan to keep me

> overnight. They were able to do my physical, blood

> work and anesthesia

> consult while I was at the hospital - actually had

> to go from the

> satellite location to the main hospital, but it

> saved several hours of

> driving.

>

> laurie

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Thanks Irene!

laurie

> I am glad you can have this surgery.Where as I can't

> and the hernia is quite huge. But good for you.I will

> pray and keep fingers crossed for you.

>

> --- Laurie Fitzgerald laurie.fitzgerald@...>

> wrote:

>

> > Hi

> >

> > I have surgery to repair my umbilical hernia on

> > 3-15. It will be done

> > laproscopically, but with general anesthesia, so

> > they plan to keep me

> > overnight. They were able to do my physical, blood

> > work and anesthesia

> > consult while I was at the hospital - actually had

> > to go from the

> > satellite location to the main hospital, but it

> > saved several hours of

> > driving.

> >

> > laurie

> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

What a bummer Laurie. Especially since you are all

set. But maybe it was meant to be.

--- Laurie Fitzgerald laurie.fitzgerald@...>

wrote:

> Hi all

>

> My surgery is likely to be cancelled for tomorrow.

> They are short

> beds. I won't know until 10-11 tomorrow morning.

> I'll keep you posted.

> Of course, I am totally ready for it, but will be

> glad to get back on

> all my meds.

>

> laurie

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi all

My surgery was cancelled for now. They called at 1:40 and said to come

immediately and then called 10 minutes later to cancel it.

Thanks to everyone for their concern and well wishes. I'll keep you

posted as to what is happening.

laurie

[Guest guest]

Laurie,

My goodness, this is a new one on me. I hope you are not too

frustrated. Didn't you have to go for a long time without food and

liquids in order to be prepared for surgery? Was that process hard on

you?

Dumbfounded,

Shayna

>

> Hi all

>

> My surgery was cancelled for now. They called at 1:40 and said to come

> immediately and then called 10 minutes later to cancel it.

>

> Thanks to everyone for their concern and well wishes. I'll keep you

> posted as to what is happening.

>

> laurie

>

[Guest guest]

hugs Laurie I am so sorry you are going through this rough time! Vivian