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Step One: A Decision Made

Well, about 6 weeks ago, my husband and I attended a seminar for Lap Band Solutions led by Dr. Scott Stowers. In the ensueing weeks I have found out that my insurance has an exclusion for bariatric surgery. My wonderful hubby told me that he would support what ever decision I made and would be there for me every step of the way. (I so love my hubby!) As a result, I am going to be a self-pay patient. I have my appointment with Dr. Stowers on Dec. 22nd. Hopefully my surgery will be in January. I am very excited.
texasteacher1970

texasteacher1970

4
 

Surgery Day

Well, yesterday was my surgical day. Here is a rundown of the day.   4 AM--Woke up. Showered with an anteseptic soap they gave me at my preop appointment.   5 AM out the door. The hospital I am using is about 45 minutes away.   6 AM Check in at the ER and they sent me to the Surgical check in.   6:15 AM called back for prep. Changed in my gown, started IV, answered the same questions over and over...name, date of birth, procedures, allergies...I met with a lot of people very quickly.   7:30ish. Taken back to surgery.   9:15 AM started waking up in recovery. There was a clock in front of me and everytime I'd open my eyes 5 minutes or so had passed. I was aware of hurting but it wasn't horrible. The nurse was talking to me. I was fully awake by 9:45. I went to the restroom, took some pain medicine, and changed my clothes.   10:30 AM I was on my way home. I slept most of the way home.   The rest of the day I slept. I'd sleep about 2 hours and my husband would get me up to walk around. I drink some water or juice and then go aback to sleep for about 2 hours. Then repeat.   My hubby has been so great throughout this whole process. He was been a wonderful caregiver...not that he isn't always wonderful to me.   Today has been better. I slept until 11 AM thanks to benedryl (my allergies are in hyper drive lately). I've had some soup, a protein drink (Isopure), and lots of water. I've watched a lot of TV. Pretty boring. Physically I ache but I'm doing OK. I probably need to take some more hydrocodone. I can take 2 every 6 hours but I've only been taking 1. Hurts mostly when I'm going from lying to sitting or sittling to standing.   I do want to give kudos to the hosipital I used. I have been so impressed with Wise County Regional Hospital in Decater, Texas. You almost feel like you are the only patient in the hospital. Everything is quiet and pleasant. The staff is very attentive and friendly. If ever I need to, I will use this hospital in the future. They rock!:thumbup:
texasteacher1970

texasteacher1970

2
 

I have a date!

My surgery will be on Jan. 26th.   Today I had an education class where we went over the procedure itself, pre- and post-op care, and met with the dietician and physiologist. Afterwards I had an appointment with Dr. Stowers. I have pre-op tests next week and have to send in a questionairre to the psychologist for the psch eval. I am so excited!:w00t:
texasteacher1970

texasteacher1970

1
 

A Busy Weekend

My friend, Valarie, and I have joined 24 hour fitness together. She has had her band for about 4 1/2 months and is doing wonderfully. We've gone the last 3 nights. We met with a personal trainer on Friday who "showed us the ropes." And both Saturday and Sunday we went up. We spent 30 minutes each night on the treadmill and and then spent a little time on the bikes (Sat.) and the ellyptical (Sun.). I also jumped into the pool to swim a few laps. OMG the water was cold! Once I was in it was fine but getting in was an experience. I warmed up nicely afterwards in the hot tub.   Tomorrow I have to get up early to go to my OB/GYN for my well woman. I'm still on my period (although it is tapering down). I will call at the morning to see if I need to come in or not. In all my 39 years, I have not come across this problem. In the afternoon I have to go to the hospital for my pre-op tests. It should be a busy day.   I am getting excited about surgery. I have soooo much to do before then though. This week I need to write 2 sets of lesson plans. One for the week I'll be gone and one for the week I'll return. I also need to put out a lot of fires at school. They're not a big deal if I'm there to deal with them, but I wouldn't want to leave a mess for a sub.
texasteacher1970

texasteacher1970

1
 

Step Two: Consultation Day

Spent two mornings at the doctor. Way to start Christmas Break!   Yesterday I went to primary doctor for a long overdue check up. She was very excited about me getting a lapband. We talked about my meds and what to do about my huge metformin and pretnal vitamins. My blood pressure pill will probably be OK but the other two are huge!   Today I went in for the initial consult at LapBand Soluntions. I didn't see the surgeon like I thought I would. Instead I saw a nurse practioner. We went over my medical history, the precedure itself, pre and post op questions, and lab requirements. I had an EKG and left with a list of blood tests to have done at Quest Labs. Not a real eventful visit but it was a step closer.   I think the next step is to meet with the surgeon and schedule the surgery itself. I think I'll also have a psych eval at some point. I've been talking to a lady at the office about January. She said they would extend their December special through January and she said I'd probably get in before the month is out. I'm projecting the last week of January. I figure I won't hear from the office until after Christmas (it's Tues. 22nd now). That only leaves a couple of days next week before New Years. It's possible we might squeeze in an appointment next week but I'm doubtful. It would be nice to squeeze in whatever appointments that are needed before school starts back on the 4th. Assuming I'm able to get all neccessary preop appointments in before the end of that first week, I should be able to have my surgery the week of the 25th.   Of course there is a lot of assuming going on on my part. I'm tempted to start a preop diet on the 4th as I always start a diet on the Monday we go back to school following Christmas Break...   Joyce
texasteacher1970

texasteacher1970

1
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