Today I am 3.4 pounds from Onederland and just 6 pounds from my half way point. I just realized that at 197.4 I will be half way to goal weight! I have lots to be thankful for! My sleeve is a blessing!
I am back! Sorry if I worried anyone by my delinquent update! So here is my story:
I left Minnesota for Tijuana Mx on Jan 5th to have VSG with Dr Ramos Kelly on Jan 6th. I arrived safely in San Diego and just like Trish ( Dr Kellys patient coordinator) said the driver was waiting for me with my name on a sign. The driver was also picking up the other ladies from Canada who were having survery in TJ that very day with another doctor.
The driver took me directly to the Hotel Lucerna where Trish had already booked me and was waiting to take me to my room. For those using Dr Kelly - this hotel is very nice - has a nice gym (which I did not use but my sleeve sister Pam did), a beautiful pool area and 3 dining options. Trish got me situated and I tried to relax while I waited for my Sleeve Sister Davida (how also posts on this site) to arrive. In the mean time Trish went back to the hospital to pick up Pam to take her for her final leak test and bring her to the hotel. Trish wanted me to meet Pam so I could hear from her about her VSG which took place 2 days prior.
Pam arrived and I was amazed at how she said she felt little pain, no hunger and was pretty relaxed. She loved Dr Kelly and Trish and the new hospital that Dr Kelly is using. It really relaxed me talking to Pam! Dr Kelly came to the hotel to meet me and just introduce himself and to find if I had any remaining questions. (What US surgeon would meet you at your hotel (or home) the evening before surgery to go over questions??? None! Around 9:30 Davida arrived!!!! We had been exchanging phone calls, emails and texts for over a month and now we finally got to meet! She had brought her mother with her - Mom agreed to adopt me for the next 4 days. These ladies made this experience so much easier! I was blessed that they were there with me. We all settled into bed after 11:00 - the next day was surgery day!
8:00 Trish arrived to take Davida, Mom and I to the hospital: Florance Health Care/Oasis Hospital. I had at least 3 doctors visit me before I was rolled to the OR for surgery. All I remember is being on the table and then next thing I knew - I woke up and I am back in my room. Had I just really had surgery?? Mom was there rubbing my hand and saying a prayer and told me - it was all over.
AFTER SURGERY:
Day 1 & 2 - No one could have properly prepared me for the pain/medication/gas etc. Remember everyone is different - but I thought childbirth was much easier than this surgery! I do not like pain meds - I feel nausea from just about everything and the nurses where right there on a schedule giving me pain med, antibiotic, nausea meds etc. Never had so many meds! The hospital staff was amazing! They were there within seconds of me pushing the beeper! All except one could speak perfect English so that was never an issue.
Day 3 , Dr Kelly removed our drains and Davida and I were discharged and headed for our final leak test (3 total for me). After the leak test, which is very interesting to watch, we headed back to Hotel Lucerna. Every day Dr Kelly and Trish would come by no less than 3 times to check on us, bring us Gatorade, jello and our take home drugs. Pam was still at the hotel when we returned be cause she chose to extend her stay and take additional time to heal before returning to Canada. (no complications or issues - just her personal choice). It happened to be Pam's birthday so Dr Kelly and Trish bought her a beautiful flower display ! That evening we all gathered to share one bowl of chicken broth (Mom got to eat a yummy meal). It was hard to believe that 3 of us split a bowl of broth! lol.
Day 4: Trish and Sam (Dr Kelly's son) took all of us shopping and out for dinner. It really blows my mind how quickly you feel better after this surgery! We each had a bowel of Tortilla Soup (after Dr Kelly was called for approval) the soup was strained and there were no tortillas but it tasted perfect! Then we returned to the hotel and prepared to leave the next morning. Later that evening Dr Kelly came to the hotel to check on us one last time and to say our goodbyes! I arrived back in cold Minnesota at 8:00 pm. That part of my journey is complete!
Thoughts:
Dr Kelly - I cannot even begin to explain the kindness and care he provided to each of us. I have never received this type of treatment before and possibley never will again. He explained in detail what he was going to do during surgery and then after surgery he talked about how my surgery went and what he found inside me (my blood was thin and he had a harder time getting me to stop bleeding). He is very professional, thorough and patient!
Trish - This woman works more hours than I can imagine. She is so organized and also so comforting. She made this trip so much easier for me!
Hospital - The new facility was very nice - better than any hospital room I have ever been in. My room was clean and had the following: Hospital bed, dresser TV, comfy recliner and an extra full sized regular bed for patients who may have guests. The room had a very large bathroom and a nice window that let in the light. I think that 2 levels of the hospital are called Florence Health Care and the remainder is dedicated to Oasis of Hope an alternative cancer treatment center. There were lots of US patients in the cancer center. Now get this - your guest can eat in the hospital cafeteria the entire time for free!!
To sum it up - I would do the exact same thing over in a heart beat! I weighted 217 on surgery day and today weigh 211 so I am down 6 pounds. I am working hard to get my water and fluids in. Dr Kelly gave us a detailed take home diet to follow and I plan to stay as close to that as possible! Thank you for all of your prayers and messages while I was gone. I appreciate continued prayer during the next few recovery week.s. For anyone considering Dr Kelly send me a message if you have questions!
Kim
I have been pretty active on this forum and also OH. I have made many new sleeve friends while on this journey and I really value the experience of those who have gone before me and the thoughts and questions of those who are just starting this journey like me. One friend on OH has really inspired me to focus first about getting to goal and once there figure out how to stay there. Her exact words were: Just get your ass to goal and then figure out how to stay there. I like that that.
I know it is a challenge - I am a pretty straight forward, task oriented person. I will step up to the challenge. YES there will be pain and gas after surgery...to me that is an expectation. If by chance I am lucky and have smooth sailing all the better. But I personally have decided to expect it - not whine about it to my hubby, family, friends. I am knowingly putting my self in this position and its for the long run. I don't want to lose site of my goal. So if my pain is a day, week or month I will look at it as part of the journey. That pain and uncomfort are going to lead me to a much better place. I do not want to lose focus, I will work through it.
I have endured childbirth, a hysterectomy I am confident that I can do this. I know I will be nervous as I pack my bags and head out the door leaving my hubby at home. But I have to do this for me - I want to do this for me and I am going to do this for me.
Here it is Halloween 2010. In 66 more days I will be having my WLS surgery! Hard to believe but getting more real each day.
Next year at this time I hope to have lost 60 pounds by this date. That would put me at 177 - my final goal for now is 160, but who knows. This is a journey and I don't want to get to far ahead of myself. One week at at time or one month at a time is a good way to go. I have read all about post op diet, stalls, living, gas, acid.. and I think that mentally I am ready.
I am currently wearing a size 16 jeans and all tops are 1x or XL. I would love to be in a 12 or better yet a 10 at this time next year. I cannot remember the last time I bought a medium top - that would be SO exciting. My hubby is super supportive now pre-surgery and hopefully that will continue post op. I have found several websites with lots of post op recipes and food tips that I have bookmarked and will turn back to when the time is appropriate. I am excited, nervous and anxious!
I am worth this trip, cost, $$, time, effort and pain. I can do this ...I will do this.
I have scheduled my surgery today! It will be on Jan 6, 2011 - Happy New Year to me! Now I have to keep reading all the posts from those who have gone before me so I can prepare!
So today is Sunday and boy did the good Lord do his work for me today. I happened to spot a post by Sandy who works with Dr Ramos-Kelly a surgeon I had read about but thought I could not afford. THey were running a special for VGS for Nov and Dec, unfortunately I am going in January so it would not apply to me. I though I would call Sandy and discuss the VGS and Dr Ramos Kelly anyways.
Sandy was awesome to talk to and she informed me that the surgery I wanted was not as expensive with Dr Ramos-Kelly as I had thought. He is certainly worth the extra $300 for my anxiety and peace of mind. Sandy was kind enough to "Test" my FSA Visa card to put my mind at ease about paying for this surgery with my FSA - and I wanted to know before I deposited pretax $5000 over the course of 2011 into my FSA account. It worked... did you hear me IT WORKED. Sandy ran $10 through and it went right through. Which means after Jan 1st I can have this surgery!
I did not want to take a loan or loan from my 401K if I did not have to. Also this way it reduces my taxible income by $5000.... horray! As soon as Dr Ramos-Kelly approves my I am going to make my deposit and get my date held... January 6, 2011 sounds like a very good day ... Happy New Year to me!
I am getting there. I usually go with my instinct and I think my gut is right on this one...ha ha my gut get it?!! Little does my gut know that I am planning to cut 80% of it out and leave it in Mexico!
I am hoping to get my surgery the first week of January 2011 - Happy New Year to me - Happy New Beginning. Here is hoping that I am right about this - I am going with Dr Jaime Ponce De Leon - unless something drastically changes my opinion of him.
Have a great weekend all!
Kim
I am narrowing my choices of doctors down
Dr Jaime Ponce de Leon
Dr Rodruigez
Dr Alamaza
Hmmm I am getting feedback on each and references from the coordinator. Thought I had it down then read about Dr Jaime and see that he is a teaching surgeon and thought - if he is good enough to teach others maybe he's my man! I have pretty good instincts - Should I trust these? Was hoping for financing answer this week yet - if not I will just hold off until after January 1st and use my flexible spending account $$$ to help pay.
Here I am currently exploring WLS. I meet with a Dr at the University of MN on November 2nd - not sure if I will qualify for his program as I am currently at a BMI of 38. I need a comorbidity to qualify - I do take Metformin for pre-diabetes, have boarderline high BP and man my knees ache. But I am not sure this will qualify me.
I need to show proof of a 6 month diet plan - I have one from 2007=-2008 and 3 months in 2010 but suspect I will need 3 more documented months more recent. I have been a yo-yo dieter for years! I am at my highest ever and feel so depressed about my weight!
Super supportive hubby - already okayed me to go to Mexico if needed - just need to come up with $$. That is why I am hoping my insurance would cover the procedure. If they won't - I WILL FIND A WAY TO COME UP WITH THE$$$!
Love this site, so much support here.
