PennyS

Just thought I'd take a second and introduce myself. I've been lurking here for a little while. I have a consultation set up for July 20th with a doctor in Louisiana. I will find out that day when they can schedule me to be sleeved. I'm excited, nervous, and scared! I'm so ready to have a date set, but I have a ton of questions that I will be posting soon. I just need time to think of all of them so that I make sense when I do post. If anyone has any good advice on what I should do to prepare my home and my family for the post op and living after surgery, I'd appreciate it. I'm sure someone else has already asked everything I can think of to ask, but I'll probably ask it again!!!! I am looking forward to getting to know all of you lovely peeps as the days move closer and closer for me. Penny :scared0:

I am trying to set up a surgery date with Dr A. Can anyone tell me what pre-op changes and diets that want me to do? Trying to stop smoking as we speak.. I don't know if they will do it if I smoke.. Nasty habit, i know... I'm seriously trying to stop as we speak. I'm down to half a pack instead of a little over a pack a day. Low Fat and Low Carb High Protein Diet Pre op is this correct.. Anything ya'll can tell me to help me out in preparing, I'd love to hear. Thanks for all the great info I'm sure I will be getting.. Hugz Penny

Susan, I have a question for you, sorry to taking over the thread to ask, but here goes... How was your flight back from surgery? I'm dreading that most of all. I have to fly all the way to New Orleans from San Diego. I don't know how long each flight is, but I worry about blood clots. Flying makes me swell up so badly... I just hope that I can get a seat where I can easily get up and move around. I'm flying Southwest and there are no first or business class seats.. so I need to protect my tummy from the seat belts also.. Any advice would be appreciated.. Thanks, Penny~

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience and you should definitely post it here. People need to hear the good and the bad, to make informed decisions. I hope that you are on the road to recovery soon. Hugz, Penny~ PS: what does KWIM mean? totally have not clue at all..

ALright, ya'll, I'm going to grocery tomorrow to pick up some things to have on hand after I return from my surgery. Please tell me some of the protein things you buy and how they are. Also I need to know about things for the full liquid phase. I know I need 1) gas x for after surgery 2) should i buy liquid imodium just in case for the flight home? 3) Heating pad to take to Mexicali 4) a small fan for hospital in case it is too hot for me.. I STAY HOT!! 5) comfy clothes to wear home, robe, slippers, and pj's for hospital 6) reading material.. 7)snacks for plane.. OH WAIT I CAN"T HAVE SNACKS COMING HOME!!! 8) Sugar free jello and sf jello puddings-- are these full liquid phase? 9) popsicles.. I hope I can do these.. sf of course.. what about fudgsicles? SF? So far that is all i know to take.. I need to get protein samples from different places.. Where on line can I get samples and whose do ya'll like the best.. easiest protein to get down that is clear is what I would prefer.. I hate Milk, Ice Cream, or anything like that.. so need proteins that can be mixed in water... Chicken broth?? make at home or buy.. IF make at home.. Can i put things in to flavor it, ie: onions, garlic, celery??? I drink a lot of water everyday and do we have been doing decaf tea here for a few years, but I always go to sonic for a glass of tea to take to work for me in the am... I guess I'll go to sonic of a glass of their great ice to put my decaf tea in from now on.. How long til we can have caffeine again? I love the tea at sonic.. Yeah i get unsweet.. love love love it... Thanks.. I'm sure I'll have more questions and will post them as I think of them.. Hugz, Penny~:001_smile: isn't this smiley just adorable?? love him

Sorry, I am an old folk!! LOL I ususally do the size 3. is that a good one? Thanks for all the information VA. I'll check out the syntrax? forgot who to spell it.. I'm getting more nervous and excited everyday... :001_smile:

Christina, I'm worried about hair loss also, I love my hair.. the one thing on my body that I absolutely would NOT Change! My sister is taking Biotin vits. I'm going to get some this weekend and start taking them as soon as I can after surgery also. Angie, My surgery is the 29th also! good luck and keep me posted on how you are doin> Both of you, welcome to the forum, I'm new here too, only been here a couple weeks. I look forward to getting to know everyone of the wonderful people here. Hugz, Penny~

Our layover is only a little over an hour, but I'm thinking of changing my flight on the way home for a day layover in Vegas. I'm going to wait until a day after surgery to decide. I don't knwo if I will be up to it just then or not. IF I am, then my husband will catch a flight and meet us in vegas so he can show her Vegas Proper!!! We love Vegas, I was there 6 times last year and he was there 4. Only been twice so far this year, because of the economy. But looking forward to being there in October for him and November for me. Who am I kidding, I'll probably go with him in Oct and he will probably decide to come with me in November. LOL I just wish we were flying in at night and she could see the lights at night. Most Beautiful!! I'll keep ya posted on if we can swing a day there and if so, I'd love to meet you and the bearded one.. Hugz Penny~

Thanks for all the well wishes ya'll.. I will have my passport next Wednesday, there is a governmental passport office in New Orleans that can do it the same day that I come in. I have to set up an appointment with them, but then I will have it in around 2 hours. I've got my flights arranged and things are coming together.. Mailing the deposit check to hold the OR in the morning.. Then it is "hurry up and wait" time, as my dear Mother would have said.. Went to get another original of my birth certificate today, and the lady says, "I am sorry we are all out of BIRTH PAPER"!!! I roared with laughter.. Never knew there was such a thing as "BIRTH PAPER".. it tickled me big time.. They ordered some and should have it tomorrow.. so off I'll go again to see the lady about that "BIRTH PAPER".... My neice is going with me to Mexicali and she is so excited to be going.. we have to change planes in Vegas going there and returning home.. LOL she cant' wait to "see" vegas.. I'm goin to have to take her to see the real Vegas when I feel better and can get around good. She is such a doll to be going with me.. Talk to ya'll later, Hugz, Penny~:001_smile:

Monica called and said to be there the 28th for pre op testing and surgery is scheduled for the 29th!! Can I tell you how REAL this finally feels?? It didn't really feel that way until just now!! I can't believe the wait is almost over.. Thanks for listening!! I am so excited.. I am so excited.. WOOOO --HOOOOOOOO:w00t:

I appreciate the suggestion. I would rather be 10 hours early that one minute late for anything.. I hate being late with a passion.. Got that from my Mother, definitely! I'll look forward to seeing you in Mexicali!!! I have to go to vital records tomorrow get a birth certificate, mine is a certifcate of live birth and it isn't the same thing.. Sheesh.. So I'll be driving to New Orleans unless they will let someone else pick it up for me... My husband;s family live there.. they could get it, bring to me.. Getting all my passport information ready to submit as soon as i have birth certificate in my hands... I think they will expedite. but no way I'll have it before the 27th. I'm leaving in God's Hands.. He will make everything come together for me as long as I keep trying.. Talk to ya'll again soon.. Hugz, Penny~

Welcome WhiteRice! I started researching and wanting to have this surgery over a year ago, but finally talked my husband into it just about 7 weeks ago. I'm very blessed that he loves me just as I am, but I want to have more energy and be able to do more things than I am able to do right now. You will get tons of information from the people here.. so again, welcome and good luck on your surgery. Hugz Penny~

Hey Chas!! We will have to get "before" pictures together.. Sounds like I should book a flight for two days before then.. I'd love spending the night in San Diego! Can't wait to meet you! Good Luck and keep in touch!

PS; My husband is getting soooooo lucky tonight!!!!:thumbup:

So glad you are alert and with us this morning. I was worried about you. Didn't have any information about you yesterday! Will you be going home today or tomorrow from hospital? Let us know when you get home and how you are feeling then. sending you postive thoughts for a speedy and uneventful recovery. Hugz, Penny~

Just got an email from Nina and she said the 29th is open if I'd like to come on the 28th and that I would be headed home on the 1st. She is going to check for me and see if they will extend the July price until August and if so, they are going to try and get me in on August 5th.. Woo Hoo. It is all beginning to come together. Does anyone know if what they are telling me about getting across border with receipt of passport applied for, birth certificate, and photo id is correct.. I do not want to get stuck.. Monica says they will smuggle me back across if not allowed to cross with the above mentioned items. I think she is teasing me. LOL

Thanks! I'll be looking for the information from Nina and if I have more questions, I know where to find people in the 'know'! I appreciate ya'll taking time to answer my questions. I'm just trying to figure it all. Seems I think of nothing else all the time right now.. night ya'll Penny~

Thanks, I'll email her and get the infomation she has to send out. The earliest arrival time I can have for San Diego is 10:45 arrival. That would mean I only have 15 minutes to depart the plane and find the gentleman sent to pick me after getting my luggage.. I'm gonna be in big trouble! no way i'll be ready to be picked up at 11 am.. I'll have to speak with Nina or Monica about that when I talk to them tomorrow... I'm so excited that I'll be getting a date tomorrow.. I can't wait!!!! Hugz, Penny:biggrin0:

Oh I forgot to ask, did ya'll book a flight to get in San Diego the day before the procedure or the day before that day?? And booking for coming back, do you book it the day you are released from hospital or the day after that?? Just not sure when to look for airline tickets..

Bearded did they require you to stop smoking, or did you decide on your own to stop? I've been cutting down for the past month. I do a little better every day. I'm nervous and excited. I will find out tomorrow if I meet their criteria and they will schedule me.. I'm shooting for the 29th of July or the 5th of August. I'll know when Nina or Monica call me back in the morning.. I'm all ears for any and all advice ya'll have to offer. What do I take with me to the hospital? do you get there the day before surgery or the day before that? DO you fly out the same day you are releasesed or do you stay a night and leave the next day? Did anyone go without a passport? They keep telling me the receipt where I applied, my birth certificate, and a photo id are all I'll need... Please advise.. Thanks again!!!!:lol0:

Amanda, I'm wondering how you are doing. When you feel up to it, please post and let us know how everything went. I've been sending up prayers for you and your surgeon this morning.. Thinking of you. Penny:biggrin0:

Oh Judy, your mom will definitely need you by her side at a time like this. I know you are disappointed, but you will be having yours before you know it. You are an angel for you mom right now and you will be rewarded for the love and support in so many little ways. You only have one Mom, so cherish her while you can. I will be keeping your and yours in my prayers. Remember there are people around that you can lean on at a time like this, don't be afraid to do it! Hugz, Penny

Amanda, are you getting nervous? I know you have to be because I am getting all nervous and excited for you!!! Let me know how your surgery turns out. Is Dr Cunningham who you are using? I know you said but I am too lazy this morning to look it upl I've been hearing good things about Dr Cunningham. Keep in touch! Penny :001_smile:

I haven't told many people about mine yet. I'm waiting to make sure the consultation, pshyc and lab work is all good. I'm pretty sure it will be but just in case, I am keeping mum. My hubby is afraid for me to have the surgery and I keep telling him most people don't have complications, but he is worried. Says I don't eat hardly anything as it is, and they are going to do something to make me eat less. Thinks I am going to starve to death. I guess he doesn't pay much attention to what I eat during the day. It's not a lot of food, just bad choices, but I'm working on that everyday as hard as I can right now. I'm just going to take it one day at a time and work on what I can. You are doing great!! Sipping water at a shower is very very hard to do. One more and you are home free. I am so excited for you, because I know how much and bad I want to have mine done. I'll be praying for you this week. Let me know if there is anything at all that I can do for you, I'm not too far away if you need something. My consultation is just over a week away.. Hopefully I'll have the chapters of paperwork filled out before then. Man it's a lot of things to fill out.. Take care of you and keep me posted.:bored0:

If things will pick up at work, I'll be in Vegas in October and in November...Would love to get together with you and maybe play some bingo at the Plaza!!! They are actually having a big tournament in November, but the economy has been so very iffy here and we own our own business and and and.. well I think all of you know how hard it is to be in business right now, especially a small business. Things are tough all over. But I keep thinking of all the money I'll be saving on eating out and groceries, so that alone should pay for my trips!! I'm glad to hear that everyone is doing well after surgery. Sending love and prayers to all of you recovering. Hugz, Penny:tongue2: