ewhitt

So I am from Ohio and I just started this crazy journey in April. I go to Dr Choban at Mount Carmel Bariatric in Columbus. I am super excited to have her as my surgeon, but I have had nothing but trouble with the office staff returning calls and such. I have whined and complained in other posts, so I won't go into it here. I was just wondering if anyone else out there goes to Dr Choban or is in the Columbus area?

So, I know there are a LOT of July 1 sleevers out here. Just wondering how prep is going? I have some Protein powders I like, some chewable Vitamins, and some b12 vitamins. I am stocking up on sugar free Popsicles and gonna start getting broth and creamy Soups this week at my grocery list. Now just to prep the house for mom being laid up for a week.

I had surgery on 7/1, and that first day was a big blur. The next day I was up and around more, but then threw up, so I ended up with a gastrographin swallow study the next am (7/3). It was not great at all! But the results were good, so I was happy about that. Doc said the edema was just bad the first few days, and that may come back at about 10-12 days (I don't know why, but I'm glad to expect it now). I'm heading home in about 1.5 hours. Will be asking for pain meds prior to trip, as I have a 2 hour drive home. Not looking forward to the trip, but super excited to be getting home. This has not been easy, but I didn't think it would be. It's a huge step, but I feel good about it. I am trying not concentrate on numbers just yet, but it does help to know that I am already down 18 pounds from my highest weight.

Thx for posting woman, as you know I am facing this as well. I think just taking some time will help us all, a LOT! I know what will help me, not having my vital signs done every four hours! Can't wait to bust outta this joint

Some docs had their patients clean with a antimicrobial soap, like hibicleanz or CHG

I'm on the sleeved side! After learning that I had lost over 10 pounds on the preop liquid, I felt really good! Surgery was quick! Follow up with the surgeon was with my family and also quick. Also the FIRST thing I asked from my mom when I got to the room, was Chapstick! Ahhhhhhhh! I'm allowed ice chips this evening, which taste delightful, but it no sitting super well at the top if my diaphragm. Owwww! Good luck to rest of our July firsters!

So... I slept very well last night. Until my alarm blared at 315! Hopped out of bed and took my magic soap shower. I'm on my way to the hospital now. Very excited! Very nervous. Very tired!

Thank you all for the sweet wishes!! And thanks sassy girl, for the honesty about what I am gonna be facing this week.

Me too! I'm at the hospital in gown and socks... Nervous, but excited! Oh crap, I forgot to remove my undies. Gotta go!

Oh yes, butterflies are totally there!!! Nothing else is! :-/. It's a huge step, but the right one. One foot in front of the other

Ok, so I just thought of this, and I may be way off base. But for the last three days I have been on liquid diet, to shrink my liver. So- I have an achy pain in my left abdomen. At first I thought kidney, but now I wonder if it's the liver shrinking. Am I way off base here?

No history of ulcers.

DOH! I knew that! I will blame it on having no solid food since Thursday. 8) Thanks!

Agh! I am tomorrow at 0800. Bags packed, kid safely at mamaw's house, bath tonight with weird surgery cleaner (and in the AM, overkill much?). All my support people in place. Ready to get er done!

I would have to have some heavy sedation to touch this anxiety! I'm nervous- it's such a HUGE step! I'm can't wait, but I am quite nervous!!

I get this comment a LOT! I am 5'9", so I have stretched 256 pounds over a large frame. Even the HR lady at my job, when I went to get FMLA paperwork- said "I can't believe you are having that surgery". I finally started answering with "I'm 33 years old, I have a BMI over 37%, I take 2 blood pressure meds, 3 cholesterol meds, my dad had a fatal heart attack at 40, and 7 more years is not enough for me to be with my daughter and husband". They usually agree that I am making an excellent decision.

I agree one hundred percent!

Well, just to clarify, I am CRAZY nervous too! Now, maybe it's the medical background, but I'm not nervous about the surgery itself. I am nervous about post op- the nausea, the pain, the potential for complications. I was told my doctor sends us out of recovery room with a PCA- an IV that we control. Most people would be pleased, but I'm thinking, they don't give a PCA to people with no pain. I'm trying to stay super busy this weekend, so I don't have a lot of time to worry!

AGH!!!!!!! I just got a call from the hospital. My originally scheduled surgery (arrive at 0730 for a 0930 surgery) was moved... UP! I will be leaving my house at 0400, to arrive at the hospital at 0600, to have surgery at 0800!!!! SO fricking excited at this point! I'm gonna have to start kermit flailing! I may pack a night shirt also, if they let me out of the "johnny"?? What the heck is that? I'm assuming hospital gown... but what language are you speaking love?

I have never heard of that word, but it is PERFECT! I am sending out random "ARGH!" texts to my friends (sorry Stacy), because I don't really know what to say, I just know I am feeling all sorts of wild today! I thought about a robe, but I don't know if I want something hot on me all the time. And I hate socks, so the slipper socks at the hospital will be bad enough, I'm not bringing more. I have my loose shorts, and my long maxi dress I am wearing to and from the hospital. THRILLED that my hospital has private rooms, so I'm not worried about whining too much about a roomate. I am worried about being the "nurse patient". Every nurse I know who has been a patient KNOWS we are terrible. I am going to try really hard to behave. My hubs is "anxious to get it over with", which is EXACTLY where I am too! ARGH!!!!! My countdown app says 2 days, 21 hours, 25 minutes... ARGH!

So, surgery is Monday, which makes today my last day of work. I have a busy weekend planned because I don't want to be sitting around worrying about this or that or the other. I am packed for the hospital. My fridge/freezer/ cupboards are stocked with clear and full liquids. I have completed my living will and power of attorney paperwork (I'm a nurse, so that was an extra that I just felt was necessary). My work desk is cleaner than it has been since i started in this office a year ago. And I still don't feel totally ready. I read post after post about the pre-op, surgery, and post-op. I know what size bougie my surgeon is using and am aware (although not pleased) that I will have a catheter, and a JP drain post op. (Cath comes out day 1 post op, drain goes home with me for 10 days). I know that my doctor doesn't do the barium leak test, but rather fills the stomach with saline in the OR and checks for bubbles. (Very pleased about that). My daughter knows that she will have to be gentle with mommy's tummy, and that I won't be able to pick her up or carry her for a while. My husband is resigned to the fact that I won't feel like cooking for a week or so, at least. I'm aware that my diet will dramatically decrease and my exercise must dramatically increase! I have struggled with the decision about whether to weigh daily, weekly, monthly, or not at all. I have crossed all my T's and dotted all the i's. I feel like this is similar to getting married or having a baby. I mean, we can read all the books, educate ourselves, but we won't know how exactly it will affect our lives until it actually affects our lives. Although I can't shake the "not totally ready" feeling, I'm not nervous. (Well, I am nervous about the hospitalization, but that's cuz nurses are the worst patients!) I'm not nervous about the surgery, and I'm only hopeful about the future. Thanks to all for "listening" and for holding my hand as I am preparing for this MAJOR step in my life.

I didn't do a will. Everything I own is (not much) and in joint ownership with my husband. I do know I need to get a will, especially because of having a child now. The paperwork I did do is called a living will and power of attorney. This indicates what my desires are in case I am ever in a permanent vegetative state or if I "code", or whatever. Also it touches on organ donation and the like. (which makes me wonder- would we be out for "stomach donation" just because our stomach is teeny?)

Realistically, you could be in an accident on the way to the hospital and not get to your surgery. Not trying to scare you, just saying that it really is important that your wishes are known. Very sad to see the things patients go through when their feelings are not clear. Doctors must error on the side of life unless your wishes are clearly known. (That soapbox sidebar was free!

GOOD LUCK!!! Post when you can.

Dr Choban is my doctor too!! I can imagine Sheila getting on to you about weighing too much. I am still preop (for a few more days anyway) but from what I have heard, a stall in the 2-3 week period is normal. I agree though about how past failures cause us to worry about the future and the potential to fail there too. But as they say- they operate on your stomach, the head work is up to us! I would love to chat more, since you are straight from Dr Choban and MCW. I'm getting ready to go there really soon!!