Pissed off

[Escape_Pod 358]

Escape Pod-so otherwise how did it go and how are you doing? Samantha-thanks for sharing your experiences

All in all, I'm very pleased with how it went. There was definitely more pain than I expected, but it's well managed by the pain meds. I spend a lot of time fighting to keep my eyes open, snatching sleep when I can, and I haven't passed the CO2 yet - I'm sure I'll feel worlds better once I do. At the moment I feel really bloated. I had the impression somehow that would happen sooner. But the incision sites are healing nicely, and I'm not having any trouble keeping anything down. There tends to be a bit of discomfort when I swallow, even really tiny sips, but then I burp and it feels much better. I'm hoping that will also pass as soon as the swelling goes down more.

I needed my husband's assistance at the hospital much more than i expected. The nurses were attentive but busy, so he spent a lot of time getting me fresh Water, ice chips, or pouring me 1-oz plastic cups of the beverage of the moment. He also brought me juice from home - everything on the bariatric clear diet was so chock full of artificial colors and flavors it was pretty awful. The doctor's clear diet list included diluted clear juices, so the nurses let him bring that in and it was MUCH better until my taste buds adjusted a bit. Also, one of the nurses trained him how to unplug everything when I was ready to do laps around the floor, and it was so much nicer to have him walk with me. I thought I'd send him back to work the first full day after surgery, but it was good to have him with me. He was pretty worn out by discharge.

I was VERY glad my surgeon plans a more generous 2 nights in the hospital. After the first night the thought of trying to manage from home was a bit scary. I don' t know how people get through the first few days without a hospital bed that adjusts position at the touch of a button, (it HURTS to get up) and it was comforting to have someone keeping a close eye on my vitals, etc.

They transitioned me off the IV drip medications to be sure I'd be fine on oral pain medication and without the nauseau drips before I went home, but I still ended up with the worst Migraine of my life within hours of getting home. It was a lot of work battling the nausea and pain so I didn't throw up, but I got approval to supplement the prescription pain meds with liquid tylenol in between, and after a few hours began to feel human again.

[Margaret 4]

good luck to you tomorrow!

I felt exactly the same way - I didn't feel like I had any symptoms of sleep apnea, nor did my husband, and he has severe apnea! It all seemed like an absurd waste of my time and money. But after a week on a CPAP, I have to admit I waken in the morning more ready to get out of bed (and not just because I want the #$^#$(&$ thing off my face - lol!). My surgery's tomorrow, and I'm getting very nervous, but the EXTREMELY thorough testing is comforting at this point - I know my surgeon did everything conceivable to make sure I come through this safely. Hopefully in a few months I'll be able to stop using the CPAP!

... of course, that doesn't mean you don't get to gripe about it a bit!

[Lilu 65]

So I went for my last pulmonology appointment today to get my clearance for surgery. All of the sudden I have "sleep apnea". I'm so pissed off. I actually wonder if sleep Apnea is overdiagnised. I feel like WLS surgery is big business and all of these specialists just want their cut of the money. I don't know any other people who had to have 4 pulmonary and 4 cardiology appointments. And no, all these appointments are not required by my insurance. And my surgeon only requires the clearances. I feel like all these so called specialists just want to bill my insurance repeatedly. So now I have to have another sleep study tomorrow night wearing a mask. I'm really kinda pissed. Thanks for listening.

Well Debbie,

I know how pissed your are, but take it from me these clearence are so important to you as well as your doctor. If you ever saw my pre-op hell you will see that I complained that every test I did I was found with something wrong I have had my sleep apnea since March and I have yet to get my okay. I have more problems with the CPAP machine than when I did not have it.. I over sleep now and have a terrible cough. But I have not stop I really want this surgery. If the doctor tells me to jump hops that is what I will do. Because I was also giving the bad news that I have a stenious in my left side of the brain. So I will found out if it is a yes or no in July 8, 2011. If the doctor would not have asked me to get those clearence I would not know and could have had a stroke.

Finale my advice is do all the doctors asks and be truthful about your health because you never know what can be hiding. Good Luck.