Got my surgery Date - December bandster

[Evathenurse 0]

Hey everybody my official surgery date is December 15, 2006.:banplease: I have to go for my pre-op appointment on December 7,2006 at 9:00am. I'm so excited!!!! Please stay in touch, but most of all remeber to keep me in your prayers...... :amen:

Thanks in advance Evathenurse:cheer2:

[Kaydotrn 1]

Hello to all the newbies on the thread..Welcome!!!

Beversman-I just spent way too much of my life reading all that drama (I am terribly nosy and could not pull myself away). There is one in every bunch. I am impressed that she can be online that much and still have the sex life she claims to have. We should all be so lucky. haha.

Angyl-where did you find that video on anesthesia? I too am really nervous about going under. I ammore worried about the anesthesia than I am about the surgery itself. Please rub off on me since I want to feel more at ease too!

Nathalie-poopy stools and smelling like swamp rats? Where do I sign up for that procedure? It sounds like a great time.

I am sorry to hear about your bad time with the casseroles and Cookies. Sh#t happens. Tomorrow is a new day...dust yourself off and start fresh. We have all been there or else we wouldn't all be here, right? Hang in there!!!!!!

Ariel-my local connection I hope you are getting as excited as I am!

I have to get a tooth fixed next week.. I hate the dentist and have embarassingly neglected my dental care and now have this icky tooth I need to have fixed before I can have my surgery. I feel like an idiot. But I broke down and got the appt and I will be getting a lovely root canal next week. yay for me. I will then have my pre-op appt the following week and should be a "go". :::fingers crossed::::

Good night all!

[angyl2314 1]

I just googled anesthesia and found a lot of FAQ sites. As I explained, I was just really confused on what its function was, so it was my own ignorance that was scaring me. I have been verbally expressing my fears, instead of bottling them up, which is helping a little.

[beversman 0]

Me again --

And Beversman? Stop fussing with the trolls!

Nathalie

HA. I promise.

[beversman 0]

I just googled anesthesia and found a lot of FAQ sites. As I explained, I was just really confused on what its function was, so it was my own ignorance that was scaring me. I have been verbally expressing my fears, instead of bottling them up, which is helping a little.

please share what you discovered... i've been nervous about it as well... it always helps to hear it from someone else... no matter how much you read about it :-)

[Nathalie 4]

Thanks for the support December Bandivas!

I've never been nervous about anesthesia. So I don't need to read what you've found or I'll START being nervous about it! HA!

I had my gall bladder out in 2005 (I was 24 weeks pregnant), and I was "sleeping" during my c-section because the spinal didn't work. I've never had problems with anesthesia, and as a matter of fact the anesthetist is one of my favorite people.

I'm feeling better this morning. About to make myself a Protein Shake and toddle off to work. I definitely got the bloat, but honestly, I have until Friday morning to tighten back up. And then it gets REALLY serious.

Have a great Thursday!

Nathalie

P.S. DS is Duodenal Switch. My surgeon recommends it when people are 400 lbs or more. Here is information on the uncontrollable gas, undigested poop and swamp ass.

http://www.duodenalswitch.com/faq/faq.html#13

The infamous “intestinal bypass”, first done in the 1950’s, is no longer performed; this is the procedure that many people are referring to when we hear horror stories of severe diarrhea and malnutrition. Modern obesity surgery has progressed beyond the point of causing these very unpleasant effects.

It is true, however, that because of the reduced absorption of nutrients and fats after a distal gastric bypass, patients can experience loose stools and bad-smelling flatulence -- but this problem generally improves and resolves itself within 6 months after surgery. This doesn’t just affect duodenal switch patients -- it can affect anyone who undergoes a distal bypass.

There are several remedies that you can use to minimize the problem:

• Avoid high-fat foods. This is probably the most effective way to combat the problem. Many people report that they suffer from this problem most when they eat fatty foods. Through trial and error, you will learn what your system can and can’t tolerate.
  
• Devrom chewable Bismuth Subgallate tablets. These “internal deodorant” tablets were initally devised for ostomy patients, but many gastric bypass patients report that they see great improvement in bowel odors with the use of this product. The manufacturer, Parthenon, Inc., accepts online orders for Devrom chewable subgallate tablets.
  
• Chlorophyll tablets. Some patients report that taking these tablets on a regular basis helps to combat offensive intestinal gas odors. One brand that has been recommended is “ENNDS”.
  
• Activated charcoal tablets. These tablets are claimed to reduce the amount of intestinal gas produced. One brand that has been recommended is “Charco Caps.” Warning: Activated Charcoal may absorb medications (such as heart medicine or birth control pills). Consult your physician before using these.
  
• Ozium odor eliminator is widely reported to be very effective in erasing odors from the air around you. Ozium is sold in a tiny canister, small enough to hide in purse or pocket, and can usually be found in discount stores such as Wal-Mart and K-Mart, as well as in many car washes.

Too many people worry needlessly over this issue. You will learn how to minimize and cope (just as RNY patients must learn to minimize and cope with issues related to their tiny pouch). It’s not as if we’re all walking around, like Charlie Brown’s Pig Pen, surrounded by a cloud of odor. :-) Really!

[StephC 0]

:welcome: Victoria - nice to have you with us! Glad you could join our excitement!!!

[itsuptome 0]

Not sure yet how to copy posts for a response so Ill just respond. I read about your "cookie emergency" NGA and thought I would chime in...here are my 2 cents and I am on day 11 of my pre diet. I went 4 days without a single cheat and was so proud even through most of thansgiving, had my turkey I was allowed and sf cranberry Jello and sf cheesecake pudding then when the fam went to bed and I was sitting with my sorrow and lonelyness (sp?) and had a sliver of pumpkin pie manipulated me (I actually like pumpkin pie the least of all sweats, go figure) and force me to consume it. After I had a horrible upset stomach and felt generally terrible (wasnt sure if it was the self loathing or the sugar/flour that made me feel terrible) sooo, here is what ive learned....we are not gonna be perfect, if we could do a liquid diet without fail we wouldnt be seeking this sx right? I think the liquid diet is as much for our heads as our body, I have decided to not feel defeated about the cookie or the few other mishaps ive had, instead I really try to figure out why I felt I needed to eat or make a bad decision. through this process I have done alot of personal examination and learned alot about me and why I am here, why I eat and why I turn to food to make me FEEL better. I can tell you now I know this will work because I am facing my demons head on, I had to to stay on the diet. Now, have I been perfect? certainly not Ive eaten at resteraunts had a pb&j ate an eggroll and a few others but what ive learned was worth each "emergencie" I had. Take this as a learning experience and try some self examination it worked for me. Good luck to you!

[StephC 0]

itsuptome - thank you for that post. We aren't perfect and why we beat ourselves up constantly is beyond me. But the great thing is we are here for each other and to encourage each other - I find its much easier to resist cheating if I get on and read some posts. And I keep telling myself - this is the LAST - LAST - LAST diet I am going to be on!!!! My goal for the band is to learn to eat healthy FIRST - then if I want a cookie after I've eaten my Protein and vegies - maybe the band will let me have a bite and maybe it won't. But I promise myself that I won't have to diet like this again. Really its crazy - who in their right mind could actually live on Protein Shakes for any length of time without cheating? I don't care what kind of will power you have its impossible which is why we all know diets fail. I plan on making a lifestyle change - eat healthy, exercise and enjoy life. It is possible and we can all do it!

[beversman 0]

"swamp ass".... That name gives an effective visual.

[itsuptome 0]

You got it Steph, NO MORE DIETS EVER! Im gonna eat to live (as ww would say) not live to eat. Finally for the first time in my adult life!

[bandiva 0]

Hello Everyone. I am going to start my pre-op diet today to give me a few days wiggle room in case I need to make some little adjustments! Dr. Ortiz's office suggests, protien shake for Breakfast, protien shake and green veggies for lunch, and lean cuisine for dinner. Well, here goes...

Congrats to everyone on their dates. I can relate to the difficulty telling family. I am not telling mine until after. I told my kids, one is happy, one is very unhappy. I will just try to reassure him as best I can.

Have a great day everyone.

[angyl2314 1]

please share what you discovered... i've been nervous about it as well... it always helps to hear it from someone else... no matter how much you read about it :-)

A friend of mine who knows that I have been obsessing about this anesthesia thing researched for me and compiled the following information. It's lengthy but to the point...hope it helps:

Side Effects and Risk Factors:

• major side effects and complications from anesthesia are uncommon
  
• For healthy patients, anesthesia is so safe that it is difficult to measure the degree of risk any more. People with serious heart, lung or other disease, obviously, have an increased risk
  
• the risks associated with anesthesia and surgery increase in older people
  
• Overall, the mortality rate for general anaesthesia is about five deaths per million anaesthetic administrations
  
• Certain medical conditions, such as heart, circulation, or nervous system problems, increase your risk of complications from anesthesia
  
• Serious side effects of general anesthesia are uncommon, especially in people who are otherwise healthy
  
• most side effects of general anesthesia are minor and can be easily managed

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What happens during General Anesthesia:

• General anesthesia is given into a vein (intravenously) or is inhaled. It affects the brain as well as the entire body. You are completely unaware and do not feel pain during the surgery. In addition, general anesthesia often causes forgetfulness (amnesia) right after surgery (postoperative period)
  
• Inhaled gases are administered to patients who receive general anesthesia with "oxygen" being the most important gas

• The three main phases of anesthesia are induction, maintenance, and emergence
  
• General anesthesia is often induced with intravenous anesthetics, but inhalation anesthetics also may be used
  
• Because they enter directly into the bloodstream, intravenous anesthetics usually cause unconsciousness in less than 1 minute
  
• During maintenance, the anesthesia specialist maintains a balance of medications while carefully monitoring your breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and other vital functions
  
• For general anesthesia, once you are unconscious, anesthesia may be maintained with an inhalation anesthetic alone, with intravenous anesthetics, or most commonly with a combination of the two
  
• It also is common during general anesthesia for you to be given other medications intravenously to maintain stable vital functions and to help prevent or decrease pain or nausea after the procedure
  
• How quickly you emerge from anesthesia depends on the anesthetics and other medications used and on your response to the medications. Emergence from general anesthesia begins when the intravenous or inhalation anesthetic is stopped
  
• You will be closely monitored during emergence to make sure that you are breathing well on your own; your heartbeat, blood pressure, and other vital functions remain at normal levels; and your muscle control has returned
  
• Emergence does not mean you will have completely recovered from all the effects of anesthesia. Some effects may persist for many hours after anesthesia has ended; for example, you may have some numbness or reduced sensation
  
• However, if you experience numbness or reduced sensation that persists longer than expected, you should contact your anesthesia specialist

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Monitoring Agents During the Procedure:

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An ECG (electrocardiogram) monitor

Three sticky pads on your chest connect to a monitor which shows the electrical activity of your heart on a TV screen. This shows how fast your heart is beating, and allows the anesthetist to pick up problems such as an irregular heartbeat or signs that the heart is not getting enough oxygen.

A BP (Blood Pressure) cuff

This cuff goes round your upper arm. From time to time it will squeeze your arm tight, to find out the pressure of the blood in your arteries. It is important that this is neither too high or too low. An automatic blood pressure machine usually shows four numbers, the high, average, and low pressures with each heartbeat, and the heart rate.

A pulse oximeter

This is a device which goes on a fingertip or earlobe, and measures the amount of oxygen in your blood. It works by detecting a slight change in the blood color from the usual bright pink to blue as the blood oxygen level decreases, long before this change is visible to the naked eye.

A temperature monitor

This is an electrical thermometer which checks that you are neither too hot nor too cold.

A carbon dioxide monitor

This measures the amount of carbon dioxide in your breath, which shows that you are breathing adequately. It is connected to the breathing tubes coming from the anesthetic machine.

In addition to all these mechanical monitors, and the alarm systems built into the anesthetic machine, the anesthetist remains with the patient from the time the patient goes to sleep until he or she is safe and stable in the recovery room.

[StephC 0]

Ok so tell me if you think I am totally out there with this. You all know I'm doing my sucky pre-op, which consitsts of 2 Protein Shakes and a 300 cal dinner. So today I had other plans, dinner and a movie with dd. So I didn't eat all day, went to the 4:00 show and had buttered popcorn and Water (popcorn is in my top 5 fav. foods) then went to Eat n Park and had a chicken portebella salad with ff balsmic - the salad was 320 calories. Thats it, do you think I blew the day by not having the shakes instead of the popcorn? I didnt' eat a TUB but I ate a med. size bag - ugh! ok - so the worst of it is I don't feel guilty, kinda like.. ok so it wasn't a shake but I don't think it was a 1000 calories either. I have one more day - next wednesday - when I know I will "cheat" - am I horrible? It shouldn't hurt my surgery ... right? and I don't think dr marley will know unless he reads this - and if he's reading this ... (you are cute as a button!)

Which takes me to another poser... anyone crushing on the doc?

[beversman 0]

Steph dont worry... a day wont hurt a thing... just get back on the Protein Shakes tomorrow... you will be fine. Don't beat yourself up girl.

My doctor is married... lol... with a bunch of kids... BUT you crush on whoever you want; heck, ya never know!