Any Roanoke/Salem, VA sleevers out there?

[fotogrphr 69]

I am in Salem, and going to Roanoke Memorial Carilion Hospital for my surgery. I am using Dr Lucktong. Just wondering if there is anyone else from this area? If so, what is your story.

[slvrsax 301]

I lived in Roanoke from 1996 - 2008. I attended Lakeside Baptist Church and worked for a few law firms and Mayor David Bowers in downtown Roanoke. Nice quaint little town but I don't miss it! I'm in Seattle now.

Good luck with your surgery! I looked into gastric bypass in 1998 and at the time there was only one surgeon in town and a huge waiting list.

[marfar7 1,533]

I lived in Wytheville (about an hour west of Roanoke) from 2000-2009. Roanoke was the BIG city! I'm now in So Ca (hubby got a job near Wytheville). While I miss the biscuits and gravy, I don't miss the snow!

I lived in Roanoke from 1996 - 2008. I attended Lakeside Baptist Church and worked for a few law firms and Mayor David Bowers in downtown Roanoke. Nice quaint little town but I don't miss it! I'm in Seattle now.

Good luck with your surgery! I looked into gastric bypass in 1998 and at the time there was only one surgeon in town and a huge waiting list.

[fotogrphr 69]

They've come a long way since then. Roanoke Memorial is a "Bariatric Center of Excellence" now. They have a whole division with a team of 5 or 6 surgeons now. They also have a special section on the 10 th floor for just bariatric patients. There is a whole team of specialists that work together to speed up the process. Nutritionist, Psychologist, PA, NA, etc.... great set up. I have been pleasantly surprised at the whole experience. I get my sleeve on the 20th.

As for your church, my family's business was just down the road from there. Thompson's Men's Clothing Store. Small world, huh?

[fotogrphr 69]

Biscuits and gravy are great, but are one reason I need a sleeve.

[tarahuff82 7]

I am in Salem, and going to Roanoke Memorial Carilion Hospital for my surgery. I am using Dr Lucktong. Just wondering if there is anyone else from this area? If so, what is your story.

hello I'm in Roanoke. Waiting to get the approval from my insurance company currently, sent letter out on Feb 4th. Hoping it won't take long to hear back. I'm having Dr Kinga Powers do my sleeve gasterectomy.

[fotogrphr 69]

I considered using her, too. I ended up with Dr Lucktong because 2 of my doctors recommended him. I had my surgery on 1/20 and I'm doing well. Surgery went great and I was home in my own bed by noon the next day. The surgical team was great and I was well cared for.

Have you been to support group yet?

[tarahuff82 7]

I am currently waiting to hear back from my insurance company. They received the letter on 2/4/14 so fingers crossed here!!! What insurance do you have? I have UHC plus. And I def have everything needed to get the sleeve. I was going to go with Dr Lucktong originally but they cancelled my appt 1 day before I was scheduled and mind you I waited 4 months to get that appointment and I was soooo mad so I said I want Powers now. So I have her and I love her. I haven't gone to any of the group meetings yet, Kay the dietician is always mailing me them but my job is just soo demanding that it's hard to make time. So you did good with the surgery then? No regrets ? Did they test you for nicotine before your surgery? I quit smoking over a year ago but I am always around second hand smoke and that is the only thing I'm worried about is testing positive and them canceling the surgery. Can you tell me everything they had you do before surgery? What does the liquid diet consist of? How soon did they schedule your surgery after getting the OK from your insurance company? Any and all info will help me a lot. Thanks in advance!!!

[fotogrphr 69]

I have Anthem insurance. They sent it in on Monday of Christmas week and I got my acceptance that Thursday. That was with Christmas between. My surgery was scheduled for 1/20 as soon as I got my notice. I only had to lose 5 lbs. So I had plenty of time. I did the two week liver reducing diet pre-surgery. I drank 2 shakes and had a lean cuisine for dinner. If I really needed more, I could add a boiled egg, or a tossed salad, or a 100 calorie yogurt. The first four days were the toughest. It got easier after that. If you drink coffee or soda, switch to decaf/caff free asap. You might need to do 1/2 caf first to wean yourself off. Once you are on Decaf, work on giving up soda altogether. You need to give up carbonation pre-surgery. Your sleeve won't tolerate it. I admit to drinking decaf coffee, though. It does fine for me, but everyone is different.

I actually gained 8 lbs. in the hospital. IV fluids and TOM just did a number on me. It came back off in a couple of days, though. I went in at 5:15am on Monday, and was in my bed at home by noon on Tuesday. I did really well so they told me I could leave if I wanted. I did because I just couldn't get comfortable in the hospital bed. I am kinda tall, 5'9", and I felt like I was sliding into the footboard. The worst part of it all for me was the sore throat from being intubated. Take chloraseptic spray to help this. The only other problem was Constipation from the pain meds. Don't wait to take something!! The meds WILL cause this. Even with taking something it took me 1 1/2 weeks to go! It was awful. I had slow kidneys but was ok in a few days. The anesthesia can affect organs like this. It takes a little time for them to wake up. Don't freak out if it's hard to pee. I did a bit, but it got a little easier each time I went. They hadn't catherized me during surgery, so I don't know if it had anything to do with it or not.

If you have more questions, feel free to ask.

[tarahuff82 7]

Thanks for all this info. This is def helpful. Can you tell me from the morning you got there what everything they did until your surgery ? Also what about the smoking issue that I asked you about, I just don't want to risk my surgery being cancelled due to second hand smoke. Did they test you for nicotine? I'm sooo excited for this. I hope my insurance decides soon. And did they send you a letter in the mail of approval also or did the office call you and tell you? The liquid diet is def not what I was thinking it would be haha I literally thought it was only liquid haha. I was required to lose 11 pounds prior to surgery and I've lost 17 so far. So I'm good on that thank goodness. I'm so glad that I met someone who is also using CRMH bariactric team as me.

[fotogrphr 69]

They didnt test me for nicotine because I have never smoked and am not around it. Dont know if they test smokers. They did give me a pregnancy test even though I had started. I did not get a letter from insurance. I have an online account and it showed up on there.

The day of surgery they took me to a prep room that was just like a private room. A nurse stayed with me the whole time. She gave me the pregnancy test then I changed into a gown that she hooked up warm air to. She had me get in a hospital bed. I had to put on a surgical cap and someone came to scrub my abdomen (even though they had me shower with scrub the night before AND the morning of surgery). She hooked up my iv and gave me a shot of heprin in the stomach. It wasnt as bad as it sounds. She chatted pleasantly to keep me calm. She let my hubby come in withe then. She asked lots of questions. The doc and anesthesiologist both came in to go over things. I watched tv a few minutes and they came in to get me. I kissed my hubby and they wheeled me away. I got into the OR and the team took over. They all started introducing themselves and telling me their part in the surgery. They asked if I was nervous and I said no. They asked if I was ready and gave me something in my iv. That was it. I woke up to a nurses voice telling me to breathe. I got out the word 'husband'. Next thing I knew he was there. He told them to turn me on my side and they did. Next thing I knew I was in my room. I slept a lot but needed to spray my throat. They ordered chloraseptic for me. It was that night before I got ice chips. I had taken biotene spray for dry mouth do I used that too. They came in during the night to check on me and give me meds. I took earplugs and an eyemask so I could sleep. It was the best thing I packed! The next morning I was given some liqiuids to be sure I could keep them down and allowed to walk the halls. They released me about 10:30 or 11am. That was it!!

[tarahuff82 7]

Thank you!!! I actually came home this evening from work and found a letter in my mail from UHC stating I'm approved for surgery !!!! I hope they call me soon and schedule it. Did they test your pouch for leaks before you were discharged? I was under the impression that they did a CT scan to see if there are any leaks the day after surgery. How much weight have you lost so far ? Omg I'm soooo uber excited to get things rolling. Now that I'm approved what is to come next? I'm so glad to have found you on here, haha and just tell me if I'm bugging you with all these questions, well thanks a bunch for all the info you're awesome!!! Hey maybe we will run into each other at the meetings. I do believe I have to attend those after surgery

[fotogrphr 69]

Congrats!! Yay!! I called Missy as soon as I found out and she got the ball rolling. The scheduler got back with me a couple of days later to set the date. It will go smoothly now.

I will probably go to group on themorning 3rd Monday of March. I have a conflict on the evening time.

[fotogrphr 69]

You will be scheduled for any tests you need. I had an ultrasound and echo stress.

Highest wt 325

Presurg wt 288

Day of Surg wt 283

Current wt 265

It has been one month today.

[fotogrphr 69]

Oh, and the tested my sleeve for leaks during surgery. I know Lucktong does this but the others might be different. He did not leave a drain in or catherize me either.