Kaiser SB

[Samym 19]

That is so good that you are almost ready for surgery. I didnt know there was a pre pre op appointment we did. My Surgeon said they would call and schedule my surgery and I have a final with him. I hope I do get more info on hospital stay and after care. I found out yesterday that Ontario finally opened up and started doing the surgeries. Im hoping to get my call soon. Good luck! Let me know how you’re doing and tips that worked for you.

[baritheri 14]

7 hours ago, Orinskye said:

I did my pre- pre - op class lol (so many hoops !)

It was like the online classes only they went over stuff that you need to bring to the hospital, pick up and drop off instructions, things that may happen after surgery, food basics for the first serveral weeks, they showed pics of the facility, they talked about cross addiction, the incisions and wound care, etc.

oh they also mentioned that you should take a picture of your Kaiser card and then have your person who is picking you up stop by the pharmacy and grab your meds while you are getting released. (Great tip!)

So ....relevant info..... it wasn’t too bad.
I also returned my wheelchair since I am walking better with the weight loss I’ve already had and don’t need it anymore.
I have my pre op appointment with the surgeon on Friday (in person). I plan to make some Protein sugar free Jell-O shots this weekend. I buckled and ordered some of the clear Isopure drinks online because the Premier Protein isn’t good for Clear Liquids stage. (Isopure has phosphoric acid in it which I’m not supposed to have, but my phosphorus levels are lowered since May last year and a little bit just during the clear stage won’t kill me).

in discussion during the online meeting I also realized that I might be too ambitious. I am getting surgery on Wednesday. My kids are spending the night elsewhere Tuesday-Friday. My plan was to pick them up on Friday but that only gives me a two day recovery before I’m in mom mode. Not to mention I’m not supposed to drive for a week. I don’t think that plan is realistic. So I made arrangements to have them stay with family until mid week the week after surgery. That will give me 1 week of recovery before I have to play referee between my 10 and 4 year old boys.

How exciting you are almost there!!!! Yes take a week off mom duties 2 days are not enough.... I am 2 weeks out and I am feeling great...i do see food and crave it ...then i remind myself that i struggle with Water and the cravings go away...my husband picked up my meds before picking me up... they didn't ask for my card but i think having a picture is a good idea... throught your stay there will be a nurse with u and she will be in constant contact with ur point person.. the staff is great! I STRONGLY recommend that you walk as much as possible as soon as you can.. picture urself walking to recovery... i lost 15 pounds the first week and only 4 week 2... so the first week is crucial... my surgeon checked in with me day 8 and switched me to the puree diet because it was so much weight for one week.... i went in at 210 currently 190.... he told me that the person who he spoke with before me had only lost 5 pounds and was still in pain because they were not walking.... yes it could be uncomfortable but the pay out is well worth it.... as of now its one of the best decisions 9 have ever made!!!

[Orinskye 165]

my pre op stuff seems to be more involved than baritheri (even though we are going through the same facility). But then I definitely have “the strict dr” so it is what it is.

How much walking do you do baritheri? Do you actually do walking outside or do you just walk around your house?
(I can get in about 3,000 steps a day because of my ankles and that’s when I feel good....😬)

[baritheri 14]

I walked for 20 minutes every 2 hours ... I started in my lawn ( day one and two post op)... i didnt want to pass out in the street. Then i moved to walk around my block.. now i go to the park. DEFINITELY DONT OVER WORK YOURSELF... if you work too hard one day u might not be able to move the next.

[Orinskye 165]

Met with the surgeon for pre-op today. He was super nice. I wish he would have done it over the phone though. That was a long drive in traffic to sit down and just sign consent forms.

I had to do another round of labs which I did on the way back, unfortunately I got the lab person who must have JUST passed the exam because I have NEVER had a blood draw be so painful (and I get my blood drawn every few months for the last 18 years). I am PISSED. She stuck the needle in at the wrong angle (which hurt) then she proceeded to move the needle and get the correct angle while the needle was still inserted in the vein... that wasn’t a pleasant feeling either. SHe scratched the skin on my arm with the needle when she removed it after the draw was done. And it is now almost 9 hours later and my arm hurts like hell around the site but also in my forearm area and elbow. The bruising hasn’t shown up yet but I’m sure that’s next.
if any of the nurses comment on it when I go in for surgery I will talk to someone about it, it was awful.
on the plus side: my blood pressure has never looked so good at 113/79

I am going to go on Clear Liquids Monday and Tuesday. I don’t have to do the five day liquid diet. No food or drink Tuesday after midnight. Then surgery on Wednesday (still don’t have a time yet- nurse will tell me Monday ). Oh I also get a covid test on Sunday as well.

I plan to make Protein Jello tomorrow to prep. I have my small cross body bag prepped with the few things I need. Countdown is on!!! 5 days!!!!

[Orinskye 165]

Tomorrow is the day!!!! My check in time is at 7:45am. I’m super excited!

i don’t know how people go on extended liquid diets prior to surgery though. I only have to do it for two days.... TWO DAYS!!! And I’m dying. It’s horrible. When I get hungry I get nauseous and so I’ve basically been sick to my stomach since yesterday. thank goodness I only have one more day of this. Oh and to add insult to injury: I dreamt about food😂

I dreamt I was eating warm oatmeal Cookies and then I woke up and freaked out for a minute because I ruined the pre op diet 😂 (the crazy part is that I’m not really a fan of cookies )

[Samym 19]

Hahaha you are almost done. So excited for you. Hope all goes well. Keep us posted.

[Orinskye 165]

I made some sugar free Jello Protein Shots today. I should have mixed in more Isopure powder. I only did 2 scoops and it equals out to about 1.6 G Protein per one ounce container (I ordered cheap condiment containers). If I had done one more scoop it would have been 2.5 g but I was worried about it dissolving all the way. It would be nice if it would dissolve enough to give me 5 g in each one.

[baritheri 14]

5 hours ago, Orinskye said:

I made some sugar free Jello Protein shots today. I should have mixed in more Isopure powder. I only did 2 scoops and it equals out to about 1.6 G Protein per one ounce container (I ordered cheap condiment containers). If I had done one more scoop it would have been 2.5 g but I was worried about it dissolving all the way. It would be nice if it would dissolve enough to give me 5 g in each one.

Woo you're almost there!!!! When your discharged they'll put a sticker behind your ear that will help with the nausea... try not to take then pain meds they give u... they are super strong... get urself some liquid tylenol in case of pain... i am so surprised at how smooth everything has gone... plan out the shows ur going to catch up on or get a book ... walk walk walk!!!

[Orinskye 165]

Believe it or not: I couldn’t find liquid Tylenol! I found some extra strength powdered Tylenol though (think pixie stix only medicine instead of sugar).

I have all my shows ready to go! And I borrowed a book from my mom I’ve been meaning to read (the stand). I also have my knitting project bag ready if I need to keep busy with my hands.

thanks for the support. It’s nice to have it. My husband is not supportive of this decision so I will get it where I can

[baritheri 14]

54 minutes ago, Orinskye said:

Believe it or not: I couldn’t find liquid Tylenol! I found some extra strength powdered Tylenol though (think pixie stix only medicine instead of sugar).

I have all my shows ready to go! And I borrowed a book from my mom I’ve been meaning to read (the stand). I also have my knitting project bag ready if I need to keep busy with my hands.

thanks for the support. It’s nice to have it. My husband is not supportive of this decision so I will get it where I can

After having gotten it... i dont understand how more people dont do it... perhaps one of the best decisions i feel great... all the bad food and alcohol gone... even my skin is looking better... i lost 15 pounds the first week, 5 pounds the second, i stalled this week ... but i hear that its common around week 3 ... removing all the bad is great.. youve made a great decision... a friend who got it years ago who suffered from diabetes and high blood pressure is no longer struggling with these conditions... you're brave youll do great!

[Orinskye 165]

1 hour ago, baritheri said:

After having gotten it... i dont understand how more people dont do it... perhaps one of the best decisions i feel great... all the bad food and alcohol gone... even my skin is looking better... i lost 15 pounds the first week, 5 pounds the second, i stalled this week ... but i hear that its common around week 3 ... removing all the bad is great.. youve made a great decision... a friend who got it years ago who suffered from diabetes and high blood pressure is no longer struggling with these conditions... you're brave youll do great!

Hopefully when he sees that it is the best decision I ever made he will feel differently about it and consider it for himself. He’s got a lot going on (out of work over a year due to covid, hes severely obese himself at probably 400 pounds.... so he may be feeling some jealousy..... he’s insecure.... etc.)

All his issues I can’t fix. That’s on him. Just like he couldn’t fix me and I had to do it myself and get the help I needed.

Im in this for me and my kids. I want to be able to PLAY with them. I chased my four year old for the first time the other day. He laughed like a crazy person. It was the most amazing feeling to be able to move more freely and not be in excruciating pain with each step. I guess everyone reaches their limit where they put their foot down and do something about it. I just reached mine before he did.

[baritheri 14]

2 minutes ago, Orinskye said:

Hopefully when he sees that it is the best decision I ever made he will feel differently about it and consider it for himself. He’s got a lot going on (out of work over a year due to covid, hes severely obese himself at probably 400 pounds.... so he may be feeling some jealousy..... he’s insecure.... etc.)

All his issues I can’t fix. That’s on him. Just like he couldn’t fix me and I had to do it myself and get the help I needed.

Im in this for me and my kids. I want to be able to PLAY with them. I chased my four year old for the first time the other day. He laughed like a crazy person. It was the most amazing feeling to be able to move more freely and not be in excruciating pain with each step. I guess everyone reaches their limit where they put their foot down and do something about it. I just reached mine before he did.

Sounds like a alot i commend you for taking this step towards your health... you're right he'll make the change when he's ready... indirectly i think the example your giving him is better than anything you could tell him... sorry if im over stepping... my name is beri theri... because i am a therapist ... and the therapist in me always comes out.... definitely focus on your journey right now!! Sending u positive vibes 🙌

[Orinskye 165]

Lol. I do not mind at all.

Your advice is valued and appreciated.

[Orinskye 165]

Surgery went well. I don’t know what I said or did while I was out of it, but everyone was all like “ohhhhh. I know YOU!” Do you remember me?!”🤨

My check in was 7:45, I don’t know what time surgery was because my phone was out away the whole time and I had no glasses on. But I finally got my phone back in recovery about 1:00.

im not doing too good on liquids/protein though. I got home at 5 pm and I have only gotten down about 10 ounces today. I pretty much passed out as soon as I got home so I have pretty much been asleep all day 🤷🏼‍♀️