Kaiser Richmond Pre-op

[riley4183 0]

I don't think that it happens very often - if it did, it would be in the binder - but Dr. Baggs had definitely seen it before. When he called me the day after surgery and I mentioned that it felt like he'd sewn a baseball in there, he specifically asked if the skin was red and warm to the touch. It wasn't at that point, but I'm glad he asked because of course when that happened later I knew to call. Here's to communicating with your surgeon!

How it happens - we will never know for sure, but I think I am predisposed to this kind of thing because I am allergic to iodine. The team was aware of this and did not use iodine or betadine or anything, but there are so many things in an ER that have it or some derivative of it on or in them - from instruments to sterile drapes - that it is impossible to avoid any contact whatsoever. And sometimes it just happens. Web MD has a good article on it. And I only needed the 1 round of IV antibiotics and 10 days of oral, and I never got a fever, so it was caught early and I did not have to stay in the hospital. In retrospect, no big deal - but it sure scared me at the time!! Glad it's over.

I started eating my Jello and I forgot to finish. Sometimes I feel hungry, but it is different and it generally goes away. When I eat (full liquids), I really do have to stop and re-assess after 4 baby spoons. sometimes I can eat 4 more and them wait and eat 4 more (that's the most), but sometimes I am uncomfortable after the 1st 4 baby spoons. Stopping after 4 bites is very very new to me, but it is keeping me from getting sick. I am still hanging on to 5 lbs. of the 7-15 that you gain in surgery, boo hoo! I am going to stop the narcotic pain meds when I get some liquid tylenol tomorrow, and hopefully that will help wash out that swelling and I'll like my scale again.

Goodnight all! Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers. Mine was a freak thing, and you will all do great!

Riley

[swrktp 1]

Riley that sounds scary. Something I worry about but not so much I am gonna cancel the surgery. Part of why it is good not to go back to work to quick!! I like that they responded so quick at Richmond Kaiser. Makes me feel like they are on top of things.

Christine and Nicole. I just checked my appointments and I have Tom so I am ok so far. But I will keep watching the website. All my appointments are on one day so I hop they don't change it.

So how was the group meeting today?? I couldn't go due to a sick kid but I am really curious how it went!!

[swishbc 0]

Infection is definitely something I worry about too, but I'm not about to cancel either! I'm glad that we know what to look for (but not glad that Riley had to go through it!) and it makes me wonder what would we do if this happened on a weekend? Are the surgeons on call for these kinds of situations?

Tina, I'm glad your appts are still intact! I got mine rescheduled for the same day and time with Tom so that was lucky!

The support group was great! I'm definitely going to continue going every month. There were some people that are 4 years out and are still attending monthly, it makes sense to me though since I'm going to be fighting a food addiction for the rest of my life...I might as well establish a wonderful support group now to motivate me and keep me accountable!

[riley4183 0]

I was worried that they would cancel my surgery all the way up until I walked into the OR and they were all waiting for me! It was just surreal and I could not believe that it was happening so quickly, and so easily.

I have 2 support groups that I attend weekly - a Tuesday night check-in and a Saturday AM activity group - and another huge one that I attend monthly. There is one gal in all 3 groups that is 11 YEARS out, boy does she have stories! She had bypass back when it was new, she had to stay in the hospital for a month and have drain tubes in her, and she has had 2 bowel obstructions that required surgery since. Boy has BS come a long way! Still, she swears she would do it again in a second. Her husband is awaiting his surgery at Kaiser Richmond, his appt. with Liz is April 11th and he has had a horrible time because his apnea is so severe. Anyway, I can't stress enough how important a support group is. I get to share my triumphs and my breakdowns with people who totally understand and totally care. I rely on them for everything, we cook and clean for one another and drive one another's kids around to school and activities and etc. It is EVERYthing to my success. So you girls keep meeting and keep searching for other groups that you click with, there is tons of support out there and it WORKS.

Having my sugar-free chocolate soy Decaf latte, like I did every morning before surgery. No problems! I was hungry when I woke up this morning, but so far the latte seems to be taking care of it. I have an insatiable urge to just lick a grilled hamburger patty! Pretty weird huh? Now THATS a new craving . . . .

Riley

[riley4183 0]

A word to the wise post-surgery ladies . . . . stay away from that darned food Channel! I was watching it while waiting for the Vegas NASCAR race to start (where all of my friends are without me!), and my favorite, Paula Dean was on doing long-lost dishes, and she just had to make my fave, biscuits & gravy. Well my stomach got to grumbling and my belly got to rumblin and I convinced myself that I could cook up SOMEthing Stage 2 to see me through . . . and i invented a recipe and went to the store and cooked up something that I will call "Cream of Jimmie Dean" which SOUNDS like it should be allowed on Stage 2! Can't be any worse than canned cream Soups, and I pureed the cooked sausage (which was reduced-fat) and it went down just fine at first, and definately satisfied the throbbing head hunger that the TV had brought on. But then it sat like a big sausage brick above my band for hours!! Whew I'm happy to be back on diet Jello and chicken broth. Darn that Food Channel! I know better!:party:

[swrktp 1]

Yea that head hunger can get you everytime. For me the weekends are worst when I am home most of the day and not busy with work or helping my daughter with school stuff. I have realized when I am bored the head hunger comes out......................with stress being the next thing that brings the head hunger on.

It is crazy because I will wander in and out of the kitchen thinking I want something to eat than realizing I really don't but it is a habit and crazy hard to break when I am bored.

I have just been going to bed when I get like that so I don't end up eating out of boredom. That works as long as I am tire enough to sleep.< /p>

Darned head hunger. I think the this is the worst thing about all this. Because for the most part I am not to hunger with all the Water and crystal light I drink!! LOL

Anyone else get this crazy head hunger stuff!! What are you doing when it strikes?

I can't wait for my surgery. It still seems a ways off but I am sure time will fly!!

I am so busy at work getting ready for vacation than back to work for two weeks than out for a month of recovery. I am planning a month off but if I feel better after two weeks I will go back than. We'll see how I feel.

Edited March 2, 2009 by swrktp

[AudsMom 2]

Riley I am so glad you are feeling better! I am very susceptible to infections also, It is a fear but not something I will cancel over. Otherwise i shouldn't have kiddos anymore lol. I was hospitalized for 7 days after my C with a wonderful infection.. But sucks to know dr baggs sees it...

I'm gonna start going to the group with Christine and Tina:) Sounds like Christine had a good experience.. I just had to work, well get ready for my party:D

I just realized this month is my surgery, OH GOODNESS! My wait was 2 months cause i have vegas in 2.5 weeks, this month is going to fly!!! Talk about nervousness..!!!

Brain hunger, well if my tummy isn't grumbling i try Water first... Atleast 16oz.. if im still hungry after that ill eat something:D But typically its gone. Oh in healthy ways the nurse said set a timer for 20 min.. :party: OH AND dont watch the food channel lol:D

Love ya girls, and I am so proud of all of us!! My presurg goal is to be down 50 lbs by the time 3/31 is here!! I know i can do it:D

[riley4183 0]

Yes you can do it for SURE, Nicole! You are a losing superstar!!!

[AudsMom 2]

Thank you, i need the luck!

This month I have Pre op classes meaning i wont be home to eat and then i have VEGAS for a week!!! oh goodness:D

Riley how are you feeling btw?? What is your menu like?

[riley4183 0]

Feeling better, I am at work this morning but Rr. Baggs called me at 8 and told me I could only stay for an hour . . . . the antibiotics make me feel like puking (I haven't), really lousy but only 1 more week of that. They smell exactly like my cat box . . . . TMI??? I had to quit taking the pain meds because they were giving me hallucinations! So Jr. Tylenol chews for me - grape flavored, YUCK!

I am on full liquids but try to make it Protein, so Soup soup soup. If it's thick (like spilit pea) I can only eat 1/4 cup or a little less; if its thin I can drink 1/2 cup. Clear Liquids are no problem, I get in 50-60 ounces easily. Still rely on my sugar-free Jello a lot to take away the hungry feeling. I am avoiding cream of wheat, etc. because carbs just make me hungrier. I won't get to go on to Stage 3 (pureed foods) until this weekend. So I am eating well under 500 cals per day, but I still am 4 lbs heavier than when I went into surgery!!!:party:

[momcof3 1]

I am glad to hear you are doing better Riley. I didn't read online until this morning, but Christine told me at the group meeting on Saturday that you had an infection. Take it easy. I found that when I thought I felt really good and then overdid it, it would set me back big time. The next group meeting at Point West Kaiser is Saturday March 28 at 11 am. There is going to be a clothing exchange that day too.

[AudsMom 2]

Riley:) You actually feel full after 1/4 cup! Wow i cant wait!!!:thumbup:

Didnt you get surgery 2 weeks ago? Do they push thru the stages faster if we are doing ok??? I thought the liquids stage was for 3 weeks..

I am so glad you are doing awesome!

Well I hope we can all make it next month! I want to go to the meeting bad. I get back from vegas two days before.. and then that next Tuesday im on the table.. eeeeek:D

[swishbc 0]

She had surgery a week ago today!

[InsideOut 0]

Love ya girls, and I am so proud of all of us!! My presurg goal is to be down 50 lbs by the time 3/31 is here!! I know i can do it:D

If anyone can make 50lbs gone by surgery date, that's you!

[AudsMom 2]

Aww thanks sheena:D

And riley who tells us when we can go to the next food group??