Pre-Op Visit

Eight days to go - I need to make a list of what to bring to the hospital. I need to get a robe since I will be up and walking the afternoon of the surgery.

I already have my vitamins (chewable) and calcium (liquid) that I will need to take everyday. Any medications I take after surgery will have to be either chewable or liquid since pills won't stay in my stomach long enough to dissolve and be absorbed. So many changes to come.

Friday I met with my surgeon to review the procedure, get prescriptions and sign the waivers. Then I met with the anesthesiologist, he explained how I will be put out for the surgery. I got most of the the paper work done so when I get to the surgery department next Monday I will be all registered. A very efficient system.

Emotionally, I am anxious and excited. I feel like I want to eat all the "bad" stuff I won't be able to eat after; every meal is like a "last meal". This is probably not the best idea, but what could it hurt?

I found this video on youtube that shows the surgery. Check it out.

Count Down to Surgery

Tomorrow it will be 2 weeks to my surgery. I am excited and scared; I am really doing this.
My primary care physician, Dr. Evaleen Jones has watched my weight struggles for the past 15 years; for the past 2 years she has been encouraging me to look into weight loss surgery. This past fall, I finally let her give me the referral to the surgeon.

After completing a brief survey about my health and weight history, I was given a appointment to meet with Dr. James Lau. I wasn't sure I would qualify for surgery but with a BMI of 36 and comorbidities (the simultaneous presence of two or more chronic diseases or conditions in a patient) of high blood pressure, pre-diabetes and sleep apnea, I was a candidate.

Dr. Lau explained that with the particular comorbidities that I have the Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass surgery would be more effective than the Lap Band or Sleeve, since it would resolve these issues almost immediately. After doing my own research I decided to go with Dr. Lau's recommendation.

I have my pre-op appointment with the surgeon and anesthesiologist this Friday. The count down continues...