Surgery Date October 15,2007
Hi everyone,I finally got the good news,But now Iam afraid!! I wanted to know did anyone else fear the surgery? Also when do you start on liqiuds? My preOp appointment is Oct.4,what will they do there? Can someone help me please. One last thing,have anyone had surgery in New Orleans at Oschner Center Of Excellance with Dr. William Richardson?
Hi Katrina,
I have been nervous for awhile and scared.. yep. But now that my surgery is only five days away (September 19th).. I am getting more excited yet still a bit nervous. 
I went to my pre-op Tuesday at Celebration Center of Excellence here in Kissimmee Florida and had a Nutrition class from 9:30 am until 12 noon. They will explain everything step by step.. what to expect before and after the surgery. They will tell you what you can eat and during what stage. They also explain why its necessary to lose weight pre-op. They say it makes the surgery go smoother with the possiblity of less risk.. etc (something to do with fat around the liver and how the liver is in front of the stomach).
You will learn how much liquids to drink and give you options on different ways to fill your expected amount liquid intake.. and protein, protein powders, vitamins and more.
It is a real eye-opening experience. 
After that I went to pre-op testing.. which only consisted of an EKG and blood test and at the same time we did the "pre-admittion".. which is great since when I get to the hospital Wednesday, I can go straight up to the surgery floor without having to fill out pesky forms or do paperwork.. 
My doctor is very easy .. he required some clearance from my Cardiologist and pulmonary doctors and some labwork and psych evaluation plus see a nutritionist. Then he asked me to lose some weight to make the surgery less risky and thats about it.
This is the kicker.. the day before the surgery I thought he would put me on laxatives all day and he said no.. just to not eat after midnight (my surgery is at 2:20 pm).. I questioned him on this and he said that the stomach really only needs about 3 hours to get empty.. (he jokingly told me that anyone whose stomach is not empty within 3 hours has a problem).. lol AND I was thrilled because he is not making me drink those nasty liquids other doctors make their patients drink. Yeah!! 
I really have a huge problem with drinking liquid medications (cough medicine, nyquil, pepto bismol etc).. cause I gag and yucckky. 
And I asked him about the liquid to drink after the surgery to make sure there are no leaks.. well when I told him I gag on liquid meds.. he told me he would do a real good test for leakage while I was still under so that I wouldn't have to drink the liquid after because he did not want me gagging or puking or anything like that.
I tell you I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Doctor! 
I hope everything goes really smooth for you and try to relax and remember this is the beginning of the rest of your life.
p.s. I wanted to mention that when I saw Celebration Hospital it gave me a MAJOR BOOST.. I was less nervous.. this center of excellence is SO state of art!! It made me feel very safe and that ALL would go well. 
Take care,
Esther
I went to my pre-op Tuesday at Celebration Center of Excellence here in Kissimmee Florida and had a Nutrition class from 9:30 am until 12 noon. They will explain everything step by step.. what to expect before and after the surgery. They will tell you what you can eat and during what stage. They also explain why its necessary to lose weight pre-op. They say it makes the surgery go smoother with the possiblity of less risk.. etc (something to do with fat around the liver and how the liver is in front of the stomach).
You will learn how much liquids to drink and give you options on different ways to fill your expected amount liquid intake.. and protein, protein powders, vitamins and more.
It is a real eye-opening experience.
After that I went to pre-op testing.. which only consisted of an EKG and blood test and at the same time we did the "pre-admittion".. which is great since when I get to the hospital Wednesday, I can go straight up to the surgery floor without having to fill out pesky forms or do paperwork..
My doctor is very easy .. he required some clearance from my Cardiologist and pulmonary doctors and some labwork and psych evaluation plus see a nutritionist. Then he asked me to lose some weight to make the surgery less risky and thats about it.
This is the kicker.. the day before the surgery I thought he would put me on laxatives all day and he said no.. just to not eat after midnight (my surgery is at 2:20 pm).. I questioned him on this and he said that the stomach really only needs about 3 hours to get empty.. (he jokingly told me that anyone whose stomach is not empty within 3 hours has a problem).. lol AND I was thrilled because he is not making me drink those nasty liquids other doctors make their patients drink. Yeah!!
I really have a huge problem with drinking liquid medications (cough medicine, nyquil, pepto bismol etc).. cause I gag and yucckky. And I asked him about the liquid to drink after the surgery to make sure there are no leaks.. well when I told him I gag on liquid meds.. he told me he would do a real good test for leakage while I was still under so that I wouldn't have to drink the liquid after because he did not want me gagging or puking or anything like that.
I tell you I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Doctor!
I hope everything goes really smooth for you and try to relax and remember this is the beginning of the rest of your life.
p.s. I wanted to mention that when I saw Celebration Hospital it gave me a MAJOR BOOST.. I was less nervous.. this center of excellence is SO state of art!! It made me feel very safe and that ALL would go well.
Take care,
Esther Hello Esther,Iam so happy for you!!!:-D I really pray that surgery will be a breeze.
The information you have given me has been so very helpful. I go for my visit with the nutritionist on Sept.21,and my preop on oct.4. I cant wait and I hope my doctor be the same way,but I may need to be on liquids because I have acid refulx so bad!!
Iam driving my husband crazy,every sice my approval all I talk and read about is the surgery. He will understand soon,he's having gastric bypass after me. I really think he is a little jealous because Iam going first!!!! Well dont forget to let me know how things are going,I WILL BE WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!!
Katrina
Hi Katrina,
Thank you so much! I'm sure all will go smoothly, but I appreciate and am very thankful for every prayer sent on my behalf. God is good and I know he will guiding all the doctors in my surgery room.. so I am confident that all will go well. I do put my full trust in God first and the doctors next (since I know God guides their hands).. 
I wanted to mention before but was busy rattling on about my pre-op experience and how easy and painless my surgeon is making this process for me.. but you asked if anyone had had or known of anyone who had surgery with Dr Richardson, I personally don't know of anyone, but reading through OH butterfly stories, I have run across a few of Dr. Richardson's patients.. sounds like he's a great surgeon.
I know what you mean about carrying on and on.. I was pretty quiet about the surgery for a long time, but now that its getting here.. I can't seem to stop talking about this and that regarding the surgery.. but that is not unusual. It seems like you are not as nervous.. and I think that is a good sign.
I will make sure to fill you in on everything, once I get home and am able to get online.. Once I am done with my surgery and you are done with yours.. then we will both (and your husband when he has his surgery).. be on the LOSING SIDE.. and for the first time in a long time.. I may even LOL
Take care, and keep in touch when you can.
Warm regards,
Esther
I wanted to mention before but was busy rattling on about my pre-op experience and how easy and painless my surgeon is making this process for me.. but you asked if anyone had had or known of anyone who had surgery with Dr Richardson, I personally don't know of anyone, but reading through OH butterfly stories, I have run across a few of Dr. Richardson's patients.. sounds like he's a great surgeon.
I know what you mean about carrying on and on.. I was pretty quiet about the surgery for a long time, but now that its getting here.. I can't seem to stop talking about this and that regarding the surgery.. but that is not unusual. It seems like you are not as nervous.. and I think that is a good sign.
I will make sure to fill you in on everything, once I get home and am able to get online.. Once I am done with my surgery and you are done with yours.. then we will both (and your husband when he has his surgery).. be on the LOSING SIDE.. and for the first time in a long time.. I may even LOL
Take care, and keep in touch when you can.
Warm regards,
Esther Most Active
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