PATS Today! It's really happening!

I had my pre-admission testing today at Hurley. I met a lot of great people, both staff and patients. It sure was a long day, but I passed everything and surgery is a go. I did find out taht Ihave high cholesterol, which I had no clue of. He said I am a heart-attack watiting to happen. The dcotor I saw we amazing and great. I am so beat. After all the testing, I went from the hospital over to the clinic to have my NUT class. All I can say is WOW... so much to take in. I have a lot of studying to do, to make sure I know all this stuff. Tomorrow I go SHOPPING!!!!! Yeah! Of course I can't get everything because things like yogurt I need to get just before my surgery. I did get some reading in while I was there though and learned more from that as well. I am beat, gonna head to bed. Just wanted to share with you all how my day went. It is all starting to seem real... OH.. I forgot I have to have an IVC filter put in 10 days before my surgery. That surprised me and is giving me a lot of anxiety over it. I was NOT expecting that at all. Well, off to bed. Good Night all. Shawn M.

Great job Shawn, I bet it was an exhausting day. What is the IVC Filter for? Michelle

Thanks Michelle.... and IVC filter is a tiny little blood filter that goes into the inferior vena cave (inserterd through the groin, like a heart cath is) to catch and filter out any clots I may develop due to the surgery. This is permanent and will stay in my vein forever. It will also be another long day at the hospital (8 hours). I am slightly scared and worried about this. Funny I had no axiety about my surgery before the mention of this. But, I guess it could end up saving my life should I develop a blood clot. See I had vein stripping done in my right leg a few years ago and a huge varicos vein removed, so my blood flow from my legs are compromised. Whew.. I think I explained that all right. Thanks again.... Shawn

All that in one day? Wow, no wonder you're beat!! I also don't know what an IVC filter is. I was personally very surprised to see just how many "ailments" I had that I didn't even know about till I started going through this whole pre-surgery process. This journey (even so far) has been so eye-opening for me and confirms that the surgery is right for me (when I first started looking into it I wasn't sure at all). Anyway, hope you got a good night sleep and feel better! (((hugs))) Marilyn

Thanks Marilyn.... an IVC filter is a tiny little blood filter that goes into the inferior vena cave (inserterd through the groin, like a heart cath is) to catch and filter out any clots I may develop due to the surgery. This is permanent and will stay in my vein forever. It will also be another long day at the hospital (8 hours). I am slightly scared and worried about this. Funny I had no axiety about my surgery before the mention of this. But, I guess it could end up saving my life should I develop a blood clot. See I had vein stripping done in my right leg a few years ago and a huge varicos vein removed, so my blood flow from my legs are compromised. Whew.. I think I explained that all right. I had no clue about my cholesterol.. it was 248... WOW!!! and my fasting blood sugar was 112. I guess it shoudl be under 100. But they checked my long term blood suger (didn't know they could do that), and it was fine. However, that is an indicator that if I stay where I am at, I could develop diabetes... A lot to take in... The doctor told me that my deciding to do this surgery I was saving my life... It really hit home when he said that. Well, thanks again Marilyn..... Shawn

Shawn..ok this is nurse Cissy here. Your cholesterol should be under 200. FASTING BS is normal between 70-110. Those are the text book range. Cissy

I know that they were both high.. that was what surprised me. That is why he said I was saving my life by having this surgery.. I was shocked what those numbers were. Shawn.

Well, now you can put that piece behind you now. I had mine a few days ago. It wiped me out as well. I'm going in on the 30th, so I'm depending on you to save me a seat on the bench! Take care. Peg G.

Awe you poor thing going through all of that stuff!! I feel very fortunate to have only had to do the small tests that I had. The usual blood work, EKG, Gall Bladder ultra sound etc. I only have 4 days and I am a little scared but the nutrition class really eased my mind but then again I am having lap band that explains it all. I had no idea how much the reroute surgeries go through. Good Luck to you on the 27th is it? SO close, take care Jackie