Met my Dr. and counting down

He was as good as everyone has said....not to mention that he smelled pretty fine too. We hit it off right away...I was even a gracious hostess and offered him something to drink......like my bowel prep.We both got a little chuckle out of that. I was wondering if anyone was a participant in the pain management study and if you had the PCA pump or the intrathecal. I'd be interested in your experience with either. I must say I feel a lot less apprehensive now that I have actually met the person who will be giving me another chance at living. I am grateful that I have all of you to lean on too....THANKS

Morning Becki I'm happy to hear you & the dr hit it off. It's so important to like & trust your dr. offering your bowel prep that's just to funny! Be sure to keep us posted & update us on anything you find out. Sorry haven't been part of any studies. Carolyn

Hi Becki, glad to hear you like Dr. G. I was supposed to meet him at the information seminar on Thursday but he had a birthday party to go to (ok, the nurse said he was with other patients but I have inside information) LOL I've already heard enough about him to know not to expect to see him much so I wasn't offended. I'm also hoping to avoid the endoscopy thing too. I've never smoked and don't have acid reflux so maybe I'll get lucky. I've heard lots about this amnesiac drug that they give you for those things and for the life of me, I can't figure out how you can feel pain during the procedure and not remember it afterwards. It's the DURING part that worried me ...not afterwards. LOL You and I have a lot in common....I'm 48, with 3 grown children and I also have one beautiful 5 year old granddaughter. If you have any suggestions for me for getting through this "getting ready" procedure, I'm listening. Good luck with your surgery.... hugs, Leslie

I've heard the shot is great, but doesn't work for everyone. When I had my sugery a year ago they weren't doing it then. I had a pump that I could press the little button every 10 minutes and then the 2nd day I just took the liquid roxicet. The pain isn't really that bad . . . or it can be as bad as you think it is!!! Keep a postive attitude and walk, walk, walk. Actually laying on your back in bed and being on your back at home can be as bad. Use a heating pad on your back or bend your legs up and put a couple pillows under them to help take the pressure off your lower back. Good luck ladies. Oh & I'm your age too, well almost, I'll be 45 in May. This is a great experience. Make the most of it!! Janie

Becki Congrats on the big day. I had surgery with Dr G in January. I don't know that I was part of a pain mgt study, but I did have the intrathecal (Astramorph I believe it was called). Thus I didn't get a PCA. Surgery was Monday AM, and I didn't take/receive ANY pain med until Tuesday afternoon and then I couldn't get enough of it. I wouldn't say i was pain free, but I was fairly comfortable. (Well, as comfortable as one can be when ones plumbing has just been rerouted ) Anyhoooo I had a sudden attack of severe abdominal pain. I was rating it at a 12. They had given me Nubane for itching and one of the side effects is abd pain. I don't know if it was that, the intrathecal wearing off or a wicked combination of both. Once the Roxicet caught up to me, I was fine. I didn't think the bowel prep was as bad as some have said. But, thats me. Everything will work out fine. You are in good hands. Best of luck Sheila

Hi Becki, I am glad to hear you liked the doctor. I go for my intial consult on Tuesday, with Angie and to see the dietician. I hope things go well for me and good luck with your surg!! shelli

He does smell good doesn't he???? I had the PCA pump and it didn't work well for me at all. I think I'm immune to morphine! They had to give me a different shot the night I had surgery to relax me so I could sleep. I would have loved to try the spinal thingy but my birthday was in an odd numbered year...I didn't get to pick! Good luck to you and I'll be thinking about you!!!! Hugs, Jen

WOO WOO I just looked and we share a surgeon ! Becky... he is VERY good... and very very into patient care. Look at his page sometime.. I went on and on about him. Things to think about: After surgery.. there in Satori Hospital... walk all you can. AND... heres a secret.... THEY will give you water, ice chips, and water and weak juice (grape, cranberry, apple and maybe orange) DONT accept the prune or plum juice... it goes *woosh* right through you. After a day or two... ASK (here is the secret part) if you can have broth, and or popsickles. Because I was in Satori at christmas time, and because I DIDNT know to ask... I have juice and water ONLY for six days. Six... days : P When I could have had popsickles and beef or chicken broth. Dr Glass**** is a great guy... he makes you stay in the area for a week after surgery.. if you live close enough... then you can go home.... His brother is a doctor... his wife is a doctor... and he plays the Cello in the local orchastra im told... mention it to him if you wanna surprise him. Email me if you have specific questions... I remember my surgery like it was yesterday.... you will do FINE. Really. I should have looked to see who your surgeon was before I posted on the other post : ) Hugs... Im so excited for you : ) Timmy Ray

I will also have Dr. G when and if I get through this whole process. I sent my questionaire in by priority mail and even hand delivered the necessary forms to my PCP so they wouldn't get lost in the mail. Is there anything else I can do while I wait to hear if I can schedule a consult with the good doctor? I went back on the Atkins diet a few days ago so I should lose at least a few pounds before surgery and my body will be used to the high protein/low carb stuff. I was on Atkins for 2 years but still don't know if my PCP is going to say it was doctor supervised since he wasn't really happy I was on it but he is totally on board with this surgery so maybe I'll get lucky. Leslie

Leslie & Becki -- another thing you can do while you're waiting for surgery is to start exercising now. Go for walks or whatever you can comfortably do. The better shape you can be in before surgery the easier your healing process will be. Exercise is a VITAL tool after surgery. As Timmy stated when you're in the hospital walk as much as you can. It gets really tiring laying around on your backside anyway!! I started a walking program before surgery and then after started out by walking a couple blocks and worked up to 1.5 miles every day. Then at 4 weeks out I was able to start Curves. Do whatever you can to help yourself out. I quit all my exercise programs at about 7 mo out and started them back up at 11 mo out. I basically quit losing weight (although I didn't gain), but did gain 1.5" back in my waist. Sorry this is long, but exercise (love it or hate it) is sooooo important!! Janie Lap RNY 4/14/2004 272/160/145?