Hello! I am a newbie on the boards....

Hello everyone! I just wanted to introduce myself.  My name is Melissa and I live in New Goshen, IN. I am having my RNY surgery on April 20, 2009 with Dr. Evanson at St. Vincent's in Carmel.  I go for my pre op testing and history tomorrow.  Kind of dreading it because I have heard of the barium and the bloodwork.  Then of course the not knowing what all will be done.  What if Dr. Mick says I cant have surgery because of my sinus drainage thing going on? I have been fighting with my insurance since July 3, 2008 and finally got approved.  I weigh 395.5 according to Bariatric Clinic at St. V's.  I have my family support/ friends support.  It seems like its all going TO easy now...guess I'm afraid for something to go wrong.
Thanks for listening.
Melissa G.

Melissa,  I know exactly what you are feeling.  I remember those thoughts.  It will all be fine.  You will find out that the pre-op testing wasnt as bad as you expected.  It was a pretty quick process and nothing too horrible.  I wouldnt get too nervous about all of it.

Let us know how things went!

Welcome to the IN board!  We are always excited to see newbies join us!
Huge hugs,
Tracy

Don't worry, it'll be just fine.  You are in good hands with Dr. Evanson.

As far as the history/physical, I wouldn't worry about a sinus drainage.  You have 2 weeks till surgery anyway.  They're mainly looking for BIG things that would contraindicate surgery - heart problems, tumors, etc. 

Nothing will go wrong.  Again, don't worry - we all went through that and practically held our breath till we were put under the anesthetic.

Welcome to the IN board Melissa.

Welcome to the boards!! You will find the people here are some of the nicest most informative people you will ever ever meet.  I am so thankful every day that I found this board!!

Your surgery will go great, im sure of it!!  I haven't even been approved or anything yet, but can't wait for it all to happen!! 

Hello from one Melissa to another! Everyone has felt the same things you are feeling as their surgery approached. You will do fine with your preop testing and all will go find with the H&P! You've waited long enough, things should be going easy now! We'll scoot over and make room on the losers bench for you!

 Melissa,
I'm new too and so is my wife.  Don't worry things will be fine.  We've been told that the best thing you can do is to keep a positive outlook and I believe that.  Attitude has so much to do with just about everything.  My wife has been really worried.  This will be her first real surgery.  Her RNY is Tuesday  April 7th at St. Vincent Carmel with Dr. Inman.  My RNY is Wed. April 22nd at St Vincent Carmel with Dr. Inman also.

We will probably see each other on the Bariatric Unit on the 22nd.  I fully expect you to tell me that you worried for nothing and you're so glad that you did this.  My wife didn't like drinking the barium.  I've never had an Upper G.I. but I've done many of them on patients I guess this will be karma coming back to get me.  I've done x-ray for 17 years and MRI for 4 years.  My wife hates needle sticks...I mean REALLY, REALLY hates needle sticks but she made it through and did fine.  She said that the pre-op testing at St. V's went really smooth.  

Good luck tomorrow and on the 20th.

Duane and Alisica Hubbard

Welcome to Melissa, Duane, and Alisica too.  I've been absent from the board lately due to my dad having some serious healthproblems, so I've been spending more time away with my family.

You will find lots of support here and get your questions answered.  We  are very compassionate  but at the same time will be here to help you stay accountable to your program without being judgemental of you.  We've all been where you are, we're all human, and we all make mistakes, but we are all on this journey together.  And guess what?  We all share successes too!  Lots of WOW moments. 

That was excellent advice, Duane, about having a positive outlook and good attitude.  That's been very instrumental to me the last 8 1/2 years of my journey along with my faith in God.  It takes no "practice" at all for our minds to wonder several times in any given day to a negative thought or attitude.....which can often lead to emotional eating.

But most of us need to consciously "practice" positive attitudes and outlooks and  "practice" turning those negative and bad attitudes coming from within us into something that IS positive....and refuse to use food as our comfort.   

Set short term goals, take some deep breaths, follow the directions you are given, attend support groups, and ask lots of questions. 

Love, blessings, and hugs,
Kat

Thank you all SO much for making me feel "at home".  Yes, Duane...I REALLY REALLY hate needles also...as much as I used to cry when they checked my blood sugar....LOL!  I learned years ago that if they use a butterfly on the outside of the fatty part of my elbow then I barely feel it well...I dont cry...but of course that vein has been worn out so it doesnt work anymore.
I have faith in Dr. Evanson. I felt comfortable from day one with him.  I have been fine until the other day when I read that someone wrote letters to her husband and parents in case something happened to her.  I cried most of that day....it hadnt been in my head that would even be a possibility.  That is the biggest reason that I have wanted this surgery....to be here with my family for lots of years to come.  So if I can figure out how to quit thinking of that in the back of my mind now then I know I will be fine.

Welcome!

Thanks!!