Welcome back!!! I am happy you have decided to come back to the message boards! Looking forward to getting to know you!

It has been a good while since I have been on here. I have had alot of serious life issues to deal with, but now I'm back. I have 5 1/2 yrs. out, & am thankful every day for my RUNY! I am not perfect, I make mistakes, I don't always do the best I could- but I am recovering from years of abusing myslef with junk! God has blessed me & continues to. I look forward to meeting all of you on here- & reconnecting with my OH pals.
((((((((((((lots of HUGS))))))))))))

ThisGirlzReady,

Forgive me for always calling you that, but I can't seem to find your name on any of my messages. lol

I'm so glad you made it back home safely. Sounds like all the preop testing is enough to make your head spin! lol.... I've heard alot of people say the stuff you have to drink is the worst part of all the testing. How exactly do you have to drink it. By that, I mean do you have a certain amount of time you have to drink it? Is the cup a huge cup, or a small one. I'm just full of questions!! If you still have your gallbladder (I still have mine), will Dr. E take it out during surgery?  And about the shots, do you think there is anyway Dr. E would let me have some numbing cream? I'm so scared of needles, which is crazy because I've had 3 kids!!

As far as the all day class, did they recommend any certain vitamins or protein powder? Did you get any little goodies to help you when it's time to eat and drink? I hope you don't mind all the questions.

Here's an update on where I'm at now. I FINALLY received an e-mail back from Colleen. I e-mailed her yesterday, letting her know how frustrated I've been with the office. I told her that I call and call, leave voice mails for everyone, and no one calls me back. Now, here's the cool part!! She PROMISED me that Heather was taking my file home this weekend, and that Monday I will be getting a call with the exact date and time for my surgery and for all my preop things. She told me that if I don't receive a call by Wednesday, that she will personally take care of things for me.
How cool is that?!!! Finally, some help!!

I'm so happy that now I can start my journey along with you! Wouldn't it be something if we had surgery on the same day? We could walk the halls together!  

Hi Kris! I'm back!

What a wild week!  Went Monday to get ahead of the storm (which I just did).  Freezing rain and ice was no fun at all!  Wednesday was preop tests which entailed blood drawn, pee test, breath in 2 balloons (checks for a bacteria that predisposes  ulcers), if you still have your gall bladder (which I do) an ultrasound of it ,chest xrays, upper GI barium xrays, (I thought this was the hardest and grossest  stuff  to swallow) and then the respiratory therapist shows you how to use the breath metered device to do deep breaths exercises for especially after surgery.  It sounds like alot to do, but really only took like a couple of hours.  

The class was the next day on Thursday.  Frankly I basically already knew most of this from previous info I got from the initial consult  package.  It covers diet plans and vitamin requirements post op. That was of the am.  Then in the pm a nurse covered surgery day ,the stay, and requirements after leaving the hospital.  Unfortunately, it does include the Lovenox shots...which each surgeon is different on how much is given per patient (and each patient is different as well). You are given these in the hospital and a supply to take home to complete the full required course.  I can't say I'm looking forward to doing this, because I don't have any experience at it and I don't have family or friends whom  are experienced either. But it is better than getting a killer blood clot!

All I can say I'm this much closer to the goal and another step on the journey...I just shake my head when people say this is the "easy way" out....to top it off  my lane to home has a steep valley and hill, which was completely nothing but ice...so I had to park my car on the last level ground before this and try to lug my  luggage and stuff home today!  I sure hope we get a warm up soon to melt this ice!!

BTW do you know what time your surgery is?  Mine will be at 12:30 p.m.

Hey, I want to first say Duane is in my prayers.  You certainly are too.  I am just in shock and in tears right now.  Please know, my sister who also had the surgery had other complications not related to RNY but found that she too was starving to death for almost 6 months until they put her in the hospital at Duke Medical in North Carolina.  She has nearly fully recovered.  She is back up to 115 lbs. now and can walk with a walker.  I tell you this to encourage you.  All things are possible when you trust in God.  Duane has always been a very strong inspiration to us on the Indiana board and I know God has plans for him.  Be strong and know that God loves you.  Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to give you hope and a future. 

I love you both and I know we are miles apart but we are together in spirit.  Please text me with updates and tell Duane we are praying for you both.  He can make it !  He is one of the strongest men I have ever met. 

Huge hugz,
Tracy