Surgery Scheduled 1/31/05

Hi! I am a married 63 year old with a wonderful wife of 40 years, two children who give me great joy, with spouses I consider to be as dear as my children, and gramps to four sweet grandchildren that I treasure. Weight has been a life long struggle. Over my life I've lost over a hundred pounds by dieting, several times. I gained it all back and more in a couple years after each of the losses. I'm currently my heaviest at 345 lbs. (6'2") My open RNY is scheduled for the morning of Monday, January 31, 2005 at the Louisville Veteran Affairs Hospital. My surgeon is Dr. Edwin Gaar. I've done my research and am confident in my surgeon, my hospital. and that this is my best option to try to regain health, mobility, and an opportunity for a future. I am also apprehensive given the risk of this surgery. Any pre op, post op, or life after going home input/suggestions from those who have been there, done that will be valued. Thanks in advance - Dick

WOW with so many to love you , recovery will be easier!! I'm 3 weeks post-op. The sooner you can get to moving around after surgery the better. Sitting in a chair, walking the halls of the hospital, etc. You will most likely have a spiro-meter (spelling?) It is a breathing treament. Use it every hour you can. Building up the lungs is important. CHAPSTICK!! Your month & lips are SO dry after surgery you will need lipbalm of some kind. When you get home a recliner will be nice. Not really necessory but very nice to have. When you lay down flat in the bed you may not realize how much of your stomach muscles you use to get up. And you are going to be pretty sore for while. I'm still sore. I can lay in the bed but usually get up after a few hours and go to the recliner. A friend rented a lift chair recliner for a few weeks from a medical shop. Having family & friends around to help, support you and most important to me to pray for you is wonderful too! Food, each Dr seems to be a little different. It is hard to eat after surgery at least it was for me. You will need protein supplements. My dr requires 60 grams of protein a day. I get most of mine from the drink mix. I hope I have been of some help. Blessings Tonya e-mail me if you have any special questions

Tonya, Thanks for your response. Your info re: lip balm and recliner were new items I hadn't read or heard previously. It sounds as if all is going OK for you. Hope your progress continues and is rapid. Prayer is the most important thing anyone can do for me at this point, and I welcome all I can get. Blessings back at ya! Dick Coomes

Prayers coming your way, Dick. Sounds like you've got things under control, but a couple more items you might want to consider taking with you to hospital : Something long-handled that you can use to help with your personal hygeine. With an open DS, bending front or back was painful. I had some tongs (NOT THE ONES WITH THE POINTY SPIKES ON THE END, YIPES!). I used these to help wipe so I didn't have to bend and didn't have to ask the nurses or my husband for help with hygiene. Some people used a long handled wooden spoon to wind toilet paper around. Wet wipes - Not sure if RNY gives diarrhea, but flushable wet wipes were my bestest buddy when my bowels finally started to move. Best of luck to you. -joanne s

Good morning Joanne, Thanks for your response and prayers. Your very practical suggestions are appreciated and will be heeded. Sincerely, Dick Coomes

MY PRAYERS AND BEST WISHES ARE WITH YOU MR COOMES. WALKING AFTER SURGERY--THE BREATHING..KEEPING A PILLOW CLOSE BY IS ALWAYS A HELP..I PROPPED PILLOWS BEHIND ME IN THE BED FOR AWHILE AND USED A WALKING STICK TO PUSH MYSELF UP OFF A CHAIR OR COUCH.. I MOVED ALOT..ALL DAY LONG..JUST WALKING THRU THE HOUSE..I WAS LUCKY I HAD NO STAPLES AND NO DRAINAGE TUBES AND I HAD NO TROUBLE SUCKING DOWN THE SOUPS THEY BROUGHT ME..OR THE ICE POPS I WHINNED FOR!!! YOU'LL BE FINE..REMEMBER WE'RE ALL HERE FOR ANY QUESTIONS THAT MIGHT COME UP..LISTEN TO THE DOCTOR AND NURSES!!! RENEE 8/26 RNY 330/253/240

Good evening Renee! Thank you for your input, it will be useful I'm sure. Thanks very much for the prayers, I've been doing a lot of praying lately. ; ) Sounds as though your surgery went very well. Gfeat! Mine is tomorrow morning, am trying to take care of last minute items this evening. Dick Coomes