Surgery on Friday! Here we go!

I'm new, but I've been reading many of the posts for a few days. It's been extremely helpful and I've gotten so much information! My surgery is scheduled for Friday, so just a few more days to go. Has anyone else had their surgery with Dr. Kemmeter at MMPC in Grand Rapids? It's a great program that seems really well organized. I have the surgery on Friday and I'll come home on Saturday as long as everything goes according to plans. I'll stay on full-liquid diet for 2 weeks post-op, then gradually start with soft foods and progress from there. I'm a little apprehensive since I've never had a general anesthetic before, but I guess I could use a good sleep. I'm planning on taking one week off work, but I'm very fortunate in that I can work from home mostly anyway. I'm open to any and all advice or helpful tips. Thanks! Warmbreeze from Grand Rapids

Hi Bonnie: I did not have Dr. Kemmeter for this surgery, but he did do an EGD for me last year and was very nice and professional. I had not had major in-patient surgery before this; the most I had ever had was outpatient when I had my knees scoped (and that was general anesthetic, but very brief). You do get a very good sleep out of it and then you feel like you've forgotten everything. I took three weeks off of work, mostly because my boss kept saying, "well, I know so and so who had this surgery and they needed six weeks off. Are you sure three weeks is going to be enough?" They had had their surgery open; I was having mine lap. Actually, after two weeks, I felt OK, other than I had a minor incisional infection and then got a little sick from the antibiotic. Other than that, I was just very tired afterward. Everyone is different and everyone reacts differently to the liquid diet afterward. MMPC's program is very good. Just drink slowly, get plenty of water and walk or exercise if you can. Good luck on Friday. The folks at Blodgett are great; they will wake you up every two hours to walk you so you won't get blood clots but you won't get any rest either; it's good for you, just irritating. Humor them; they are just trying to help you get out of there as fast as possible. Eileen lap rny 6-29-04 347/185/170

Eileen, every two hours right on through the night? Connie

Yup, every two hours. Plus, they check your vitals. You don't get any rest in the hospital. Plus, I had a roomie whose C-PAP machine kept going off. (She left after the first night.) You will want to walk so you get out of there. Eileen

Good luck Bonnie! I am scheduled for Tues, Sept 5. I am so excited! Today was day 4 of my preop diet and things are going good. I need to hide the scale though, seems I weigh at least twice a day. Keep us informed on how surgery goes. I will be praying for you on Friday.

Best of luck Bonnie!! You will do great! Hugs, Theresa

THANKS everyone! It is so wonderful to have this resource available! I truly appreciate your support and encouragement! Bonnie

Hi Bonnie, I had a Lap RNY from Dr. Kemmeter on June 14th of this year. He is a very knowledgable, professional, kind hearted man. I have had no problems to date. If you have any questions please feel free to e-mail me. The anesthetic was not bad I don't remember much after they wheeled me into the OR. It seems like I was awake around 5 hours after surgery. Good Luck and prayers to you, Phyllis Gilbert

Good Luck! Hope you have a speedy recovery. Shawn M.