New and Nervous

Hello everyone,
Well i'm finally there. Jan 2007 i went to my siminar and more than a year and a half later i have my date Sept 22, 2008.  Man, there was a celeration in the office the  day I got that (my coworker have been my biggest supporters). Now i feel like i'm on fast forward.  I start my two week diet on Sept 8th.  To be honest with you i didn't think the drinks would be as expensive as they have been.  I'm a single mother and I don't live near my family so it kinda hard to get help.  I'm determine to get it done. 
So i have a few questions:
1. How soon after surgery can i exercise?
2. For those of you who have had Dr. Dela Torre, is he as great as i've heard?
3. How soon were you able to go back to work?
4. My bed room is upstairs, will i be able to go up steps once i come home?
I have more questions but i think that is enough for now. Have 22 day and i'm so nervous that i will not be prepared the way i should be.

Hi ,

Welcome to the board.... we are always glad to see new folks!   I do not know the answers to your questions but wanted to welcome you!

My surgery is on Sept. 22 nd also ,  you are the first one I have seen with my same date.

I am having surgery in Shawnee Mission, KS with Dr. Stanley Hoehn,  I am fortunate enough that I do not have to do the two week liquid diet but I am drinking two shakes a day and a small meal at night just to help prepare myself for what's to come ~ha

I wish you the very best!
bec 

Yea, someone the same day, how cool is that. Lucky you that you don't have to do the complete two week diet.It really has me nervous.

walking shouldnt be a problem...i started the day i got home but i didnt have the drains that you will have  and everyone says they are painful.
i really cant say anything about your doctor dont know him.
when you start exercising will be up to your doctor. returning to work depends on what you do.
welcome to the Mo. board and hope you stay around for a while. ok

I had Dr D. and he is a great Dr. I had problems after surgery but I dont feel it was from any mistakes he made...

Walking will begin immediately after you wake up. They want you to walk the halls and keep those feet and legs moving so you wont get a blood clot. Jan is my sis and although she didnt have the drain tube, I did and it really isnt that uncomfortable until it is about time for it to come out. That only lasts a little while.  If I hadnt got an infection, I would have been able to go back to water aerobics in 2 weeks. I dont work outside the home so cant help on the job idea. I have had a friend return only 3 days after her surgery tho. I suppose that depends on the job and how quick you are about recovery. How do you handle surgeries?

Drinks (protiens) are kinda high but you will have to adjust your budget to handle it because you must always drink some sort of extra protien. I use Isopure (ready to drink)  and I get them at GNC. 

I want to wish you the best in the future with all you have to look forward to. It is a great, crazy and amazing ride. We are starting to polish the loser's bench for all you September babies... Bec, you have a bench buddy for the 22nd! YEAH!

Be sure and stick around on the board. Are you going to a support group yet? You need to find one and get plugged in..

Thank you for all the kind and wonderful words.  I don't think i want to return to work after a couple of days, but i don't want it to be more than 3 weeks.  I have a desk job, so i know i can return sooner than most.
I have never had surgery before, but i am a big baby when it comes to pain.
I can't wait to join you guy on that ride and i look forward to joining you all on the bench.


Lisa

In 3 weeks you should be ready for anything!  Keep asking questions, none of us old timers mind at all. Ask us  whatever you need to know!

Hi there, I had surgery Aug 11th with Dr De La Torre.
 You will leave the hospital with a drain tube,In a week you will go back to clinic they will remove drain and staples, if everything is healing ok.
 I ended up with a drain site infection had to take antibiotics Xs 10 days.
 At your first follow up appt you will be told to start aerobic{sp} exercises and walking.
 They say 4 weeks i believe before you can go back to work,at least they like you to wait that long.
 Yes you will be able to walk up stairs after surgery, They say you can do most anything . But if it hurts don't do it.
 You will be sent home with pain meds, Don't be afraid to take them. Controlling your pain will help in the healing process.
 Do you smoke? If so PLEASE STOP. They will run a nicotine test your day of surgery.If they find it in your system your surgery will be cancelled. Besides they will cause ulcers after surgery.
 I quit July 14th after 30 yrs of smoking and so far haven't started again.Thank You Jesus.
 I only met dr DeLa Torre once and that was at one of our classes.All i can tell you about him is he is a great surgeon and he watches House LOL.
 I am still to new to the surgery to really give him a good or bad review,But will let you know after i'm out a lil longer.
 Good luck on your journey, Fasten your seatbelt you're in a for a ride.
                            {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}} Deb
 

Thank you so much for all your great info.  I'm not a smoker but I know another young lady that had the surgery by another dr and he kinda messed her up and now dr dela torre has got to go in and fix the mess he made.  She think she can get away with the smoking.  
If you don't mind i'm going to add you to my friend list.  Thank you for the luck and best of luck you on your road to a healthier lifestyle.