Surgery at Columbia University questions ..Thanks in advanced
I had surgery on 8/11/08 at the University and Dr De la torre was my surgeon.
I took my own pillow,Chap stick,A good fitting Bra,extra panties,my own jammies, If you get hot easily you might wanna take your own fan, they have small fans that attach to your bedrail,Which worked for me.Take your tooth brush and the goodies that go along with it. Hair brush and if your hair is long something to keep it back outta yur face. You might take a really firm pillow to have to hold on your tummy for the ride home.Yu'll need it.
My hubby stayed with me during the day ,But if you have a room mate noone will be allowed to stay in the room with you at night. But the Nurses and Aides or techs are AWESOME. Sometimes it takes them a lil while to get to you but they are very busy and they get to you soon as possible.
As for Dr De La Torre 5 weeks ago i felt so bad i would of had nothing to say about him,But today even after getting a drain site infection and being very sick for over 2 weeks, I can honestly say the man is an AWESOME surgeon.
I have only met him once and that was at one of our nutrition classes right before surgery. But he is great at what he does and if you follow his plan and do as he suggest. you will do just fine.
Good Luck and May you have a uneventful surgery and speedy recovery. Hang on tight you are in for the ride of your life. Polishing a spot for you on the losers bench.
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}} Deb
Dear LR,
I would make sure and bring gas-x strips. I also brought my own socks and a pillow to hug for the LONG ride home (5 hrs for me)......
I wanted my support person or persons there-so that IF I was out of it-I would have them there on my behalf-and NEEDED them a couple of times when I seemed to get lost in the shuffle of things-for instance-for the booties they put on you post-op. I had a previous blood clot and was suppose to have them post op and didnt-with my support people constantly bugging and not letting up-I FINALLY got them.
My RNY was almost 2 yrs ago-and I dont remember how long it took-or anything like that-was a little rough in the recovery-but then, I dont do well coming out of anesthesia. I walked within 2 hrs of being in my room and continued to do so-it helps with gas build up-preventing blood clots and helps you recovery faster!
I will keep you in thoughts and prayers and PLEASE keep us posted!! Janet
Hi LR, great that your on here and feel free to ask anything...I think the girls have already told you almost everything you need to bring. Just remember to get up and walk as soon as possible. And gas-x strips are the greatest right after surgery. I also had Dr D.and you wont spend much time with him as he is very busy, but he is a great surgeon and knows his stuff. Do you live in Springfield? Or even if you live somewhere close, let me invite you to our support group, COF (circle of friends) that meets at the Library Center on South Campbell. The 4th monday of the month at 6:30-8pm...come join us if you can. Cant wait to have you join our loosers club! WHAT A GREAT CLUB TO BELONG TO!
October 7th will be here before you know it!
GOD is my ROCK! SUGAR 
Hi LR! I had my surgery (RNY) the day after Deb on 8/12. I also had Dr. de la Torre. Like Deb, I only met him the one time at our pre-op class. The bariatric fellows will be the ones to visit you in the hospital post-op. They are all very nice & professional & will take great care of you. I only took 1 change of clothes (for the ride home) make sure it's something comfy, several pair of panties, a comfy sports bra (one of your incisions will be just under where your bra band goes & your drain tube will come out under your left breast towards the bottom of your ribs) so you'll definitly want a comfortable bra (not an underwire), hairbrush, toothbrush, your own socks (the hospital booties dried my feet out so bad), a good lotion, a good lipbalm, 2 pillows, robe to wear during walking. I took my laptop, but honestly didn't get on it much, I just didn't feel up to it. My surgery was scheduled at 1pm, but I didn't go in until probably 2-2:30 & I think surgery probably lasted a little over an hour. I had a lot of trouble waking up after surgery, I couldn't stay awake to talk to anyone that night. But did get up later that night to walk. I would definitly try the gas X strips. I had terrible gas pain (from the gas that they blow you up with) It was up under my ribs, colar bones, in my back. The pain from the gas was way worse than from the surgery itself. They said that walking was the only thing that would really help with this so I didn't take the gas x with me, but I would try it. The nurses & techs will be in to take your vitals, give you meds, do blood draws about every 30 min's that first night, so sleep while you can. The next morning they will bring you the wonderful Methelyne Blue. Think "Drink FAST"!!! You'll understand later. (make sure you have a cup of water & the pink swabs ready) A little while 10-20 min or so after you drink that, the nurse will come in & check your drain, if there's no blue in it, she will bring you the "Room Service" menu. WOOHOO!!! lol You get clear liquids!!! You have no idea how exciting this is by this time. lol Then the next morning (the day you should get to go home) they will take you down to xray & do the contrast study. You stand on a little platform & they take a couple of xrays, they they have you drink 3 medicine cups of contrast & after each cup they watch it go down to check for leaks. After that comes back ok, your Dr. should come in & realease you. Make sure you get your meds filled. There is a pharmacy on the 1st floor of the hospital as your walking out to the East parking garage. & don't forget to have a bottle of water for your ride home. You will have to stop every 45 min on the way home to walk & then come back 1 wk from your discharge date for your post-op visit. OH, you will probably weigh more when you get home from the hospital than when you went in, because of all of the fluids, but after a couple of days you'll lose it. YAY!! This is really all I can think of.
Good Luck to you! I hope we see more of you on the board. If you have any other questions, ask away.
(((HUGS))) Angy
