Surgery Date Scheduled for RNY on 12/28

It was on 11/23/10 . SHe said that the shrink was book up so that's why it was such a distance between the appointment with my sur and the shrink.  She did say I could see another shrink they work with but I would have to pat my 300 dollars upfront .

Do you have BcBsNc? I had been told that they wouldn't pay for the shrink. But them after I got the letter stating that it was authorized i was shocked. I had expected to pay up front

I have BCBS of NC. I also work for them.

You paid up front for the five follow up visits.

Ok thanks for that information!

Dr Pryor was my surgeon and I want to say that it was about 5 weeks after I went for my first appt before I got my surgery date.

Everyone has a different/personal tolerance for discomfort or pain, but in general, most people seem to be able to manage and tolerate the discomfort fairly well. You will have a pain pump to use after you come out of surgery, then you will be moved to an oral medication. I was given a prescription for oral pain medication and I think I only took one after I came home. I wasn't being a martyr, but felt like the pain was manageable/tolerable without the additional medication. I had my gall bladder out after my daughter was born and feel that the discomfort was on par with that. I think I blogged about it too. Some people, my husband included, experience pain associated with the gas they use to 'inflate' your abdomen during surgery. You may want to ask Dr. Portenier or one of the RNs what they suggest you have on hand if you need help with managing the gas. I think that they had Ben take GasX and he got some that disolved on his tongue that he didn't have to swallow. For Ben, the gas was more painful than the incisions. It wasn't a significant issue for me.

Re: suggestions... have your chewable or liquid supplements available, but know that you'll be able to swallow smaller pills relatively soon after surgery. Just ask Dr. Portenier for his advice on the time line. I would suggest that you consider having some broths available, but don't just drink them straight from the can. I used herbs and spices to flavor them; I had some that I did that tasted like french onion soup, another that tasted like chicken and dumplings, another that was like beef vegitable soup, another that tasted like hot and sour soup... Just make sure that you strain it so that it is clear, but it is so much more palatable when you add some herbs and spices to infuse it with different flavors and these are things that are savory instead of the constant sweet you get with the protein drinks.

No matter whether you are drinking hot or cold things, make sure that they are closer to tepid in temperature when you first start; nothing to hot or too cold because it can make your injured little pouch cramp and you don't want that to happen. 

Remember that when you first get home your 'job' will be to sip, sip, sip, walk, walk, walk and rest, rest, rest. 

Remember that you can't drive for a few weeks post op, so you may need to arrange to have someone 'chauffer' you around. They told us that it was because you have remnants of the anesthesia in your system and because if you were in an accident it could damage your healing pouch. 

That's all I can think of now, but it's late and I'm tired. I'll try to remember more and get back to  you. 

Thank you Barbara. Your suggestions and comments are appreciated and are helpful. I'm getting a little more nervous/anxious as the date approaches. My parents and my boyfriend have been very supportive, which helps a great deal. My parents are coming up from SC to stay with me while I'm in the hospital and for a few weeks while I'm at home.

Thanks again.

Lisa

Lisa,

I'm glad you have so much support. Please know that it is very normal to be nervous before surgery, but also know that you are in very competent hands and that this has proven to be a very safe surgery. 

Wishing you all the best,

I was also curious if anyone has suggestions on where/what to buy when it comes to protein shakes, soup, etc.

Thanks.

Lisa