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Topic: RE: Appoved by Insurance :)
I didn't get it scheduled afterall. I am waiting on the Dr to decide what tests I need prior to surgery before I schedule it. I do know that the surgery will be sometime in December.
Steve
Steve
Topic: RE: Appoved by Insurance :)
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there. Unknown Author
Failure is only a fact when you give up. Everyone gets knocked down, the question is: Will you get back up?
WHOOO-HOOOOO! Did you get your date scheduled today? Keep us posted and be well!
Katherine
Katherine
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there. Unknown Author
Failure is only a fact when you give up. Everyone gets knocked down, the question is: Will you get back up?
Topic: RE: Out of the hospital.
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there. Unknown Author
Failure is only a fact when you give up. Everyone gets knocked down, the question is: Will you get back up?
Sorry for being so late but a big CONGRATS and keep up the excellent journey!!! Welcome to the bench!
Katherine
Katherine
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there. Unknown Author
Failure is only a fact when you give up. Everyone gets knocked down, the question is: Will you get back up?
Topic: RE: Hotels in Lubbock?
Hi There,
I had my surgery on 8/7/08 and I stayed at the Heritage Apratments on 4th street right near UMC Hospital. They gave us a medical rate of $28/night. It was a little one bedroom apt, furnished and included a kitchen with a microwave. They told me it had a double bed but it actually had 2 single beds. I had terrible trouble laying down in the bed, so thankfully, I took TONS of pillows and slept on the couch, kinda propped up a bit.
http://www.dtiproperties.com/apt/heritage.html
One word of warning, this is NOT any kind of vacation rental, (reminded me of my first college apt, lots of students but no crazy parties. Mostly med students) but it worked for my family and the price was right. There was a small TV but no cable. We took our playstation 3 and LOTS of movies to watch. I swore I would NEVER stay there again at the time, but looking back the price and location was right. Oh, and they only took money orders. That was also kind of a pain but we delt with it.
I had my surgery on 8/7/08 and I stayed at the Heritage Apratments on 4th street right near UMC Hospital. They gave us a medical rate of $28/night. It was a little one bedroom apt, furnished and included a kitchen with a microwave. They told me it had a double bed but it actually had 2 single beds. I had terrible trouble laying down in the bed, so thankfully, I took TONS of pillows and slept on the couch, kinda propped up a bit.
http://www.dtiproperties.com/apt/heritage.html
One word of warning, this is NOT any kind of vacation rental, (reminded me of my first college apt, lots of students but no crazy parties. Mostly med students) but it worked for my family and the price was right. There was a small TV but no cable. We took our playstation 3 and LOTS of movies to watch. I swore I would NEVER stay there again at the time, but looking back the price and location was right. Oh, and they only took money orders. That was also kind of a pain but we delt with it.
Topic: RE: Hotels in Lubbock?
I've had several surgeries before, so I would say that the pain from this one was somewhere in between all the surgeries. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would say that the worst of it was maybe a 7 or 8 for me. It really bothered me wearing the binder, but it is SO important that you wear it because it keeps everything in place, and really helps in getting up and down. The incision is about 5 inches long and is in a much better area than say my hysterectomy or my gall bladder surgery incisions were. Much easier to get up and down than those were.
I did sleep in the bed from the first day on. I'm usually a side sleeper, but it took a good 5 or 6 weeks before I could do that. My husband did sleep in the same bed, and it was fine.
The biggest complaint I had was that I had really bad diarrhea for about 5 days....most people do NOT have this though, and I have been much more sensitive to what I can eat than about 90% of the people I've talked to, including Shannon, the dietician.
Right now, for me the pain and discomfort of the surgery is becoming a distant memory.
You can do this....I have no doubt. AND, you will be very happy that you did. You'll have your days when you think "what in the hell have I done", but they will fade.
If you are like me, you will also mourn the loss of food. I work for the Lab, but I'm also a caterer and a wedding cake designer, so food has been a HUGE part of my life, and I miss it.....but I STILL cook and bake and just live vicariously through the pleasure it gives others. I still can't tolerate meat at all, unless it's homemade turkey chili or something similar. It's not easy, and everytime I hear someone refer to this surgery as the "easy way out", I want to smack them in the mouth. There are a LOT of ignorant people out there who have NO idea what they're talking about, but I'm sure you know that.
I did sleep in the bed from the first day on. I'm usually a side sleeper, but it took a good 5 or 6 weeks before I could do that. My husband did sleep in the same bed, and it was fine.
The biggest complaint I had was that I had really bad diarrhea for about 5 days....most people do NOT have this though, and I have been much more sensitive to what I can eat than about 90% of the people I've talked to, including Shannon, the dietician.
Right now, for me the pain and discomfort of the surgery is becoming a distant memory.
You can do this....I have no doubt. AND, you will be very happy that you did. You'll have your days when you think "what in the hell have I done", but they will fade.
If you are like me, you will also mourn the loss of food. I work for the Lab, but I'm also a caterer and a wedding cake designer, so food has been a HUGE part of my life, and I miss it.....but I STILL cook and bake and just live vicariously through the pleasure it gives others. I still can't tolerate meat at all, unless it's homemade turkey chili or something similar. It's not easy, and everytime I hear someone refer to this surgery as the "easy way out", I want to smack them in the mouth. There are a LOT of ignorant people out there who have NO idea what they're talking about, but I'm sure you know that.
Topic: RE: Hotels in Lubbock?
We just found out that we are waiting for Dr Syn to decide what tests that he wants done before they can schedule it. I spoke to Kathy and she said it shouldn't be a problem about getting it done before Dec 31st.
Can you describe the level of pain? I know that is hard to do, but trying to figure it out to prepare myself and my other half. She seems to think I will be able to sleep laying down in bed the first night in the hotel and share a bed with her. I do not think that is likely, especially since I like to sleep on my side or stomach and will not be able to do so after surgery.
Can you describe the level of pain? I know that is hard to do, but trying to figure it out to prepare myself and my other half. She seems to think I will be able to sleep laying down in bed the first night in the hotel and share a bed with her. I do not think that is likely, especially since I like to sleep on my side or stomach and will not be able to do so after surgery.
Topic: RE: Hotels in Lubbock?
I know what you mean about the website. Shaz can be particularly abrasive....she's the main reason that I don't post there much anymore. LOL
Yeah, the pain ball is a plastic ball, I think about 3 inches in diameter, that is hooked to your incision site and continuously administers pain meds to you for a few days....then you will also get pain meds in prescription form. I'm not sure what the other "Bev" means by the doc not being too concerned about your pain level. I thought he was.
You WILL have pain, I won't lie to you....but it is SO worth it. I promise you it is.
I've had high bp for 30 years. Unfortunately, due to another issue that I now have, mine still isn't where it needs to be, but it is MUCH better now.
Please let me know when you and your mom are scheduled so that I can send up all the good thoughts and prayers for you....I already am, but I would like to know when you go.
This is a real gift you are giving yourself!
Is your mom scheduled yet?
Yeah, the pain ball is a plastic ball, I think about 3 inches in diameter, that is hooked to your incision site and continuously administers pain meds to you for a few days....then you will also get pain meds in prescription form. I'm not sure what the other "Bev" means by the doc not being too concerned about your pain level. I thought he was.
You WILL have pain, I won't lie to you....but it is SO worth it. I promise you it is.
I've had high bp for 30 years. Unfortunately, due to another issue that I now have, mine still isn't where it needs to be, but it is MUCH better now.
Please let me know when you and your mom are scheduled so that I can send up all the good thoughts and prayers for you....I already am, but I would like to know when you go.
This is a real gift you are giving yourself!
Is your mom scheduled yet?
Topic: RE: Hotels in Lubbock?
I am glad your experience matches my impression of him.
I have had high BP for about 15 yrs, diabetes since March, heart disease for 5 yrs. I would have had this surgery 2 yrs ago, but I had an unfortunate injury and that made me miss out then.
Glad to hear that experience you had. I wanted a "real world" experience from one of his patients versus what is posted on his website. I just felt asking someone that has experienced his bedside manner and is from "The Hill". I hope that makes some sense. My biggest concern was the trip back, not including the hotels, etc.
A pain ball? I haven't heard of that, but I will look it up.I am glad to hear that he is concerned about pain more than what I have heard. Someone I know that has gone through him for a revision "Bev" told me that he didn't believe in pain meds, so I had to ask again. I would have thought he was more concerned about the pain level than what I heard.
I am well informed about his staff. Sheridan is truly my favorite so far. She seems to be willing to help me no matter what and worked hard to meet my requirements. I also LOVE the aquarium in the lobby.
Been to the website, but I wanted to talk to someone that is, how do I say this, not a jerk. LOL Yes, they can be abrasive on there.
I am glad I "thread jacked" my own thread.
I have had high BP for about 15 yrs, diabetes since March, heart disease for 5 yrs. I would have had this surgery 2 yrs ago, but I had an unfortunate injury and that made me miss out then.
Glad to hear that experience you had. I wanted a "real world" experience from one of his patients versus what is posted on his website. I just felt asking someone that has experienced his bedside manner and is from "The Hill". I hope that makes some sense. My biggest concern was the trip back, not including the hotels, etc.
A pain ball? I haven't heard of that, but I will look it up.I am glad to hear that he is concerned about pain more than what I have heard. Someone I know that has gone through him for a revision "Bev" told me that he didn't believe in pain meds, so I had to ask again. I would have thought he was more concerned about the pain level than what I heard.
I am well informed about his staff. Sheridan is truly my favorite so far. She seems to be willing to help me no matter what and worked hard to meet my requirements. I also LOVE the aquarium in the lobby.
Been to the website, but I wanted to talk to someone that is, how do I say this, not a jerk. LOL Yes, they can be abrasive on there.
I am glad I "thread jacked" my own thread.
Topic: RE: Hotels in Lubbock?
I really think that you would NEVER be able to find a better doctor in the WORLD than Doc Syn. He is VERY good at this surgery and that whole team is available for you ANYTIME you need their support.
I'm quite a bit older than you are and have had many years of high blood pressure and a myriad of other problems, yet I've done very well with my surgery. My surgery was at 5pm one Tuesday, and believe it or not, I was released from Covenant to my hotel at 9am the next morning. I won't tell you that there wasn't pain and issues with being able to eat very well, but I recovered very nicely, and by the time we came home a week later, I was able to make the trip back up here very easily.
You will wake up with a pain ball that is attached to you after the surgery, this will administer pain medication to you for about 5 days after your surgery. They'll also send you to the hotel with a prescription for pain meds. They are always available to you by phone should you need them. I didn't have to call them, but I felt good knowing that I could have.
I had some difficulty with diahrrea and some problems with getting enough food in for the first several days, but just be sure you're sipping enough water, and you'll get through it just fine.
Dr. Syn has a website that includes message boards that can be really helpful. A couple of the people who post there can be kind of abrasive, in my opinion, but most are very helpful. The address for that site is www.advancedbariatricsurgery.com.
I hope I can help you with any questions you may have. I truly believe you have made the best decision you could possibly make with the choice you and your mom have made for your surgeon. I know that I did.
I'm quite a bit older than you are and have had many years of high blood pressure and a myriad of other problems, yet I've done very well with my surgery. My surgery was at 5pm one Tuesday, and believe it or not, I was released from Covenant to my hotel at 9am the next morning. I won't tell you that there wasn't pain and issues with being able to eat very well, but I recovered very nicely, and by the time we came home a week later, I was able to make the trip back up here very easily.
You will wake up with a pain ball that is attached to you after the surgery, this will administer pain medication to you for about 5 days after your surgery. They'll also send you to the hotel with a prescription for pain meds. They are always available to you by phone should you need them. I didn't have to call them, but I felt good knowing that I could have.
I had some difficulty with diahrrea and some problems with getting enough food in for the first several days, but just be sure you're sipping enough water, and you'll get through it just fine.
Dr. Syn has a website that includes message boards that can be really helpful. A couple of the people who post there can be kind of abrasive, in my opinion, but most are very helpful. The address for that site is www.advancedbariatricsurgery.com.
I hope I can help you with any questions you may have. I truly believe you have made the best decision you could possibly make with the choice you and your mom have made for your surgeon. I know that I did.
Topic: RE: Hotels in Lubbock?
Thank you for the support. How was your body's reaction to the surgery? Were you able to sleep afterwards? How long after the surgery were you out of the hospital? How does Dr. Syn take care of your pain? Did you have to go through any loops for getting the surgery?
I have been out on disability due to my weight and how my body's various ailments caused me to be really close to a heart attack. The final straw was when I went in for a checkup and had a blood pressure of 180/150. Scared the heck out of me.
Anyhow, please tell me how Dr. Syn worked for you. My Mom is going to have the surgery with him also. She lives in Las Cruces.
Steve
I have been out on disability due to my weight and how my body's various ailments caused me to be really close to a heart attack. The final straw was when I went in for a checkup and had a blood pressure of 180/150. Scared the heck out of me.
Anyhow, please tell me how Dr. Syn worked for you. My Mom is going to have the surgery with him also. She lives in Las Cruces.
Steve
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