Time to heal

Hello friends, My name is Ann Smith. I had surg Jan. 3. My surgeons were Dr. Gorosbe and Dr. Joe Bob Kirk. They are wonderful. I didn't really get scared until they took me back to the holding room. I told the nurses I had my running shoes on just in case. I had watched runaway bride the day before. It sure gave me some ideas. Before surg the nurse numbed my hand for the IV, and gave me a couple of injections of versead? Boy that's some fast acting drug. I was really happy. The anesteologist came in to visit with me and assured me that I would be fine, I asked how many gastric -by -pass patients he had taken care. He said he was at the hospital before Dr. Gorosobe came. I felt good about him. Then all of my family was around trying to be strong. Dr. Kirk came in joking about something, told us exactly what would happen during the morning. He asked me me and my family if we had any question. My family had a few in which he answered very willingly. During this he held my hand. Then he asked me if I was ready, I said Yes Sir. He said ok then gave me a big hug, my nurse came in and they together rolled me down the hall. I remember being in the surg suite just long enough to move to the other bed then out I went. I woke up in recovery with the kindest nurse talking to me. They told me exactly what was going on. I am so impressed with the nursing staff at Southcrest. The only problem was that they were short handed, which should never have happened. When you'r charged 39900. you don't expect to encounter short staff!!! The staff that took care of me ran their butts off all the time. They were so kind and helpful to give me meds I needed and answer any questions. I just wish they had not been short handed. Dr's Gorospe, Kirk and the PA Amber were wonderful. I don't think I could have gotten any better care anywhere. They have done this thousands of times and know exactly what to do. I am just very impressed, and very thankful for the expertise, the love and the emotional support that my family and I had received. I am 3 days out from surg and doing exactly what I was told. They said the most important things for me to remember over the next 2 weeks was to drink, pee, and walk. The more I walk the better I feel.

Ann, thank you so much for your post. I am having surgery with Dr. Gorospe on January 24th. Your post has made me feel so much better. It is kind of scary, but, knowing you will be taken well care of with such a knowledgeable staff means so much. I wish you a speedy recovery and hope you are up and running soon. Rita

Hi Rita, Things are going great. I had a little setback with a sinus infection. Obviously the antibodics they gave me broke loose my sinus infection. 3 days after surg I woke up very sick to my stomach. Thank Goodness for the 24 hour hot line. They really do call you back, and quick... Crystal from the office thought I might have a sinus infection and advised me to call my primary dr. I did got antiboditics, but the next morning I woke up even sicker with cold sweats, dirrhea, etc. This time Dr. Gorospe himself called me back at 3:30 in the morning 2 times. He was so compationate and caring. He suggested taking some medication. The medication didn't help I called the help line again Leita answered and told me to come on up to the hospital and get checked out, because I was really sick... I did and sure enough it was a sinus infection. I spent the night at Southcrest getting IV antibodicts and fluids. Boy I felt better. This was last Saturday night, sunday I came home started feeling much better. By MondayI had driven to my office to pick up some items I needed. On Tuesday, which is today I attended a meeting, visited some friends, and my sister Yes driving myself. Went to the grocery story, and no I wasn't hungry. I even went to my favorite resturant to see one of my friends, who is thinking about the surg. I throughly enjoyed the smells of the places, but did not crave anything. I wasn't hungry. I know that sounds krazy. It sounded krazy when they told us this would happen in our consult. I really enjoy smells of food, it hasn't made me krazy or crave anythng though... Here's a little FYI **my pre-op appointment took about 5 hours. **Find some protein that you like now... I began protein drinks about a week before surg. I have found that I like the Champions Bananna and the fuzzy navel nectar that you can find at the nutrition stores. follow all instructions that they gave you from the office. **don't cheat when it's time for your clear liquids for 2 days. it's important!! **make sure your loved ones know exactly what will happen, so they won't be so scared. The Dr.s didn't contact my family after surg so they had to hunt someone down. I think it was an over site, but you may want to tell your family to insist on knowing how you are doing if they don't hear at least every hour... The little ladies in the surg waiting room are kind of slow and like to follow procedure, if you know what I mean...Sometimes you have to overstep procedure. I am doing great I began at #327, with hypertension and have not had to take any thing for my bp since surg. I check it 2 times a day it it has been great... The whole thing if I had it to do over again, would I? Yes, in a heart beat Best of luck to you Your Friend, Ann

Hi Rita, The pre-op took so long because the admission office was very slow... like a turtle. My appointment was also at 10:30. It too****il after 11:00 before they ever called me to admissions to get the whole thing going. I was furious... There is lots of paper work to be done. I would be sure to tell them you have an appointment else where and when that appointment is. Maybe they will hurry!!! Jean