OHSU's new pre-op class

I got a letter from OHSU today telling me about their new Pre-op Bariatric Class, which will be held from Noon to 1:30 on June 25th.  Now, I have my pre-op testing and appointment with my surgeon on the 25th in Portland, but the appointments are early in the morning.  I had planned to meet some friend**** the fabric shop, and then scurry back home so I could quilt for the rest of the day (I run my own machine quilting business in addition to working at the UO).  So, while I think the class is a good idea, I'm a little put out that it has spoiled my plans for my day in Portland.  When I called about it (and, I did need to call, because they had the wrong date for my pre-op appointment on the letter), they made it sound like a mandatory class.  Have any of the rest of you going to OHSU had to attend this class?  I guess I'm perturbed about it because they had my appointment wrong and still have not sent the pre-op packet, which they told me they mailed on the 4th.  I know they're busy, but let's get our act together, no? Linda

Linda,  sorry to hear about the confusion! I would plan on your appointment taking at least an hour. I don't know what tests you have scheduled, but the pre-op one's they had scheduled for me also took about a hour. Sooo depending on the wait, what time in the AM. your appointment is...... you may be there until around noon anyhow! I know it's somewhat of a pain to jump through all the hoops, but it is worth it all in the long run!!!  Just think about how lucky you are that it's on the same day you are already scheduled to be there. I had to go up for my pre-op class on a seperate day all by itself! Take Care, and Good Luck! Christina

Hey Linda! I went to this pre-op class on June 4th after my morning pre-op appointments.  I don't know what time your appointments are, but it may be optimistic to think you will be done much before noon.  My first appointment was at 8:30.  I arrived at 8am, because that's just the kind of freak I am, and they got me started about 8:15.  After the anesthesia appointment, I went up for my pre-op with the surgeon.  Then they had me go into a room to talk with the study coordinators.  All told, I wasn't done until about 11:15.  So my husband and I took the tram up to see about finding lunch that would requiring selling a kidney to afford it.  We were back by about 11:50...never getting lunch because the tram took so long.   The pre-op class was somewhat just repeat information, but much of it was very valuable.  A nurse from the 14th floor, where most bariatric patients go, came in and talked about what you can expect while you are there and what they will do with you while you are inpatient.  The dietition talked about your post op diet again and reviewed what you should expect once you get home.  One of the PT's talked about how you will need to move to prevent blood clots and putting too much pressure on your abdomen.  There was a lot of valuable information, even if some of it was just a refresher.   Also, my understanding is that the pre-op class is new.  They had planned to start it July 1st, but they have had such an influx of patients lately, they decided to start it early.  Because of that, they really haven't gotten themselves completely together yet with some of the information and preparation for the class. Good luck! Tammy

Thanks Tammy - I had a feeling that it was just going to be more of the same old stuff.  I have all the info the Nutritionist gave me about post-op diet, I have had several surgeries, so I know what to expect in the hospital, I know about the importance of exercise along with diet, etc.  I really don't think I'm going to be staying for this class. I already have a folder full of stuff and a couple of books.  Plus, I lived with a post-op for a couple of months, so I think I have it down barring complications.  Time is money after all -- I don't have lots of time to be cooling my heels at the Health Center.  My appointments are also early and I won't be going in to talk about the studies because there is no way I can participate.  I'd love to, but can't be traveling back and forth from Portland to Eugene all the time.  Yes, the class is new.  I guess they were getting too many calls from people saying, "what was that you told me while I was still groggy in the hospital?"  I can imagine that is frustrating for them. Linda

There is a cafe on the main floor of the CHH building and they have good, healthy stuff.  Right by the elevators. Much better than the cafeteria in the main hospital. Also, there is a small cafeteria in the "doctor's building."   Pretty good and usually no lines. There are also decent places along McAdam BLvd if you take your car and drive.  Or, take the streetcar over to Riverplace (or walk, for that matter, it's close by. I would go to the class for purposes of compliance. Just doi what they ask you to do and give up on the other plans for now. Sorry...priorities being what they are and all. tee

Good morning, my little friend!  Yes, Tee knows where all the good places are! Are you getting ready for next Tuesday?  Hopefully, it will be the day! Have a good one! oxoxox Joy

Linda, I had surgery 5/9 and there was no class. I REALLY wish there would have been. I didn't end up on the 14th floor I ended up with the liver transplant floor and they didn't really know what was going on because they only get patients like me a few times a year. It would have been nice to have a clue myself. Another thing is the preop stuff really took a long time. Hours I mean and I didn't have any tests done other then blood work! Hang in there I know it sucks but you will be happy when you know what to expect! Rebecca

Oh, I will probably end up going but I won't be happy about it.  If you're not a quilter, you can't understand what it is to meet your on-line quilting sisters in another city, especially if you were going to meet them at the Fabric Depot! We're talking a fabric shop the size of most large super markets!!  I don't get to go there very often and was really looking forward to going, plus getting to have lunch with some out of town friends.  This just blows the whole thing out of the water.  And, if it ends up being a repeat of a bunch of stuff I already know, I will be very put out.

I don't know about the OHSU "PreOp" class but I went to the Legacy class this last Tuesday.  The first part was really going over what to expect nutritionally after surgery.  They gave us a very detailed nutritional guide and talked about how to eat and drink again.  The second half, however, was very informative.  They explained to us, in detail, what to expect the day of surgery as far as the process goes, what will happen afterwards and then aftercare stuff.  They explain about pain meds, what you can take and what you can't take etc. Hope this helps.

Thanks Leslie.  OHSU gave us the nutrition stuff for after surgery when we had our initial visits with the NP and Nutritionist.  I've seen lots of surgeries done -- thanks to Kim here I saw the first one, then plenty on TV.  I've done lots of reading and visited some of the local gals in the hospital, so I know you have to get up and moving, what the incisions look like, etc.  I also know about no NSAIDs, only taking what they give you or Tylenol, drinking, drinking, drinking, to help get things moving through, milk of magnesia sparingly if things get really rough, etc.  What else is there that they need to tell me?  I've had several surgeries in my life, including a full abdominal hysterectomy, so I know all about anesthesia effects, needing to move, etc.  Thank you all for trying to be helpful.  I just have a really hard time spending my time in a class listening to someone tell me stuff I already know or could read on my own.