Surgery date!

Hey Everyone :o)  I was around the forums a few months ago, but then scheduling the surgery became a big issue (i'm in school) and it got really frustrating for awhile.  But I have a date now!  April 15th.  I start the liquid diet on Tuesday, which I'm pretty nervous about.  I've been sooo busy I haven't had any time to really *think* about the surgery and pre-op diet.  I guess that also means I haven't had too much time to worry.    What tests do they do during the pre-op visit at RW? I was wondering how everyone did with stairs after the surgery?  My house is two story and the bathroom is on the first floor and the bedrooms are on the second floor (so annoying!).  I'm wondering if I need to set up a bed on the first floor during the first week after I get home from the hospital.     I've really wanted to go to the RW support group but I have classes those nights :o(    Everyone looks so great by the way!!!!  I'm really impressed!!

Hello, I was tender afterwards & did not appreciate stairs.  Also bathroom trips were frequent!  For the first few days I had diarrhea for some reason. There was also some bandage changing involved- I leaked!. I'd definitely plan on the first floor for a short time.  If you find out you don't need it, you're really not out much. Sorry, didn't go to RW, so I can't answer the pre-op stuff.  Good luck! 

I had lapband - not sure what surgery you are having.  I did fine on the stairs - but took them really really really slow. The pre-op visit - they took blood - did a chest x-ray and there was something else but I don't recall....

Congrats on getting your date!

Congrats on your date!!  Not sure what they do at the pre-op as I have a different surgeon- but usually it is bloodwork.  I had the Lapband done on Weds and I can take stairs- just make sure you are holding on just in case.  As for a bed- you may find a recliner much better for you for the first few days, as you would be amazed how many stomach muscles help to sit you up.  I have been on the couch for the last few days with a bunch of cushions behind me- it is much more of a comfortable position.  (and yes- the bathroom is closer- frequent urination- I'm sure due to all the liquids). I got my date and had just 12 days to get everything in place- and I have to tell you- I loved not having all the time to stress about it.  Just get your shopping done for your first 2 weeks done, including all your suppliments.  I am allowed SF popsicles and SF Jello as snacks- and I have to say- wasn't interested in them early on, but now the diet is geting boring, so I welcome them.   Record some favorite shows, or rent some movies- and try and take it easy in your healing

HI Manda,  Glad to see you're back posting again and congrats on getting your date! Like the others have said, the stairs may be a bit of a challenge in the beginning, so you might want to make a place downstairs and just gradually test the waters until you feel up to them.

As for the pre-op testing, let me see if I remember the routine... You'll first go back and see a nurse who will go through your history and ask all the routine questions such as medical history and medications, then you'll wait a few minutes. I believe then it was going in to have blood drawn and vitals taken and I believe they did an EKG again, more waiting and then you get to speak to the anesthesiologist who goes through your history once more and goes over the risk of the surgery, etc. I may have forgotten something, so if I did, I hope someone will chime in.  Its a very simple process, nothing to worry about and you'll be there only about an hour and  half I think it was. Sorry, its been a while now, and I'm forgetting.  Sorry you havent been able to make it to the RW meetings, but so you know about the "unofficial" meeting at my house every month? We did it last night and it was a blast! Aprils will be held on the 12th or the 19th.  Maybe since its a Saturday, you'll have a better chance of attending! Good Luck, make sure to keep us posted and let us know how you're doing!

Congrats on your surgery date!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unfortunately, my Surgeon and not aRW so I will not be able to give you any info on the pre-op testing.

Robin