Another Update & Couple of Questions ....

Just another quick update ... we got the Preregistration paperwork in the mail. We see the anesthesiologist on the 8th. I called them when I got the packet and did my fast track registration so it should be smooth getting in and out. So as of this afternoon, still no cancellations yet, we are still crossing our fingers though that something will open up, but if not I accept the wait. I do have a couple questions. First is, I take Claritin-D. We asked Dr Smith what I can substitute right after surgery and he suggests crushing it. Just to try it before hand we did and I'm sorry, LOL, but they just don;t crush, hehehe. Anyone deal with allergies have any suggestions to take? I definently need something with the D (decongestant) because I am a die hard cat person, allergic to them, and we have four in our family, LOL. So I am looking for something alternative. Or a good suggestion to 'crush' the Claritin-D without demolishing it into massive particle matter, LOL. Next is this. We know Dr. Smith is sending me home for sure with a drainage tube for 4 - 6 weeks ... has anyone had this? Or know someone who has or any info about it? Hubby will be home from my day of discharge through two full weekends taking care of me & I just was curious if we will need any kind of in home after care (pre-reg papers ask if you want or need in home help, I hadn't thought about it)? We were talking this afternoon and both of us are fairly confident he will have to end up doing a cut, which is OK with us, I know I can handle everything taking care of the wound, I was open first time & he'll just cut on the old scar, but first time I didn't come home with a drainage tube. I guess (thinking while I am typing) that if he ends up giving me the feeding tube and colostomy that then for sure some sort of in home care would be needed but I just don't have any knowledge about the drainage tube situation. Any input or knowledge would be GREATLY appreciated. Huggs -- Lisa

Hi Lisa, Dr Smith is great....he did my surgery 12/17/04. I did not go home with a drain tube, BUT I had problems a few days out and had to go back in the hospial for one day. When I left I had a drain tube for about a month. I did not need anyone at home with me....my husband went to work at 7:30 am, back home at noon for a hour, then was home at 5:30 pm to stay. I am -80 pounds with 30 more to go.... Good Luck, You will be just fine. Email me if you would like to talk. Hugs -- Martha

Hi Lisa, I had complications after my surgery (my digestive system stopped working). I ended up staying in the hospital for 6 days and came home with a drain for two weeks. However, the stomach tube had a cap on the end of it which could be removed or put back on. In the hospital at first, the stomach drain was hooked up to the drainage bag the entire time. It needed to be emptied periodically, so my husband or daughter would handle this for me as I had two IVs in. The nurses trained us on how to handle the drainage bag. By the time I came home, I could remove the bag and drain only if needed at home: for example If I felt nauseated or bloated, I would take the cap off and let it drain. Eventually, I got to where I did not need to do this much at all, but the whole time I was kind of nervous about it. I was able to handle it myself, but my daughter helped me at first. She was better at it then I was! I was very thankful when it was removed. I am a side sleeper and if I tried to lay on my side I would become nauseated when laying on my side with the tube. Besides that, the bag needs to hang down below to be able to sucessfully drain. Hope this helps. I will be praying for you. God bless you. One more thing, I was given the drug Reglen to help my digestive system to work, and had to take it around the clock. Eventually, I began to have severe anxiety after surgery. It was determined that Reglan can cause this is some patients. So, just be aware if you are given this drug that this is a possible side effect. Reglan (from what I have learned now) is commonly given to WLS patients. I improved greatly after discontinuing it. Sincerely, LMW

Also, I was told that I could still take Claritin D, but you are right I don't know if I could swallow it. Could you get a pill spliter (at drug stores) and try that to break the pill into smaller pieces? I was also told that all Tylenol products like Tylenol Cold are fine to take. Sincerely, LMW

Thank you SO MUCH for your experiences with the tube! It REALLY has put my mind at ease! My first time I had not only the tube (but only in the hospital and I was on morphine the entire 7 days when I had the VBG but I had this terrible nasal tube that kept becoming dislodged, I had blisters from where I would finally fall asleep and the tube would come up enough that it provided suction in my throat, but that's when I discovered Aloe Juice, one of my nurses at Presby brought it in and it REALLY soothed my throat! I've made a note about your suggestions so we can keep them in mind. You know, mentioning the Reglan, way back this past Memorial Day when Dr. had me in the ER for my first CT Scan for blockage he gave me Phenagran (SP) {not even paying mind through this whole ordeal I am NOT in 'pain' per say, I just have this DISCOMFORT feeling that you know, if you drink soda too quick & can't burp or swollow a pill wrong and it gets' 'stick' ... I have this persistant heavy feeling in my pouch, even without eating, from the band corroding}. But still their solution is medication. But anyway, the Phemegran I now get the restless legs and heebee jeebee's and have to take a shot of Benedryl! Dr. says it is an allergic reation to the Phenegran ... SOmething I have learned from this second time around experience is that with 'our' (speaking most WLS patients I have met and talked to) first time around surgery the closer we get, planning on what we are going to go through, even with support from others that have been thorough it can still be so scary. But for me now, this having to have a correction has me totally on edge. I DO know what it is like to have WLS, the changes we have to go through first hand and it is a totally different fear from than the first time. Y'all know going out the first time you can prepare yourself, the what ifs, the fear of the unknown of living not being obese, the 'new' life you will get ... but then having hindsight you realize sometimes you are even more scared pre op but make it through it ... imagine now (and not going for the sympathy but for the nod of understanding) that you go through the WLS and then YEARS later find out from no where you have to do it all over again (but not for the WL). Not in my WILDEST dreams would I have EVER thought I would have to undergo this again in this lifetime! If I could have real wishes, I would wish this was my first time and not have to happen again. I have never once had a single regret in hhaving WLS, up to date I would have done nothing different in having my inital surgery, I would still do it again, but this time is not my choice, I have to do it! Still needed to live, just under different cir****tances. I do rest assured from Dr Smith that (and I pray we don't) if we do have another car accident that RNY patients are WAY less likely to have situations like I am experiencing whereas abdominal trauma for a VBG patient is more likely to go through this! Shoot, get rear ended and not even get the benefit of a person who screws up on their own and overeats & messes themselves up! Dang, I didn't even get a Big Mac outta the deal , LOL. I haven't been able eat a big meal, or even a meal with a beverage, since the surgery the first time, doesn't seem like it's worth the defect (tongue in cheek, LOL) Thank you again for all the love and support! Huggs -- Lisa