It''s a GO!! Holy Shiz!

Well there was some question as to if surgery was going to happen tomorrow or not. Just got off the phone with the doc and he was a little concerned with my hematocrit level being a little low, as it will drop further after surgery. He says that I will feel like **** basically and worst case scenario I will need a transfusion if any parts of the incision look like they are not getting good blood flow. He said he has never had to give anyone a transfusion before for the procedures I am having done, but wanted to have the convo upfront just in case.<br />
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Both he and I are ok with proceeding as my anemia is slight and iron, b, etc. levels are all good. <br />
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I'm a little scared, just don't know what to expect, which is normal.<br />
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I have a lot going on right now. I have my house on the market and a potential buyer. I just applied for a promotion at work ( senior management) . My hope is to take advantage of the down time to study and prepare for my interview. <br />
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How long will it take to get a clear head back after surgery? I'm hoping the pain meds will give me a bit of creativity LOL.<br />
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Anyone else have low hematocrit before surgery? How did you do? Mine is around 34.<br />
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Anyway, just wanted to update.

Wow! Congratulations!

While I didn't have the medical issues, I was promoted to upper management within one week after my lbl. The meds were a problem, only because I had to come off LOA to get processed, couldn't drive myself anywhere. The big clincher was I had to go take a drug test. Knew it was going to show dirty and would have to prove prescription. Long story short - everything worked out just fine.

My two cents, take care of yourself first!
Don't stress or try to do something too soon. It will slow down the healing process.

Your body will tell you if you try to go to fast.

Hey there!! So you really are following in my footsteps...I had low hematocrit--33. Had the same exact conversations and mine was down to the day before for a decision to proceed. My hematocrit dropped to 27 after surgery.  I will tell you that I had trouble with my blood pressure dropping--often a side effect of the low hematocrit. They kept giving me boluses of fluids and tilting me head down in the bed. I just generally felt like crap--weak and dizzy. I have had no wound issues whatsoever. A spitting stitch or two, but no necrotic wounds or anything like that. I will say that I am not sure if it has caused me to have prolonged discomfort with the pulling pain I've been experiencing or if it had anything to do with my drains staying in 6 weeks. Remember, I was still 40 pounds above the goal weight my bypass surgeon set forth so it was a lot of work I had done--14 pounds of skin removed.

Good luck with the buyer--that's exciting. Are you staying local?

Well, crossing my fingers for you. You are in very good hands. The nurses and support staff at the hospital were AWESOME. We literally were laughing almost until we peed as they prepped me for surgery. They were so very kind to me and so supportive and encouraging.

Let us know how you do!!

Best to you,

Denise

I just got labs back with a hematocrit of 31.  Damn.  I am scheduled for plastics on Jan 6th so I am now taking iron supplements 3 x a day, per Dr. orders.  So much iron supplementation means Miralax each day.  I had labs again today, 3 weeks on sups, and will again in Dec.  Good luck with your surgery and keep us posted when you feel up to it!