Has anyone had RNY at Duke?

I am hopeing someone can tell me how long it may take from the time one mails an application until surgery. I go to the seminar on 12/5. I mailed my application today. I just want a general time frame.

Is your surgery going to be at Duke or at Durham Regional Hospital?

I just pulled out my paperwork, it will be at Durham Regional Hospital.

Hi. Thanks for the info. Is the 'swift' a machine or mask apparatus? I am a bit confused. Does it go in the nose like the two little buds people use on soap operas when they are in hospital?? Where do you get the swift? Thanks, ny petunia

I am a seasoned CPAP user of 3 years. It is tough to get used to the machine. It took me a couple of months. For me, the cannulas are much better than the face mask because I get claustraphobic. I started out with The Breeze and used it for a couple of years. Last year, Resmed came out with "The Swift". I wouldn't give you a penny for any of the other stuff since using the Swift. It doesn't cover your face. You can even put your glasses on. I too am a mouth breather but managed to train myself to sleep with my mouth closed while on the machine. However, if I fall asleep without it, I still mouth breathe. In order to train myself, I purchased a head band for $.99 at Walmart. I ran it under my chin and over the top of my head. You can also purchase chin straps but my head band was cheaper and did the trick. That took a little while too but I got through it. Just be persistant. Once you finally learn to sleep with it, you won't believe how much better you will feel.

Hi. I know how you feel. I had the same problems. I am a mouth breather also. I choked, gagged, made gurgling noises, the full gamut! I just had to put my mind to this and use the machine. I do plan to get a full face mask. I have a gold edition nose mask and I hope to find someone who wants to exchange their full face mask for my nasal mask-I have 2 and this one is not used-not ever. My email is [email protected] right now I just keep on trying to use the one nasal mask like it or not. The machine takes a long time to get used to it. Just persevere and it really will get better. I promise. Everything gets easier the more you do it. You don't have to 'like' it you just have to 'need' it. Hugs, carol

Dakota was a mixed german shepard and rottweiler. When she was young, her bones grew so fast that her knee joints didn't close up right. As she grew she developed arthritis in both knees. She was too big -- the dr said they didn't make joints for dogs her size so surgery was out of the question. The only alternative was to treat the pain so she started taking rimadyl twice a day from the time she was 3 years old. The pain meds managed her pain for a time, but it was a constant struggle for the next 4 years to keep it under control. The rimadyl was a good thing and a bad thing. It helped but we had to gradually increase the dose to manage her pain. The problem was it causes liver damage and stomach ulcers with long term use. We were between a rock and a hard place becuase we eventually had to measure here QUALITY of life vs the Quantity left. In november she got a scratch on the pad of one of her feet. It got infected, and because she had been on the rimadyl so long, her liver just couldn't manage the infection. She started going into multisytem organ failure, wouldn't eat. Dropped at least 30 lbs in a couple of weeks. She was not going to recover and we had to accept it. That didin't make it any easier to put her to sleep but in that last 2 weeks she was so miserable it showed on her poor face and wasting body. As it happened it was the week of thanksgiving, so we had to wait through it to see the vet since they were closed for the holiday. That last week was terrible for her and I still regret that we didn't take her to the vet for that last trip sooner. 7 years old wasn't very old. But she was "sick" since before she was 3. More than 1/2 of her life was lived in pain and under medication. We tried to keep her as comfortable as possible for as long as we could - but eventually her poor body just couldn't take it any longer. I understand what you're going through. I still get teary when I think of Dakota, she was a gentle giant and a kind spirited dog. Pockets sounds a lot like her. You really don't have anything to feel guilty for. Pockets long life is a testiment to the love and care you have provided for him. I know it won't be easy but you may need to think of helping ease his transition from this life. One thought that gave me comfort was this -- Dakota had a vet called "Doc" who she ADORED. Whenever we would go to the vet (and it was quite frequently because of her illness) she would stand in the hallway and watch for him. He died of cancer about a year ago, and afterward she would still watch and wait for him when we would go back to the vet's office. So, thinking Doc was there on the other side and that Dakota could pass over and be with him made me hopeful that she would be OK over there. She is gone, but never forgotten. Love never dies. Best wishes, Regina