Providence

Hi, 

I am also named Robyn and I am getting my surgery on June 17...13 days....and I am nervous.  I live in Providence with my partner and two young daughters. Have you had the surgery yet? Robyn

Hi Robyn,

Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you.  Wow, your only a few days away from your surgery.  Where are you having your surgery done?  I had mine done at Brigham & Woman's Hospital in Boston on April 8, 2013.  My surgeon is a great surgeon and very good at what he does.  I have the full RNY Gastric Bypass, and I wasn't the least bit nervous until moments before they took me into the operating room.  After surgery I don't remember anything until a few hours after being in my room (I don't remember the recovery room or anything).  I was doing really well after my surgery, but I will tell you they usually only give you these little mini sponge lollipop stick things that they allow you to suck on but right after surgery you're dying for a drink but that is all they give you for several hours to over night... that is the hardest part cause you will have such dry mouth it will drive you nuts.  They also had me up and walking around within several hours after the surgery, that was surprising and shocking to me but you will be able to do it even if you think you won't be able to.

I spent two full days in the hospital, then went home on day three.  At home I was grateful to be in my own bed and very grateful that they wouldn't be coming in and out of my room all night long to check my vitals or give me a shot.... That will drive you crazy as well.... you'll get almost no sleep.  Other than all that I'm sure you will be fine, just keep thinking about the afterwards and the rewards... cause I can tell you every person is different, and I have had so much trouble since my surgery in the eating part (constantly throwing up all the time) but my surgeon put me on some medication to coat the pouch, as they believe I caused an Ulcer from constantly throwing up... but that has worked out much better for eating and I have finally been able to add more variety of foods to my daily eating routine.  The most important bit of advise anyone having surgery can receive is.... remember to eat very slow, and even if you can only get in one or two bites of something that is okay as well. I always say take it one meal at a time and you will get through it.... and the weight in the beginning will come off pretty quickly and almost without any effort... but  you need to at least try to get up and walk (it helps with healing and of course loosing the weight).  I've already lost 80 lbs and it has only been a bit over two months since my surgery, so I know it can be done if you at lease try even if it is not much... trying is the most important key.

Robin

Hi Robin,

So glad to hear you've been so successful despite the stomach coating issues. I hope that cleared it up. I am going for surgery tomorrow and I am very nervous and upset today. My mom came in to watch my girls and so that is distracting. My partner is getting us all together because I am pretty worthless at the moment and SO HUNGRY! I am having my surgery done at Emerson Hospital in Concord. My doctor is at both Emerson and Mass General, but Mass General has so many pre-op requirements, including more than 10 pre-op meetings. I couldn't commute from Providence for that many meetings, so he is operating at Emerson.  This is both a good thing and a bad thing. The good thing is that I managed to get to this point with little hassle, the bad news is that I feel I have no support. The center isn't very organized. I didn't even see a nutritionist until 2 weeks ago and at that point she told me that it was too late to organize a liquid protein fast before the surgery but that it wasn't important. I am fasting this weekend just because I want to.  They are really disorganized. But the doctor who is operating is the reason I am there. He is apparently the best in the country for revisions (lap band to RNY) so I am going there specifically for him. That makes me feel great about the surgery but not great about the follow-up. I am very preoccupied today about getting cut open tomorrow and having some trepidation.  Do I really want to not be able to absorb vitamins after tomorrow? Is that smart? I know that I am getting much more than I am losing and that vitamin deficiency or not, I am not healthy and every attempt I have made to get healthy has failed. But it seems so scary and drastic. Both my mom and partner are opposed but supportive so I can't really voice my concerns. If I do, I will spend the day listening to them trying talk me out of it. I am going forward but I am really nervous. Will post in a few days. Thanks for listening! Robyn