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Happygirl 18 years, 10 months ago

Ladybug Mom- Congrats on your upcoming surgery. I wish you the best and for a speedy recovery. Take Care.

Joan B. 18 years, 10 months ago

Chris...your big day is almost here! It has been a long time in coming but believe me it is worth the wait! By this time next year you will be almost one year out and a whole new person. You will have your good days and your "why did I ever do this to myself days!" but the good days will be the ones you remember. The best advixe I can give to you is just follow Dr. DiBenedetto's instructions and everything will be great. Oh and when they tell you to do your breathing exercises and walk...DO IT!!! It helps a lot! One more word of advice.....before you try to get up from the bed put the head of the bed all the way up...it makes it so much easier to get up and out! I discovered this trick when my sister had her surgery back in September 2004 after watching her trying to get up from a flat position! ha ha ha. Don't listen to anyone else's horror stories....everyone is different....Good luck and I will be in touch!!! If there is anything I can do please just let me know!!!

Black Beauti 18 years, 10 months ago

I wish you a journey that is safe, and uneventful. I commend you on having the courage to take your own health and happiness into your own hands. Be Blessed!! Stay Strong in teh struggle, and remember you never walk alone *smile* You'll be in my prayers!! *smoochies* ~T~ NEVER SURRENDER

Teana F. 19 years, 1 month ago

My advice for pre-op patients: I am both a nurse and a bariatric surgery patient. I have been an RN for almost 40 years, and had my Lap RNY in September, 2005 (and I’m doing GREAT!). Here is my advice: 1. Maintain a POSITIVE attitude. Do not underestimate the power of the mind. Using a technique called ‘Positive Intentionality” you can influence the outcome of your surgery. Starting weeks before your surgery, think about what you want to happen post-op. Make a list, and then tell yourself that they WILL happen. For example, you might say: “My surgery WILL have a good outcome. I WILL do well post-op. There WILL be NO complications. I WILL resist infection. I will have VERY LITTLE post-op pain. I WILL feel good after surgery. I WILL be able to get up and walk as soon as they want me to.” Each night, before you go to sleep, recite your list several times. When you wake up, recite it again. BELIEVE in your list, and it will happen. You can also try it before your surgery. Pick something that you want to happen and visualize it happening. Tell yourself it WILL happen according to your list. For more information you can Google the term “positive intentionality.” 2. Be an advocate for yourself: Remember, this surgery is FOR YOU so that YOU can have a better life. Don’t let others make decisions for you that you don’t like. If you have to wait a long time for an appointment with your doctor/dietitian, etc. then call several times before your appointment to see if they have a cancellation. If your insurance rejects your request for surgery, fight back. Write up an appeal letter. There’s information on this web site on how to appeal. Get someone else to help you write the letter if you need to – just DO IT! 3. Improve your overall nutrition BEFORE surgery. Get yourself as healthy as you can pre-op. If you’re not taking a good multi-vitamin every day - start. If you’re not exercising as much as you can, then begin. Are you getting enough calcium? Protein is important for wound healing – are you getting enough? Are you taking ALL of your medications the way you are supposed to? Exercise - even a little exercise is better than none. Start walking. If you can’t walk, use your arms – try lifting books, cans of vegetables, or anything handy. This will improve your circulation and force you to breathe more deeply – which is important. It will also give you a greater sense of control over yourself – which when paired with #1 can be powerful! 4. Practice getting out of bed properly. You’ve been getting in and out of bed all of your life, but how you do it post-op will make a difference in your pain. The best way is to roll totally onto your side. Roll as close to the edge of the bed as you can. Then, stick your legs out over the edge of the bed. Next, using BOTH of your arms, PUSH yourself up off the mattress while lowering your feet to the floor. It’s important that you PUSH yourself up. If you pull, you will be using your abdominal muscles – and they’re the ones that will be sore! This is especially important for those who have open procedures rather than laparoscopic. It’s OK to use the siderail, or a chair placed next to your bed to help. Just make sure you’re pushing, not pulling. Practice this at home and be good at it before your surgery. 5. Talk to your surgeon AND anesthesiologist about PREEMPTIVE ANALGESIA. The theory behind preemptive analgesia is that the presence of analgesia (pain reducing medications) immediately prior to the surgery prevents the sensitization of the pain nerves. With preemptive analgesia there can be a reduction in the NEED for postoperative pain medications. http://www.lighterforlife.com/PDF/SOARD_1(2005)_12-16.pdf 6. Cough, deep breathe and walk, walk, walk. The sedation and anesthesia will make you breathe more shallowly. By not fully inflating your lungs, you increase the possibility of developing a post-op pneumonia (a totally avoidable complication). If you are given a device to help you deep breathe – use it. If not, remind yourself to do it frequently. You will also need to cough. Not just a little throat clearing, but good SOLID coughs! If you have an open procedure this may hurt more to do. Use a pillow, a folded up soft blanket, a teddy bear, or anything that works to brace your abdomen before you cough. Put the pillow over your operative area, pull your elbows in, next to your body, and hug the pillow. While you’re hugging, take a deep breath and cough. If it’s too uncomfortable, then make sure you do it SEVERAL TIMES shortly after you get your pain med. You also need to move your feet and legs while you’re in bed. Prolonged bedrest can promote blood clots in the legs. Bend your knees up, then straighten them out. Do one leg, then the other. Do this several times. Repeat several times a day. Move your feet up and down, as if you were stepping on the gas pedal. Get those leg muscles moving and keep that blood circulating! Most importantly – GET OUT OF BED! As soon as you can, start getting up. Take a walk up and down the corridor. This is good for your breathing, for your circulation, and for your sense of control over your situation. Walk several times a day. If you’re severely obese and have limited mobility, at least get up to a chair. While in the chair your lungs will function more properly, and you will find it easier to cough and deep breathe. 7. Remember that the effects of anesthesia can last for several days. If you’re discharged in 48 hours (as I was) you may find yourself needing naps. Take naps, just DO NOT STAY IN BED! Try to wean yourself off of your pain medication as soon as possible. If you are given a narcotic, ask yourself if you truly need it. If not, try Tylenol instead (you can always take the narcotic later). 8. Organize yourself at home. List the medications you will need to take every day. Make a chart so that you can write down how much protein you take in, and how much fluid you drink. After the first week you may not need this any more, but to get started it can be helpful. 9. Before surgery, make sure you have the following items on hand: • Thermometer • Pill crusher • Protein drinks • Shaker jar for protein drinks made from powder • Flavored drinks and refillable bottle (crystal light, etc.) • Pen & paper to write down all of the questions for your surgeon & nutritionist. • Phone number of your surgeon and primary physician. 10. Know when to call your doctor. You should take your temperature at least twice a day. As long as it’s below 100.1 (or whatever your doctor says) it’s OK. If it goes higher, call your physician. Write your temperature on your protein chart. Inspect your incision or lap sites daily. Make note of any discharge, drainage or odor. Check for redness of the site. If redness or drainage increases, or if an odor develops – call your doctor. If you had a urinary catheter while in the hospital, it’s possible to get a urinary infection. If you experience burning, urgency, frequency or “hot urine,” you should let your doctor know right away. If you have any of these, pee into a clean jar and look at your urine. It should be clear. If it’s at all cloudy there’s a chance you have an infection. If you have a productive cough, look at what you cough up. It should be clear to white. If you see greenish or brownish colors, call your doctor. If you’re inactive after your surgery and develop blood clots in your legs, you will feel some new pain in your leg (usually one leg, but could be both). That leg will become slightly swollen. Call your doctor. 11. Remind yourself of why you had the surgery. Losing weight is only part of the reason. Getting healthy, staying healthy and taking control of your life are the main reasons. Being obese and unhealthy wasn’t easy. It won’t be easy getting better – at least not for awhile. However, it will get easier, and you will feel better. You deserve it! Good Luck! Teana

Cyndi M. 19 years, 1 month ago

*******CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR UPCOMING SURGERY. ******* ~~~~~"Everything in our lives happens for a purpose and that purpose is to prepare us~~~~~~~~~~~ May God give you courage, strength and guidance throughout your new journey. Your big day is almost here, this is the day, your new life will begin, I cant promise it will be easy, cant say it will be hard, I can say that with all the complications and everything I had to go through, It was well worth it. I have never felt better in yearsss, I’m off all medications, have sooooo much more energy. So if you hit a bump in the road, hang in there and remember it will alll be worth it in the long run. Sending Prayers your way that the Lord will guide your surgeon’s hands. May the guardian angels wrap their loving arms of protection around you during your surgery and recovery . Remember your not alone in this journey, many of us have been down this road, we are here to offer love and support. Looking forward to hearing from you on the loosing side. Huggs and Prayers Link to my profile http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=M1087435160 8-19-04 surgery date 297.5 5f 2 -107.5 weight losss

inspector-girl 19 years, 1 month ago

Congratulations on your surgery date! I have some Zen Wisdom for you - Nothing exists but momentarily...One thing flows into another...observe things as they are, let everything go as it goes. This is to put everything under control in its widest sense. --- May God keep you close to his side as you travel your new journey. You will have ups and downs. You can always turn to us, your AMOS family, we will give support, comfort and encouragement. You will find this will be the best thing you could ever have done for yourself as well as your family. I know that was true for me. Keep us posted when you reach the "other" side. I pray for a speedy and easy recovery for you. Don’t forget to update your profile at least monthly. We all like to see how we are doing!!! Make sure you take pictures. It’s great to see the new you emerge!!! Not to mention the look on YOUR face when you look at those pictures and compare them in a few months! It’ll be a BIG WOW!!! Please remember too, that this is a *tool* to use. Make sure you use it wisely. Choose the right foods and measurements wisely! Feel free to look at my profile and see my ups and downs and know I’d not change a thing with anything I’ve experienced. Everything was worth it! Good luck and God Bless!!! RNY 10/31/03 257/133 I’M AT GOAL!!! Posted in Loving Memory of Paula – Momma Angel who passed away 6/10/04 (Note Momma did not pass away from anything related to WLS – she had not had it)

Ms. J. 19 years, 5 months ago

Good luck, on everything. We are right here with you.

Sharon Neva 19 years, 6 months ago

~~BEST WISHES ON YOUR WLS JOURNEY~~ May the world hug you today with its warmth, and love.....Pray it whispers a joyful tune in your heart.....And may the wind carry a voice that tells you there is a friend sitting in another corner of the world wishing you well!~~ If you have any questions, check out my profile page or email me.

E. A. 19 years, 7 months ago

Good luck with everything, Congrats on your new life!!! -Enzo

Stormy71 19 years, 7 months ago

Chris, Good Luck on your WLS journey, and may things go very well for you. Heather