So Close to Surgery
After one final (I hope!) frustration I'm finally cleared for surgery and am about to start week 2 of Phase 1 Pre-Op Diet. My surgical date of Oct 26th is finally confirmed instead of just being held pending....
The one last scare occurred about a week ago when my case manager Shawna called and said, "your chart doesn't show cardiac clearance for surgery. If I don't have some kind of documentation of cardiac clearance by the end of the week I'm going to have to take you off the schedule." (This was a Wednesday by the way.) Dr. Korasick had said she would clear me but just hadn't written those particular words. So I'm madly trying to get a message through to her and hitting obstacles at every turn. So much easier with Dr. Lefcort's office!
Finally the message gets there. On Friday I get a call from Rockwood Clinic saying in order for them to give surgical clearance I have to be seen for a specific pre-op appointment...but I'm sorry, your doctor is out of town. I was able to get in to see a different doctor, Dr. Baxter, the next week which was past the deadline. But Shawna accepted that thank goodness. Dr. Baxter was really nice and really supportive. He made sure every "I" was dotted and every "t" crossed twice over. They wanted all my labs repeated and another EKG so it would be within the 30-day window. All done and documented. Shawna says it's all good and my surgical date is confirmed. Thank goodness! It should never have to be this complicated!!!
I proceeded with the pre-op diet plan assuming it was all going to work out. Phase 1 consists of 150-200 calorie protein shakes 4 times a day and 1 small low carbohydrate meal. The day's intake should be right around 1000 calories. The rules on the shakes are: At least 15gm protein, 5-15gm carbohydrates, 150-200 calories.
Phase 1 hasn't been easy but it really hasn't been as difficult as I imagined either. I mix up a few days worth of shake varieties in advance so I can just toss it over ice at work and I'm good to go. Tomorrow starts Week 2 of Phase 1. Then October 12th I start Phase 2: No solid foods, only liquid protein. Really not looking forward to that!
I thought I'd drop a bunch of weight with Phase 1 but that really hasn't panned out, much to my frustration. I started a modified version of Phase 1 2 weeks early to give me time to experiment and get used to it while there wasn't any pressure to make progress. I was able to drop the weight I'd gained during my "last chance eat fest" but not below my pre-fest starting weight.
Even going into the actual, very strict Phase 1 I didn't drop a pound. Panicking I decided...regardless of how tired I am after my 12-hour shifts, I have to stop by the gym on the way home and put in at least 30 minutes of cardio. That was the ticket. Boom went the weight! No more excuses, I just have to do it.
Now I do have a few pre-op jitters unfortunately. Up until a couple of days ago the few people I knew who have had RNY did fantastic and the weight is still off 5-7 years later. Last night Tami, the night supervisor, told me all the nurses on the 3rd floor who'd had the surgery had significant complications. All 4 of them have ulcers. One is severely malnourished and underweight. 2 of them required revisions. OK Tami. Scaring me now.
It is what it is. I'm going into this with the same positive attitude and have regarding illness. I don't have sick time and I can't afford to miss a shift so I'm simply not going to get sick. In the last 13 years the only time I called in sick was when the stitches in my hand broke open after carpal tunnel surgery. I really believe the mind has a lot to do with illness and I'm trying to override my fear with the same attitude. I can't afford to lose work so my body simply can't create a situation where I'd have to!
So that's where I am now. I just have to focus on the "why I'm doing this" and keep in the forefront the visualization of a successful, much smaller, healthier me. What our minds create is the blueprint for our bodies to follow. My mind is creating the vision of a tiny me dancing in the sunset. And it is so! Thank you Positive Changes :)
The one last scare occurred about a week ago when my case manager Shawna called and said, "your chart doesn't show cardiac clearance for surgery. If I don't have some kind of documentation of cardiac clearance by the end of the week I'm going to have to take you off the schedule." (This was a Wednesday by the way.) Dr. Korasick had said she would clear me but just hadn't written those particular words. So I'm madly trying to get a message through to her and hitting obstacles at every turn. So much easier with Dr. Lefcort's office!
Finally the message gets there. On Friday I get a call from Rockwood Clinic saying in order for them to give surgical clearance I have to be seen for a specific pre-op appointment...but I'm sorry, your doctor is out of town. I was able to get in to see a different doctor, Dr. Baxter, the next week which was past the deadline. But Shawna accepted that thank goodness. Dr. Baxter was really nice and really supportive. He made sure every "I" was dotted and every "t" crossed twice over. They wanted all my labs repeated and another EKG so it would be within the 30-day window. All done and documented. Shawna says it's all good and my surgical date is confirmed. Thank goodness! It should never have to be this complicated!!!
I proceeded with the pre-op diet plan assuming it was all going to work out. Phase 1 consists of 150-200 calorie protein shakes 4 times a day and 1 small low carbohydrate meal. The day's intake should be right around 1000 calories. The rules on the shakes are: At least 15gm protein, 5-15gm carbohydrates, 150-200 calories.
Phase 1 hasn't been easy but it really hasn't been as difficult as I imagined either. I mix up a few days worth of shake varieties in advance so I can just toss it over ice at work and I'm good to go. Tomorrow starts Week 2 of Phase 1. Then October 12th I start Phase 2: No solid foods, only liquid protein. Really not looking forward to that!
I thought I'd drop a bunch of weight with Phase 1 but that really hasn't panned out, much to my frustration. I started a modified version of Phase 1 2 weeks early to give me time to experiment and get used to it while there wasn't any pressure to make progress. I was able to drop the weight I'd gained during my "last chance eat fest" but not below my pre-fest starting weight.
Even going into the actual, very strict Phase 1 I didn't drop a pound. Panicking I decided...regardless of how tired I am after my 12-hour shifts, I have to stop by the gym on the way home and put in at least 30 minutes of cardio. That was the ticket. Boom went the weight! No more excuses, I just have to do it.
Now I do have a few pre-op jitters unfortunately. Up until a couple of days ago the few people I knew who have had RNY did fantastic and the weight is still off 5-7 years later. Last night Tami, the night supervisor, told me all the nurses on the 3rd floor who'd had the surgery had significant complications. All 4 of them have ulcers. One is severely malnourished and underweight. 2 of them required revisions. OK Tami. Scaring me now.
It is what it is. I'm going into this with the same positive attitude and have regarding illness. I don't have sick time and I can't afford to miss a shift so I'm simply not going to get sick. In the last 13 years the only time I called in sick was when the stitches in my hand broke open after carpal tunnel surgery. I really believe the mind has a lot to do with illness and I'm trying to override my fear with the same attitude. I can't afford to lose work so my body simply can't create a situation where I'd have to!
So that's where I am now. I just have to focus on the "why I'm doing this" and keep in the forefront the visualization of a successful, much smaller, healthier me. What our minds create is the blueprint for our bodies to follow. My mind is creating the vision of a tiny me dancing in the sunset. And it is so! Thank you Positive Changes :)
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