Yeah, Grant had surgery. He did so well!!!!!! It was a long wait for me of course. But the surgeon said the surgery itself only took 1 1/2 hours (though prep to end was about three hours!) And then another 1 1/2 hours in recovery. Surgeon did another one right before his and said that took 1/2 hour longer! ALSO let me remind people that today was the surgeon's first experience doing the entire surgery from beginning to end (under close supervision of a very expereinceed doctor of course). None the less he was amazing.
I am so proud of Grant. He was brave enough to go first, and he is maintaining his pain like a trooper and was even contemplating getting out of bed to walk when I left the hospital (only five hours or so after surgery!) Amazing. His only complaint - dry mouth. Seriously, think about not drinking for more than 24 hours and think about how dry you get!
Made the decision to let the kids see him in the hospital, even though they are young I was kind of in a bind anyway so I decided to take them and let them see he is okay, and perhaps that will keep them from jumping all over him when he gets home!
Meanwhile I am dealing with my own jitters about having 39 days until I go in. Will be strange for him to be on this side and see how long the process is... to him it was into the op room and then awake in recovery moments later. Crazy!
Anyway wanted to post for the dedicated readers to keep you updated on his situation. Tomorrow he will get another leak test (our surgeon does one in op room while still under). Still thinking of letting the media follow my story because I think that people need to realize that this amazing surgery is offered right here in Sarasota... and its available through some insurances or people can finance (as another lady today did). I think people lives can change and they need to know how to do it. I hope our story can provide some insight into the process.
Will post update of his progress tomorrow.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Today in a nutshell
So it has been a really exciting day. I had my visit with the surgeon. I immediately felt comfortable. I know that this is the person I want operating on me. After having him answer some questions and just putting me at ease I am once again renewed with excitement. It couldn't come at a better time... because tomorrow is Grant's surgery! He is nervous enough for both of us of course.
It is hard to know how to feel. I am anxious to get the surgery, I am okay waiting my turn of course... but its almost like having it twice. The hard part is when my day comes (in about 40 days from now! I will likely be more nervous because I will know what is coming. Then again its so hard for me to think about me having it right now because I am so nervous about Grant having his surgery! Of course the most obvious thing on every one's mind is the ULTIMATE risk of surgery. But I am confidant that it will be good, it will be successful, and it will most definitely be life changing. Its hard not to think about the future and all the times we have pigged out in the past and knowing that it will be out of our hands in the future. That life is over. Our new lives begin tomorrow. Even if I am not having my surgery tomorrow I am certainly going to be respectful to Grant and try to lose a little before surgery for me so my surgery will be safer and successful.
I met a woman today at the surgeon's office while I was waiting. I knew the minute she walked in that she had surgery. She glowed. She dressed nicely and was very confident but friendly. I never caught her name but she told me somethings while we waited. She had lost over 100 pounds and it was her 1 year and 1 month appointment. She had no complications and of course said she would do it all over again. She mentioned that she never really feels hungry (can you only imagine?) and that she still eats too little but always eats protein first. Amazing. They showed me her before and after later and it was amazing. She really made me feel comfortable... today was a great visit.
We added Grant's appointments up the other day and he had something like 39 Dr visits plus lab visits which he didn't include in that number. Anyone who thinks this is a quick fix or an easy fix should talk to someone in depth who has gone through the process. Even people who pay for it out of their own pocket are subject to nearly as many visits before actual surgery.
Today marked several land marks for me... I met the surgeon, got a tentative date... and scheduled my Cardio and Pulminology appointments. I had my final blood work and one more general physician appointment before surgery. They will submit for surgery sometime in the next week. My tentative date will be July 9. Very exciting!
I will keep you all posted about tomorrow... wish us well!
It is hard to know how to feel. I am anxious to get the surgery, I am okay waiting my turn of course... but its almost like having it twice. The hard part is when my day comes (in about 40 days from now! I will likely be more nervous because I will know what is coming. Then again its so hard for me to think about me having it right now because I am so nervous about Grant having his surgery! Of course the most obvious thing on every one's mind is the ULTIMATE risk of surgery. But I am confidant that it will be good, it will be successful, and it will most definitely be life changing. Its hard not to think about the future and all the times we have pigged out in the past and knowing that it will be out of our hands in the future. That life is over. Our new lives begin tomorrow. Even if I am not having my surgery tomorrow I am certainly going to be respectful to Grant and try to lose a little before surgery for me so my surgery will be safer and successful.
I met a woman today at the surgeon's office while I was waiting. I knew the minute she walked in that she had surgery. She glowed. She dressed nicely and was very confident but friendly. I never caught her name but she told me somethings while we waited. She had lost over 100 pounds and it was her 1 year and 1 month appointment. She had no complications and of course said she would do it all over again. She mentioned that she never really feels hungry (can you only imagine?) and that she still eats too little but always eats protein first. Amazing. They showed me her before and after later and it was amazing. She really made me feel comfortable... today was a great visit.
We added Grant's appointments up the other day and he had something like 39 Dr visits plus lab visits which he didn't include in that number. Anyone who thinks this is a quick fix or an easy fix should talk to someone in depth who has gone through the process. Even people who pay for it out of their own pocket are subject to nearly as many visits before actual surgery.
Today marked several land marks for me... I met the surgeon, got a tentative date... and scheduled my Cardio and Pulminology appointments. I had my final blood work and one more general physician appointment before surgery. They will submit for surgery sometime in the next week. My tentative date will be July 9. Very exciting!
I will keep you all posted about tomorrow... wish us well!
Friday, May 11, 2007
It's Official!
Yeah! It's Official! Got word yesterday, after an initial decline by insurance, Hubby's verdict was overturned and was officially approved by insurance! Amazing. The date might even move up one day based on available space and surgeon schedule of course.
Now a lot of people may not agree with this... but the husband has in fact opted to allow an experienced surgeon, who has never performed this operation before, operate. Before you freak out in horror... the truth of the matter is the surgeon has a great reputation first of all. Second, they are expanding the practice here so they want more surgeons to help keep up with the demand. Third, and most important, it would be under direct supervision of a "proctor" Doctor who has performed more than 2000 of these surgeries.
I don't know that I personally would want to go down that road... but it is kind of him to let the doctor get his start somewhere!
Hubby did have to endure his sleep study, but it was already the "second part" of his appointment. They let him sleep with a mask on. So we initially thought that it was going to delay the process by having to make another appointment to say "yes, you have sleep apnea, go have the other part of the study where they fit you for a mask". Now he just needs to get it... and well... use it between now and the surgery.
Butterflies all around as this date gets closer and he will finally be on the flip side of the surgery. I will only be two months behind! Can't wait.
Now a lot of people may not agree with this... but the husband has in fact opted to allow an experienced surgeon, who has never performed this operation before, operate. Before you freak out in horror... the truth of the matter is the surgeon has a great reputation first of all. Second, they are expanding the practice here so they want more surgeons to help keep up with the demand. Third, and most important, it would be under direct supervision of a "proctor" Doctor who has performed more than 2000 of these surgeries.
I don't know that I personally would want to go down that road... but it is kind of him to let the doctor get his start somewhere!
Hubby did have to endure his sleep study, but it was already the "second part" of his appointment. They let him sleep with a mask on. So we initially thought that it was going to delay the process by having to make another appointment to say "yes, you have sleep apnea, go have the other part of the study where they fit you for a mask". Now he just needs to get it... and well... use it between now and the surgery.
Butterflies all around as this date gets closer and he will finally be on the flip side of the surgery. I will only be two months behind! Can't wait.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
My Progress Thus Far
About me... Finally got the Head Doc to turn in her paperwork so I was able to score an appointment with the Nutritionist/Dietitian in two weeks and finally one with the surgeon late this month. Will be interesting. I am very excited and a little nervous. This level of appointments brings the reality of it all to the forefront and you can't help but start to feel the buzz of excitement that it is really coming... you are finally going to have surgery!
One thing that my quick trip to the hospital with chest pain did for me the other day was get me a chest x-ray which meets the requirements before surgery. I certainly was glad to hear I wasn't having a heart attack but I was equally pleased to learn I can salvage something I really needed from the experience.
Who knows, I have never had a sleep study so that it a possibility that they make me do all that as well... but that at least gives me an idea of the time line for all my appointments. My goal is to get approved about the same time as Hubby so I can be ready for my surgery when my time is here.
So now with the surgery date fluid for the Hubby it appears that I am definitely moving into the late August or early September dates for mine... keep ya posted.
One thing that my quick trip to the hospital with chest pain did for me the other day was get me a chest x-ray which meets the requirements before surgery. I certainly was glad to hear I wasn't having a heart attack but I was equally pleased to learn I can salvage something I really needed from the experience.
Who knows, I have never had a sleep study so that it a possibility that they make me do all that as well... but that at least gives me an idea of the time line for all my appointments. My goal is to get approved about the same time as Hubby so I can be ready for my surgery when my time is here.
So now with the surgery date fluid for the Hubby it appears that I am definitely moving into the late August or early September dates for mine... keep ya posted.
Speed Bump
So, we knew it was bound to happen eventually. Hubby got a speed bump on his road to progress. Today he went to the pulminologist who decided that he needed yet another sleep study. Which means the surgery date that has been moved to May 31 (another story) is in jeopardy. He is obviously very upset and frustrated.
According to the Pulm Doc he was told he would have to be put on C-Pap machine prior to surgery and would even need to bring it in for use after surgery while recovering. The thing is his surgery is scheduled for the 31st, his sleep study is the 9th, and they won't read that one until the 22nd... which means he will have 8 days to get it read and fitted for a c-pap! Wonder if it can be turned around that fast?!?
According to the Pulm Doc he was told he would have to be put on C-Pap machine prior to surgery and would even need to bring it in for use after surgery while recovering. The thing is his surgery is scheduled for the 31st, his sleep study is the 9th, and they won't read that one until the 22nd... which means he will have 8 days to get it read and fitted for a c-pap! Wonder if it can be turned around that fast?!?
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