Got back from Muskogee Community Hospital around 2 p.m. Everything went very well. Dr. G said he wishes more of his patients were like me. I'm still quite sore...my abdominal area feels like I've done way too many crunches. However, I can get in and out of bed on my own now as well as go to the bathroom. Things are looking up!

Almost there.....

Wednesday was my pre-op with the hospital. I had blood drawn (I'm O positive!), I had yet another EKG, and a chest x-ray. Everything went swimmingly. Yesterday was my appointment with the gastroentrologist. They put me out so they could stick a camera down my throat to look at my tummy. Afterwards, to say the least, I was a little loopy. I rode the elevator down like a rollercoaster. Also, I slept about 14 hours yesterday. Dad drove me home. Then Mom drove me to Muskogee to meet with the pulmonologist. Today I met with Dr. G for my pre-op appoinment. It's always great to talk to him.

So after twelve doctors appointment, multiple needles and EKGs, and making people laugh on an elevator, it's only five days til surgery day. Tomorrow I start my clear liquid diet and on Wednesday around 6 a.m., I'll be in Muskogee Community Hospital, ready to go.

I've never been more ready for anything in my life.

UPDATE

My wrist is now a dark brown/purple and my whole arm hurts. This week is going to be a busy one. Plus I have to start my liquid diet on Saturday. The fam is taking me to Olive Garden. So excited!

Why is my wrist blue?

So today was by far the busiest day of my journey so far. First I had to get up around 6:30 this morning to drive to Muskogee again for my stress test with the cardiologist. All I did was walk on a treadmill for about ten minutes. They checked my blood pressure about every two minutes and I reached the heart rate I was expected to. Everything went well. The nurse told me I was one of the best patients they had seen in a long time; that made me feel great. Then I drove to Tulsa to see the pulmonologist. I had a bunch of extra time so I went home to see my kitties and take a short nap. I went over to Hillcrest and did a bunch of weird breathing test in the pulmonary lab. Then they took me downstairs to get my '"arterial blood gases" tested. Apparently that means they draw blood from an artery to test the oxygen levels. I assumed that I was just going to get blood drawn like at Dr. Wooster's (my family doc) so I wasn't worried. Then the nurse pulled out a huge needle and told me that it was really going to hurt. Then she pushed the needle into an artery on my wrist. It hurt sooooooo bad! I had to grit my teeth and clench my fists to keep from crying.....and I never cry at the doctor's (at least not since I was a kid)! Now my wrist is really sore and a sort of bluish purple color and it's getting worse. But it's all gonna be worth it!

The heart is an amazing thing.

Had my appointment with the cardiologist today. Went very well. Had an ultrasound of my heart....it sounds so WEIRD! Also had an EKG. Met with the doc. He said everything looked good and I need to schedule a stress test. So on Thursday morning, I'll have to walk on a treadmill for a while to see how my heart reacts. Getting closer and closer!

Still have to see the pulmonologist, and the gastro guy, then it's a pre-op at the hospital, and a pre-op with Dr. G. Then on the 26th, it's TIME!

My journey so far...

Let me catch you all up on my mission so far...


It all started at the beginning of this year. My mom had mentioned something about our insurance company covering a gastric banding surgery because of some 'comorbities' I had (PCOS, anxiety, etc.). She said we should go online to look for a surgeon a friend at work had told her about. The surgeon was having a seminar in Muskogee about the different surgeries he performs and we decided to go.

THE SEMINAR.........

Mom met me in Muskogee on a warm spring day in March at the new hospital there. I couldn't help but notice that I was one of the smallest and youngest potential patient. Then we met Dr. Luis Gorospe, one of the best bariatric surgeons in the world.

As Dr. G began to talk, I became more and more nervous. I started to panic and Mom could tell. I held onto her arm for most of the seminar.

After the seminar, we ate at Chili's and talked everything over. Mom almost cried and said she would sell a kidney for me to have the surgery. We decided to go ahead and make an intake appointment.

THE INTAKE APPOINTMENT.........

Mom went with me to my intake appointment. I had to fill out a booklet of information and the receptionist took my 'before' picture. We went to the patient room and after they took my pulse and blood pressure, Mom and I waited patiently for Dr. G.

He walked in with a big smile and introduced himself. He was so encouraging and helpful. He told me that women my age are his favorite patients because we still have our lives ahead of us. He told me that he wants me to be one of his models in his support group's "Spring Fling" fashion show where everyone dresses up in formal wear. I left beaming with excitement. A few days later, the receptionist at Dr. G's office called to schedule an appointment for my psych eval.

THE PYSCHOLOGIST.........

My psychologist, Dr. Nicholas, is a very sweet (almost sugary) lady. She told me everything I needed to know about the behavioral side of the surgery. She taught me some coping techniques for anxiety (which I already know from my experience with panic attacks). I have to back to see her twice after the surgery. Now it was time for the sleep studies.

THE SLEEP STUDIES.........

I showed up at the sleep therapy office where I met Tiffany, my amazing sleep tech. She made me laugh and gave me all the information I needed. She hooked me up with about 16 electrodes to my head, a few stickers on my chest, two stickers on each leg, straps across my chest, and a tube going into my nose. Surprisingly I slept soundly. The doctor found that I had minor sleep apnea so I had to have another sleep study. More electrodes and stickers, plus a CPAP machine. I didn't sleep much, but I sleep better than ever with the CPAP machine. A few weeks later, I recieved my own CPAP machine, and ever since I've been sleeping soundly and deeply.

_________________

And that's not the end of all the doctor's appointments. I still have several more to go. I'll keep everyone posted.

Plus I found a good song to psych myself up: "Bat Outta Hell" by Meatloaf.

A Background Check.

My name is Amy and I just turned 20. And I'm having gastric bypass surgery in 16 days.

I must note...this is not a surgery that I need to have. I want to have it. I want to know what it's like to be thin....to go shopping and want to try on clothes. To not worry about my health. To not be self-concious. To wear a bikini. It's something I've wanted for a long time. And finally, I'll be able to experience it, first hand.

I've always struggled with my weight. I've tried so many weight loss methods, none of which have worked in the long haul; sometimes it was my fault...sometimes it wasn't. I've also struggled with other health issues, like depression, anxiety, and PCOS, all of which are tied to my weight.

This journey is not going to be easy. In fact it's probably going to be one of the hardest things I've ever done. Luckily, I have my parents, my sister, and my friends for support, as well as an amazing group of doctors by my side.

On May 26th, my life is going to change forever.

Welcome to my mission.