I went to the Cardiologist yesterday filled with apprehension because I didn’t think my physical condition would make him reasonably confident I could stand the strain of the sleeve operation. Got on the treadmill and all bar ran for a couple of minutes whilst the EVG, BP etc. did their monitoring thing. Then, off to the waiting room where I sat for 30 minutes waiting to get the results.
When we booked the appointment we were told I’d have the test at 11:30 or so and we’d see the cardiologist at 1:30. My wife had a morning meeting so at 12″00, left her meeting and set off to get to me around 12:30 or so. However, when I said “See you in an hour”, to the receptionist, he asked why, and I said, “That’s when my appointment is!”. I was *then* informed I would be seeing the specialist almost immediately and, in fact, I was next in line!!
So, off I go expecting the worst… tho I’d survived the test which already amazed me because I had visions of passing out before I actually did it. To make things easier on my hips etc. I’d taken Nuromol an hour before to dull the pain so maybe that had an additional effect of making it easier for me to cope with the tests, I don’t know but I’m glad I did because, apart from the exhaustion, it didn’t actually *hurt* as much as I’d expected.
I sat in his office for a few seconds while he looked over the results of the test, looked up and said “You’re ok to have the operation!”. Seems my heart is in good condition for someone my age, and not only are the stents holding up but there seems to be no sign of new blockages or narrowing of the arteries to cause concern. He said he’d write to the Bariatric surgeon and my GP, to let them know, but otherwise, I was good to go. I’m allowed to suspend taking Plavix (the blood thinners) for a week through the operation and recovery period, but to take low-dose aspirin as a substitute. I’ll have to remember to inform the surgeon of that to make sure he’s happy with it.
So, at last I’m on the starting block. Next, I make an appointment with the surgeon to set a date for the operation then wait for the pistol to go off and the race will begin in earnest!
Ok it isn’t as simple as I’m making it sound. There are still ‘issues’ floating about. For a start, there’s still a lot of trepidation about the process. I’m intellectually aware that the immediate after-effects of the operation are going to be ‘difficult’. Many people in the support group report severe pains, uncomfortable amounts of gas and real difficulties in taking in sufficient water, some being on a drip for a day or so afterwards. Then there’s the *huge* change in lifestyle that they have had to cope with, i.e. the real hassle of having to make purees etc. to eat for the first few weeks until the stomach becomes accustomed to its new size, and to adapt, not only to the tiny amounts of food they can eat, but trying to make sure sufficient proteins, vitamins and minerals get into their system to prevent *muscle* loss and not the excess fat!
These initial issues surrounding the operation aren’t enough to make me rethink the surgery, but nonetheless have to be faced realistically. If I went ahead thinking the journey would be all fun and frolics I’d be mistaken. There’s a *really* hard slog ahead and I need to make sure I’m prepared to go through it. All I can say is that the results I’ve seen on other people make me think it’s worthwhile. I should be able to exercise, walk more or less as I used to and have clothes that fit. I could go on rides at attractions etc., the simple things in life that even at my best, I wasn’t able to do. I’ve been this size for almost 30 years and it has to stop, regardless of the difficulty it will present at first. The alternative is a really negative effect on my heart accompanied by the very potential to have a stroke. Of course, the possibility of both won’t be entirely beaten, but it *should* at least help. Obviously, I’ll never see my 40s again (mentally and physically my ‘golden period), but, if I can live out my final years in relative comfort, I’ll be satisfied.
The Eclectic Interweb 