On The Road...

Oct. 1, 2008 -- Finally, I know what time the surgery is to start! We drove down to Hillcrest Memorial Hospital in Simpsonville, SC early this morning for the pre-surgical assessment and meeting with the anesthesiologist. Again we both were impressed with the thoroughness and attention to detail of all those involved in this process. The whole deal, from start with the business office to final details took about 1 1/2 hours -- most of it answering health questions.

The biggest thing of the morning: Surgery is set for 8 a.m. Monday, Oct. 6. I have to be in the lobby of the hospital at 6:30 a.m. Surgery will take about two hours, then I go to the recovery room for an hour or so before moving into my room for my two night stay. Nothing to eat or drink -- not even water or ice chips -- the first day.

Hillcrest is small teaching hospital south of Greenville. It is part of the Greenville Hospital System and the center for bariatric surgery. Everyone we met with is part of the regular crew that specializes in gastric bypass surgery.

I feel very confident and reassured. The support group sessions, special diet classes and all the other preparation has been fantastic.

When Dr. Bour did the EGD he took a biopsy looking for a particular kind of bacteria, which he found. So his assistant called this afternoon with a prescription for antibiotics I have to start tonight.

Sept. 30, 2008 -- Met with the pre-surgery diet group for the last time today. I made my weight goal, or rather came very close to it, by losing 10 pounds over these past three weeks. I should be a few pounds under the goal by Oct 5, the day before surgery, when I go on a clear liquid diet. Nothing at all after midnight the night before surgery.

Sept. 25, 2008 -- Gadzooks! An 8 a.m. meeting in Greenville, an hour's drive away meant an early morning for us. But it was worth it. All of those scheduled for surgery around my Oct. 5 surgery date met with Dr. Eric Bour, the bariatric surgeon, and his assistant Katie M. Meyer. They went over a lot of ground we had covered in the various support group and diet group meetings but this was a very intense review. We went over all the things that can go wrong, what to expect in the recovery room and so forth. Once again we both left convinced I came to the right place for this surgery.

Sept.23, 2008 -- My third diet class this morning. I feel fine and have lost six pounds. The Optifast 800 is not as bad as I expected. In fact, it tastes pretty good and it certainly takes away the hunger. Or most of the hunger. The real meal I eat once a day is very welcome. We weigh everything. No more than four ounces of protein. But dill pickles are "free" and I have already gone through a whole jar.

Sept. 17, 2008 -- This is the second week of the crash diet before gastric bypass surgery. It is still going well.
On Monday I had the EGD procedure and Dr. Eric Bour said my innerds look fine except for a small lesion. He took a biopsy but said he sees a lot like that. I don't remember any of this, of course, so it is second hand from Sylvia.