The Big Day is Almost Here!

Okay, surgery is the day after tomorrow. Wow...finally getting there. I have to say that it seems like we have been building up to this day for an awful long time!

Monday afternoon we met with the surgeon, Dr. Strickland, for the last pre-op appointment. Chris' official weigh-in was 299. He has lost 22 lbs. on the pre-op high protein diet! Dr. Strickland was VERY pleased with his results. He looked over the results from the blood work that Chris had done earlier this month at the hospital and was pleased with all of those results as well. Chris discussed Gout with him. He came down with a terrible case of what we have been told is the gout late last week...even missed a day of work which is just absolutely unheard of for Chris! The doc said it is common with the high protein, most often after surgery. He was concerned that it might get worse so he told Chris to go ahead and back off of the high protein...we are close enough to surgery not to worry about it, the liver should be super skinny! LOL Chris told him that he has come to far to back off now...Dr. Strickland laughed and said "we have created a monster." :) Chris asked him about when he would be able to bowl...we had planned he would miss this Friday...obviously...and next Friday. Doc said that should be fine, he should be ready to go by then.

We asked the doc about the complication of SO many pills that Chris has to swallow every morning and every night. He said to cut the big pills in half but that everything should be just fine. He explained that the opening will be about the size of a quarter for now...and the pouch is the size of a golf ball...just don't take so many at one time that you would fill the pouch up. So...I guess until we can reduce some of these meds, he will just take one at a time while he sips on his clear liquids! Hopefully the amount of meds will be decreasing...that's the goal here!

So...we have had calls and emails from lots of friends letting us know that they are all thinking of us and praying for Chris. I know everything will be just fine...the worry wart in me wants to kick-in every once in a while but I am fighting it off bravely. Too far gone to start worrying now! It is in God's hands and we have no control at this point. We have the utmost faith in this doctors, the whole outfit just seems to be super outstanding. They are a certified center of excellence for bariatrics so what more could we ask for!

We are scheduled to be at the hospital at 7AM Thursday morning and surgery is set for 11:10. Dr. Strickland indicated that he thought we would go into surgery early but I am not counting on it...I have learned to expect surgery to be later, not earlier. So...I guess my next post will be post-surgery. Stay tuned!!!!!