got a date

Got a date for my DS surgery with Dr. Garth.  Will do preop on Friday Sep 9.  This consists of a visit to surgeon's office for paperwork, payment, and picking up shakes and vitamins.  The surgeon's office wants 1250 for my share of the surgery and 300 for 3 weeks of shakes and 3 months of supplements.  Then I will visit the hospital (MHMC) for pre registration, blood draw for preop labs, probably some paperwork and payment as well.  Don't know what the hospital fee will be.

Surgery itself will be Tuesday Sept 27, reporting to hospital at 9 am.  Expect to be in the hospital for 2-3 days, and off work for about 2 weeks.

The preop regimen consists of a number of things as follows:
1. a two week liquid diet (commencing 13Sep).  This involves 5 shakes a day using BA's meal replacement shake formula.  They can be mixed with water or milk, and splenda or vanilla or other flavorings can be added.
2. starting on the vitamin supplements

• multi with ADEK 2x daily
• 2000 mg Ca (max 600 mg per dose, spaced 2hrs apart, not with iron)
• 29 mg iron
• Vit D (1 daily unless instructed otherwise)

3. No Advil / ibuprofen / NSAIDS (or blood thinners) from 10 days before surgery.  Tylenol is ok if needed.

4. 2 days before surgery, begin to shower twice daily with antibacterial soap

5. the day before surgery, go on clear liquids.  broth, water, decaf coffee/tea, sugar free popsicles or jello.  No red or orange jello.

6. purchase a bottle of magnesium citrate from pharmacy for bowel cleansing.  Consume the entire bottle starting the day before surgery at 4 pm.  Stay near the toilet.

7. NO eating or drinking after midnight the night before surgery.

 Fun Fun!  Planning to be in chicago on business the week of 12 Sep, so will start my liq diet during that trip.  This is probably a good thing otherwise I would be eating badly!

J