Post-op update

It has been over 6 weeks since surgery. I met with my local physician this past week and had a check-up. Blood work was also taken and the results are in!!!!!! Everything is in the normal range. Even my Cholesterol (pre-op of about 230) is down to a comfortable 170. Whoowee!

I stopped taking my blood pressure meds kinda-sorta before I left Costa Rica and since then my BP is within normal readings. Double Whoowee!!!!!

I try to get in swimming at the YMCA in Auburn 2-3 times a week and have mowed our lawn twice and have taken a few bike rides (in between rain and cold spells). My energy level is getting better.

And last, but not least, I have dropped almost 40 lbs since surgery. Triple Whoowee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chaio, Costa Rica

All right - all right! I was scolded for not having this blog updated before I leave Costa Rica. So - this has been an incredible adventure. My MGB surgery was successful - I'm able to handle different (liquified or mashed) foods well. It is a strange experience to have an appetite and have it basically satisfied with about 3-4 oz of food.

I am heading back to the states today - leaving the ranch at about 9:30am and arrive home in Enumclaw later tonight. I want to thank all who have given me and Molly support while while I was down here. We were well taken care of.

If you have any questions about my procedure and/or Costa Rica and what it has to offer (besides snow), please let me know. inetcon@msn.com

Chaio

Ever seen an angel?

Here is photo of my angel, who takes so great care of me - and all the other guests at CheTica Ranch. Her name is Francis. She is from Nicaragua and has a 10 year old son still up there. If there is a need, she takes care of it. She can speak English very well and is loved by all.

Surgery results update

Well, I just returned from my 1 week check up with my doctor and to have (a little grossness) my drain tube removed that was carrying around hanging from a hole in the side of my abdomen. Ther was about 18 inches of the flexible plastic tube inside me. Funny story - as Dr. Quesada was about to begin the extraction, I asked him about how much tubing was inside me. He responded "Do you really want to know?" I replied "Well, since you put it that way, NO!" It all went well. everything looked good and normal from his perspective and I LOST ABOUT 15 LBS in less than 1 week. Way to go Bill!! :-)

CheTica Ranch Flora - more

CheTica Ranch Flora

My Casita - "Bourbon Street"

Monday AM

After spending a lot of time watching General Conference yesterday, I was was quite tired. Today, I got up and took a nice walk up the driveway here at CheTica Ranch and spent some time swinging in a swing and getting some sun and looking over the ranch. 5 sheep (one is a cute lamb) were grazing in a pasture.

I feel a bit better today - as expected - and looking forward to meeting with my doctor on Wed to get final instructions and to remove the #$&* drain tube from my stomach - ouch!!

CheTica Ranch view

Watching LDS General Conference

Way down here in Costa Rica, you can connect your laptop to the internet and view conference sessions - however, the view above my computer is toward a portion of a small rainforest. What a blessing it is to "attend" conference this way. Gosh, my camera and my hand are in the photo.

Liquid diet

Do you know how much 30 ml of clear liquid is every 20 minutes? about the size of a shot glass. I will be "enjoying" this protocol for about a month slowly advancing to more substantial items, like watery oatmeal or really mashed vegetables, I guess. But, I coudn't ask for a beter peacful place to recuperate that at CheTica Ranch (http://cheticaranch.com) . It's owned and operated by Ruben and Lorena Martin, long time friends. Anyone interested in cosmetic surgery or dentistry should come to Costa Rica. :-) As I get about I may take some photos to add to this blog. Chaio!

Scenes from my balcony - CheTica Ranch

Scenes from my balcony!

Part one - Costa Rica pre-op and register at the hospital

Well, it is so sunny and beautiful here in Costa Rica. I feel so fortunate to be able to return here (5th time). However, I had to visit with my doctor/surgeon who will perform the operation manana (a little spanish lingo - but without the accent mark over the first "n"). Well, we chatted and he gave me some preliminary instructions for getting ready for the BIG DAY tomorrow. He also performed an upper endoscopy procedure (sans sedation). Not real pleasant, but quite interesting. well, inside the stomach looks good - froma doctor's point of view, I guess. Looks gross to me. The I went over to CIMA hospital for three more pre-op procedures that I couldn't get before I left home - an EKG, a chest X-ray and another blood test (coagulation timing) and also buy, the best part of this pre-op stuff - a prescription of the old "pre-colonoscopy" favorite - Fleets laxative solution. I just can't wait till I get to drink it a little later today - NOT!!!!! Surgery is scheduled for 3pm tomorrow - need to be there a couple of hours beforehand for last minute pre-op stuff. I'll be back here to the blog asap!

Travel day

I left Sea-Tac Airport on a Continental flight to Houston at 8:20 AM. A good flight with no glitches. Arrived at George Bush International Airport about 2:30 PM local time. Enjoyed a 3 hour layover - first some lunch at Pappadeaux's Seafood restaurant. Yummy cajun style food. My flight to San Jose left at 6:00 PM. Another good trip and arrived at about 8:30 PM local time. Immigration and Customs was a snap. When you emerge from the terminal for your surface transportation, you are deluged with taxi drivers and others who want to help you with your ride to your destination. However, they are not obnoxious, but very friendly and helpful. I was waiting for Carlos Fernandez, a taxi driver, who my friend, Ruben, uses for his guests' transportation needs when Ruben or other CheTica Ranch folks are busy with other stuff. I know Carlos from the last time I was in CR in February of this year. Ruben couldn't pry himself away from watching an important soccer game (on TV), played at the new stadium in San Jose - Costa Rica vs Argentina, to come and pick me up. The Martins are soccer nuts!! I am now settling in to my cottage - "Bourbon Street" (New Orleans styling). I have a meeting with Ruben in the AM before I go see my doctor. This is quite an adventure. More later.

San Jose, Costa Rica taken in early February this year. I was there collaborating with my friend on a sales/marketing project for his property, etc. This photo was shot from the area of one of his competitors - Las Cumbras Inn.

A sunset photo shot at CheTica Ranch.

Still 6 days to go

I chose to try to beat this overweight problem head-on this time. I have considered surgery for a few years, and after using other diet methods, etc. I felt that this was the time. Since this kind of surgery is not covered by my Medicare insurance, I will be paying for this out-of-pocket - hence, the trip to Costa Rica. Why? The medical expertise and care there is as good as or maybe even better, in some case, than the US. It is also much less expensive.

Another reason why I chose Costa Rica is that I have had a friend who lives just outside San Jose who, with his family, owns and operated the CheTica Medical Recovery Center - a very well-known facility, primarily for people who elect to have cosmetic (body and dental) surgery procedures. The patients recuperate at various places around San Jose, but many come to CheTica because of its great reputation and the ambiance of the beautiful rural area where CheTica Ranch is located. Their website is http://cheticaranch.com. I will be among close friends and cared for by trained and qualified staff. I love CheTica. I have visited the ranch on 4 separate occasions for vacations.

The MGB? This procedure was developed by Dr. John Rutledge, Las Vegas, NV some years ago. He has performed this newer bariatric procedure over 4000 times with amazing success records. I have another friend here in Enumclaw who had an MGB by Rutledge 3-4 years ago. Although he was only about 35 years old then, he weighed about 430 lbs. He has easily lost weight and is down to about 250-260, I think. He is roughly 6'2" and looks and feels great.

I do have "butterflies" and will be a bit scared as the surgery gets closer, but I am confident that it is the best thing for me. I will keep this blog updated.

6 days to go

This is Friday, March 25, 2011. My Mini-Gastric Bypass surgery is scheduled for 3 pm, March 31. It will take place in CIMA Hospital, San Jose, Costa Rica. My surgeon is Dr. Carlos Quesada.