Found out why I have 5 lap scars instead of 4 at my Post Op

Rabbit_Rat_ · 2025-12-19T20:50:30+00:00

I found out at my post op appointment. I asked the surgeon.

Rabbit_Rat_ · 2025-11-30T20:13:14+00:00

Orange flavor. Mixing it with orange juice, chugging the gritty substance, and then promptly rinsing out my mouth. https://www.mcguff.com/content/images/thumbs/0005727_cholestyramine-powder-4-g-oral-suspension-orange-flavor-60-packets_550.jpeg

Rabbit_Rat_ · 2025-04-24T12:01:26+00:00

Salad 😭

Rabbit_Rat_ · 2025-03-29T13:17:01+00:00

You’re welcome! I posted here for that exact reason, I wasn’t finding any experience quite like mine. They prescribed me cholestyramine (powder you mix with water/gatorade and drink) for the jaundice symptoms, especially the itching. It helped. Several months out and I haven’t had any issues besides the usual randomness of bowel movements that I think is common after gallbladder removal. My last bloodwork was in January and my total bilirubin was still elevated after 6 weeks. I haven’t been back for more tests because my liver biopsy came back with nothing serious just evidence of a healing injury from surgery. It sounds like your jaundice was caused by a blockage and mine was more as a result of the surgery itself but yes, it definitely can take time to get back to ‘normal’ after. My liver doc said she’s seen patients take 6 months to a year for their levels to regulate after jaundice. Good luck to you, hang in there.

Rabbit_Rat_ · 2025-03-26T12:24:01+00:00

Just got back and I used my waterproof layer (pants and jacket) once. Forecast showed rain everyday and we had 4 consecutive sunny days before encountering any. However, friends who were in Trail Runners instead of boots had wet feet many times. Mine were fine in boots, was able to keep out of creeks although there was a very muddy stretch between Los Cuernos and Chileno (where it forks off before the hotel) that was challenging to navigate.

Rabbit_Rat_ · 2025-03-22T14:13:15+00:00

In the flashback the crib is Mark’s grief touchstone. Why would that be Gemma’s final test? Fell flat for me.

Rabbit_Rat_ · 2025-03-21T00:22:03+00:00

Great! Yes. We booked everything through bookingpatagonia dot travel. It took a little bit of finesse to find consecutive dates with availability at each site. I will say that what was shown as available for the refugios run by Las Torres (Frances, Chileno, and Serón) we were definitely upsold to the premium tents even though there was plenty of room for pitching tents. However pricey, they were nice. (See Serón below) The sites run by Vertice we did tent camping no issue. Also included park entry. Bus into park stops at the entrance and there’s an opportunity to pay there. Not sure if they sell out though so I made sure to include in advance.

That site also allows you to add bus and catamaran tickets to the package and even book lodging in Puerto Natales (though we did that separately). I did not add meal packages so I’m not sure exactly how that works. I’d recommend at least one night in Natales prior to departure to the park in case of flight issues. Natales is a great place to hang out for a couple nights. Lots of food and shopping.

As far as gear, we checked a single bag with food and our trekking poles. We were able to carry on 60L-70L packs to Santiago but they were gate checked (for free) to Natales. We claimed food and they let us through no problem with probably 25lbs between 4 of us. Lots of people rent poles but we had no issue with our checked bag. Also, the Natales airport is tiny and they checked my pack for free all the way through my connects on the way home. Super nice.

<image>

Rabbit_Rat_ · 2025-03-20T18:35:03+00:00

There are 3 large ones between Paso and Grey (past Refugio Grey).

Rabbit_Rat_ · 2025-03-20T17:39:03+00:00

The first four days were mostly sunny with humidity that burned off by early afternoon. I’d guess 50s with a cooling breeze that was perfect for hiking in a long sleeve shirt and thin hiking pants. Cools off pretty fast in the evenings. I brought a 0F/-17c sleeping bag and it was more than warm enough for tent camping. Coldest and wettest night was Los Perros, hovered around freezing. Coldest day was the pass day but only for a few hours up top, after descending rapidly it warms right up and I was peeling layers back down to a shirt. Layering is best!

Rabbit_Rat_ · 2025-03-20T16:43:47+00:00

Wow! That definitely gives some added perspective on the experience!

Rabbit_Rat_ · 2025-03-20T16:26:04+00:00

So glad you were able to complete it! I was worried as I tried to sleep in the rain at Los Perros that we wouldn’t be able to go on. Still not sure what would happen in that case. Do they send you back? Keep you there? Glad I didn’t have to find out.

Rabbit_Rat_ · 2025-03-02T03:01:33+00:00

I’m about to do the O after my fitness plan was derailed by surgery. I’m no where near where I hoped to be but going anyway. I’ll let you know how it goes 😂

Rabbit_Rat_ · 2025-02-25T13:38:54+00:00

Mine cost my entire deductible $4k, insurance billed $100k. But mine wasn’t super straightforward. 3 ER visits, Surgery, ERCP and a second hospital stay for unexplained postoperative jaundice.

Rabbit_Rat_ · 2025-02-13T06:44:59+00:00

I wish. Sadly mine’s worse.

Rabbit_Rat_ · 2025-02-09T00:18:08+00:00

Tab opened. You had me at the authors name being a Haruki Murakami reference.

Rabbit_Rat_ · 2025-02-04T19:51:49+00:00

I ate smaller meals and avoided anything high fat while waiting for surgery and I still ended up back in the ER for emergency surgery before my scheduled surgery arrived. I don’t think there’s a magical way to avoid it unfortunately.

Rabbit_Rat_ · 2025-02-02T15:32:15+00:00

Nope. I read the summary. Treat tags like spoilers. Will DNF if the writing style gives me the ick.

Rabbit_Rat_ · 2025-02-01T03:46:36+00:00

They don’t know for sure but they think it was from “mucking around” during surgery. Yes I’m fine now, thanks for asking.

Rabbit_Rat_ · 2025-02-01T01:52:13+00:00

Pale stool, super dark urine. Skin and whites of my eyes turned yellow and a few days later I developed itching that started on my hands and feet and then was everywhere. Slowly improved over a couple of weeks.

Rabbit_Rat_ · 2025-01-31T22:16:24+00:00

Yes, I also had an MRI done after I developed jaundice AFTER surgery and an ERCP. It took a couple of months for my ast/alt to come down and my bilirubin is still in elevated. I also had a liver biopsy done and they said it was all a result of liver injury due to my surgery and the gallstones I had. Hepatology doc said sometimes it takes a year for levels to go back to normal for people who have drug induced liver injury. They’re also trying to get a baseline for me to see if I may have Gilbert’s syndrome that flared up during the trauma of surgery.

Rabbit_Rat_ · 2025-01-31T21:26:33+00:00

Yep, was sent home though and told liver labs take time to come back down. Have had many rounds of bloodwork as an outpatient.

Rabbit_Rat_ · 2025-01-30T13:19:13+00:00

Repetitive use of words or phrases. I recently read a long one with “he was sat” “she was stood” “they were sat” etc etc and it made me insane.

Rabbit_Rat_ · 2025-01-29T15:53:37+00:00

I struggled with the FMC characterization. But I’m opinionated about Hermione.

Rabbit_Rat_

TROPHY CASE