Darlene G.
1st Post-Op Blog Post
Feb 27, 2010
Well, I suppose it's time to create a record of everything that's happened in the past couple of weeks so I can look back on this some day and realize just how far I've come!I had my surgery on Tuesday, February 9, 2010. We drove to the hospital just as a blizzard was getting under way - it made for one heck of a white-knuckled trip, that's for sure! But we got there safe and sound with plenty of time to spare. I went through the pre-op rigamorole (yeah I'm sure I butchered the spelling on that!), and got in my "Bair Paws" gown. Let me tell ya, those gowns are awesome. They're kinda like paper, but they have ports that air hoses hook up to - and they blow warm air! So no blankets off the warmer that get cold in 2 minutes flat, just this paper gown with hoses - and YOU control the temperature. They let my family come in and pass the time with me until it was time to wheel me down. I must say, I love anesthesia! I made it clear that my #1 BIGGEST FEAR of the whole process was of nausea / vomitting. I can't imagine having those issues immediately following abdominal surgery! And my last experience with anesthesia had been hugely unpleasant and left me sick for 3 days. I wanted none of that! They assured me that they were loading me with anti-nausea meds and that I should be fine. I accepted that (what more can you do, right?). I received my pre-op cocktail, scooted onto the operating table, stretched my arms out... and the next thing I knew I was being wheeled down the hallway into my room! (Little did I know then just how much time I'd spend in that brand new, pretty little room...) I shooed my family home; I knew I was going to be out of it for several more hours, and with the snow storm the way it was, I wanted them home before dark.
I clearly remember watching a gentleman roaming the halls, and someone told me he had had the roux-en-y the previous day, Monday. Let me tell you, I didn't feel well and found it difficult to believe that the next day I'd be parading down the halls as he was! But it gave me hope. I did have a fair amount of pain but wrote it off as me being my usual wimpy self. I used the pain pump regularly as recommended so that I wouldn't have to play "catch-up" with the pain at any time. I slept fitfully for the rest of the day and through that night.
Wednesday morning I went downstairs for the upper GI to ensure that there were no leaks. Man, I hate that test! I went back up to my room when it was done. As the day progressed, I began feeling worse, not better! Meanwhile I was watching that same gentleman POWER-WALK up and down the hall, no more IV pole, just hoofing it like nobody's business! And here I was, laying in bed, feeling more tender in the abdomen and just generally BLAH.
It was Wednesday night when the vomitting started - yep, my biggest fear came true. Ohhh, I felt so sick, and I had abdominal pain, and now this! I received meds to make the vomitting stop, but I still wasn't right - and I couldn't maintain a stable temperature for nothing! Well, Thursday morning they took me down for a CT scan. I got a visit from my surgeon around noon with the news - I had a bowel obstruction. One of those times when it's NOT in my favor to be a 2%-er! He told me I'd be having surgery AGAIN that afternoon. So at around 6:00 on February 11th I had surgery #2. I was fortunate, they didn't need to create any new holes, they used 3 that had just been opened 2 days prior. Let the recovery begin AGAIN....
Friday was another long, painful day. Dr. Lalor said it was to be expected and that I needed to be patient with myself, but I was still envisioning the other RnY gentleman - who was released to go home the previous day - power-walking the halls. I was SO FRUSTRATED that I wasn't able to do the same! And of course, Friday was the day I had planned on going home too.
By the time Saturday rolled around I was still having difficulty getting my temp stabilized, but I was just starting to feel a bit better. I was still very down on myself, so my husband brought the kids for a visit. It was my first time seeing my family since Tuesday, and it was so nice to see them! I also started walking the halls that day, and it was rough but I did it.
Sunday my hubby came to see me again, and he walked with me and kept me company. My tummy began feeling strange - kind of heavy. But I didn't think anything of it, just assumed that due to 2 surgeries within 2 days I was going to have issues. My temp was still kind of erratic; it would be normal for one reading, then it would be 99° - 100° the next time. They were still saying that I'd be going home the next day, however, and I began to make my departure plans once again.
Well, Monday morning rolled around. I had the IV removed, all tubes, drains, everything was GONE. It felt good, and it felt good to put my clothes on. But, I didn't FEEL good. I couldn't even walk without using both arms to support the weight in my abdomen. When Dr. Lalor came in to see me, I explained how I was feeling. I was told it was normal, and that each day it would get better. Well, I wasn't going to be picked up until late afternoon, and about mid-morning I went in the bathroom. I looked in the mirror and HOLY MOLY, my whole abdomen was red, and I had new rolls on my hips! I immediately called the nurse (Jeana ROCKS!), and she reported everything to Dr. Lalor. He came back to see me, and informed me that I had an infection in the abdominal wall. This also explains the unstable temp! So guess what? Back in the hospital gown, back with an IV (side note: the IV was put on the underside of my arm, about halfway between wrist & elbow. NOT comfortable!), and back in bed - no going home for me! I was put on heavy duty IV meds and antibiotics. Jeana used one of those markers they use for plastic surgery to mark how far up the abdomen the redness extended so we could keep track to see if it was getting better or worse. They also got me an abdominal binder, and the support from that binder made SUCH a difference. I was able to be more mobile, and be more myself and less reliant on others for help - woohoo!!!
I called my daughter to let her know of the change of plans. I tried to hold it together, but I ended up a blubbering mess on the phone. My kids, though, they're awesome. They knew how upset I was, so they drove down to see me (the hospital is an hour from home). But guess what? Monday night? Normal temp. Tuesday morning? Normal temp! I was finally stabilizing, and by Tuesday Feb 16th (this is now 1 week, for those keeping track) I was finally walking the halls.
Once again they started talking about my discharge, but by this time I was taking everything with a grain of salt. Well, lo and behold, Wednesday morning I woke up and felt decent! I received my discharge papers, put on my clothes, and this time didn't wait for my hubby to get off work; my mom drove me home that morning! So my hospital stay lasted 2/9 - 2/17. Yikes!
The first few days at home were rough, but not nearly as rough as being in the hospital. I slept in the recliner for my first week home; I'm usually a side sleeper, and it was NOT comfortable to be in a bed. But each day I felt better and got stronger. By the time I went for my 2-week follow-up on Feb. 24th I was down 30 lbs since starting the pre-op diet! The doctor was very happy with my progress, and put me on soft / pureed foods, which is an experience for another blog post! He also cleared me for exercise, so the next day I rejoined the gym.
So that's my experience in a (very large!) nutshell. The whole things was frustrating and depressing, because I never saw any complications coming - I mean, who does? So if you take anything from this, especially as a pre-op, please remember to hope for the best, but be prepared for anything!
PS: They keep telling me that in the long run I won't regret this. The only thing I regret so far is the extended stay!
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About Me
Location
26.0
BMI
Surgery
02/09/2010
Surgery Date
Surgeon
Sep 24, 2009
Member Since
