latinbeauty74
10 days post op!
Oct 06, 2010
Day 1My surgery day came and went without a hitch! I was scheduled to be at the hospital at 8:30am for my 10:30am surgery. We left home before sunrise and arrived in 2 1/2 hours, considering we hit san diego morning traffic jam. Thank godness for the carpool lane.
Anyways, at about 945am I was called by a nurse who gave me my surgery gown and socks. The gown was totally awesome. It was purple (my favorite color) and purple socks. Its silly but when I saw what I had to change into, I felt it was a sign that I was making the right decision to have surgery. I got changed and shortly thereafter a nurse came in asked me several health related questions, then started my IV and hooked me up to different machines. At that point I asked her if my family could come in to be with me. She said it was okay and went to get them. At this point it was about 10am or so. The nurse came back in and told me the scrub nurse, Dr. and anesthesiologist (sp) would come in to see me before surgery to talk to me.
I have to admit I was a bit nervous but not as much as I thought I would be. About 10:10am, Dr. Rumsey came in to see me. I was so happy to see him. He asked me what surgery I was having. I assumed he asked to verify what was on the paperwork. He then came over and held my hand and asked how I was doing. I told him a bit nervous but okay. He told me not to worry it would be over before I knew it. He smiled and told my family not to worry that the surgery team would take good care of me. He left. Then the scrub nurse came in to introduce herself. She was very nice, she held my hand as well. The anesthesiologist peaked his head in asked a few questions and left.
At 10:20am a nurse came in and said they were ready for me. I said goodbye to my family and I was wheeled down the hall. As I was going down the hall, it all felt so surreal. After all these years of wanting to do this.....it was finally happening!!
Before we entered the Surgery Dept. (the room where all the surgeons are, with different doors to different OR's) the nurse put a blanket on me since he said it would be very cold in there. Boy was he right...I was trembling from nerves and the cold! lol He stopped right in front of the OR, and someone who I couldn't see wheeled me into the room. All the people I had just met a few minutes ago was there. At that point the scrub nurse asked if I could scoot over to the OR table. I was strapped in, and as I layed there, I guess I had a scared look on my face. The scrub nurse held my hand and said I was having thee best surgery. She added that she had this same surgery a few years ago and it was the best decision she had made. I just smiled at her.
She continued to hold my hand, which was so nice. I felt so much more at ease. I didn't see Dr. Rumsey but I heard him say they were ready. The nurse at some point asked me if I felt anything. I said no. However, I do remember seeing the arms on the big light over me, start to bend and curve. lol I then had a mask put over my face, and she told me to start counting. I think I got to 3 and it went dark. After that I remember waking up in the recovery room. I was soooo sleepy but I made every attempt to wake up. I saw the time and it was 1:45pm. I called the nurse. I then noticed my throat hurt a bit. I asked her if i had something down my throat, and she said yes. I asked her when I would be moved to my own room. She said she would check on it now that I was awake. I doozed off, not sure how long. I woke up and called her again. I told her I needed a private room cause my mom was staying with me. I also told her I wanted to see my mom since she was so worried, that I wanted her to see I was okay. She smiled at me and said she would check on it right away. A few minutes later I overheard her say something about a room. I asked her across the room if that was my room? lol She said yes and private room with a comfy bed for my mom. I thanked her and knocked out. Next thing I know I am being wheeled down the hall to my room!!! Since I didnt have to worry about getting a private room anymore, I touched my tummy feeling the stitches. I had no pain at all. I just knew I wanted to sleep!!
I got to my room, and shortly thereafter my mom, sister and brother in law came in. I was so pleased to see my mom and for her to see me. My sis stayed for a bit then left since she had a few hour drive to get home.
I really don't remember much from there since I fell asleep. I know a nurse came in and checked on me. She and the nurse assistant helped set up my mom's bed next to me.
At about 7pm or so the nurse assistant wanted me to walk. When I attempted to get up I was so dizzy I almost fell over. My mom came to my rescue and I sat down. At that point I started drive heaving. I told her I wasn't gonna walk while I was dizzy so I laid back down. The next shift came in, (which were my favorites). Rex the nurse assistant came about 8pm to get me to walk. I told him I was really dizzy when I last tried to. He said it was okay, I could use a walker to help me plus he would be there with me. I said okay and we started our stroll as he wheeled my IV chart behind me. I did stop once when I started dry heaving again. It seemed to pass after a few minutes so I continued. I noticed the more I walked the better I felt. I went to my room after one spin around the floor and layed down and knocked out for the night.
Days 2 & 3
The next morning I got up to walk and I felt so much better I walked several times around the floor with my mom. Dr. Rumsey came in that morning. Asked how I felt, I told him about the night before however that I felt so much better today. He said my surgery went great. It didn't take as long as others. He approved me to go back to taking my antidepressant. He also said I could start eating ice chips.
The nurse brought me a few minutes later ice chips. I chewed on a small amount and my pouch I guess didn't like the cold. She insisted I needed to chew on ice chips before I could go on to the next stage. I guess since it was the first thing in my pouch it screamed, since after that I was able to chew on ice chips with no problem.
The next day was pretty much the same. Nurse checking vitals, giving me pain meds and pepcid twice a day. I would also get a heprin (sp) shot in my tummy to prevent blood clots. I did have the leg pumps on from the moment I was in the recovery room to the time that I went home. I walked 45 minutes (spaced out in 4 sections) on day 2 and 3.
Day 4
The doctor came in early to discharge me since the day prior I had told him I wanted to go home as early as possible since I have a long drive home plus my kitties miss me. He showed up at 8am to discharge me. He gave me my discharge orders and off he went. I was on the road home by 9:30am. We arrived about 12:30am. I said hello to everyone, and crashed on the bed for a few hours.
When I woke up I felt miserable. I had no pain or anything. I was just depressed I guess since it had hit me that I couldn't eat the usual food I was useto. I also had diarrhea so that didn't help. I was sad and just mooped around the house. At about 11am I tried to go to sleep however, I couldn't sleep so I stayed up all night.
Day 5
Today was the day, I felt like I had made the biggest mistake in my life. I didn't feel like myself. I didn't feel like watching tv or using the computer. The things I was useto keeping my busy were no longer appealing to me. I hadn't slept the night prior so that didn't help how I felt either. I continued to sip, sip, sip praying I felt better soon.
Day 6
Still much of the same. Still had diarreah, however I wasn't running to the bathroom every 10 minutes anymore. I had a meltdown that night...I felt so bad I told my mom how I felt. I was trying so hard to keep it from her since I knew she would worry and that's the last thing I wanted her to do. She was very encouraging and reminded me it was only temporary.
I just sipped on crystal light and water through the day. I figured it would get easier as the days passed to just be on liquid's however, it just seemed harder than ever. My body was screaming for FOOD! I guess I didn't feel bad being on liquid's only at the hospital so much. however it felt so hard at home since home is where I usually did most of my eating.
Day 7
Still unable to sleep through the night or day. I am glad to say though that I had no pain so I really had no need to take the vicodin the doc gave me.
That morning my mom gave me 2 oz. of yogurt.
WOW you would not believe how great it felt to put it in my mouth and just savor it. I ate it pretty slow enjoying every bit and allowing time for it to settle in my pouch.
It was like night and day after that point. My mood completely changed. I felt so much better having something besides liquid in my mouth.
That night I slept like a baby.
Day 8
I woke up this morning feeling pretty good compared to the days prior.
I had some yogurt in the morning and went to the market to buy some pudding, creamy soups, refried beans and pam spray.
Came home sip on some crystal light. Later that afternoon, I had 1 oz. of sugar free chocolate pudding. I have never been of fan of pudding but wowers did the pudding taste soooo good. I would've wanted to eat another ounce however, my pouch wouldn't of allowed it.
I have been trying so hard to reach the 30 oz of water the doctor recommended. I have to call his office next week to schedule my followup and find out what if any additions or changes will be made to this coming week.
Days 9 & 10
I continue to feel so much better and amazed on how little food fills me up.
I do notice when I see food commercials or food around the house, it makes me want to be able to take at least one bite to taste it. However, I just remind myself the reason why I am doing this and that at some point I will be able to eat normal food in moderation.
I did weigh myself day 9 and was utterly shocked at the scale. I didn't really expect to lose already.
My starting weight before surgery was: 275
On 10/5/2010 my weight read: 261
I can't believe I am 14 lbs down!
This is truly amazing and definiately worth the misery I felt.
I do want to add that Dr. Rumsey and the staff of Scrippes Mercy Hospital are truely amazing. The hospital isn't new or fancy it is an older hospital however, I can't put into words how great my stay was. The nurses were always there to help me and assist me in what I needed. I admit I would buzz them quite often and they never seemed annoyed at me. It was surely worth the drive and time I waited to have rny.
I will continue to post on my progress.
