May 23, 2012

May 23, 2012

Today was my 2 week post op apt with the surgeon. I was nervous and scared because I was not feeling like I have lost much. Everything has been a bit rough because I have had a pure lack of energy. I would start doing something and every bit of energy I had would just drain from my body.

So, I should start off talking about my actual surgery. May 7, 2012 I had the Roux-N-Y gastric bypass. The surgeon checked everything before stitching me up and found a leak between my new stomach and the small intestine. Finding this meant my 1 1/2-2 hour surgery was extended to 4 hours. This freaked my boyfriend, mom, sister and everyone else out since they knew nothing besides surgery was supposed to not take more than 2 hours. So, the surgeon went back and made sure the intestine was attached properly. This made the opening swell shut. My first 2-3 days I was not able to drink or "eat" anything besides a few ice chips and swabs of water to keep my mouth from drying out. Those were the hardest few days ever. I love my water and just wanted to drink! I will say the hospital and the staff were just completely amazing though. The patients get free massages and aroma therapy. The nurses were very friendly and helpful in any way they could be. The student nurses were very attentive and helped keep me from being lonely as my boyfriend had to work while I was in the hospital and we live an hour and a half away. Coming to visit was out of the question. I have no complaints about my hospital stay! I was released May 12 (the day before Mother's Day). The nurses knew how much I missed my 5 year old daughter who I had only spent 1 night away from prior to this. They really helped with getting me ready so I could be released.

Once I got home it was a bit hard adapting to having a lot less help with the simplest things. Getting out of bed was my biggest struggle. My boyfriend tried to help but it was just not the same. Guess the lack of training did not help there. My emotions were on a roller coaster as my daughter would not listen to me very well and with her preschool graduation coming up. My sister, who had been my rock through the last year of getting ready for surgery, moved to take on a new job and now hardly talks to me. She recently went through divorce and has been dating around a lot. When she gets a new guy she puts him above everything. That has been hard on me as she has gone through this surgery and I thought she would be there for me to help me through everything. I have learned that the best person to depend on is yourself. Instead I have been turning to my friends I have made on here as well as local friends to help guide me or just to talk. I really appreciate those who have listened to me as I rant, ramble and cry.

A few days after being released one of my incisions started leaking a watery like substance that was clear to a pinkish color. It was not just leaking, it was squirting. I freaked out and called the hospital asking what to do. I was told it was not normal at all but it was fine and actually healthy for my body to get rid of this liquid. For the next 5 days I was leaking bad enough that they suggested I use mini pads (yes the ones for your monthly) to help with absorbtion.

On to now. Since before I left the hospital I have had a hard, fevered spot on my stomach. It started very large. The nurses told me it was fairly normal. It has not bothered me too much, just some minor pain when getting in position for bed since it is most comfortable to sleep on my left side. Yesterday (May 22) was my daughter's preschool graduation. The emotional roller coaster was active and going at full speed. I cannot believe how fast she is growing up! Well, the hard spot I mentioned before developed what looked like a blood boil. It was painful to touch and just looked gross. Right before leaving for the graduation this boil ended up sort of errupting in two spots. It was slowly leaking out blood, nothing else. I decided since my apt was today I would not worry about it too much and just talk to the surgeon about it. So, today at the surgeon's office he looks at it (and the other leak spot I spoke of before) and was a bit worried. He decided to splice open the one that was bleeding to see if there was an infection inside. He managed to drain some of the blood build up but saw no other infection. Still worried he decided to put me on an antibiotic to help with it. The good news, I lost 17 lbs!!!!!! This helped to reassure me so much. I felt as though I was going no where. The surgeon also upgraded me to the stage 3 diet (mashed or pureed foods). My stomach is very thankful!

After getting home from my apt I decided to go to the grocery store and get some food since I had to drop off my prescriptions anyway. While at the store I ran into several people I know. Both people who knew about the surgery and people who didn't know. Everyone had such great compliments! I was shocked! No better way to boost your confidence than to have people who were clueless to your surgery tell you you look great!

Today was a great success! I got a confidence boost. I get to finally have food (even if it is pureed or mashed it is food)! And I was reassured that I am doing well. Plus I found I might have a little doctor on my hands. She watched in amazement as the doctor cut me open to check for infection. I am really starting to regain my energy as well. All I have to say is: Bring on tomorrow. One step at a time is all I can do but I will do it with pride and put everything I can into it!

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