MY SURGERY DETAILS UP TO 6 DAYS POST-OP

Nov 30, 2009

One constant in these first 6  days is Isopure.  I am drinking at least 8 oz of Isopure a day by day 3, lots of water.  I was not drinking Unjury and I had a problem with watered down Apple juice so I was not drinking that,  I was eating sugar-free popsicles, jello and broth from day 3.  I wasn't on much of a schedule, just when I could get it down.  I didn't start taking my liquid multi-vitamin until day 2.  Also, my internal temperature control was blown.  i never knew if I was going to be burning up or freezing!!  It got a little better each day. 

Tuesday, 11-24-09
I went to the hospital Tuesday, Nov 24th at 8:30 am for a 10:00 am scheduled sleeve gastrectomy.  They weighed me and I honestly don't remembe my weight!!  I have rolling veins so, as usual, a half dozen people stuck and dug in me in a dozen places until they got the IV in. Boy, do I have 2 beautiful black and blue hands today.  They took me to the OR and I woke up in some serious pain in my stomach.  I don't remember recovery, just after I got to my room. The first time I remember was 11:30 am.  The nurse asked Dr. St. Laurent to up my pain medicine and he did right away and I settled down.  I found out I had a hiatal hernia that he repaired and that the surgery went fine.  I don't remember that much about  Tuesday, except for pain, nausea, very dry mouth where I couldn't talk ,and everyone making fun of me for pushing the pain pump non-stop all day!!

Wednesday,11-25-09
I was taken for the barium test on Wed morning.  It was very interesting.  I swallow one little cup of barium and then stood in front of this machine where I could see the liquid start down, then back up, and then seep on down through my stomach to the small intestine.  Dr. St. Laurent was there and told me that the reflux was caused by the swelling and the hernia repair and that it would get better the next few days as the swelling decreased.  There were no leaks at all.  So, I was dismissed from the hospital and got home around 10:30 am or so.  Wed was a tough day.  Everytime I drank anything I was nauseous and I had the reflux.  I could just picture the liquid going in, back up, and finally down each time I drank.  I took phenergan that the dr prescribed that helped the nausea and helped me get sleep.  I followed the rules.  Sip and sit 15 minutes, walk, repeat.  I was not able to take in very much at all.  I tried to take a small pill (my regular meds) and that was the worst.  I have never walked so hard and fast to get past the nausea and not vomit....I was on the very edge.  I decided my other 2 regular meds could wait for another day after that!!!   We had plans to go to Galveston Thurs thru Sat for Thanksgiving which the doctor approved, but although I told no one I was thinking, "No way in hell am I going anywhere tomorrow."  I just told my family, "Let's wait and see how I am tomorrow." 

Thursday, Thanksgiving, 11-26-09
I woke up so-so.  I knew I had a tough decision to make.  I thought about Dr. St. Laurent and Dee (the bariatric nurse) saying walking is the most important thing for you to do to recover quickly.  I knew for a fact I would get much more exercise if we went to Galveston so I decided to go.  Probably the best decision I could have made.  With lots of help from my daughter, Twila, and my husband, Kenny, we packed up all the stuff I needed (a box full) and headed for Galveston.  I was able to take in a remarkable amount more all day.  I had to walk up steps to the beach house, and then walked back down for a walk on the beach,  I had broth, and my family had Thanksgiving (I had no desire for their food) and we watched the Cowboys and Aggies and it was a great day.  Everyone was very supportive! 

Friday, 11-27-09
The entire family went to Schlitterbahn so I went too.  Lots and lots of walking.  I got tired there pretty quickly because there were only picnic tables so I couldn't get comfortable.  i imagined reading my book and relaxing but it didn't go that way.  So, around 1 pm, my husband took me back to the hotel where I tried to nap.  At this point, I am having to take pain medicine twice a day or so.  Not because of a defined pain, but more of generally just not feeling that good.  I am drinking even more than the day before.  We picked up pizzas that afternoon and met up with the rest of the family at the beach house.  First time I was even interested in food, those pizzas smelled pretty good!  We played games that night.  i tried Guesstures - that was a little TOOO ambitious when I tried to act out my words,  i got a little carried away.

Saturday, 11-28-09
We checked out of the hotel, went for a walk on the beach, toured Moody Mansion (steps and all) and then went to the Space Center.  I started getting hungry on this day.  I wanted something to eat bad!!!  I actually took a bite of a cheese enchilada (no sauce), chewed it up and spit it out without swallowing, hoping it would help.  I had physical hunger pains which I don't understand!  I got exhausted and gripy at NASA and then recovered to do a little shopping at Cracker Barrel  before we got home.  It was a long day!!  I still haven't had a bm and am starting to consider a laxative because Dee told me 5 days.

Sunday, 11-29-09
Had a bm and lots of pain, was constipated and had hemmorhoids.  Husband and I got in a fight when he said to quit feeling sorry for myself.  Crying is not good!  Do NOT cry!!!!!!  Your stomach feels up with cry blubber and you get full and nauseous!!  Still having hunger pains, consider moving to full liquids today instead of tomorrow but held out.  Walked 1.4 miles in the afternoon, otherwise laid around,  I was tired.  Got all of my meds down except 1 today.

Monday, 11-30-09
I was scheduled to return to work today but decided to stay home one more day since I went on full liquids today.  i have had runny cream of wheat (made with Mootopia) and chocolate pudding (made with Mootopia) and no problems so far.  Looking forward to cream soup for lunch.  I plan to stick to a schedule as I start on full liquids.  As I look over my body, don't expect to be pretty,  I have bruises and sores everywhere!!  On my legs, tummy, in my mouth, throat, hands, arms.  It looks like I have been to war.  But bruises fade and are forgotten!!  I am just sore now.  I haven't had any pain meds today.  Heading to work tomorrow.  Post-op visit Friday.  Also, I set up a private counseling session for Dec 14 just to help make sure I am successful!

Hope this blog helps those of you heading into surgery and looking for details!

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