sweethollow
Day of Surgery through Third Day Post Op
Jul 25, 2010
Today I am three days post op! I am so thankful to my family and friends for their prayers and support, and to the Lord for His loving hand on me!I feel far better than I expected to be feeling! Haven't even had any pain meds today at all!
On the day of my surgery, I got to the hospital at about 1:30pm, for a surgery time of 3:30. Things went quickly until I was about to go into the OR. My doctor was delayed in getting there. So I had to wait for an hour and a half. My surgery began around 5:00pm and didn't end until nearly 10:00pm - five hours! I was not the typical patient; I had a nissen fundiplication (to correct a hiatal hernia) about six years ago. So the doctor had to undo that surgery and then do the Rouen Y gastric bypass. That's why it took so long. But everything went well, and I got up to my room at about 11:00 pm. I actually slept fairly well that night, and was not uncomfortable or in pain.
By about 6:00am the next morning, they removed the catheter, and took me down to radiology for an upper GI, to make sure there were no leaks. I had no trouble getting up out of bed and sitting in the wheel chair. The hardest thing was getting up off that cold, hard table in radiology. But I was diligent in exercising before my surgery, and it really made a difference. Do exercise as much as you are able before your surgery, if you are going to have this done.
I got back up to my room about 7:00am and they began giving me some apple juice. I was surprised by how small the little cup of juice was - about two teaspoons-and I was supposed to drink it over 15 minutes. That is taking some getting used to. Without thinking, I want to drink more, then I remember my stomach no longer has the capacity to hold that much and I have to take it slower. They also took me off the pain pump and transitioned me to oral pain medication.
I spent the rest of the morning resting, and walking and drinking in small amounts. My husband and daughters came to vist in the afternoon. I actually sat up and played a game of rummy with them (I won!). After they left, I rested some more, walked some more, and continued to drink in small amounts. I was not in pain, but was beginning to feel discomfort from the gas. But it was manageable. Moving around and getting up to walk helped with that a lot. I slept well the second night too.
The next morning I was still uncomfortable from the gas, and finally was able to begin passing it by late morning. That's when they said I could go home! They pulled the drain out, and the medicine tubes, and the IV's. I felt like a free woman :) No more getting tangled in all that everytime I tried to use the bathroom.
One thing that struck me, is when I got home, I walked in the door and the kids had a bag of potato chips and some fresh Italian bread and butter on the table, which they had been eating. Before my surgery, my mouth would have begun watering at the sight of it. But after seeing it, I had absolutely no desire to have it. It was as if there was no food there at all. That was a nice feeling- to not be drawn to food at the mere sight of it.
I took a nap, and then spent time hanging out with my family the rest of my first day at home. I went from 12:00 noon until 11:30pm without taking any pain medication! I did take some at night, though, because I wanted to make sure I slept well. Rest is so important to healing.
Today - my third post op day- is Sunday, and everyone is at church. I have enjoyed spending some time with the Lord, reading my Bible and praying. I am thankful that I feel as well as I do, and am working on drinking and walking. It is 103 degrees outside today, so I am just walking around the house. I don't want to sweat off more than I can drink right now. I am doing fine on fluids and feel no hunger at all. I don't even desire to eat anything, although my family is cooking and eating. I have had no pain meds yet today. My stomach feels a little sore when I move around or take a deep breath, but it is tolerable.
Well I think I will log off as everyone will be home from church in a few minutes.
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About Me
Collierville, TN
Location
31.5
BMI
Surgery
07/22/2010
Surgery Date
Jun 13, 2010
Member Since
