Hello Everyone, I'm HOME. Surgery is complete...The hospital staff at Newton-Wellesley could not have been more accommodating, kind, professional, friendly and warm. They went above and beyond constantly!!!
Biggest surprise: Most of my deliberating was about making the decision to have surgery, concentrating on getting the proper foods in house for after the surgery. My mind just sort of glossed over the physical process of the surgery. -- Looking at the incision shook me into reality. Also, I had experience abdominal surgery before, with a C-section with one of my babies, and strongest recollection was 1st day of agony, oblivion w/drugs...but then a speedy recovery. Now, I realize that healing is a slow process -- I need to take each step carefully. I have trouble getting up and out of chairs. So what you say? you have trouble getting up and moving now. That's right! But now it's not just sore knees or the big belly that is in the way of mobility. I have staples that I DO NOT WANT TO RUPTURE!! Much more serious business. I have not experienced any dumping, vomiting -- I can't even imagine the strain that would be on the incision -I don't want to, it hurts just thinking about that! I have been carefully sipping all liquids and have not tried anything exotic (day 5 apres RNY). Today I had oatmeal(1 oz) mixed with baby food banana (1/4 oz.) It was delicious. I also had baby Pear juice (4 oz) Atkins strawberry drink (11oz) - still working on that one, tough getting ALL that down. As for visitors in the hospital, I probably could have done without. It was tiring when they were there, and one day it was like a revolving door, so many one after the other. I would suggest just Short, 15-20 minute visits. Phone calls too- short and sweet. BUT, that is also because I felt VERY well taken care of by the staff. If it had been otherwise, I might have needed an advocate. I had trouble with some of the pain meds - and luckily I had nurses that were very attentive and able to differentiate between post-op malaise and reaction to meds and made changes as needed! Those are my observations. I hope someone else will find them helpful when their turn comes along.