GinaJ
August 26, 2008 - One week out
I felt hunger today for the first time. I started to get a little chest pressure today, but it did not last long.
I also had 1.5 oz of tomato basil soup for lunch. I had 1/2 c mashed potatoes for dinner. That made me feel so much better.
August 25, 2008
August 24, 2008
August 23, 2008
I was awakened at 4:30 this morning with extreme pressure in my chest. I still can't tolerate anything cold or even cool. I started using a heating pad on my chest every couple of hours and that has helped tremendously. I feel fine when I am up and walking, but if I sit or lie down for any length of time, the chest pressure returns, and so does the port site pain.
August 22, 2008
Aug 21, 2008
As of today, I can't see how people go back to work so soon.
This mornings weight: 248.6.
August 21, 2008
I slept very good last night. I woke up extremely sore. I am trying to walk every hour for 5 minutes, and sip my water. My legs and abdomen are so sore. I hope I didn not mess anything up yesterday due to the drinking and falling backwards in the car.
August 19 and 20, 2008 - Surgery day
I arrived at the hospital at about 10:15. I brought a book to read, while I waited, but they locked all my stuff up. I was in a room with nothing but 4 walls to look at while I waited 2 hrs. They tried four times to start an IV but failed.
I was brought to the holding area. I waited in there for about 30 min. Then a nurse came and asked be a few questions a tried to start the IV 2 more times.
The anesthesiologist came and asked me a few questions. He then tried 2 times to start an IV and could not get access. The circulator came and said they were ready for me, but I did not have an IV yet. The ninth times a charm. I finally got the IV, but did not get any versed or anything due to them waiting on me in the OR. I use to be an OR nurse, so I knew what to expect as far as the OR and recovery room went. The anesthesiologist said "take deep breaths, your getting the med now and the next thing you will remember is waking up in the PACU". I felt the drug go in and said, "Here I go".
The next thing I remember is everyone yelling to open my eyes etc. I was acting weird. I was crying, asking for Zofran and heparin. I was asking strange questions like, "Did I take out the LMA myself?". He did not use an LMA. I was talking very loud and kept asking them why was I talking so loud. I was sooooooo nauseated and the phenergan did not seem to help. The alcohol prep placed in front of my nose made it worse instead of better. Because of all the phenergan, I could not go straight to x-ray for the barium swallow, so they sent me to a room Also, I am allergic to codeine so the surgeon decided I should stay for pain management for the first night.
The machine was broken for the barium swallow, and they had me standing there while waiting on the radiologist to come in and watch the swallow test. I kept telling them I needed to sit, but I had to stand for what seemed quite a while.
I could not tolerate anything cold at all. The only thing I could drink was warm broth. I have been sooo thirsty and overdid it today and drank way too much at one sitting, but I could not stand being so thirsty for so long.
During the night I walked and walked. Some Japanese surgeons were visiting and wanted to talk to a lap band pt and see the surgical incision sites to see how the doctors in the US do it. There were about 6 of them and they were very nice.
I got home around 12:30 on August 20. I went to adjust the seat all the way up, but slammed it all the way back. It hurt. After that, I could drink cold liquids. I called the surgeon, and he said It was fine, and to concentrate on healing and that he would check it out later, but doubted there was anything that I could have done to cause any damage.
I keep dozing, but have not been able to sleep sleep due to the noise in my house from the kids and the phones ringing.
I did have shoulder pain for the first 3-4 times I got up to walk, but they are gone now. That was not too bad. Like everyone else has said, the port incision site is the one that hurts the most. I don't really feel the others at all. My abdomen was not really swollen afterwords.
I will slow down on how much I drink. I hope I did not do any damage with falling backwards, and drinking way too much at one sitting this afternoon, but like I said, I could not stand being that thirsty for one more second.
I asked the surgeon which band he used, and he said the small AP band. I asked the nurse to look at the operative report and she said he used a 10cc and put approx 3cc's in it.
My follow up appointment is in 2 weeks. I can't believe I have a band! I am really excited about being banded.
Glittery texts by bigoo.ws
August 18, 2008
I'm sitting here at 3:30, doing my work, when I get a call from the surgeon's office saying that I was not cleared by my PCP for surgery. YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! My heart started racing and I thought I was going to vomit. I called my PCP and they said they faxed over the echo and clearance. I then called the surgeon's office back and they said not to worry, they would take care of it. She then said to come in between 10:30 and 11:00 instead of 1:00. Please God, let all go well.
August 13, 2008
I had my echo done today. Great news: the tech did not see anything abnormal. Not so good news: the doctor that reads it is on vacation until the middle of next week. Remember, I need this for clearance for surgery on Tues. One hurdle after another.
August 12, 2008
Today I received a call from the hospital where I will be getting surgery. They asked if I had an auth number for the procedure, and I told them that it does not require an auth for outpt procedures. I will fax them the approval letter from my insurance company tomorrow.
Tomorrow I will be getting an echo. The last step before surgery.
About Me
Before & After
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