Mama477
1 week ago today...
May 05, 2011
I was rolling out of the O/R into recovery at about 12noon!
WOW what a week -- I was scheduled originally at 10:30 am on 4/28... the surgeon's office called the day before to let me know they adjusted me to 11am so I needed to be there at 9am. Just enough time to have a normal drop off at daycare and get checked in at OSU.
When I arrived at the hospital the check in process was extremely easy and now that I think about it -- I did not have one negative experience!! It was top notch from beginning to end. I was admitted, taken to the waiting area and taken back for prep early. Once they had me change into my gown my family could come back to the room and wait with me and DH. I waited for only about 15 minutes and then it was time to go to the O/R -- I thought I would wait about 45 minutes. That was great and such a relief.
The O/R staff was excellent -- I waited a few minutes to get the IV in (no bruise whatsoever!!! I'm happy about that -- hate to be all bruised up! The anesthesiologist and assistant came in to ask their round of questions, the O/R nurse introduced herself and told me she would be "my eyes during the surgery and she would take real good care of me" -- that was the only time I teared up -- she was so sweet! I was then off to the O/R --- I remember being wheeled down the hall and BAM nothing after that. Thank God for good drugs and a good anesthesiologist! I don't even remember the recovery room. I guess I was there for two hours, too. My family waited in the atrium and like clock work they were talking to the surgeon 2 hours later.
Surgeon came out and told them everything went extremely well and that my stomach was as large as a person who weighed 3 x my weight. WHAT? He said it is hereditary and he has seen it before -- not a real common size. I have this indention in the right side of my stomach now and am wondering if it is where the 3x beast lived???? I'm going to have to ask at my appointment next week.
The first thing I remember is getting to my room and my family walking in just shortly after I was parked. I was in a semi-private room and we were talking about how I felt (which was GREAT -- again, thank you dilauded - sp?) and the person in the room with me was a heroin addict who was being de-toxed. The nurse/case worker was in with her explaining she would need to go to a facility and all the details... I am like... WHAT? Hello HIPPA laws??? Very odd situation. I thought I was hearing this correctly and I looked at my DH and sister and raised my eyebrows. They both looked at each other and said they would handle it and handle it they did. We waited about 20 minutes and they left the room for 5 minutes and came back, grabbed my stuff and said we are moving. It was so quick I wasn't sure what was happening. My nurse had no problem with the move and I ended up in a private room -- timing was perfect.
I was checked on every hour (like clock work) and had some of the most incredible staff taking care of me. Everyone went above and beyond and made sure I had everything I needed and was comfortable. I didn't have anything by mouth until after a swallow test / upper GI (?) on Friday morning at 7:30 (I was excited they came to get me so early). Yes the stuff you drink is disgusting -- kind of like cream soda -- really sweet with bitters in it. Very odd that they can flavor the crap out of everything in this world but not THAT!!! Good news is I only had to take 4 tiny drinks of it and they got what they needed. Best news in the world when they let me know I didn't have a leak. I would have had a 1/2 gallon of that stuff if it guaranteed a clean bill of health!!!
I started clear liquids Friday around noon --- broth, and a tiny sip of juice... water was the best! My mouth really didn't get that dry... I expected more dryness. I found those little mini throw away tooth brushes with breath freshener on them and spit it out.. worked like a charm.
I was up and walking later that afternoon -- and then really started walking during the night to relieve the gas. The halls were MUCH more quieter over night and I was able to get up and down from the recliner by myself so I spent a lot of time there Friday night.
The only unexpected feeling I had in the hospital was Thursday and Friday during the night my legs became tingly and restless -- I think I confused the feeling with nausea and asked for nausea meds which I guess didn't hurt me much! Now that I talked to my girlfriend who had lapro surgery last year -- she said she remembers that feeling and was told it is the anesthesia leaving your system. It was really odd -- made me a bit anxious and I wanted to push against the end of the bed with my legs. Anyway --- if anybody else experienced this I would like to know!!!!!
I was released around noon on Saturday --- sent home with Carafate (anti ulcer rx), Nexium (time released powder to mix with water), Percoset and Phenergan (which made me vomit so I won't be taking any more of that). I took it really easy Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Tuesday we dropped off at daycare and hit Target for a few things. It was fine walking around there --- took a nice nap in the afternoon they we headed back down to daycare to pick up!
It is amazing me how I'm not hungry --- yes.. the home made broth tastes GREAT -- but I have to keep track of the clock for meds, eating, etc. Just crazy!!!! I was always so HUNGRY!!!!!
I finally got it together with journaling what I take and eat... I could not figure out the schedule for meds and it all clicked last night... I track each hour I'm awake -- have a column for food and fluid and a column for meds/vits. It works for me ... at least for now! I'm sure I'll find a different way to track it all again soon. I'm a sucker for a new journal!!!
If you made it this far -- thanks for reading and I hope I can help just one person with sharing this info!!!!!!
This is absolutely the best decision I've ever made!!! NO REGRETS!
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WOW what a week -- I was scheduled originally at 10:30 am on 4/28... the surgeon's office called the day before to let me know they adjusted me to 11am so I needed to be there at 9am. Just enough time to have a normal drop off at daycare and get checked in at OSU.
When I arrived at the hospital the check in process was extremely easy and now that I think about it -- I did not have one negative experience!! It was top notch from beginning to end. I was admitted, taken to the waiting area and taken back for prep early. Once they had me change into my gown my family could come back to the room and wait with me and DH. I waited for only about 15 minutes and then it was time to go to the O/R -- I thought I would wait about 45 minutes. That was great and such a relief.
The O/R staff was excellent -- I waited a few minutes to get the IV in (no bruise whatsoever!!! I'm happy about that -- hate to be all bruised up! The anesthesiologist and assistant came in to ask their round of questions, the O/R nurse introduced herself and told me she would be "my eyes during the surgery and she would take real good care of me" -- that was the only time I teared up -- she was so sweet! I was then off to the O/R --- I remember being wheeled down the hall and BAM nothing after that. Thank God for good drugs and a good anesthesiologist! I don't even remember the recovery room. I guess I was there for two hours, too. My family waited in the atrium and like clock work they were talking to the surgeon 2 hours later.
Surgeon came out and told them everything went extremely well and that my stomach was as large as a person who weighed 3 x my weight. WHAT? He said it is hereditary and he has seen it before -- not a real common size. I have this indention in the right side of my stomach now and am wondering if it is where the 3x beast lived???? I'm going to have to ask at my appointment next week.
The first thing I remember is getting to my room and my family walking in just shortly after I was parked. I was in a semi-private room and we were talking about how I felt (which was GREAT -- again, thank you dilauded - sp?) and the person in the room with me was a heroin addict who was being de-toxed. The nurse/case worker was in with her explaining she would need to go to a facility and all the details... I am like... WHAT? Hello HIPPA laws??? Very odd situation. I thought I was hearing this correctly and I looked at my DH and sister and raised my eyebrows. They both looked at each other and said they would handle it and handle it they did. We waited about 20 minutes and they left the room for 5 minutes and came back, grabbed my stuff and said we are moving. It was so quick I wasn't sure what was happening. My nurse had no problem with the move and I ended up in a private room -- timing was perfect.
I was checked on every hour (like clock work) and had some of the most incredible staff taking care of me. Everyone went above and beyond and made sure I had everything I needed and was comfortable. I didn't have anything by mouth until after a swallow test / upper GI (?) on Friday morning at 7:30 (I was excited they came to get me so early). Yes the stuff you drink is disgusting -- kind of like cream soda -- really sweet with bitters in it. Very odd that they can flavor the crap out of everything in this world but not THAT!!! Good news is I only had to take 4 tiny drinks of it and they got what they needed. Best news in the world when they let me know I didn't have a leak. I would have had a 1/2 gallon of that stuff if it guaranteed a clean bill of health!!!
I started clear liquids Friday around noon --- broth, and a tiny sip of juice... water was the best! My mouth really didn't get that dry... I expected more dryness. I found those little mini throw away tooth brushes with breath freshener on them and spit it out.. worked like a charm.
I was up and walking later that afternoon -- and then really started walking during the night to relieve the gas. The halls were MUCH more quieter over night and I was able to get up and down from the recliner by myself so I spent a lot of time there Friday night.
The only unexpected feeling I had in the hospital was Thursday and Friday during the night my legs became tingly and restless -- I think I confused the feeling with nausea and asked for nausea meds which I guess didn't hurt me much! Now that I talked to my girlfriend who had lapro surgery last year -- she said she remembers that feeling and was told it is the anesthesia leaving your system. It was really odd -- made me a bit anxious and I wanted to push against the end of the bed with my legs. Anyway --- if anybody else experienced this I would like to know!!!!!
I was released around noon on Saturday --- sent home with Carafate (anti ulcer rx), Nexium (time released powder to mix with water), Percoset and Phenergan (which made me vomit so I won't be taking any more of that). I took it really easy Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Tuesday we dropped off at daycare and hit Target for a few things. It was fine walking around there --- took a nice nap in the afternoon they we headed back down to daycare to pick up!
It is amazing me how I'm not hungry --- yes.. the home made broth tastes GREAT -- but I have to keep track of the clock for meds, eating, etc. Just crazy!!!! I was always so HUNGRY!!!!!
I finally got it together with journaling what I take and eat... I could not figure out the schedule for meds and it all clicked last night... I track each hour I'm awake -- have a column for food and fluid and a column for meds/vits. It works for me ... at least for now! I'm sure I'll find a different way to track it all again soon. I'm a sucker for a new journal!!!
If you made it this far -- thanks for reading and I hope I can help just one person with sharing this info!!!!!!
This is absolutely the best decision I've ever made!!! NO REGRETS!
6 month class complete!
Feb 26, 2011
I can't believe how fast these past 6 months flew by! Now on to schedule appointment with Dr. Needleman and pre-op testing.... not sure when they are scheduling!
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6 month class update
Sep 22, 2010
Officially started the 6 month class (BLAST) and have my second meeting tomorrow night. I also got a call from OSU informing me my EKG came back abnormal (call came in on 9/3/10) and I'm still waiting for my PCP to give me a call re her thoughts!!! I am being patient as I have been really busy at work this past month.
Trying to take it one day at a time. I need to check out the gym at OSU tomorrow while I'm there for my class. I have been walking more this past month but NOT enough! I want to make exercise / movement part of each day and this is the next step.
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Trying to take it one day at a time. I need to check out the gym at OSU tomorrow while I'm there for my class. I have been walking more this past month but NOT enough! I want to make exercise / movement part of each day and this is the next step.
Initial visit with surgeon's office
Jul 29, 2010
Met with the CNP and dietician at the surgeon's office this past Wednesday. An amazing experience. I was really nervous going in and left feeling good about the plan/their process! They did blood work and an EKG. Curious about the results of the blood work because I ran out of cholesterol meds a couple of weeks ago and need to go get a refill. Next step meeting with Psych in a couple of weeks and scheduling 6 month program through surgeon's office. Crazy that you only have to meet for 6 sessions and bring in one week food journals for each of the 6 sessions but then you are good to go with submitting approval???
My PCP does not recommend surgery -- I'm going to go in to talk to her about this at my next visit. Fingers crossed.
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My PCP does not recommend surgery -- I'm going to go in to talk to her about this at my next visit. Fingers crossed.
