Allison S.

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WOW!  The last week has been such a whirlwind experience.  

First, I began my 2 week pre-op diet on February 22, 2013, which consisted of 3-4 protein shakes (8oz-11oz) per day and one meal, consisting of 3oz of lean meat and 3 oz veggies.  All of the contents of my pre-op diet were thoroughly laid out in my Bariatric Life Journal provided to my by Provost Bariatrics, so if it was not in the binder, it was not allowed.

Then, on March 6, 2013 I began by 48 hour liquid ONLY diet as well as my PreOp appointment at Provost Bariatrics and Pre-registration at Texas Presbyterian Hospital (Denton).  The 48 hour liquid diet was, ironically, way easier that to adhere to than the 2 week diet BY FAR!  While my nerves were intensifying, I was also feeling a sense of over all peace.  I know this may not make sense, but that is exactly my feelings at the time.  

The PreOp appointment consisted of meeting with the nutritionist, nurse, nurse practitioner, and Dr. Provost to go over my surgery and PostOp directions.  It was also an avenue for me asking any last minute questions I may have.  I left this appointment feeling way better about my decision to have laparoscopic RNY gastric bypass than ever before.

After leaving Provost Bariatrics, I went next door to pre-registration where I completed and signed off on all my insurance information.  Thankfully, since I have Tricare Prime as my insurance, my co-pay was $0, so this process went rather quickly.  I was then brought into pre-surgery, which I had blood drawn, an EKG, and a lung x-ray.  I was also given 2 sets of antibacterial wipes that I was to use on my entire stomach the night before and morning of my surgery.  The entire pre-op and pre-registration process took about 4hrs.

March 8, 2013 - Surgery Date.  I arrived at the hospital at 7:00am and was taken in about 7:30AM.  The process stalled and Anesthesia and Dr. Provost didn't arrive until around 9:00am.  I got a sedative through my IV around 9:30AM, kissed my husband goodbye and I do not remember anything else until I woke up in my 4th floor room.  I do know there were some miscommunications amongst staff which resulted in a delay of moving from surgical waiting to my actual room.  Though my surgery only took 45 minutes (and my liver was great), it was quite a scary time frame for my hubby.  All worked out, however, and my recovery nurses were amazing.  Most of the day was a bit of a blur.  Unfortunately, the 1st two attempts for me to get up and walk were unsuccessful ask I became very faint and nauseous.   The 3rd attempt, at 3:30AM on March 9, 2013, resulted in about a 5 minute walk down the halls.  I also had access to a morphine drip every 8mins, which was nice.

March 9, 2013 - Day #1.  Dr. Provost came in to see me briefly, I was sent for a barium upper GI to make sure no leaks were present, and when the results were clear I was upgraded from 30ml of ice chips 1x an hour to 30ml of sugar-free liquids 1x hr and unlimited ice chips.  This was a welcome treat!  This was mainly a rest day as pain was increasing a bit despite the morphine.  I did have to keep my oxygen in as it was dip to the low 80's when I didn't have.  

March 10, 2013 - Day #2.  Dr. Provost came in again to see me briefly and to say that I will be discharged at 3pm.  Morphine was discontinued and changed to liquid Loratab,  I began to walk more frequently, getting things in order to leave.  Pain was stable.

After coming home, I became more uncomfortable which was aggravated by constipation.  I lived through the pain until March 12, 2013 when it became just too unbearable to even get out of a chair without full assistance, let alone walk.  It also had been 5 days since my last bowel movement and I know that played a huge factor in my pain.  I decided to head to the ER.  Better safe than sorry. 

March 12, 2013 - Day # 4.  I got right in to the ER, where they performed an EKG (which was normal) and began an IV.  Shortly after they pumped me full of pain meds and I was actually comfortable for the 1st time since being discharged.  Then took some blood work, urinalysis and Dr. Provost was called.  He ordered a full CT scan, which was extremely....let me emphasize EXTREMELY painful trying to lay down.  I sobbed and sobbed as my husband rubbed my hair and held my hand.  My love for him has grown 10 fold since this surgery let me tell you.  Well after a bit more meds, the ER doctors came in and said that I have an abdominal edema and my lungs were beginning to collapse.  I was admitted. 

March 13, 2013 - Day #5.  Pumped full of meds and starting to feel much better.  They also started a different pain control regimen that seems to be working just right.

March 14, 2013 - Day #6.  Finally able to walk around without holding my side, take a shower and I feel short of amazing.  I was weighed, however, and due to all the IV fluids my weight is now 252.  So I am holding 10lbs of IV fluids in my system since surgery. YUCK.  Good news is, I was discharged around 1pm.

Let the journey begin!