The whole story

Hey all, since so many here are about to have surgury I thought I would post my whole experience. So I apologize if this is longwinded! The day before surgury I was able to eat lunch (I had a salad and soup) and then liquids to midnight and nothing after midnight. I dropped my four year old off at grandmas that night as well. I was at the hospital at 7 am and brought to a prep room where they put in an iv and gave me a blood thinner shot in the tummy (shot didn't hurt at all - the meds burned a little.. and I hate shots!) I also had three pills to take. I was told I was Dr. C's second surgury and they would be back in a bit - I was scheduled for 9:30. I dozed off for a bit and woke up to the nurses telling me they were bringing me to the pre-op ready room. I had my blood presure taken and was given a margarita in my IV (aka I dont care meds). I was rolled into surgury about 9:45. The room was freaking freezing!! But they covered me with warm blankets and had me breathing oxygen. I was told to take a couple of deep breathes and next thing I knew I was waking up in the recovery room. They checked my vitals and I think I was there for an hour? Don't really remember much except they gave me a pain meds when I said I was hurting a bit. Back in the room that first afternoon is a bit fuzzy. The nurses were fabulous and extremly friendly and concerned. The pain meds they shot into my hip because supposedly they last longer in the muscles. The shot didn't hurt thank goodness! They had me up and walking that afternoon and came in every hour for vitals and had me walking every four hours during the night. That night I was feeling pretty decent and watched a movie and kicked back. I also managed to do a full lap around the floor with my hubby. The next morning my doc swung by to make sure I was doing ok and about 10am they took me for my leak test. This was the roughest part of my stay. I hadn't had any pain meds since 4am and they didn't want to give me any until after the leak test. The stuff they make you drink is nasty!! gross! disgusting! And they make you take big gulps so I was paranoid I would puke. But it was over quickly. Back to the room I went and got my pain meds. I did get nauseous and had a bit of a coughing fit which made me cough out bloody phelm (was told that was because of the breathing tube and nothing to worry about) The nurse came back and gave me some anti nasuea meds and took me off my iv - the leak test was a-ok! I got a tray for lunch that day, broth, jello, crystal light, and tea. The jello was heaven! And I drank some of the crystal light but the broth was way too salty. By the time I had finished my jello they were bringing the dinner tray, lol! That night I did a lot of walking, it really helped to move around. The next day the doc came by and took out my drain. Wow was that a weird feeling! I felt it in my throat and to my toes. No pain, just odd!! They removed the rest of my iv from my hand and I was home by 11:30am! The last day has been nice being at home. The gas was pretty bad yesterday but I just kept making laps in my house and this morning was much better! I'm sitting up and watching tv and roaming the halls. I am stretching out the time between taking my meds and don't really forsee needing them after another day or two. And so here I am! If you made it this far, congratulations! Hugs, Beth

Thanks for sharing, Beth. I am just a few days out and this helps a lot. One of the other blogs had a suggestion to visualize what was ahead and I am doing that, this really added a lot including a successful surgery and quick return home. The visualization has calmed me quite a bit so I have big thanks to whomever had that suggestion. Wednesday is my big day! Hugs to all! Tiffany

I am glad it helped Tiffany! My best friend had the surgury last year (she had open though and I had lap) and just being around for her whole experience over the last year helped me immensely so I am glad I am able to share with all my fellow January babies. Good luck on Wednesday!! Hugs, Beth

Girl you did great!! I really appreciate the posts b/c I am learning alot from you, and your story helped the "uneasy" feeling I have. I am not nervous just kind of anxious....Well keep doing great and keep us updated!! Cindy

Thank you thank you!! This is helping me so much. I'm kind of in an uneasy place right now, and having some knowledge of what is ahead is exactly what I need. I will also be visualizing all of the good that will come from this. Prayers for a speedy recovery!

CONGRATS. I am glad to see you are doing well. It sounded like it went good. Did they mention how long you were in surgery? I know it is different for everyone. But just want to get a round about time.

I believe the surgury was an hour and a half and I was in recovery for about an hour. I went in just before 10am and I believe I was back in my room at 12:30. Beth

Beth, When you got to the point of when the doc removed the drain I was laughing so much. That is exactly how I felt. I had had a surgery unrelated to WLS back in 2000 and I had to have a long drain put in (open surgery with incision from pubis to sternum) I remember when he pulled it out I though I had gotten a rubber band stuck in my teeth and they were pulling it from my butt! Congratulations on reaching the other side. I am not too far behind you so I too will be getting a tube pulled again! And yes, I am patiently waiting for my "Margharita". I just have to come up with a really good joke to tell the surgeon before I go under. I want him laughing and in a really good mood... Sandra

Thanks, Beth. That helps more than you know! I will certainly be re-reading it for the next week!! Pat

YOU ARE THE BEST THING IN MY BOOK. I am so happy that your surgery was uneventful and seemingly, easy to get through. Although I'm not trying to make light of surgery and it being "easy". What an inspiration you have been to me today. I pray that my surgery goes just like that...I can live with that. I needed to hear something positive and encouraging and it was SIMPLE to get through your story. I read and hung on every word. Again, thanks for taking the time to post and helping us folks who are having surgery very soon. Keep us posted on how you're doing, please. Happy walking and most awesome; HAPPY LOSING! ~Kim P. 16 days till surgery