One Week Post-Op and thankful to be...

I posted this in the Iowa boards, but wanted to share with you all! Thanks for all of the prayers and well wishes! Be blessed! Hey, I just thought I would update everyone on my story, while it is still fresh. My surgery was Lap RNY with Dr. William Rizk, 1-10-2006 at 12:30pm. I got to the hospital at about 10am, since I had to be registered by 10:30am. I was take to a small pre-op room, where I was asked to change into a gown and wait. I waited and waited and waited. If it weren't for my support friend, I would've been napping... and well rested! At about 12 pm a nurse came in, put in my IV's and shortly after that I was taken through a web of hallways to a cold operating room where I was greeted by two anesthesiologists. My surgeon came in placed his hand on my forearm, flashed his big white smile, and asked if I was ready. I shook my head, and I was out. I woke-up in a dark recovery room. I think it was about 4 pm, or a little later. The nurse that was guarding me told me that everything went great and I should be going up to my room very soon. I went in and out, and remember waking up in my room, the first thing I saw was cartoons on the TV; I knew my little boy was there! I looked for him and motioned for him to give me a gentle hug. The first few hours were a blur of nurses, in and out, poking, prodding, and telling me that I should try to start getting up soon. I had to pee, so I was more than willing to get up. I walked to the restroom with the help of two nurses, and was able to do my business and get back up without too much trouble. I walked the length of the hall and back, and went back to my room. Everything seemed fine and dandy. The nurses emptied my drain, I got up a couple more times and thought I was doing great. My son left for the night, and I was ready for some much needed rest. I don't remember what time it was, but I remember waking up about 9:30-10 pm and feeling really cold on my left side. I sat up a little to find a huge puddle of blood. I buzzed for a nurse, two came and began to clean me and the bed, and feeling for pulses, taking pressures, reading monitors.... My blood pressure was dropping... and fast. At one point I remember hearing the numbers 98/46, and thinking- "S***, that's not good!" The nurses were emptying my drain, about 100cc of blood every 15 minutes. They began transfusing blood, but my pressure kept dropping. They called my surgeon, the diagnosis was that I had a "bleeder", and that they would have to go back in and attempt to stop the bleeding. The on-call surgeon, a Dr. Grossman, would be the one trying to fix the problem. He spoke with me briefly, and assured me that they could go back in Lap, and should be able to find it, but that there was still the chance that he'd have to open. That poor man must have seen the terror in my eyes, and he assured me he'd do everything he could first. It was about 2:00am when I was put out for my second surgery. I woke-up at about 8am in the ICU, where I remained for a day and a half. I had received four pints of blood. The doctors said that they really didn't find a source for the bleeding, so they cleaned up what they could and closed. The first thing I remember was reaching to feel my stomach, in hopes that I wasn't opened... I was extremely relieved. The rest of my hospital stay was pretty textbook, my blood pressure is high, my blood counts are low, but they expect those things to correct themselves with time. SO........ Now I'm on the eve of my first post-op visit. Hoping to have this drain taken out of me, so that I can "live normally" and get to losing! I'm feeling really good, I think I will return to work next week. I get to drive to my appointment tomorrow, so... yeah... I have my independence again! Pre-op I was 268.5 ~ (My highest was 292 in 2003) While in the hospital, I was highly medicated, and bloated... I didn't want to know what I weighed. I was released Friday. Saturday I was 265 Sunday I was 260 Monday my scale died... so I don't know where I am. I am content to wait. I don't expect overnight results... For right now, my focus is getting pain relieved and wounds healed. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR THOUGHTS AND ESPECIALLY FOR YOUR PRAYERS!!! and I KNOW EXACTLY WHO TO THANK FOR EVERY BREATH I HAVE TAKEN SINCE LAST TUESDAY NIGHT. THANK YOU, LORD! With much love, Angela

Wow Angela, you sure had a ride didn't you? I'm so happy you came through your hospital stay and are on the road to recovery! Good luck tomorrow!!! *~*Jaci*~*

Angela, my surgery sister! I had surgery on the 10th as well. Went pretty well for me - no leaks, no bleeds, etc.... I just feel guilty as sin because I keep reading how well folks here that had surgery the day before me are doing. (no pain meds, up all day, feeling wonderful, etc...) I still have soreness, and sometimes a sharp stab or two when I move so I am still taking the pain meds at times. My back hurts alot. Think it may be from 'guarding' my abdominal muscles. Arms and hands are battered, sore, and black and blue from IV's and arterial lines still. And I still get very tired. Down to one nap a day, though. I am also thankful to be one week postop and that it is over. I can say I am getting an appetite back also. My husband said, "That has to be a good thing!" I replied, "I GUESS.... I didn't miss it any, though!" Maybe I'll catch up with everyone very soon and start running Walmart marathons and feeling great! Don't forget to update your profile with that info! Sandy L

Same thing with me i am still taking the pain medications and have a lot of backpain i guess because of the sleeping on your back, and i am normally use to sleeping on my stomach. Good to hear you are feeling like me i am ready to get back into the swing of things, i want to cook & clean for my family. Well Good Luck!!