Surgery Done.....Two Words............

Abdominal Binder!

I'm home but not without my share of events this week.  My surgery was Wed.  I didnt get into sugery until 1:30 in the afternoon.  By the time I got in there I was fine and looking forward to it.  The Dr said everything went great.  Took a total of 1.5 hrs.
I was actually quite surprised how well I felt afterward. I was walking no problem...drinking and peeing no problem.  I was discharged the next day and went home. 

With a few hours I started swelling.  The gas build up was horrible and I could not pass it at all.  Gas X strips had wallpapered my mouth.  The spot above my belly button swelled so large it was draining and bleeding a bit.  So I trekked on down to the local Kaiser ER after being placed on 'Priority Advice Nurse'  Hold for 20 minutes on the phone. 

They didnt know what to do with me.  They took some xrays.......started an IV, gave me morphine and later gave me maitanance fluids when I told them I was dehydrating rather quickly.  They brought in a surgeon and between he and the doctor they said ........Uh we don't really know what to do for you .  I was put in a transport ambulance and sent back to Fremont where the procedure was done.  They must get paid by the mile because they definitely took the long way.  It was the ride from hell.

I arrived at about 4 am.  Once I got comfortable again (no pain) and had an abdominal binder but on I walked around the nurses station at least 10 times.  I was also on liquid vicodin, a gas reducer and got a single suppository.  Xrays showed no issue internally, my intestine just weren't ready to wake up and do their thing.  The gas had backed up to the small intestine and my lower intestine was not awake. 

My pain med is starting to work so I have to go........but suffice it to say......GET AN ABDOMINAL BINDER..........STAY OUT OF PAIN AND WALK WALK WALK!  I got home again at 630 after horrilbe traffic.  I almost didnt make it...had to stop at a walgreens to use the restroom.  Sleeping in my bed wont work so I'm in big overstuff chair right now but hubby is going out to get me a recliner tomorrow.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR WELL WISHED AND PRAYERS....til later

Debbie

You know Deb, they just sent you home way to early!  I am glad you are doing better.  That is a new complication I don't think I have seen anyone talk about that one here.  I have heard people say they have to sleep in a recliner though.  Take care of yourself and welcome home!

Debbie,

I am so sorry you had to experience that, but it's all uphill from here!  I have to agree with Elizabeth, I think they sent you home too early but it's water under the bridge and you're going to do just fantastic.  Welcome home and welcome to the losers bench!

Hugs,
Barb

I took my binder to the hospital with me...as soon as I was able to stand, I had a nurse and a friend help me into the binder, I wore a soft sleeveless t-shirt under it...it was a life saver!  I was able to lie down and sleep, tilted on my side right from the beginning.  I could not breath while laying on my back.  At home I spent the first night in a recliner and then in my guest bedroom for a week or so...all the while wearing my beloved binder.  I had remembered how much it helped after my hysterectomy.
I am hoping and praying you are still recovering well with no further complications.  I always say...each day you will feel 100% better than you did the day before....
God Speed!
Kim in Fontana

You know I tell things like they are, just what in the hell was your doctor thinking????  You never are to leave a hospital before your intestines start working again.  I had zero pain after surgery, but I was still in there for 3 days.  Your intestines sleep while you are under, and they need to start to produces and pass gas, and even have a bowel movement sometimes before they let you go home.  So sorry you went through all that at home.  Should still have been in the hospital, and YES ambulances do charge by the mile and there is a charge for night rides too, at least in my neck of the woods that is what AMR (our ambulance service) charges. 
Take good care of yourself, don't over do it at all.  You had major surgery and listen to what your body says ok.

Recliner sleeping is pretty good, I have been sleeping in one for over a year, due to 2 shoulder surgeries and most recent a back surgery!  Enjoy it, but there really isn't anything as good as a bed!  I can't wait to become a member of the bed club again.

Hugs Diane

Diane..........my recliner buddy.  I agree. I should have stayed another day til my gut was going.  But I am feeling really good now.  Maybe Kaiser will make some changes.  My doctor mentioned 'maybe i should add instructions to the discharge packet in case my patients wind up in another ER."  They were clueless at another Kaiser ER.   I even took my discharge instructions packet that listed exactly where she positioned stuff etc....they didnt even want to look at them at the ER!  But my ambulance ride is covered by Kaiser so I'm sure it would have been more cost effective to keep me.  Floor was empty while I was there the 2nd time.

Thanks for you post!

Deb, I'm so sorry to hear of your ordeal at ER Kaiser.  I'm not trying to defend Kaiser (by any means!) BUT you should have been told by Someone! at Fremont that your local Kaiser ER does not have the knowledge regarding WLS, that if you had a problem, you were to call Fremont emergency direct.  At minimum, the ER docs should have called Fremont themselves!  I'm Kaiser Richmond and those were the instructions given to each of us...even my PCP told me that contacting him so soon after surgery (or even during the first 9mos!) would be a waste of time as he would not treat me without my surgeons precise instructions (unless he could positively identify the problem as being NOT WLS related).  While Richmond and Fremont have different post surgery food protocols, the medical side is the same.  I have 3 people in my local support group who have Dr Chu as their surgeon and positively rave about her.

While I didn't have to have a bowel movement before leaving the hospital, I did have to be able to pass the 'wind'...that way the nurses knew all systems were 'awake' and functioning properly. Actually, I didn't have a movement until 5 days after surgery! When I talked to the case worker 4 days after surgery (phone appt), she said it was perfectly normal since I was on liquids only.  In all fairness to Kaiser, they do try to release you the next day as long as everything looks ok...and I'm pretty sure even Richmond would have released you with how well you were doing. Heck, I was in the hospital only 24 hours from first arriving on Tuesday morning to going home Wednesday morning. But I begged to go home even tho I was still nauseated and slightly dizzy (but only when lying down..was fine up walking).  I had not heard of the binder until I met the people at support who go to Fremont; Richmond never mentioned it :-(

I'm glad to hear you are on the mend; I know the recliner will be a big help...I slept in mine for almost a month.  I couldn't lay in any position on the bed...just caused too much discomfort..not really pain but really uncomfortable. 

I would like to stress that if you have any, any more problems, call your surgeon or at least Fremont ER directly!  I know that Richmond has one of their WLS surgeons on 24 hour call at all times.  If you have to go back to your local ER.. tell them to call Fremont immediately.  Unfortunately, with Kaiser, YOU have to be your own Health Advocate :-(  It seems with them, the SCREAMING wheel gets the attention first.

I'm sorry this is so long but I'm passing forward what I have been told and advised by post ops further out and have Kaiser. ^_^  In my local support group, which is actually held at Elk Grove Kaiser facility...they all stress that Kaiser can be a butt and you have to be very pro-active regarding your health care.

You are definitely correct in keep on walking, walking, walking!  And obviously, you are right on regarding the fluids...dehydration is so easy this early out.  But don't forget your vitamins, especially the B12..which I find to be the easiest to take LOL

Wishing you continued success and the rest of your recovery to be uneventful!  You have made a wonderful decision to take control of your life...never doubt for a second your decision to have WLS...it takes time to adjust.  And we did warn you that it would the wildest ride you have ever been on ;-)  Sure hope you are feeling better and able to attend the No Calif Luncheon at Mimi's next Saturday!  We all would love to see you and cheer you on ^_^
{{{Hugs}}}
Nancy aka Sunray

Oh thank you so much I am learning.  My doctor was great.......called me when she found out I was having an issue and showed up shortly after.  What she ordered did the trick and got me going.  I wanted to stay an extra day if only for the comfort of being able to sleep in a hospital bed that is adjustable.  Sounds crazy i know but I dont think I can do a regular flat bed for a while.   She has made herself available to me even if I just need to show up she said she will fit me in without warning.  She is also great via email and repsonds very quickly. 

I so hope I get to see you all on Saturday......with these hormones a whack right now I doubt I will bother with makeup as I am crying at the drop of a hat right now. 

Thanks again for your (& everyone's) encouragement.

Hi Debbie....I know you are asking yourself if you did the right thing having wls.  We all go through that when the gas or the pain gets to bad.I want to reasure you that it all gets better.  Once the weight starts coming off and you start to get your  engery back you will say, Why did I wait so long to do this!.......I wish you a quick recovery and with a little time all will be wonderful  again.

Deb, so sorry to hear you were having such a ruff time of it.  I hope you are starting to feel alittle better. Keep the walking going that is a great benefit for the body, gas, healing process and even for a positive mental outlook. I sure Im will have alot of the same issues with the gas, and pain, crying questioning did I do the right thing etc. when I have my WLS.. but everyone justs says hang in there and it all will start to get better. So you are in my prayers for a speedy recovery.

Also Im planning to go to the Nor Cal Mimi's meeting next Saturday, I live in Fremont and will be driving if you are wanting and able to go just let me know I would be glad to drive you there too. I have a good size  van (front seats big and comfie and recline too. 

Just take it day by day thats all you can do for now, dont try to take on more than one day at a time. Good thoughts. Mary Kaye

I know you dont know me at all, but I can provide you with character references if that would make you feel better too. Just let me know.