Back From Hernia Surgery

Well I am happy to say that I survived .  The pain has been a bit unbearable, but getting better each day with a little help from my friend, percocet . Dx was correct when he told me that this surgery would be easier in many ways. When I was brought over to the short procedure unit to get undressed, there was a regular sized gurney and a regular size hospital gown. My "fat" brain thought that it would never fit, but it went on and snapped at the back with no problem. I was wheeled over to the prep room where they take you before going to the OR. I could overhear a lady on the phone asking where Patrick K was. She turned out to be one of my anesthesiologists and was told,  i guess, to be on the lookout for the "big" man. When I heard her say, "I don't see anyone like that here", I waved in her direction and said "over here". She came over and took a look and said, "You look skinny, no wonder I couldn't find you"  It was a miracle that they could fit my head through the doorway after that compliment. Anyway, the procedure was over in about an hour and half. I was asleep before the breathing tube was placed and when I woke up in recovery it has already been removed, the foley was already out and they took the oxygen from under my nose cause I was saturating at 100% on my own! I was also happy to see that the Doc had not used any drains either. The pain was harsh, but they quickly administered the wonder drugs. The worst part of my stay, was that I had to remain in the recovery room for nearly 9 hours while they waited for a bed to free up on the floor I was to be moved to.  Finally got moved to my room around 7pm ( I reported to admissions at 5:45am)  They let me sleep and promised that I would be getting up and about in a few hours. This I was not looking forward to.  It was some much easier to move around in the bed, using the urinal while lying in bed is no longer an event  sans a big belly and when it came time to get up for the first time, it was 100 times easier to pull myself up and out of the bed. I did well enough that the Dr. let me go home Friday afternoon. So now I am enjoying my deck,patio and front porch in this nice weather that we are finally having and trying to forget about work, relax and heal. Thanks for all the kind words and support. Patrick

Pat, glad things went great for you.  Sounds like you have at least a couple of FARTS in there.   Bobby

Glad to hear all went well.    Take it easy and let the healing process take hold before you bump up that activity to normal levels.  Before you know it, you'll be back up to speed. Been there done that myself recently and besides some bleeding issues at the incision points and a big ol hematoma at the main incision at my belly button, all went well for me too!  The issues were more of an inconvenience than anything - the pain for me was minimal...the pain medication definitely did the trick!  How cool is it for the staff at the hospital to be looking for Big Boys only to find out your not so big anymore???? Cards Fan

Glad things went well.  I enjoyed reading your experience,...thanks for sharing. Heal dude, heal,  suffer along in your patio chair, sipping lemonade soaking up some rays, and heal.  The grass is gonna need cutting soon enough.

Heh, sure is tough recouperating in the sun   Thanks for the well wishes guys, it is definitely appreciated. Doc said that the defect was smaller than they expected, but there was bowel slipping in and out of it. Glad I took care of this before it became an emergency. Same surgeon as did the RnY last year. He's a great guy and very patient focused.

Imagine that! Surgery and a FART (the reg. gurney, gown, and surprised anesthesiologist). "Enjoy" your balmy recovery.

Patrick,

Congrats on a quick recovery and lots of improved health. Was that an internal hernia or incisional (or some other type?)

You're lucky to have had the pain meds. They cut mine when I got out of the OR three hours after surgery. Then, they had me go and speak at the support group (I'm the "poster child" for WLS in Japan and was visiting at a Tokyo hospital from out of town).

The difference in surgery from obese to fit is huge, isn't it? They took the O2 mask off so early, I can barely remember having it on. Catheter came out right away, then no pneumatic boots and no breathing tests/ exercises. Also walked up and down stairs four hours after surgery.My surgeon is a little bit macho, though. He believes that people can go about their normal lives two or so days after lap surgey (minus strenuous exercise). Mind you, lawsuits in Japan are NOT lucrative for anyone and that probably shapes aftercare in some instances.

Anyway, glad you're feeling good. Just thought I'd type this ramble during my 5:30 a.m. coffee buzz.

Best Regards,

Dave

Doug: I will try real hard to enjoy this weather  , someone's got to do it. Dave: I had an incisional hernia just above the navel. I had one in the same area going in to the RnY last year and it was repaired with just stitching, but it tore near the same spot again. Had to have an open surgery again. My doctor wanted to stich the abdominal muscles in the area tighter and put mesh over that. He said that I had a lot of scar tissue that had to be cut away. I imagine that is probably the source of most of the pain. He finished it up with internal stitches and steri-strips. I still have about 75 pounds to lose, but the difference between the two surgeries at this weight and my previous weight is amazing. Glad you are doing OK after your hernia repair. The internal hernia sounds a lot more dangerous. Patrick