What to expect after surgery???

 If you've never been under anesthesia before, be prepared for that!  Not saying this will definitely happen but I had a huge panic attack when I was coming off the anesthesia. It was like being in a coffin while still alive. I wanted to open my eyes but I couldn't, I wanted to move my hands but I couldn't. It was so hard and felt like forever but I am sure it was just a matter of minutes until I was finally awake.  I was still extremely woozy and out of it and just fell asleep as soon as I got to my room.  I was in and out of sleep all night.  The pain meds contributed to that and gave me nausea but they gave me anti-nausea.  I couldn't drink anything for the first day because they had to wait a day to do the leak test so my mouth was so dry.  I was so swollen that it took another half day for me to be able to drink.  I was very weak and getting up for walks was hard but I did it.  It was better by day 3!

 Congratulations and I hope all goes well for you and the others who posted with upcoming surgeries. I am 12 days post op. It hasn't been smooth for me but I know it could be worse. Something that threw me off were my expectations. I'd say to maybe go in with no expectations. I thought I'd sail through this like so many I've talked to that did so well. I experienced nausea but they give you meds that do help. If your pain med isn't covering your pain, try another type. I did and it helped. My one piece of advise someone offered was "take a bite/sip and wait for a sensation" I felt pain, acid and other feelings upon swallowing (all this just under my ribs, which I found out is where the pyloris is located) If you do I think you will eliminate so much discomfort. Take tiny sips and bites. As much as I heard that, I wasn't prepared for THAT small! I now understand why it takes so long to eat like they warn you. The incision pain was pretty minimal. As of today, I still don't feel very well. I have episodes where I am extremely irritable and don't feel good. I tire easily and feel jittery. All that to say, I'm the type that bounces back quickly and isn't affected much by discomfort. I do know that anesthetic does have a poor effect on me. I try not to complain, hard to see after hearing all that, but I know the end result will be a happier, healthier, prettier me. Have more to say because it's all fresh in my mind but that's the jist of it.

Thank you everyone for ur advice, help and prayers!! It's greatly appricated!!! 

I blogged about all of this in my blog because I figured I'd forget after a while. Start reading around 9/24/08 when I had surgery and you'll get a good feel for what life is like the first couple of weeks/months.

ETA .. the link is in my signature. I forgot to say that.