Swizzlequeen has a Sleeve! (a bit long...)

Hello My Friends!

My surgery was March 11 – one day after my 55^th birthday. What a birthday present!

Thank G-d, I was not at all nervous in the preop area, or during the days/weeks leading up to Surgery Day.

I was surprised at how uncomfortable I was after surgery, though. I think that I identified myself with my friends here on OH who have had a smooth immediate post-surgery experience. I shoulda paid more attention to those for whom it was not so smooth! I had a sharp stabbing pain on the left side of my abdomen, like a stitch in the side. The problem was, the usual things that makes that kind of pain go away, like breathing deeply, or moving a bit, did not make the pain go away. It stayed. The worst was that I was nauseated. I had understood that the anesthesiologist would place a Dramamine patch on me, and that would help keep nausea at bay, but what actually happened was that I had no such patch. The nausea was not severe, but it was very yukky! I couldn’t get comfortable, and I guess that anesthesia can create loopiness! I was crying, did not want any visitors – that tells you how uncomfortable I was, because my neice and nephew, and my friend Kelli, were coming to visit me, and I usually ADORE to see them! But they did come. They seemed to understand that I was feeling not at all social, and I did not speak, but I did cry. I hated for my teenaged neice/nephew to see me that way…Let me tell you, my Dear OH Friends, that the ONE thing that kept me going thru that loooong nite of nausea, discomfort, beeping and buzzing machines, and – oh, don’t let me forget! – the puddle of blood I woke up with next to me in the bed because somehow  my IV broke apart! – the one thing that kept me going was remembering many many people here on the OH boards who do report initial discomforts, and they always say that ultimately, the results are very, very , worth any initial discomforts. I kept that in mind even as I asked myself, “WHAT have I done??”

The nurses were great, did everything in their powers, I think to bring me antinausea meds and pain meds when I asked for them, and they were very calming during the little problem with the IV.

My poor friend Kelli stayed the nite with me. This is a friend that I have had for 45 years, since the 4^th grade! I always love visiting with her, and yet, on this nite, I spoke very very little to her. She slept on a little hide-a-bed provided by the hospital. Every time I needed something, or something beeped, up she would pop from that little bed, and leave the room in search of a nurse to help us. I am sure that it was NOT a restful nite for her! In spite of my regret that she came while I was NOT in a social mood, I am SO grateful for her presence, her love, her help! She seemed to know exactly what to do, and she says that she is not offended that I did not talk to her. (I did not talk to anyone!) Hooray for Kelli!!:)

I am now approaching the end of day 4, and with every hour, I get a little bit better. The nausea has been gone since about late Tuesday morning (I went home late Tuesday afternoon), and that nasty sharp stabbing pain is gone, too – I haven’t noticed it for about 2 whole days. My abdomen does hurt, but not enough to require use of the narcotics given to me for home use. I have showered several times. I have six incisions. I am pleased to report that I am having what I guess is a lovely post-hospital healing – no problems with the Lovenox injections (some of you know that I am of a religious group that eschews pork – and Lovenox is derived from porcine intestinal mucosa – HOW did they figure out that pigs have a life saving drug in their intestines??!!) so I have been calling my brother every morning after my injection, so that I can say “Well, I’ve had my pork chop today!” LOL. I do sleep a lot. Haven’t driven yet. I go on one daily short walk. I don’t seem to have any problems getting fluids down, and today will probably end up with 50-60 grams protein. No problems with hot or cold fluids. I am having very loose stools – I do think they qualify as diarreah -- a couple of times a day. It is not a lot of diarreah, though, and I think I will be OK as far as dehydration as long as I am able to continue with adequate hydration. Herb tea, broth with Unjury  chicken soup flavored protein powder, hot and cold jello, popsicles, water with Syntrax Nectar protein  Iced Tea Flavor. I have a follow up with my primary care physician on Monday morning, and on Thursday with the surgeon.

I have spared none of the unpleasant details here, because I advise our pre-op friends here on the OH boards to really realize that this is surgery, and very very serious business. This is a funny thing for me to admit, but I think that I kinda idealized what the immediate post-surgical period would be like…but, y’know, sometimes denial is a useful thing. Maybe if I realized that it really could be a rather unpleasant experience – even if for a short period—then maybe I would not have done surgery. But I am now so glad that I did do it, because I can already see a very different future unfolding for me. Maybe it’s like the pain of childbirth – an experience, that, regrettably, I have never had – women tell me that the pain is quickly forgotten as the joy of having the child takes over. I think that maybe it’s kinda like that.

Thank you all for being here for me. We are a true community. We are helping each other with very real issues, and we are helping each other to succeed.

Love, Swizzlequeen

PS . The radiologic leak test was interesting! I got to see the evil-tasting liquid travel thru the sleeve and down to the upper part of the bowel! Even though I was still rather uncomfortable – and I argued with them about their insistence that I drink the fluid thru a straw, LOL – it was very gratifying to see that. The radiologist said that I have “textbook anatomy” and that the sleeve looked great!

Thanks for all the details.  I just got my date today April 11 and want to be realistic about what to expect.  Love that you have the happy ending.  I like your analogy to childbirth.  In a way we are delivering ourselves into a new life.  Please keep sharing- I am right behind you and want to know all the gory details!

First of all, congrats on making it through!    Thank you so much for your honest account of your surgery.  I will be having my surgery a year from now when I am 55.  :-)   Sounds like everything went very well for you and  I am looking forward to reports soon on how much better you feel and the great results you will be getting.

im soooooo happy for you and happy to hear that things are starting to get a little better.. The good news is that it keeps getting better every day and pretty soon this will all be a distant memory. Hopefully I'll see you (and everyone else) soon !

I'm so Glad things went well for you

 Continued GOOD LUCK 

I enjoyed your post as I'm facing a revision from the LB to a sleeve and I'd love it if you can copy and paste this to your blog on your page? Because I'd appreciate being able to follow your journey.. 

Your friend is the BEST!!!

I'm so sorry you had such a hard post op, but thank you so much for sharing your story.  It's so true that we have to at least try and comprehend the hard recoveries, not just the easy ones. 

Thank you so much for sharing!  I'm so glad you are feeling better each day.  What an amazing friend to have come be your side that first night.  One day at a time, we will all get through this :)

Welcome to the loser's bench my friend I am sorry you had a rough time, but it will get better, I promise. I also had a rough time at first, but it is worth it. I am looking forward to the day that you can join me at the rink.

Congratulations!  The worst is over and you sound like you are doing great.  I think most people were hurting and nauseous the first couple of days.  I was, but I don't remember it much because of the pain med pump.  I kept that going, but as soon as I could, I ditched all pain meds because they actually make you feel worse after a while.

I did have an easy recovery in that after the initial surgery/anesthesia discomfort, I was up and running and feeling like million bucks.  Sounds like you are well on your way to making a speedy recovery.  Being able to get fluids and protein in is major.  You will do great.

I enjoy your posts and look forward to following your success!!!