Anna E.
Home from surgery
Feb 15, 2009
Well, it's Sunday Feb 15th and I am recouperating at my mom's house for a few days. Surgery on the 12th went well, no complications. They found a hiatal hernia and fixed it while they were in there so surgery took about an hour.My mom and I went to a motel on Wed. night and got to the hospital at 6:30am for check-in. I got taken in for surgery at 11:30 and was done about 12:30pm. I spent the next couple of hours in recovery and then was taken up to my room. I was given ice chips to suck on and that went well. I got up to walk about 7pm and had my meal of broth, tea and lemonade. I took my meds with no problem as well. My mom went back to the motel and I napped and sipped broth throughout the night. I got up to walk again about 11:30pm.
I was NPO after 6am until they took me in for my upper GI to check the band placement. Everything was fine. I saw Brian (the PA) and he checked the incisions and gave me the all-clear to go home and we left about 12:30pm to go back to my mom's. It was raining a lot and traffic was a bear but we finally got there. Later that evening I noticed that the port site was quite distended and swollen. Not red or hot and I wasn't running a temp or anything. I was quite upset thinking something was wrong but my mom (who's had a band) and sister looked at it and said it looked fine. I also posted a question about it and everyone said it was probably fine but to keep an eye on it. Today it's still quite swollen but doesn't seem to be getting any worse and I'm not running a fever so I'll keep an eye on it some more.
I got out of the house with my mom and went to Dollartree to walk around. I got out today as well and went toa meeting with my sister. We're going to try to go to Wal-Mart or the mall tomorrow for more walking. Depends on the weather so we'll see. My pain is getting better with each day, although I am still using the liquid Vicodin. On Saturday I was taking not as much as I have taken today but I am feeling better today so I'm not going to skimp on it. The pain is the worst first thing in the morning, definitely feeling like a truck hit me that's for sure.
I am doing the liquid phase of my diet now and doing all right. Staying hydrated and keeping up on my protein shakes. I am not really hungry but when I see food it interests me. All in all I am doing really well I think. I am not having any major discomfort in my stomach when I drink, but I notice it when I drink too fast for sure. I am scheduled for my post-op appt on Thursday the 19th but it depends on the weather if I can make it then or not, I may have to reschedule. We will see.
Anyway, I am doing well and will post more on my progress as I go along....
