My surgery experience

Oct 21, 2009

Let me start off by saying that Dr. Brader is the BEST!!!!!  He's definitely a skilled surgeon, I couldn't be more happy with the results of my surgery. 

I had to be at the hospital by 6am the morning of my surgery, as soon as I arrived they started prepping me. They took blood, in case I needed a transfusion during surgery, weighed me, gave me a pregnancy test (because I'm still of child rearing age), started the IV and by 7:20, Dr. Brader came in to see me and initial my stomach. My surgery was scheduled for 7:30 and he told me he probably would not see me again until 8am, which gave the OR staff time to prep me. Before I knew it, I was being wheeled to the OR. The moment they started to move me, I got very emotional.....started crying and told my husband I loved him. The nurse assured me that everything would be ok! 

While in the OR I moved myself to the operating table and I was told I'd be asleep within 5 mins. As soon as they put the oxygen mask over my mouth/nose I was probably out within a few mins. The next thing I remember, I was waking up in recovery. The nurse was moistening my mouth with water and ice. She was talking to me, telling me the surgery was done and everything went well. I remember grunting or mumbling something, but I couldn't tell you what I said. LOL I tried to clear my throat and realized the breathing tube was already out........yeah!!! I was worried about that because I have a terrible gag reflex. My husband said Dr. Brader came to visit him in the waiting room around 9:50am.

Fast forward, I was in my own room by 11am. I was still kinda groggy but could recognize my surroundings. My husband was already in the room, very happy to see me. I just remember my mouth being very dry and my throat a little scratchy. I was up and walking at 3pm on the dot. They aren't kidding when they tell you within 4 hrs of going to your room, you will be up and walking. My walks continued every 4 hours. I don't remember too much from that first day, but I know I slept alot. The morphine pump was my friend.

I had my swallow test at 7:30 the next morning and Dr. Brader gave the ok for clear liquids. I asked for water and ice chips as soon as I got back to my room. I was in heaven. Of course I sipped, sipped, sipped! As the day progressed, I was getting out of bed more often and taking walks every 2-3 hours, without too much assistance. If I can offer one piece of advice..........walk as much as you can. It helps move the gas around!!!!!

I'm 9 days post op and things are going well. I met my fluid goals the first day home and started meeting my protein goals on Tuesday (I missed my goal just slightly Sunday and Monday). It's a learning process, you have to figure out what works for you. Some days I get lightheaded but I talked to the nut on Tuesday and he said part of that is because my caloric intake has drastically reduced, but he wants me to follow up with my PCP because I take BP meds.

To this date, I have lost 17lbs since the morning of my surgery, a total of 47lbs since my journey started. Talk about a shock!!!! WOW  

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