kimberly_gr
My Surgery and Recovery Experience
Jan 14, 2011
My husband and I arrived on time, signed in, and didn't have to wait long to be taken to my pre-surgery room. I had to then strip and put on a hospital gown. The nurses and anesthesiologist asked me some questions and were quite attentive. I can't remember much detail past this point, but I think I got an IV, and I asked for something to relax me. I must have fallen asleep pretty quickly.
My next recollection was being in the recovery room, being very tired, and feeling pain. I remember hearing a guy close to me moaning over and over again. He kept waking me up, and I was very annoyed. I must have been awake enough by then, and I was moved to my room.
In my room, my husband and best friend were waiting for me with a lot of concern. My surgery was at 8:00, and I didn't wake until about 3:00. My husband was afraid I would never awake. Then I started complaining to them about the moaning guy in the recovery room (cussing about it and everything). I was cranky; my pain medication was pretty good, but I literally felt like my stomach was cut out.
I had to get out of bed pretty soon to pee, but the nurse helped me, and I was surprised that it didn't hurt more. I'm not sure if I took 1 or 2 walks through the halls that night, but I was sure to get some walking in. I slept constantly. The next morning I had my leak test. I was so thirsty, even swallowing the solution for the x-ray was welcome. I remember sitting in my wheelchair after the leak test falling asleep right in the chair. I felt like a nursing home resident slumped in the wheelchair like that. Fortunately I didn't have any leaks.
I was started on liquids. Although the hospital's broth was fabulously good, I couldn't take in much. I still had to be on oxygen and was pretty good about doing my breathing exercises. I walked the hallways often, but slept every chance I got. Thank goodness I didn't have a roommate. I didn't read, listen to music, watch TV, I just slept when not walking, peeing, or trying to take some liquids in.
I slept fine the second night, and prepared to go home after that. The doctor was a little concerned because I just couldn't get that much of liquids in. He explained that my hiatal hernia fix was tight, and my stomach was rather tight, but that I should be fine at home. The nurse and NUT from the surgeon's office reviewed with me what I needed to do at home, and showed me how to care for my incisions and drain. Yes, I had a drain for a week after surgery and hope to never have one again. My discharge was delayed because I needed a potassium IV and it took forever to come from the pharmacy.
The ride home was ok, but painful. I was able to get upstairs just fine, and after eating some broth, I went right to bed. I was pretty dragged out that first week. I only had clear liquids, and my energy was very low. By the time I had to go for my 1-week checkup, I couldn't drive myself because I was so weak. I thought I was in bad shape, but the doctor seemed happy enough with how I was doing. I was released to full liquids, and that made a real difference in my energy.
To wind this all up, I didn't have too much pain--I only took my pain meds for 4 or 5 days once home, but my stamina and energy were virtually nonexistent. So many people write about how good they felt after surgery; I did not feel good. It was the most physically demanding ordeal I ever went through.
My next post will be more positive. I promise!
One Week to Go
Nov 23, 2010
I've been on a pre-surgery diet of Optifast as required by my surgeon. I had a very difficult time the first two days of the diet because of the "shakes" that were on the diet. They caused me to have low blood sugar issues so bad I ended up throwing up on myself at work. The NUT at the surgeon's office told me to stop the shakes and just stick with the nutrition bars and soups. That has worked for me and by today, I'm not having too much in the way of hunger issues. I'm glad I had to do the pre-surgery diet because I think that adjustment will be one less issue for me after surgery.
Tomorrow morning I go for pre-surgery testing, and that's the last hurtle before surgery. December 1 is "showtime." It's all good.
2 Months Till Surgery
Oct 07, 2010
I'm approved by insurance and have a surgery date of Dec 1, 2010! I want to jump for joy and than I want to suck my thumb and hide under the bed. Lots of emotions go along with all this.
It was a frustrating process between my last 3 month nutritional program office visit and getting my surgery date. It was literally a month for all of it. Oh well that's water under the bridge. I've gotten my paperwork telling of all the tests and appointments I need to complete between now and surgery. I'm sort of glad I've got the 2 month wait so that I don't feel overwhelmed and I can complete everything in a leisurely way.
My husband is very nervous about it all; so we're going to an extra office visit so that he can quiz the doctor about everything. DH doesn't want to hear the words from my mouth; he's got to hear it from the Doc. I think I'm shocking a lot of people in my life. It's really difficult to convey to them that this surgery is relatively safe for me, and overall this will be safer than going around morbidly obese for the rest of my life.
I'm looking forward to the new, vibrant self I will become. 
Too Doggone Angry
Aug 30, 2010
In the beginning of this I went through some anger when I got all my papers in the mail from the surgeon's office with all of my appointments and "to-do" list. I figured out that anger was coming from feeling out of control and a fear of change. I got over that anger within a couple of days--no therapy required.
This time, I've been pretty angry for the last week. I'm sure it has something to do with being close to appying for surgery approval from insurance. I'm sure it has to do with me not having control over that, but I'm not sure that this is the only thing making me angry. All I know is that I don't like myself this way, and I hope it either passes or that I get to the root of it soon. If I don't figure this out soon, I may need therapy. I don't want to be that angry, middle-aged woman--I don't want to be her.
No Worries
Aug 03, 2010
Last week I had my follow up appointment to my sleep study. Wow! I've been diagnosed with mild sleep apnea. Since I had the sleep study, I found documentation that my weight was above a 40 BMI for year 2009. With the sleep apnea and weight documentation, we think my approval from insurance for surgery won't be a problem.
The good news is that there's no issue with my heart. The doctor explained that in the sleep study, my heart was reacting the way a heart will react with sleep apnea. Once I start losing weight, everything should resolve with the sleep apnea and how my heart reacts during it.
Today I had my upper endoscopy. Everything appeared fine, and we'll know within a week if anything comes back indicating problems such as h-Pylori. I was drugged for the upper endoscopy and have pretty much slept all day long after getting home. I think the doctor used a stronger cocktail than what I've had before.
August 31 is the last of my prerequisite 3-month program, the surgeon's office will then apply for surgery approval with the insurance. It almost seems surreal that I'm this close. Right now my emotions are neutral, but through this process I've been angry, afraid, excited, intimidated, and empowered. I'm just wondering how I'll handle things once they're more imminent.
I'm a little worried now about how I'm going to juggle time off from work. Also I'll have a long-term visit from family during the pre-surgery time., and I'll also want time off for that. I'm worried that I'll be having to do Optifast while I'm wanting to cook for my family.
I'll just take it all one day at a time and not worry about tomorrow before it's here.
A Twist in the Journey
Jul 23, 2010
On the otherhand, I'm realizing how much help I get from everyone else, and perhaps something I say will resonate or help someone else. So here goes . . .I started this journey officially in April 2010 by attending informational sessions and contacting hospitals that I was interested in for my surgery. I finally narrowed my search to Akron City Hospital with Dr. John Zografakis as the surgeon of choice. Since my first consult with Dr. Z in May, I've been busy with all the testing and nutritional evaluation required for surgery.
Just this week, I realized I may have a problem with documenting a bmi of 40 or above for year 2009 to qualify for my insurance to pay for surgery. Last night I went for a sleep study to check for sleep apnea. When this was first prescribed, I was annoyed that I had to do this, since I was certain I didn't have this problem. Well when I realized that I may have trouble meeting the historical bmi requirement, I started praying that I had sleep apnea.
So be careful what you wish for. My nurse that supervised the sleep test hinted that I probably didn't have sleep apnea (they're not allowed to tell/diagnose), but she did disclose to not be surprised if I have to consult with a cardiologist. My heart rhythm was erratic through the night and raced at times. Both of my parents had heart attacks in their 50's and my dad died by age 51. I'm taking this seriously since I'm almost 45 and have this family history.
I'm not panicing, but am anxious to know how serious this is.
