My Surgery Story

Jan 19, 2011

As I started this post, it reminded me of the birth stories I posted after my children were born.  There were details on their births, the whole experience, people involved.  I realized that's just what this is, it's a re-birth story.  How fitting is it that my room at the hospital had a picture of a butterfly. 

This whole experience was like living my life in a body that wasn't really mine, waiting to go into a cocoon and be reborn into a butterfly. 

I got to the hospital at 6:30 in the morning Monday.  My surgery wasn't scheduled until 8:30 am.  By 7:15, I was prepped and ready to go when my surgeon walked into the room and announced he was ready - an hour early!  I think this was actually a blessing, it left me little time to panic.  I said goodbye to Mike and they whipped me into a holding area.  There, they put me in some compression socks, loaded me up with good drugs and away I went.  I barely remember being wheeled into the OR, in fact, I can't be sure that's what happened because it felt like a dream.  The next thing I remember, I'm being wheeled into PACU, stating very loudly (which is highly unusual for me, I'm soft spoken)  "Oooooooh!  I'm going to throw up!!!"  I said this over and over.  They kept reassuring me that I wouldn't and brought me a wet cloth to place on my forehead.  I don't remember anything else about the recovery room.  I do remember being wheeled to my regular room was painful, every bump we hit, I said, "ooow!"  When we got in there I looked up and said, "Julie!"  then looked over and saw another friend, Sandra.  That's all I remember, I don't remember anything about their visit.  Julie told me they tried to get my dark secrets out of me and I told them I didn't have any.  LOL 

It took forever for my husband to get in to see me.  I don't know what was going on there, I guess there was a mix up in communication, but I was glad when I finally saw him.  I don't remember much about the rest of the day.  Tuesday morning, I was in a lot of pain.  I thought, "OMG, what have I done to myself?"  I was having some very serious regrets, thinking that I would be in so much pain for the rest of my life.  I really wasn't thinking clearly, and I got over those thoughts soon.  It was probably buyer's remorse, this was a major life change. 

They took me for my upper GI with gastrograffin at about 8am.  My nurse told me she should have the results by the time I got back.  I stood in front of a machine while I drank a chalky mixture.  I was afraid I was going to throw up before I even tasted it, but it was fine.  I got to watch it go down my esophagus and into my stomach, it was pretty neat to watch.  They wheeled me upstairs and an hour passed before any results came.  I was getting really nervous that they found a leak, but they didn't.  They just looked at it closer because I had some swelling in my esophagus that caused the drink to go down slowly. 

When my surgeon was operating, he also did a hiatal hernia repair and fixed some scarring on my pancreas (which I only assume was there because I had a life threatening case of pancreatitis about five years ago.)  I think the pain from that is worse than the gastrectomy.

 
 
Once we got the all clear on the leak test, the first thing we did was take out the foley.  I was so happy to have that gone!  The PCA was taken away and I was started on liquid roxicet.  That stuff sat in my stomach like lead!  It is only 5ml but felt like a gallon.  I also started on clear fluids.  Ice chips were first because of the swelling.  Then, water, followed by diluted apple juice.  Tuesday evening I even tried some chicken broth, which sat heavy so I didn't drink much.  I went back to water and decaf tea the next day.  Did I mention that I peed like crazy because I was still on iv fluids?  I walked a bit the first night, probably 4 or 5 total.  I started doing more laps, and was able to do 2 laps at once.  I think the nurse said that each lap was about 180 feet, but I could be wrong.  I did 7 or 8 laps that day.  I also got a shower in and began to feel human again.

Wednesday morning, the sequential compression device came off, though I kept the compression socks on.  I continued to do well with the incentive spirometer.  I only used the CPAP for about an hour the whole time I was there because they decided that it wasn't necessary (not to mention the pressure is way too high.) 

My surgeon came in that morning, saw that I was doing great and released me!  I went home at about 1 pm that afternoon and I was so happy about that.  I stopped at Walgreens on the way home to pick up some nausea patches, which I haven't needed at all.  I haven't had any nausea since I woke up from surgery screaming that I was going to throw up.  The nurses on the station were also very impressed with my progress.  They called me their star patient and said I even passed up Melissa (who was previously the gold standard.)

Yesterday, I was able to get in about 50 oz. of fluid on my own.  I say that's not bad for the first day!  I'll easily make 64 oz. today.  I'm alternating water, peppermint tea, sugar free cherry limeade drink mix and diluted grape juice.  I'm drinking 1 oz every 15 minutes.  When I saw the nutritionist yesterday, she said I could progress to 2 oz every 15 minutes when I'm ready.  But, I'd like to take it slow since I'm getting my fluids in just fine right now.

My husband made chicken alfredo for dinner tonight and it smelled *so* good!  It didn't make me hungry, though, I just wanted to smell it.  It was satisfying.  I haven't tried any jello yet, but I may tomorrow.  I've been able to keep down pill form medications just fine (I'm taking Axid and Propranolol.)  Last night, I skipped a dose of Roxicet and just took liquid tylenol instead and realized that was a mistake.  I really needed the extra pain meds.  Today has been a good day pain wise, but I haven't pushed myself either.  I did manage to make it 7 hours between pain meds so that's a huge plus.

I guess that's it for now.  I'm really doing great and hope I feel much better tomorrow!
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Tomorrow's the big day!

Jan 16, 2011

Sorry I've been neglecting this, but I regularly post on my main blog (link above.) 

The psychological evaluation went smooth, PCP gave me clearance and all of my labs looked great.  So it's a go!  I have to be at the hospital at 6:30 in the morning.


3 comments

Four weeks to go!

Dec 13, 2010

I got my surgery date!  It will be January 10th, 2011.  This is perfect timing, a little over a week before classes start back up and hopefully enough time to recover.  I got my preop bloodwork today, they took 14 vials of blood.  Check out my regular blog for a detail on what they are testing.  I'm still having some issues with my CPAP.  I had a very difficult time after they delivered it.  When I took it to the CPAP Clinic, the pressure was way too high.  It was 24/20.  She reduced it to 16/12, which still seems a bit high for me, but it's a lot better.  The major issue I'm having now is with the mask.  I just cannot sleep with it on.  I gave up and didn't put it on last night because I had a final today and couldn't risk not getting a good night's sleep.  I've been fighting with the CPAP since I got it on November 29th and have not had a full night's sleep since then.  I really want a nasal mask, but was told that my pressure was too high for one.  I know if I had one, I could sleep so much better.  So, for now, I will keep going on 5 hours of sleep each night because I fight with it between 10-1 am and give up, take it off and sleep till 5-6. 

So, what do I have left to do.  I have to see the nutritionist one more time, I have my psychological evaluation on December 28th and then I go for the preop group on January 5th.  That's it!  So far, I've lost 22 pounds!
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Endoscopy

Nov 24, 2010

I'm sitting in my living room and still experiencing a bit of mild after effects of anesthesia.  My endoscopy was today.  I was really worried about waking up during the procedure since that's what happened during my last ERCP and am happy to say that I didn't.  However, I wasn't quite out of it when it started so I still felt a lot of it and remember dry heaving.  It wasn't too long though that I was out like a light and woke up back in the recovery room, feeling like I just took a nice nap.  I have a bit of a sore throat.  Anyway, the findings were that I have a Schatski Ring, Hiatal Hernia. Gastritis and GE Junction Erosions.  A biopsy was taken and the results should be in within 2 weeks.  In the meantime, I'm instructed to avoid Aspirin and NSAIDS.  I'm so glad that I already gave up caffeine, including my beloved Excedrin.  Before now, I'd freak out at the thought of not being able to have my Excedrin.  The truth is, though, I've had far less headaches since I've given up caffeine and just don't need it anymore.  Tylenol does the trick. 

I also got a call on Monday from the surgeon's office saying they are moving my December 1 appointment to January 5.  This is because my psychological evaluation isn't scheduled until December 28 and my first Nutritionist appointment isn't until December 3.  I have to have psychological clearance and two visits with the nutritionist before my case can be submitted to insurance.  So they scheduled me for the January 5th pre-op group and will likely see the surgeon before that.  I'm starting to get a little anxious about this, I was hoping to have this done before classes start on January 18th.  It's also going to make it tough because the kids will be back in school, too.  I can get the boys on and off the bus, but I won't be able to drive my daughter to school (she is in pre-k) so she may miss a week or two.  This means I'll have to explain to her teachers that I am having surgery and I was kind of hoping to avoid that.  I guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
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Halfway There

Nov 09, 2010

I had my second sleep study last week and hated it.  I felt like I was having a panic attack when I woke up in the middle of the night with the CPAP on my face.  I think the air pressure was way too high.  They are supposed to call me soon to set me up with one at home and I'm not really thrilled about it.  But, anyway.

My endoscopy is scheduled for 11/24 and I will also have my bloodwork and chest xray on that day.  My psychological evaluation is on December 28th.  Those are the only things I have left to do (aside from seeing the nutritionist.)  So it looks like my surgery will be in early January.


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On my way!

Nov 04, 2010

First of all, I am completely off caffeine now!  This was not easy, but I did it and I'm very proud of myself.  I also have a second sleep study tomorrow night to try a CPAP.  I'm very nervous about it, I am actually scared of having something attached to my face.  I hate wearing glasses and I just don't see this happening.  I know it's a silly thing to be so apprehensive about, I should be more worried about surgery, but I'm not.  I'm worried about the stupid CPAP.

I saw my surgeon last week.  They put me on the fast track because I have little insurance requirements and no major health issues.  You can read more about the visit on my blog at theamazingdisappearingme.blogspot.com  I am looking at a surgery date of around the first week of January.  I can't wait to be sleeved!  I am now on a liquid protein diet and it's gong well.  I am allowed 1000 calories a day of two protein shakes plus a meal consisting of a lean protein and salad or vegetable.  I've found a lot of great recipes online and have experimented with my own.  I've discovered that I love mixing them with coffee or a sugar free pudding mix.  Today I tried vanilla protein powder with a spoonful of Jello sugar free Cheescake pudding mix and it was really good.  I also went to Wal-mart and bought a GE Single Serve Blender, which will be my new best friend.

Today I came in at under 700 calories after dinner and was thinking about how I could boost them.  I did something awful.  I ate a Hostess Cupcake.  So, this is a note to myself next time I want one that I feel absolutely horrible.  Not only with guilt and shame, but my stomach is churning a bit.  I think I'm getting used to having no sugar in my system and this is making me feel very yucky! 

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Stress Test & Sleep Study Done

Oct 22, 2010

My stress test came back clear!  I passed, my heart is in great condition.  But, I got short of breath very fast and I notice this daily.  I also did my sleep study the other night.  I should know next week how that went, but they said they didn't think there was anything serious. 

I'm trying to reduce my caffeine intake right now.  I've went from 2-3 cups of coffee and 4-5 cups of soda or tea per day to 1 cup of coffee and 1 cup of soda.  In fact, today, I haven't had anything.  I do plan on having some caffeine this evening.  If I go cold turkey, I'm going to end up with some nasty headaches that are totally debilitating.  I have my first consultation next Friday, I'm really looking forward to it!
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I think my decision is made

Oct 04, 2010

I got confirmation today that my insurance covers the sleeve, so I think that's what I'm going with!  I'm getting excited about this.  Still no word on my stress test from last week, the doctor's office said they would call me when they get the report.
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Maybe a Snag

Sep 21, 2010

I went to my PCP yesterday and got some shocking news.  She said that the EKG I had before my Novasure showed an Anterior Infarct.  She thinks I may have had a heart attack and has scheduled a stress test.  In the meantime, I'm hoping it was a mistake, like a bad lead or something and that this doesn't interfere with WLS.
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Another info session complete.

Sep 17, 2010

I had to start all over due to conflicts that were beyond my control, but  here we go again!

I attended an info session on August 18th.  I have an appointment for this coming Monday to get a referral and I have another appointment set up at New Life in Herrin on October 29th.  I weighed myself this morning.  286.  I'm disgusted with myself, how could this be??

I honestly think that my thyroid is out of whack.  My TSH is elevated (4.65) but my primary physician doesn't feel that it's an issue.  In the meantime, I cannot lose weight no matter what I try.  The positive news is that I'm officially off of hormones (progesterone & estrogen) since I had a Novasure done in June.  Hopefully that will aid in weight loss. 
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About Me
Murphysboro, IL
Location
31.5
BMI
VSG
Surgery
01/17/2011
Surgery Date
Aug 16, 2006
Member Since

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