preop to post op

Oct 31, 2009

Here is my story preop-to-postop

Preop--I had lost 49.5 pounds (drat as much as I tried for 50) before which I believe helped me through this journey. I remember posting stuff like ‘how can I wait this long.’ And what can I do. Which I got great advice …and helped me not miss food at all.

I started at 282 went to 245 then 233.5 with the pre-op diet. So about 12lb on the preop. My nut said I would probably lose 6 pound on my 3 week preop and I doubled it. Did I cheat? Uh define cheating, if I did cheat it was a popsicle a teaspoon or 2 of yogurt or cottage cheese on the first week. The second week was still hard and I had a few week moments of yogurt or protein soup (no noodles). I was allowed 3 shakes with 1 cup of milk or 4 shakes a day. I work out a lot so this really tough and I did wind up modifying my exercise.  

Wednesday --Day of operation-I walked in at 8am and the first nurse said “your not very big”. Ok…I thought yeah thanks…but my health is still at risk. Diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure etc runs in my family…so let’s get going. I got my iv in and had one med for anti nausea and then just before going up to the OR then make you drink some kind of 1 oz drink to try and reduce the gas in your stomach.

As I was lying upstairs the doc came up and talked to me briefly and I asked him if he slept well and had a steady hand today. He said yes and that I was his second surgery today. He asked which operation, I said sleeve even though I was a tiny bit nervous. He said ‘are you sure’ I said yes. Then they wheeled me into the OR  and it was very cold in there. I slid over to the table and the female intern (or anaesthesiologist…cannot remember) put warm blankets on me which helped me relax and stop shivering. Another fellow (I think he was also an anaesthesiologist) said sure you don’t just want the band...I said nope too many complications for me. Next thing I know I got a shot (in IV) to take the edge off…then a shot to go off to sleep.

Post op—I woke up in the post op room and felt ok just a bit groggy. After a bit I was transferred to my room. The first night was great I had very little trouble. Nurses at the Royal Alex were absolutely amazing…and very kind. I was up for a bit the first day then slept a bit…then up part of the night and chatted a bit with nurses. I was receiving morphine shots and anti blood clot meds. Nurses asked how I was doing and I told then great but I felt like I had just done 1000 sit ups as it was a bit sore (not bad at all). They asked me several times if I was able to pass gas yet and I thought ‘what a weird question.’ I had a drain in…no big deal although I was wondering how it was going to come out. I had no gas the first day. I called a friend and said it wasn’t as bad as I imagined…

Thursday fever—I woke up with at 6am headache and cold feverish on Thursday. About mid afternoon I felt cold and flush. The nurse checked my vitals and my temp was up about one degree so I got some liquid Tylenol which helped take the edge off.

Thursday-ok the first part of the day not too bad…mostly relaxed and rested but about mid day the most uncomfortable feeling came. It was from the gases they use to blow up your stomach…all I can say is don’t underestimate the pain of gas. I also had some packing removed at about 10 pm, no biggie. It was harder for me to get comfortable and was up half the night on the toilet trying to rock it out and standing and rocking and walking the halls. It is ALL you can hear as it is loud in your stomach! I couldn’t lie down from 2am-6 I just rocked, bathroom, walked, and sat. I slept in the chair 6-7 as it was the only comfortable position I could get into. I did have meds (codeine) and Tylenol which helped me be more pleasant.  By far this was the worst part.

Friday—I still had rumblings in my stomach and felt pain from the gas in the morning. Meds helped take a bit of the edge off. I got my drain and IV taken out around 11:30 then off I was home. I don’t really remember much of the trip home…too tired. Tried my best to focus on fluids and how great it was to be home. I went to bed and had an amazing sleep in my own bed.

Saturday-woke up and had a lazy morning  and worked on getting fluids in. I was able to shower and eat a bit of oatmeal and ensure and liquids in. So far the pain of surgery is not too bad and the gas is a bit better but still there (a friend of mine said it might last up to a week). I feel ok…just taking it easy.  

Support-I strongly recommend you have a main support person. My support partner was so great and did a million things for me that nurses could know to do. Helping you wash, organize, helping your brush your teeth, cream, check out your wounds, help you up and walk, remind you to breath and a million other jobs you cant even anticipate. Life was manageable because of my supporter. Ask for what you need and answer their questions honestly. My support partner really asked me tons of great questions…

The other support that was great was stylyn79, she was 9 days out and said that things got a lot better…day 2 was tough and I held onto that hope. There were several others that send me great wishes and good thoughts and prayers, this was also helpful and all the amazing questions were answered here at OH.

Breathing—I think my low grade fever was due to surgery partially and coming out of the antiseptic and the fact that I didn’t breathe deeply. I thought I was breathing when they were checking my lungs however my night nurse mentioned that my breathing was superficial (much to my surprise) and this might be causing a fever. Once I figured that out I started breathing down to my lower stomach. This helped a lot! Breathing is an amazing thing and underrated. So try to practice breathing lots…deeply, it will get you through the discomfort.

That is all for now…hope this helps those pre-op. it is doable, you can make it through and get to the other side. I put on 4 lb in the hospital (237) but I am now down 5 lb from preop weight (228)...so that is cool.

 hugs everyone

 oh I forgot one small thing...first morning...postop...when I went down to radiology they made me drink some gluey stuff and it was gross and they made me drink too much as I threw up twice, unpleasant but short lived and I have no leak...whew. Glad I don't have to repeat that one.

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