Sleeved on 2/17

Feb 21, 2011

Hello all
Seelessofme22 here...aka Melissa.  I was sleeved on Thursday, Feb. 17 at Johns Hopkins Bayview by Dr. Schweitzer.  Thank you so much for all of the kind words and support that you all have given me.  I love this OH community.  I had 2 sleeve sisters to call me in the hospital and they are awesome...Romy and Fay...love you guys!! 

I am doing progressively better from the day of surgery.  It seems that every day has been a new adventure and I've had to figure things out as I go along.  No matter how much you think you know before surgery, you quickly find out how much you didn't afterwards. 

Here's my story:  I woke up at 5 a.m. got dressed kissed my son goodbye and we left the house.  Everything in preparation went off without a hitch.  Checked in, they got my info, put me in a gown, hooked me to an IV and gave me a little blue cap.  Surgery weight was 296.8.  Down from the 304 of 2 weeks ago.  All of the staff, nurses and doctors asked me a billion questions...and I was fine with that.  To me it meant they knew their job.  They were ready to take me to surgery.  Gave me some feel good potion on the way to the OR...gave me the real good stuff and I was gone...I don't even remember falling asleep...lol

I woke up in the recovery room like I was in a dream...I open my eyes for 30 seconds and fall back to sleep...open for 10 seconds, fall asleep.  I don't know how long that went on but I came to and was in some pain.  On a scale of 1-10, I'd say it was a 6.  Not crying pain but definitely uncomfortable.  But then they showed me the button I could press for more pain medicine and I handled that problem in short order...lol  Dry mouth was a problem as well.  You can have liquids by mouth until the next day.  Hopkins supplied these little sponges where you could coat your mouth with water.   And thank goodness for the blistex because my lips were dry as well!

Once I got to my private room on that first day...I pretty much slept a lot.  They got me up to a walk a few times but I was hitting that pain med button like I was playing a video game...lol  The meds kept me drowsy. 

The 2nd day in the hospital was better than the first except for the GAS.  Holy Jumpin' Christmas!!  lol  The pain is TERRIBLE people.  I didn't see it coming.  I heard people say the gas was uncomfortable but it was KILLIN' me.  And there is no relief.  They recommend walking but I must not have walked enough (though I really felt like I did) because it would only give me minor relief.  I've never been so excited to start passing gas IN MY LIFE!  lol  Burping and passing gas relieved some pain but the 2nd night was bad.  I was off of the pain button but I was dosing myself with liquid pain meds enought to keep me asleep.  From about 7pm to 7am I was asleep. And the itching from the anesthesia was annoying to boot.

The 3rd day was better than the 2nd.  And I'm going home this day.  The morning always seems so much better and then as the day progresses the gas builds up again.  I was miserable on the ride home and couldn't wait to get home and take my narcotics.  I got home around 8 and was in bed by 9 drugged up...lol

The next two days have been better.  I'm managing the gas better.  It's moved to my shoulders but not TOO terrible.  I'm finding it hard to get all of my nutrition requirements in without that stuffed chest feeling.  So, far I've figured that warm liquids I do better with...chicken broth and hot tea.  As I've heard, one of the protein drinks i thought I liked I can't stand.  So, if anyone wants to sample Apple Melon Isopure I'll send you a bottle...lol

I got my drain removed today and that was a whole new painful experience.  I really didn't expect the pain.  It wasn't terrible but I wouldn't sign up for it again. 

Having said all of this about this procedure.  I would do it all again.  I know I'm on my way to a healthier, happy life and the pains along the way were expected and wouldn't stop me from making this choice.  I weighed in at 293.8 today and that's a 2.6 pound loss from 5 days ago.  I'm ready to keep it movin!!

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