Ellen M.

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Bernadette R. 23 years, 5 months ago

ELLEN MONTGOMERY - Congratulations of your wonderful progress Ellen, if it did seem that your scales were stuck - May God bless you on this special journey - kind regards Bernadette Reynolds

Sharon Neva 23 years, 6 months ago

ELLEN~~CONGRATULATIONS ON MAKING IT TO THE LOSING SIDE~~ May Each New Day Find You Feeling Better....There are so many people thinking nice thoughts about you and wishing you a quick, easy recovery......~~EVERYDAY WILL GET BETTER AND BETTER~~ (loved your post about your hospital experience.... how true!)

Maria R. 23 years, 6 months ago

Hi Ellen: Thanks for posting your experience for the Lap RNY. I am having mine on 11/18. I am glad that you're doing so good. Hopefully and God Willing it will be the same for me. I will definitely remember to WALK.

gale C. 23 years, 6 months ago

ellen- congrats on making it this far!! the hospital is a experience all in itself!! i am 5 weeks post op (lap rny) and down 44lbs. i hope all continues to go well and you have a speedy recovery!! hugs to ya, gale = )

Ellen M. 23 years, 6 months ago

I had lap RNY on 11/5/02 and have to say I am doing well. I have lost, according to my scale, 20 pounds since I left the hospital 11/1/02 (only gained 1 pound in hospital). To take the mystery out of what happens... here we go. Arrived at the hospital 8:30 a.m. for 10:30 a.m. procedure. Gave blood sample again...what are they doing with this stuff? A little nervous sat in waiting area chatting for about 1/2 hour with husband and mother who are also a little nervous! Taken in to changing area and put in lovely hospital gown (HEY, this thing is too big!!!); given a second one to put on as a robe (HEY, this one is too big too!), an attractive hair net and blue footies. Quite the outfit. Used the bathroom at that time, since I don't know how I will feel about using it later. Lying on the gurney, talking to the surgical nurse and anesthesiologist, more nervous. Anesthesiologist blows a vein in my arm, (hey that's a first), but does not hurt. She selects another vein and tries again, SUCCESS! Left lying alone on the table for about 10 minutes and given time to think...WHOSE IDEA WAS THIS?? WHAT THE HECK AM I DOING?? I asked the surgical nurse.. uh do you ever have people chicken out at this point.. she looks surprised and said, not many. Why do you ask? I clucked for her. Really nervous. She went to get husband and mother. Mother is reassuring. Husband suggests we cut the IV and make a run for it. Anesthesiologist comes back and said, here, this should calm you down. HEY!!! Boy am I calm...you betcha, calm, calm, calm. Too bad they can't give hubby some of that! Doctor came by and said hello and next thing I know I am waking up in my room. Hey, what happened? I have 5 bandaids on my tummy and a bandage on my side. Surgery lasted 45 minutes. I have a foley catheter (for urine) and nasal oxygen tube. Well, I guess I don't have to worry about having to go to the bathroom. Chit chat with mom, hubby and nurses, kick everyone out around 4:00 p.m. Doze off and wake up around 9:00 p.m., wanting to sit up which I do. Nurse comes in and changes bandages, Yikes I have a hose hanging out of my side... that's not attractive. Yikes, those little bandages smart. Up and walking the hallways, thank goodness for the bari-beds, which pretty much lift you to your feet, still a struggle to get up though. Can't sleep, decide to get up and walk, walk, walk... hint push your IV pole in front of you to keep from stepping on the foley catheter, cause that smarts. Stop by other bari patient's rooms to check on how they are doing... not as well. Must be the walking, walking walking which I am pretty much doing all by myself. About 3:00 in the morning the CNA comes in and messes up my urine bag, spilling it on the floor. Also my stomach binder is too big and slipping down and bunching up. Great. I ask the CNA for an extra pillow, which it only takes her another hour or so to bring... Next morning I cough up blood and mucus...what the heck is that?? But am told it is normal, whew, had myself scared for a moment. There is a screwup with gastro and the bari people have to wait all morning to have gastrograph and blue ice, which is sounding delicious right about now. Nurse comes to take more blood... what are they doing with this stuff?? I want to know. She only laughs. Pulmonary people come and make me breath through a little machine they give me. My throat is so dry I am spitting cotton. After a few very thirsty hours spent walking, walking, walking I am taken down for gastrograph test and given some foul oil based liquid to drink. Thank God we don't have to take large swallows, but we do have to take three of them. Yuck, but I pass. Next the lovely blue ice, remember to put chapstick on so I don't look like I am sucking Smurfs. Pass the blue ice test too. Yipee, now the catheter comes out and it only stings a bit...I am given some buillion, ice and jello...contrary to popular opinion, THERE IS NOT ALWAYS ROOM FOR JELLO! Another night in the hospital, this one better than the first, but I am still walking, walking, walking. Next morning, Thursday, the lab tech comes and takes more blood. . .what a surprise. The pulmonary gal comes and tells me I am doing great, doc comes in and tells me he is releasing me as soon as he reviews my blood work. Walking, walking, walking. More jello, buillion and added Gatorade...yuck. When I think about it it is interesting to note that I have not eaten since Monday night and I am not hungry at all. Mom picks me up from the hospital and we go to her hotel room. Where I nap on and off until 6:30 when family arrives and I go home with them. Next morning...Mom and I go shopping for 3 hours... maybe too much, go home and nap for 4 hours. Saturday I am feeling pretty good. Go to Sam's Club for shopping, pick up a new scale, which said I have lost 12 pounds since leaving hospital...WOW. Send email out to friends to let them know I am alive and well, sort of. My tummy is making lots of very interesting noise. I am a little sore on my side and definately looking forward to getting the Penrose drain out. Well that is my experience. My advice... if you are nervous tell the anesthesiologist. EAT LIGHTLY THE NIGHT BEFORE. Most people who had diarrahea ate beef. WALK AS MUCH AS YOU CAN STAND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. CHANGE YOUR BANDAGE AT LEAST ONCE A DAY...I change mine in the morning and evening. DON'T TAKE TOO MUCH PAIN MEDICINE...it drags you down and makes you feel fatigued, but do take a teaspoon at night to help you sleep well... sleeping is healing. GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU PREOPS and God bless.

Sharon L. 23 years, 6 months ago

You will love your new life, you will be able to do so many new things again. May the power of speedy healing be with you. Welcome to the losing side. Just remember others have been on the road before you, you are not alone and there will be others after you who will seek the same road as you, and you will be there to help them along

vickie P. 23 years, 6 months ago

Hi Ellen, hope you are feeling well, and will soon be dancing down that road to a healthier you. Best wishes...vickie, glenview, il

Aimee S. 23 years, 7 months ago

Ellen good luck tomorrow!! Wishing you a smooth surgery and recovery!

Linda B. 23 years, 7 months ago

Hello...best wishes to you for a smooth surgery and speedy recovery. Congratulations and God Bless. May you achieve all your personal goals.

* Leilani * 23 years, 7 months ago

Hello Ellen - <b>CONGRATULATIONS</b> on your upcoming surgery! What a happy and important day for you. One that you have more then earned and you so well deserve. I look forward to reading all the wonderful and exciting changes that you will be blessed with as you begin to make your journey to the healthier side! It is time to start living life for YOU, and this surgery is just the first step of many to come that will lead you in that direction. Embrace life, meet it head on, keep your head held high and a smile on your face. My prayers and best wishes are with you. Hugs & Aloha, Lei