Jennifer K.

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Jennifer K. 23 years, 10 months ago

Hi! It's been 9 months now and I am doing fantastic! I have lost over 110 lbs, and I feel great! I have so much more energy, and so much more confidence thatn I have ever had in my whole life. This was the best thing I ever did for myself. I am so grateful for this procedure. I am eating a lttle less that a kid's meal portion of food ,and I can eat almost anyhting I want, but I have been really bad about snacking because of that. Monday I am going to start drinking water more and more again. I know it will get me off of this plateau!

Jennifer K. 24 years, 4 months ago

Hello again,<br> It's now been 6 weeks since my surgery and I am down to a size 26. I have lost 40 lbs. so far. I am really nauseated and vomiting all the time, and I can barely eat, but I'm trying really hard to bear with this. My surgeon's nurse told me this is normal and that I should go back to work, so I'm going to try to deal with it a little longer. I hope it's nothing serious and they are just blowing me off. Anyway, my energy is still prtty much zapped by 6:00 pm everyday. I still sleep 12 hours sometimes, but that will end shortly! That's about it from me. Love Jennifer

Jennifer K. 24 years, 5 months ago

Week 2 update: I am feeling so much better this week than last week. I have more energy and I am up and around a lot easier. I can even sleep on my side again. I still have 1 tube in in case of emergency, but that comes out on the 10th of December. I am also off of my pain meds all together now. Just tylenol for me, and that's only when I really need it. Just a short update! Thanks! Love Jennifer

Jennifer K. 24 years, 5 months ago

Hi! Here's a very long update on me and my hospital stay: Day 1: Day of Surgery I left the house at 4:30 am to make sure I got to the hospital on time, and I hadn't slept the night before, but I did get some sleep in the car on the way there, in between saying that I changed my mind and crying in fear. LOL I arrived at the hospital right on time at about 6am. I was sent to express admissions where I got checked in very quickly and was given my very stylish medical bracelet thingy. I was then sent up to the Surgical Admissions office on the 3rd floor where I waited about 15 minutes before they called my name. The nurses got a kick out of my t-shirt which said" I will survive". I was given a gown to change into, and these adorable (not) surgical slipper shoe thingy's. The gown was really big and comfy, and I was very pleased with that and I am 350 lbs and it fit great! I then had to give a small urine sample. After that, the nurse came back and took my vitals. I was asked all kinds of questions and then signed a release form for surgery. Then I was wheeled into the Pre-Op waiting room, which sort of looked like an ER. Another nurse came in, took my vitals again, and then started my IV after much painful digging for my veins. They must have been scared and hiding too... LOL Then my anesthesiologist came in and discussed anesthesia procedures with me. They put these really cool leg massage thingy's on me too, which I remember feeling really good. Then it was time to go. I was wheeled into the surgery room and all I remember is that a bunch of really young looking people ( like my age) were walking around prepping the room. Then the anesthesiologist gave me a mask of oxygen and told me to breathe deeply. I beg to differ that that was only oxygen because I was out cold in a matter of seconds! The next thing I remember is waking up in what I guess was recovery. It was over! And I was in a really severe amount of pain. I remember moaning and mouthing something like "pain medicine, now!" Then the nurse said that I had already been given the maximum amount for that hour and I would have to wait. I could not breathe, I was in so much pain. I then fell back asleep and the next thing I remember after that was being wheeled into my room where I vaguely remember seeing my Mom and then bursting into tears, which was very painful. My mom said later that the nurses had come to tell her after my surgery that I was in a severe amount of pain and that they couldn't give me any more medicine for a while. My mom said she protested that I have a very high tolerance to pain medicine and that they needed to give me more. I remember being in my room and my husband and my mom just covering me in kisses and stroking my head. My husband and my mom and stepfather were there when I came to my room and stayed with me that day. I don't remember much about that day, except the pain, and that I got out of bed 20 minutes after I got to my room and sitting in the chair because my back hurt so bad. My mom said my butt was just flapping wide open in the breeze, and I announced to the room full of family and nurses that I just didn't care, that my back hurt really bad. LOL My stepfather came and tied my gown shut for me, I guess. I then crawled back into bed a little later, and woke up periodically throughout the day. I was so drugged up that I don't really remember much else about that day. Day 1 Night: I walked around the surgical wing of the hospital and the nurses were amazed at how well I was doing. That's pretty much all that I did that night, besides talk to my husband and sleep. Day 2: Day 2 was a lot better than Day 1. I was barely in any pain because of all of the Demerol and Toradol they had me on. I was on a catheter, had a tube in my tummy through my nose, a breathing tube in my nostrils, a g-tube, and a j-tube. Needless to say, it took me a while to get all unhooked to be able to walk, but I did almost every hour. That day I was on Demerol, Toradol, Antibiotics, a blood thinner, and saline liquids. I was feeling pretty good. They took me that morning to do my upper GI test to check for leaks and there were none. So when my surgeon came in, he cleared me for the clear liquid diet. I began getting broth, juices, and coffee, and diet jello every 2 hours. I barely could finish the 2 juices and a few sips of broth. But I was glad they gave me a good variety and that I got it so often. It wasn't all that bad. I watched a lot of TV and got calls from the family all day long. My Mom called and said she was going to stay at home since my hubby was there with me and I told her that was fine. Later that day they removed my catheter and my nose tube and eventually disconnected me from the IV pump. The only time I had to be on the pump was when I had my antibiotics. Night 2: I got a little more sleep, but it was hard, in between nurses coming in to do crap to me. I went to bed about 10. They came in at 12 to give me antibiotics. Then at 2 for pain meds. Then a girl from the lab came in at 3 am to take blood for lab work. 4 am, vitals and pain meds, 6 am same... I felt like I got more rest though and felt a lot better. I had a lot of gas pain and it wasnt moving so I demanded a rocking chair and rocked in that for a long time. It helped a lot. My hubby went home about 8pm this night since he had to work in the morning. Day 3: I got up about 8am and was given some more fluids to drink and sip. I was in a little bit more pain this day, but they gave me toradol all day long. My surgeon came on about 10am and said I was free to go! So I called my Mom to come get me. I was disconnected from the IV and given a sponge bath, which was very comforting and refreshing. I had a great team of nurses. I then passed some gas, which was a BIG releif! I was shown how to change all my bandages and given a prescription for Loritab Liquid. I then packed up all my stuff and waited in my rocking chair for my Mom to come. When she did, I called the nurse and she sent for a volunteer to come wheel me down to the car. I was beginning to feel a lot of pain and asked for some pain meds before I went home, but they couldn't give me any because my IV was out and they didn't have anything. about 30 minutes later, a man old enough to be my Grandfather's Grandfather showed up to take me downstairs with a security guard. The security guard thankfully took over and I was loaded into the car to go home. The car ride home was really painful and I made my Mom stop at the Gas station to get me some tylenol or something for this pain. She brought out Goody's powder and it releived the pain enough that I went to sleep the rest of the way home. When I got home, I was in an excruciating amount of pain. I paced back and forth trying to get the gas to move out and took some gas ex and sat down with a heating pad. I was running a fever, so I took some tylenol too. My mom came back with my pain meds and I finally was comfortable. She stayed with me until my husband got home. I slept all through last night which was great, until I woke up in a LOT of pain. I took my loritab and was ok in a few minutes. Now here I am, 4 days post op, and still in a significant amount of pain, but it's manageable. Im now on a full liquid diet and ate some soup, a lot of juice, and 2 fudgecicles (sugar free of course). I also took my first shower today which was really great, and made me feel a lot better. Day 3 and today's pain is worse that when I was in the hospital, but like I said, it's manageable. And it seems to be getting better everyday. I have not once said that I regret this surgery, and I won't. This is what I wanted and I am really trying to focus on keeping my eyes on the bigger goals. I know this will pass and I will be just fine. This post is in no way meant to scare any pre-ops, but all I can say is be ready for the challenge because it's a big one! My hospital took really good care of me, and a lot of other gastric bypass surgery patients stopped by my room to talk. A lot of my nurses had had this surgery also, and it was so encouraging to see their results and to know that they knew how I was feeling. I was given a card by a woman who runs a support group and I think Im going to go to it. It seems like a really great group. So overall, my experience has been pretty good. Im optimistic and Im dealing with the pain as best as I can. I am walking and rocking and doing all I can to heal as quickly as possible. Now that I'm on the other side, I look forward to chatting with all of you post ops and comparing notes! I don't know how much Ive lost already, but my family says they can tell I have lost some, but that's to be expected after surgery of any kind! I have a follow up appointment on Monday to have my staples out and my j-tube out. (One of the drain tubes). I must go lay down now, but I will post again soon. Love, Jennifer

tonitreadway 24 years, 5 months ago

Best wishes to you for a complication free procedure, a speedy recovery, successful weight loss, and life long good health and happiness. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Toni Treadway, Douglasville, Georgia, post op, lap rny 9/4/01.

Mary H. 24 years, 5 months ago

jennifer prayers to you on your surgery just keep thinking good things and keep on keeping on mary hughes

Jennifer K. 24 years, 5 months ago

Hello everyone, Thank you so much for your kind comments! I am getting so very nervous now. In just a few hours I will be leaving for the hospital, since it is so far away. I am really thankful to everyone who has posted their well wishes for me. It really gives me a sense of comfort. I will update you on my surgery when I get home in a few days. Love, Jennifer

lily1968 24 years, 5 months ago

Jennifer - Good Luck tomorrow! You're in GREAT hands with Dr. Jawad, he did my surgery 2 1/2 months ago and I'm down 55lbs and feeling terrific. You're on your way, and you'll do wonderfully. Take Care and Congratulations. Denise

Maryellen W. 24 years, 5 months ago

Jennifer: Well, tomorrow's your big day. Hope all goes well and you are soon on your way to a happier, healthier life!

randy H. 24 years, 5 months ago

My best to you with your upcoming surgery. Your date will be here before you know it! I wish you a speedy recovery. This will be the greatest thing you have ever done for yourself. Please keep us posted