Kris G.

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Kris G. 25 years, 8 months ago

My switch story – first week 8/22 – Switch day. Surgery scheduled for 12:15 p.m., but the OR I was scheduled for, was running behind about an hour. Dr. Maguire stopped by to let me know “those gynecologists” were holding up the show. The anesthesiologist and nurses came by to get me prepared for surgery around 1:00. During this time, my DH, Brother, Father and Mother waited with me in the “holding area”. I felt so extremely positive before the surgery – a strange kind of calm and enthusiastic mixture of emotions. Discussed with the anesthesiologist the possibility of putting in a central line, since my veins are so hard from which to draw blood. After discussing it with him, decided against it (as it turned out, they only drew blood one more time while I was in the hospital and I was very glad I didn’t have the central line placed). The nurses were absolutely wonderful – they and the anesthesiologist would read the healing statements to me before and after the surgery. My Mother had given me an angel. So that I could have it with me during surgery, they wrapped it in a washcloth and taped it inside my hand during surgery. Last thing I remembered was the medication to make me feel drowsy before going to the OR – I don’t even remember giving everyone hugs – including the nurses and anesthesiologist before going into the OR. Next thing I knew, I was in a regular room with blurred vision smiling up at those around me. Got a few phone calls that night and while I remember who I talked to, I don’t remember a thing about what was said. When I woke up, they had already removed the NG tube (which was placed after given the general anesthesia). I had the iv keeping me hydrated and containing heparin and sodium, was on oxygen and an oxymeter and my good ‘ol morphine pump and the inflatable/deflatable leggings on (from ankle to hip). Also had the JP drain in place (which they drained the bulb each day), the j-tube (feeding tube) and foley catheter. That night, could not have any liquids, but hubby was able to keep my lips swabbed with water, which felt very good. A private room wasn’t available, so I had to spend the first night in a shared room. I think both myself and the other patient had just had surgery that day. I asked to get up and walk that night, but for some reason, they waited until morning. Was very groggy and slept very comfortably – they told me I said my pain level was 4, but I don’t remember feeling pain. 8/23 – Getting up to walk – sitting up – was quite brutal and I’m sure that everyone on the 2 North could hear when I went to sit up at least the first few times this day. I did get up six different times and did a lap around the floor each time. I was able to blow 500 on the spirometer. My vitals continued to look good – temp and blood pressure – though it took them some time to figure out that the smaller cuff was giving a false high reading. Very consistent on the morphine pump today and really had the feeling of – ohmygosh – WHY did I do this to myself. I don’t wanna do this . . . Got moved to a private room first thing this morning and they brought a great cot in for DH. He was such a sweetie – helping with removing the leggings/cords/ getting things organized for me to walk. They gave me a sponge bath first thing, changed my gown and socks. Boy, was it nice to have a gown that was oversized – didn’t even haveta worry about my hiney showing. Dr. Maguire saw me doing my third lap of the day and was pleased I was walking a lot. He came into my room and told me that my surgery went extremely well – that it took him just over 2 ½ hours, when 4 was expected. I was elated at how well he said it went. He indicated my gall bladder was developing stones and that I probably would have ended up having a lot of problems and needing to have it removed in about six months, anyway. My son, niece and nephew came to visit today. They are 2, 3 and 4, respectively. They were a little scared seeing me looking so groggy and all the tubes, but also thought the red light at the end of my finger (from the oxymeter) was pretty cool. This was definitely my worst day in the hospital – comfort wise. The nurses varied in their personalities and care, by shift. They were always very busy – but there were a few who were just terrific! The others weren’t horrible – but their people skills left me wondering why they had chosen that profession. I called the nurses once to let them know my catheter bag was very full – apparently there was some miscommunication out there – cuz it ended up popping. 8/24 – Today when I got up to walk it was more of a groan than a grunt/yell to get up to walk. And, I did two laps each time I was up. Started ice chips yesterday – which was wonderful and would continue with ice chips only until I first passed gas. Felt amazingly less pain and discomfort today – a difference of night and day from yesterday. Used the morphine pump MUCH less. When Doc M came by, I asked him when I could have something besides ice chips and he told me I could have something else soon as I “broke wind”. The more I talk to him, the more he loosens up and like others have said, you can draw him out – though he is still pretty soft spoken. But . . . BRILLIANT! And, VERY caring. Spirometer at 750 or so today and Doc M says it will probably take two weeks to get to where I was pre-op – which was at the max, 4000 – and they accuse me of being full of hot air?? =) I was feeling so much better today, that hubby went home to take care of Dillen and give my parents a break. When I finally passed gas, I had to go take another nap and let ‘em know at the nurses station that I had done so. They couldn’t get me anything else besides ice chips til they received docs orders. 8/25 – Doc came into visit – told him I had passed gas, so he ordered up the liquid diet. He told me that there would be another doc coming into check on me this weekend, as he was taking his daughter to college. But, that I should be able to go home on Monday. My first thing was cherry jello. Boy, did that taste yummy and feel good goin’ down. 3 laps per walk today and spirometer around 1,000. When they brought my first “meal”, the first thing I wanted to do was make sure I wasn’t gonna be lactose intolerant – so drank a little milk and ate a little of the ice cream. The applejuice tasted the best. My son had come in and spent a few hours today and had fun playing with raising and lowering the bed and he climbed up in the bed with me to take a nap together. My parents had come for another visit as well and they and DH were hungry, so decided to walk with them down to the Atrium Grille and sit while they were eating. My son had ordered a slice of cheese pizza and I picked a little piece of cheese off his pizza and chewed up one of the french fries. DH had ordered a cheeseburger and I took a small bite of the meat/cheese part, but the texture of the burger wasn’t so great – so I spit it back out in my napkin. Doc M was around when we went back upstairs and I had to tell him that Monday was just too late to go home. My vitals have been good all along and I really would rather go home sooner, if possible. He indicated that when other docs cover, they don’t like to release the attending’s patient – but that he would prep my RX’s and let him know it was okay to go home tomorrow if I had a bowel movement. So, he took me off the morphine and switched to vicodin. They removed my catheter, the jp drain and felt good being more tubeless. Had a couple Popsicles tonight from the nurses and they tasted/felt SO good. Well along about 3:00 a.m. my bowels DID move – I called nurse Heidi down and said – we’re havin’ a party – I had a BM – go look – I wanna eye witness. 8/26 – Breakfast was scrambled eggs, oatmeal and English muffin. I had a couple bites of each. Not very tasty – but the orange juice was and I drank most of it. Got to order lunch and dinner – and I ordered about one of everything – lol. Here was what I had for lunch: Few sips of cranberry juice Almost ½ a dinner roll A few bites of salad w/French dressing A couple bites of fish and mashed potatoes A bite of cottage cheese and applesauce A few bites of chocolate pudding 4 laps at a time walking this morning and around 1250 on the spirometer. Sandy came in this morning (she was switched 8/14) and looked terrific. Her and her hubby and daughter came another day too. I was very touched by all the phone calls and visits I received. They meant a lot. Sandy had driven herself to the hospital at 12 days post-op – had already lost 22 pounds and things were just going great for her – I’m so thrilled! At 1:00 p.m. I was officially discharged (less than 96 hours – 4 days – from when I was waiting in the holding area to go into surgery). Was waiting for my ride home, so I walked around and visited some of the other patients. One gal named Jackie from Dayton who had just been switched on Thursday, but she didn’t have internet access, so I gave her my name and number. I don’t know how many DS patients are out there who are not online, but I think there is a surprisingly large number. I also ran into a gal who had the RNY 8 months ago (and lost 179 pounds) – she looked great. She was experiencing some numbness and had been admitted to make sure she didn’t have MS, I sure hope not. Came home this afternoon and felt terrific to be home. I had a hard time getting comfortable in our bed with it being flat – so I asked DH to put a couple couch cushions at the top of the bed, between the mattress and box springs. That made it about a 45 degree angle, which was the angle most comfortable to me at the hospital – so my bed at home was now extremely comfortable. Walk a little each day – probably need to do more (awful humid out, so I sometimes get on my FastTrack and do that for a few minutes). Spriometer is up to 2000. Haven’t groaned or been uncomfortable getting into a sitting position since after the 2nd day. I just feel so good, that I almost feel like its too good to be true. Not to be bragging or think I’m exceptional, by any means. But, I gotta say that I am thankful each and every day for how smoothly this has all gone and how I hope it continues to go so smooth. I just can’t say how blessed and fortunate I feel. Thank you to all of you for the support I have received since first checking out this option 4/30, you are invaluable and I will always treasure the support and hope to give back even more support to all you WLS sisters and brothers. Eating is going very well – here is a list of things I have had at least a couple bites of, since I’ve been home the last 3 ½ days. I did realize yesterday, that I needed to concentrate more on the protein – Dr. Maguire’s post-op diet contains quite a few carby things, and I wasn’t focusing on protein as #1 – once I changed that yesterday, I feel even stronger and believe I am getting in at least 60 grams of carbs a day. Will keep track on dietwatch software – threw in today’s stuff and had about 1200 calories and 77 grams of carbs. Have lost 13 pounds this first week. Carnation Instant Breakfast Yogurt Life Cereal Oatmeal Pancake/syrup Cheddar cheese String cheese Macaroni and cheese Ham lunch meat Crackers Jerky Cashews Vegetable soup Diet Iced Botanicals (made with Splenda) – VERY good – find at Sam’s/Costco Bean/bacon soup Eggs/cheese/bacon Jello Pudding Snow cone (that Hawaii Ice machine is GREAT!)

Pat J. 25 years, 8 months ago

Kristi! Please let us know how you are??? I'm hoping all goes well and your pain free...:)

blank first name B. 25 years, 8 months ago

I'm thinking of you today. I'll say a prayer for you. Kathy

Beth W. 25 years, 8 months ago

Kristi, I'll be thinking about you tomorrow and hope your surgery goes well. God bless you.

Andrea P. 25 years, 8 months ago

Kristi, I'll be thinking of you as you embark on your journey to freedom from the curse of morbid obesity! Looking forward to hearing your report on the surgery and life as a post-op! Much love, Andrea, also planning to have DS

Beth W. 25 years, 9 months ago

Hi Kristi, Good luck on your surgery! I also live in Cincinnati and am considering WLS. How did you decide on the DS vs. the RNY. I'm still in the selection process and all help would be appreciated. Thanks and good luck. Beth