Trapped1974
First week after surgery
Mar 23, 2008
12/3/07 - 12/7/07: Getting stronger and having more energy each day. The only thing that bothered me, besides the drain tube, was the Lovenox injections. By the end of the week, I was bruised all across my abdomen. It's a blood thinner medication, so that's to be expected. On 12/4 (Tuesday), I got to see Dr. Jones. I was already down 20 pounds - in just 4 days - and I got to have the drain tube removed. WOO-HOO!! Dad was keeping tabs on me and keeping me motivated with the walking and the spirometer. I just didn't like the fact he could sit there and eat hot dogs and chips in front of me like he did. But, as the week went on, I got used to it. He had HIS food and I had MINE!! I lived on yogurt, cream soups and instant mashed potatoes.
Will update more later - have to go to work.
Will update more later - have to go to work.
Going home
Mar 23, 2008
12/2/07: I was officially unhooked from everything - the IV machine was the last to go!! So much easier to get around! I continued to walk my laps and just kept anticipating going home again. I knew Mom had done some shopping and I wanted to see what she had done to my apartment - you know how Moms are! I also knew she had to leave to go back to work the next day and that Dad would be on his way to stay with me for the week. The doctor has you on Lovenox for about 7 days after surgery. While you're at the hospital, the nurses give you the shots and they're a little painful, but after you go home, you're expected to do them yourself. I couldn't do it. I don't like needles and even look away whenever I have blood work done or an IV started. With Dad being a diabetic, I knew he could do them and he wouldn't have any problems. When the nurse came in with my discharge paperwork, I couldn't be more excited. The entire process could take a while, but knowing that you will be heading home in a couple hours felt really good. You get to get out of that hospital gown and put on 'normal clothes' again. It felt good to wear my sweats again! Got home and immediately relaxed. Just waiting on Dad and my brother to get here. Mom ran through the paperwork again, so she could tell Dad everything - in case I was too tired or just forgot. I had decided against showering at the hospital - I wanted to do that at home this time. I just laid a towel down on the tub floor, so I wouldn't slip. Those gripper things for the shower sometimes don't work as well as you would hope! Took a shower and just dealt with that annoying drain tube you have hanging out of you. Thankfully, you have the binder, and can keep it from hanging and hitting your leg constantly. Nothing too exciting to report, except to be very thankful to be home again.
Day after surgery
Mar 23, 2008
12/1/07: I didn't sleep well the first night after surgery. The gas pains kept me awake. And you're afraid to move too much and try to get comfortable because it's hard to get out of bed depending on how you're laying. Of course, with walking every couple hours, you don't sleep well anyway. A lot of broken sleep. First thing every morning, you get a visit from the doctor on call. Dr. Cacucci was on staff that weekend. She was wonderful! She questions you on anything that could possibly come to mind and checks all your vitals. It had been brought up that there was concern with my blood sugar level. I have never been diabetic, not even close, but my Dad has it, so there was some cause for concern. I had to have insulin to bring it back down. I actually had 3 injections (small amounts) to bring my blood sugar back to a safe level. On 12/1 (Saturday), I had the same nurses as the day before, so it was quite comforting. They already know you a little and what happened the day before. The first phone call I made was to my house. I wanted to know where my Mom was and why she wasn't at the hospital yet. She apparently had gotten bored watching me sleep the day of surgery and was calling everyone with updates that she hadn't gotten to the night before. If someone stays with you, make sure they have something to keep them occupied, because you will not be able to entertain them or even carry on a conversation very long. Just a couple 'words of wisdom' there! Mom finally made it back to the hospital and I got to show her how far I could walk - makes you feel like a toddler again ('Look, Mom - I can do 6 laps without stopping!'). When she finally got there, I felt determined to shower. You have your own private room with a private bathroom, so it's easy. It's just hard to get situated in the shower with the drain tube banging against your leg while trying to shampoo your hair. The shower felt awesome! You move a little slower because you're afraid you're gonna slip and fall or tear one of the incision sites, but it was worth any discomfort, which was mostly due to that drain tube.
The day after surgery, you get to eat. One ounce of jello and one ounce of juice. They also give you an option of broth, but I wasn't interested. This little bowl of jello and this little shot glass of juice is all I get??? And I have to spread this out over 30 minutes?? It is possible. The sugar free jello and the juice taste so sweet - you have to get a bite or sip in and wait for the sweetness to leave your mouth. Each meal is like this. As the day goes on, they add a protein drink - Sugar Free Carnation Instant Breakfast in Lactaid milk. That was good!!
You also have to walk after every meal and use your spirometer. It seems demanding as often as you HAVE to do something, but it's all worth it!! As the day goes on, you walk more laps and find it easier to move around. The only problem with doing the laps is the possibility of flashing others as you walk. I was still wired to the machines - heart monitors, oxygen sensor, IV - so you have to get the nurses to unhook you and then drag the IV machine with you as you walk. Pulling or pushing the IV machine will hinder your ability to keep your gown closed in the back. Luckily, I was only stopped once and re-taped due to flashing. They will give you a roll of tape or be available to tape you before you start your laps. As it got closer to evening, the monitors start to come off - WOO-HOO! It's a lot easier to move around and you don't have to ask to be unhooked every time you need to walk. Also, by this time, the gas pains have started to dwindle. You also have more energy to carry on conversations and maybe check out a magazine you packed for your stay.
The day after surgery, you get to eat. One ounce of jello and one ounce of juice. They also give you an option of broth, but I wasn't interested. This little bowl of jello and this little shot glass of juice is all I get??? And I have to spread this out over 30 minutes?? It is possible. The sugar free jello and the juice taste so sweet - you have to get a bite or sip in and wait for the sweetness to leave your mouth. Each meal is like this. As the day goes on, they add a protein drink - Sugar Free Carnation Instant Breakfast in Lactaid milk. That was good!!
You also have to walk after every meal and use your spirometer. It seems demanding as often as you HAVE to do something, but it's all worth it!! As the day goes on, you walk more laps and find it easier to move around. The only problem with doing the laps is the possibility of flashing others as you walk. I was still wired to the machines - heart monitors, oxygen sensor, IV - so you have to get the nurses to unhook you and then drag the IV machine with you as you walk. Pulling or pushing the IV machine will hinder your ability to keep your gown closed in the back. Luckily, I was only stopped once and re-taped due to flashing. They will give you a roll of tape or be available to tape you before you start your laps. As it got closer to evening, the monitors start to come off - WOO-HOO! It's a lot easier to move around and you don't have to ask to be unhooked every time you need to walk. Also, by this time, the gas pains have started to dwindle. You also have more energy to carry on conversations and maybe check out a magazine you packed for your stay.
Day of surgery
Mar 23, 2008
11/30/07: Okay, by now I was extremely nervous!! Mom had come down from Auburn the night before, so she could be with me for the entire hospital stay. We had discussed the surgery and all the risks that night and I don't think I slept well at all!! There had been a cancellation, so my surgery was bumped from 12noon to 10am. A two hour jump start on my new life!! But, also, two hours less sleep. Mom drove me to Carmel and my brother and his girlfriend met us there. Once they get you from the waiting room, they weigh you and then the staff gets you in the glorious hospital gown and have you put on the compression stockings and footies. You have your blood pressure and temperature checked. The nurses ask you a zillion questions, just making sure you and your body are both ready for this surgery. Then, you see your surgeon and meet your anesthesiologist. They run through the usual checks - any allergies, any questions, etc. Then, you wait and you wait. Finally, a surgical nurse comes to get you. She makes sure that your backside is covered (gotta love those gowns!!) and drapes you with a warm blanket (the surgical suite is a bit chilly) and you begin your walk to your new life. I gave everyone hugs and told them I'd see them soon and walked down the hallway with the surgical nurse. As we are walking, she is trying to keep me focused on something other than the surgery. As you get closer to the surgical suite, she starts grabbing different supplies and that's when you start to realize that you are actually going to have surgery. It hits you when you walk into the surgery room. You see this narrow table which already has an elastic binder draped across the middle. I had a couple co-workers who had the same surgery, so I already knew I would have to wear a binder after surgery for support. They get you to lay on the table, with the sides of your gown hangin down the sides. Basically, you get to 'moon' the anesthesiologist and the nurses as you lay down. They get your arms strapped down straight out from your body and then strap your legs down - for safety reasons and you start to feel like Jesus on the cross. They start one IV and the anesthesiologist explains that they will also start another one after you fall asleep just in case any problems arise with the first one. The staff goes through their routines gettng everything around for the surgery and I got to listen to the anesthesiologist and the nurses compare birthdays and ages. They were humorous!! The anesthesiologist was getting picked on and I was enjoying it! After they get the oxygen sensor and the blood pressure cuff on you, it's off to 'la-la land'. The anesthesiologist asks you to count backwards from 10. I think I made it to 8 and I was out!
When I woke up in recovery, I couldn't focus on anything! I had a gel that they put across my eyes to keep them moist, so it was hard to focus. All I could hear was my name and that they were waiting on a room to become available for me. All I kept thinking was 'great - I had this surgery - where the hell am I gonna recover'? The pain level was very minimal. I only felt discomfort in my back, but I have back pain every day, so it wasn't due to surgery. With little sleep the night before and waiting for the anesthesia to wear off, I was extremely groggy. They finally got me a room and I got to see my Mom, my brother, and his girlfriend. My brother, being his usual smart ass, could only tell me I looked terrible. I had no energy to speak, but somehow was able to flip him the bird as a response. With that, he knew I was okay and everything would be fine. Once they get you in a room, they want you up and moving. They encourage you to use the restroom and take a short walk around the Bariatric Unit. A short walk was all I could handle to start. The nurses come in frequently to check up on you, your level of pain (whether it be from surgery or just gas pain from them inflating your belly to do the surgery), any questions or concerns, and if there is anything they can do for you. The nurses are wonderful!!! As the day went on, I noticed that the only pain or discomfort was the gas pains. They rested in my chest, right against my sternum. It hurt to breathe. The nurses just told me that once your body begins to absorb the gases, they will move towards your colon and the pain will slowly subside. It just depends on your body and how soon your intestines 'wake up' from surgery. So, they are constantly asking if you have passed gas. Once you are able to do this, things do get better! The nurses keep up on the pain meds and anything they can do to help you. You don't get anything to eat or drink the first day - just ice chips. The ice ships are a blessing! I didn't want anything else - I just wanted to get rid of the terrible sore throat.
The first day was exhausting, but it's understandable. You and your body just went through a surgery - you can't expect to jump up and have the energy. You still have to walk every two hours, but that gets easier as it goes on. The incision sites are covered, so you really don't know what they look like, but they are small enough to be covered with band-aids, so you know they're small. Your belly will look bruised and more than likely, you will have a drain tube. The drain tube looks like a rubber light bulb on a tube and hangs down low enough to hit your leg when you're standing. It is more annoying than anything.
When I woke up in recovery, I couldn't focus on anything! I had a gel that they put across my eyes to keep them moist, so it was hard to focus. All I could hear was my name and that they were waiting on a room to become available for me. All I kept thinking was 'great - I had this surgery - where the hell am I gonna recover'? The pain level was very minimal. I only felt discomfort in my back, but I have back pain every day, so it wasn't due to surgery. With little sleep the night before and waiting for the anesthesia to wear off, I was extremely groggy. They finally got me a room and I got to see my Mom, my brother, and his girlfriend. My brother, being his usual smart ass, could only tell me I looked terrible. I had no energy to speak, but somehow was able to flip him the bird as a response. With that, he knew I was okay and everything would be fine. Once they get you in a room, they want you up and moving. They encourage you to use the restroom and take a short walk around the Bariatric Unit. A short walk was all I could handle to start. The nurses come in frequently to check up on you, your level of pain (whether it be from surgery or just gas pain from them inflating your belly to do the surgery), any questions or concerns, and if there is anything they can do for you. The nurses are wonderful!!! As the day went on, I noticed that the only pain or discomfort was the gas pains. They rested in my chest, right against my sternum. It hurt to breathe. The nurses just told me that once your body begins to absorb the gases, they will move towards your colon and the pain will slowly subside. It just depends on your body and how soon your intestines 'wake up' from surgery. So, they are constantly asking if you have passed gas. Once you are able to do this, things do get better! The nurses keep up on the pain meds and anything they can do to help you. You don't get anything to eat or drink the first day - just ice chips. The ice ships are a blessing! I didn't want anything else - I just wanted to get rid of the terrible sore throat.
The first day was exhausting, but it's understandable. You and your body just went through a surgery - you can't expect to jump up and have the energy. You still have to walk every two hours, but that gets easier as it goes on. The incision sites are covered, so you really don't know what they look like, but they are small enough to be covered with band-aids, so you know they're small. Your belly will look bruised and more than likely, you will have a drain tube. The drain tube looks like a rubber light bulb on a tube and hangs down low enough to hit your leg when you're standing. It is more annoying than anything.
Pre-Op Testing
Mar 23, 2008
11/20/07: Pre-op testing is not that bad. I was dreading it, but mostly because of the upper GI part. After registration, the staff walks you around from test to test. The only part I had a problem with was the ultrasound for checking the gall bladder. The technician had to push hard through all my extra weight and it left a slight bruise. The entire process of testing lasted about 2 1/2 hours.
Brief history to this point...
Nov 14, 2007
7/1/07: My position at work offered us insurance benefits.
8/1/07: My medical coverage kicked in and I scheduled a consultation with Dr. RoseMarie Jones.
8/29/07: Consultation day with Dr. Jones. Scheduled appointment to see Dr. Stote for the psych evaluation.
9/5/07: Appointment with Dr. Stote.
9/11/07: Attended support group meeting with a friend, who was 11 weeks post-op from her RNY.
9/18/07: All information sent to insurance (Humana). And the waiting began...
10/4/07: Called Humana to check status of my claim. Got through to my case manager, Deb, and went through all the information needed. Then she gave me some awesome news - I was approved!! I just had to wait for the letter to come in the mail, so I could fax it to Dr. Jones' office.
10/26/07: Got home from work and there was that long-awaited letter. Took the letter to work on Sunday night and faxed it in.
10/31/07: Heather from Dr. Jones' office called. The next available appointment was on 11/30/07. I took it!! My head was spinning and I completely forgot the rest of the conversation with Heather (regarding the pre-op testing and the nutrition class). Good thing Heather called the next day to schedule pre-op and remind me about the nutrition class.
11/13/07: Attended the nutrition class. Asked Dad to come along since he will be staying with me after surgery. Lots of information!! Just need to figure out if I need to buy anything now or if I should 'make do' with what I have and see what I can eat afterwards.
11/20/07: Pre-op testing is scheduled for this day. Will update when this happens.
8/1/07: My medical coverage kicked in and I scheduled a consultation with Dr. RoseMarie Jones.
8/29/07: Consultation day with Dr. Jones. Scheduled appointment to see Dr. Stote for the psych evaluation.
9/5/07: Appointment with Dr. Stote.
9/11/07: Attended support group meeting with a friend, who was 11 weeks post-op from her RNY.
9/18/07: All information sent to insurance (Humana). And the waiting began...
10/4/07: Called Humana to check status of my claim. Got through to my case manager, Deb, and went through all the information needed. Then she gave me some awesome news - I was approved!! I just had to wait for the letter to come in the mail, so I could fax it to Dr. Jones' office.
10/26/07: Got home from work and there was that long-awaited letter. Took the letter to work on Sunday night and faxed it in.
10/31/07: Heather from Dr. Jones' office called. The next available appointment was on 11/30/07. I took it!! My head was spinning and I completely forgot the rest of the conversation with Heather (regarding the pre-op testing and the nutrition class). Good thing Heather called the next day to schedule pre-op and remind me about the nutrition class.
11/13/07: Attended the nutrition class. Asked Dad to come along since he will be staying with me after surgery. Lots of information!! Just need to figure out if I need to buy anything now or if I should 'make do' with what I have and see what I can eat afterwards.
11/20/07: Pre-op testing is scheduled for this day. Will update when this happens.
