Surgery Day Stories

k-statearmywife · 11-06-2009, 09:41 AM

I was banded on Wednesday (november 4th, 2009) and I arrived at the hospital around 9 and the show was on the road by 10am. When I woke up from anesthsia, I felt like I couldn't breathe, or take a deep breath at all, and I started heaving immediately. All of the recovery nurses freaked out and told me to stop because it would "undo my surgery" so they stuck a peppermint oil soaked gauze under my oxygen tubes, and pumped me full of anti-nausa meds through the IV. My left shoulder hurt immediately and I slept on and off for the rest of the day. When I finally got up to pee, I also walked around, and I was feeling pretty good with my morphine drip! THe next morning (I stayed overnight) after I was released, they gave me like 4 prescriptions (which my poor husband had to run all over our big town to find the correct meds, and eventually drove to another town to get my liquid pain meds). When I finally had all my meds I tried sipping water, jello, etc, and then I started to have GAS....BAD....but I took some (expired) gas-x and I passed gas finally, and it was like heaven! lol.

So that's my story...I'm on day 3 now, and I plan to go back to school (college) on Monday!

jldch · 11-12-2009, 12:09 PM

I pretty much lurk but promised myself I would post my surgery story since reading previous stories were so helpful to me.

I'm usually not the type to panic, however, I was very anxious a few days before the surgery (I even cried a couple of times!). On the day of surgery, I was totally calm and sure of my choice.

I entered the outpatient surgery center on November 11th at 11:00 a.m. and had visits from the surgeon, his assistant and the anesthesiologist. I was weighed and then taken to my room where I changed into the hospital gown. The nurse came in and started my iv. She gave me protonix to reduce stomach acid, an antibiotic and about a half hour before surgery, gave me some sort of relaxer (Versed?). She also went over my history, asked if was allergic to anything, etc. I had severe nausea with my last c-section, so they put a scopamine patch behind my ear to prevent this. She also put pumping sleeves on my legs and gave me a shot of lovenox in my belly to prevent blood clots. I also had to take a pregnancy test even though I had a tubal eight years ago.

I was wheeled into the operating room on my bed and then scooted over to the operating table. The room was quite cold so they put several wam blankets over me. The surgical nurse put a clear mask over my nose and mouth and had me breathe deeply. The next thing I knew, I was in recovery being asked to wake-up. I was in recovery from around 2:00 - 3:00 where I was asked about my pain level and given sips of water to drink and also a fast acting pain reliever in my IV.

Next I went back to my room to relax . My mouth was extremely dry from the scopamine patch so I was given more water. I also had a dose of liquid Loritab. The nurse gave me aftercare instructions and helped me get dressed. I left the hospital at 5:00 and was home a few minutes later (I only live a couple of miles away).

I'm not really in pain, just tired and a bit sore. I've had some issues with trapped gas in my collarbone and shoulder. It's so true that walking helps. My husband also gently massages the area and I've used a heating pad. Sleeping is a bit uncomfortable because I have to sleep on my back for now and I'm normally a stomach sleeper. I also make sure to use my spirometer to prevent pneumonia.

My big challenge today is to get in enough clear fluid. I've had water, water mixed with diet cranberry juice, peppermint tea and am also using the new whey liquid protein shots (mixed with water) to get in enough protein. Tomorrow, I start full liquids (protein shakes, thinned cream soup, yogurt) and then on Monday, I progress to mushies.

Everyone was extremely nice, considerate and professional and I'm very happy with my decision to have the surgery.

jessicakolman · 11-13-2009, 05:53 PM

So I had my surgery today at 7:15AM. I was out by 9:00 and in main PACU for a couple hours. We went home around 1PM.

So here it is, I got there and they had me change in my nifty gown and compression socks. It really sucked that I have my period today. They didn't let me wear a tampon or pad! UGH... I know it may TMI but that made me mad.
Anywho, after the nurse started my IV in my hand instead of my forearm --- which HURT!!!, they took me soon to the OR.

I go there and I'm actually very familiar with their OR's cause I work in Labor and Delivery at that hospital and a lot of the time I have to take patients back to the OR for c/s's. My room was right next to the rooms they do those c/s in. Anywho, we got in the room and everyone was really nice and introduced themself. They made me comfortable and put my arms in those arm holder things. They kept putting the mask on me and I kept talking asking questions, next thing I knew I woke up a tremndous amount of pain in PACU -- it was hard for me to wake up since they had to give me benedryl with the anestheisa cause they used a "bear hugger" which is a device to keep you warm and it gave me a rash on my chest. Dont' knnow why... LOL
Anyway soon they wheeled me down to the step down area and I stayed there for a lil' bit. I was insistant I get up and walk around cause it felt worse to lay down. I went pee about 3 times. Since then I can't go #2 probably cause of the pain meds

So they discharged me and the tech brought me out to the car and then my husband just parked the car and went back in and got the perscription filled. We did this because they wouldn't allow me to just go wherever, they had to make sure I was gone OK but I didn't follow the rulses

LOL . Anyway we dropped of my perscription for the Loratab liquid and then we walked down the hall to where I work just to walk of this gas and I saw all my coworkers and they were very happy that things went well. We walked back to the car after picking up the persciption and we headed home. So far I've been walking around the house just a lil' bit and resting as well. I feel pretty good otherwise.

So here's a video of my whole ordeal of my surgery --
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4LhzuDiqp8

eyezchu22 · 11-17-2009, 04:58 PM

My Surgery was 11/9/09 at Tufts Medical Center with Dr. Julie Kim. It was originally scheduled for 11am and I would have to be there at 9am, However a few days before they changed it to earlier the same day...
The morning of surgery I got to the hospital at exactly 6:30am. They then had me fill out paperwork and weigh in. They gave me a ID Bracelet. I then had to change into a gown, a robe and booties. They provided a locker for my things. I then was sent to wait in the surgical waiting area until they called my name. I kissed my sweatheart goodbye and I was off.
I was told to use the bathroom now if I needed to which I did. I then was led to a curtained alcove where a bed and IV equipment was held. I laid on the bed and was bombarded with questions from different staff. Mostly the same questions were aske. Name, DOB, And what are you here for today?
Soon the anesthesiologist came in and he actually started my IV. I was then led to the O.R. My surgen was there and came over in front of me to talk to me and ask if I had any questions, which definately reasured me. I laid down on the other table and streched my arms out on the holders.The anesthesia dr then asked if I drank wine or beer? I told him wine and he said think of this as a glass of wine or two at happy hour and thats all I remember...
I woke up in pain and very very thirsty and the nurse was there she aske on a scale of 1-10 what my pain was I said 7 and she gave me something for it. She then fed me a spoonful of ice at a time until I finally told her I could do it myself. My sweetheart was then led in to see me. I was able to use the rest room and given a popscicle which felt like heaven fo my dry throat. I couldnt finish it though. I was then released and was actually home by 3pm. I was happy the ordeal was over. Its been a week and I am still a little sore. It hurts a bit to laugh or cough. But other then that I am starting to feel like myself again. I also have lost 6lbs since my surgery date and altogether 16lbs if you count pre-op dieting. I know it will come off better when I am allowed to start my exercise routine again. I am happy I decided on the LAP-BAND® ( I actually have the realize).

melloways · 11-18-2009, 02:43 AM

Hello all. I thought I'd share my surgery day story. Especially since it almost didn't happen due to abnormal blood tests and irregularities on my EKG. But eventually everthing was good and I had surgery yesterday (11/17).

I arrived at NYU medical center at 6am with my Aunt. I signed in and took care of my co-pay which was only $100. It all became real when I got my fancy wristband and was sent to the interview area. I changed into my gown and then was asked to remove my eyebrown ring. I totally forgot about that. When taking it out, it fell on the floor so I was in the room on hands and knees booty out and all. LOL! But I found it! The members of the team began to visit me one by one. The anesthesiologist (who was FINE!), the physician assistant, a nurse, my surgeon Dr. Kurian, and a few others. I had so many chances to ask questions. I felt pretty comfortable. I just kept asking them to be sure and prescribe anti nausea meds since I would be getting my period next week ( I get really sick).

My surgeon, Dr.Kurian was great (she did Al Rokers gastro). She informed me that I had the appropriate body type to get the single incision (SIL) but there could possibly be more incisions if everything wasn't accesible with the single incision. She explained that I would get a 10cc band and explained what it would be like in the OR.

When the nurse came to get me around 8:15, I started to get nervous. My Auntie held me, and we said a prayer together. The nurse held my hand as we walked to the OR. I started to freak out a little when I saw the bright lights and all the people. And that operating table scared the heck outta me. But I kept it together.

My tricky veins decided to play hide n seek while trying to get the IV. It took forever for them to find a good vein. Soon, I got my "happy juice" and then I drifted off as they worked their magic.

When I came to, I was a little nauseous and was in some pain. They quickly took care of it. I felt like I was slipping in and out of conscienceness. I then realized I wasn't in the OR and asked "Where am I? Is the band in?" (I had a dream last week that they couldn't put the band in.) Soon my Aunt was by my side and they informed us that I would be getting a room for the day.

I was a bit high, so I was calling and texting everybody, cracking jokes, and sending hilarious pictures. That certainly eased their minds that I was ok. LOL! (I have to post some of the pics soon). My Aunt left to fill all my scripts.

After a while, the pain started to come again and they gave me more "magic" drugs. I was told that once I urinated a sufficient amount, I could go home. One of the nurses came and asked me to take a walk with her and that it would make me feel better. Boy I tell ya, that walk was GREAT! I didn't wanna lay down again. I just wanted to walk, walk, walk. The nurse happened to live near me so we chatted like old friends while we strolled.

My body was being stubborn. I wasn't urinating enough. So I was told I would be there a while. I was given a morphine shot (burned like hell), a heprin shot (to prevent clots), and some meds for acid reflux (which I didn't have). So I spent my time watching TV, laughing with my Aunt (well more chuckling because laughing hurts), and going for walks.

Around 8pm, they decided I had urinated enough. I was like I better have!! I had chicken broth, a bottle and a half of propel water, two cups of tea, three cups of ice chips, and two IV bags.

I was discharged around 9pm. The ride home was TORTURE. NYC has no shortage of potholes I tell ya. Thanks to suggestions on this site, I had a pillow pressed against my stomach to lessen the shock and jiggling when we hit rough patches. It still got pretty bad once we entered the Bronx. I cried a little from the pain. I finally made it home and took my time going up the steps. I had everything set up in my apartment before I left. I am camping out in the living room. Its easier for me to get up from the couch than my bed.

I am having trouble sleeping. So I'm sipping peppermint tea while listening to music (and passing gas...tee hee hee) I am using my spirometer often . It really helps. Ok. Eyes getting heavy, maybe I can get some sleep now :-)
Feel free to ask me anything.