Hi Everyone. I went to the hospital on Thursday at 8:00 am and was in the pre-op area gowned, bootied, and IV in place by 8:45. Took 2 sticks for the IV
, but that isn't as bad as other experiences I have had. My DH and sister had time to talk with me for a while. Then the anesthesiologist came in, followed by the surgeon. At that point I was on my way. Before I went to the OR, they gave me the heparin shot in my belly. Anesthesiologist gave me some Versed on the way down the hall so I only vaguely remember getting on the table and having the mask placed.
Woke up in Recovery with NO nausea and only minimal pain! I did have a foley catheter so after that was out, I was able to get up and pee. I was back in my room by 2:00pm. My surgeon requires all his patients to spend the night and he does an Upper GI the next morning to make sure everything is in place. So that afternoon I started walking and walking. I was a little surprised how tired I was and how much I hurt. The worst thing by far was that I could have NOTHING by mouth because of the test the next morning to make sure the band was okay. I would have sold my house for an ice chip. I had a second heparin shot, this time in my arm. I took my pain meds at midnight and somehow slept through the night.
At 7:30 am on Friday they came to take me for the Upper GI. They didn't use barium this time, rather a thin liqid that tasted terrible, but I didn't care - it was only 3 sips and I was on my way to get ice!
At 9:00 the nurse brought me a huge cup of ice and I was in heaven. I had my first "meal" of jello, crystal lite, and broth. Three tablespoons of each at 11:30 and another meal at 3:00. Received my third and last heparin shot at noon. In between I walked and slept. There were three other ladies on the unit with me and we all were having the same experience. All of us were in our 50's and we all were a bit surprised at how generally sore we were but not a big problem with gas pains. One thing that was really neat is that our surgeon sent each of ua a dozen red roses to celebrate the beginning of our new life!
I was discharged at 4:30 and in bed again by 6:00 after my DH made my dinner (you know 3T each of jello, broth and cystal lite). Had trouble with coughing the second night night - things in my lungs starting to move around. Already felt better the next morning. I didn't expect to have as smooth a recovery as the 20 and 30-somethings, but all things considered, it isn't as bad as I thought it would be. First day was definitely the worst. Days 2,3, and 4 each got a bit better. I still can't sleep well because I can't lay on my left side. I take pain meds only at night and that allows me to get about 5 hours of sleep. Went to the movies on Day 3 and that tired me out for the rest of the day.
It's now Day Four post-op and I am moving pretty well. I am not hungry and life is good. Minimal shoulder pain, very minimal belly pain - just get tired easily.
I am so happy I am here and onto my new life. Thank you to everyone who has supprted me - I love this forum and I look forward to continuing to share the journey.
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