Quote:
Originally Posted by CTpaddler  I'm anxious to hear how you are doing. Did your surgery go as planned last week? I hope you are up and about and starting to think about full liquids by now.
Ellen |
Ellen i think this was directed to me so I will respond. The surgery went off w/o a hitch. Was wheeled into the room had a brief minute with dr t and then out went the lights. I did wake up however rather quickly after the general anestesia (sp) and I had intense shoulder pain immediately upon waking up. They gave me some serious pain killers and all was well.
I ended up spending more than 3 hours in the recovery room because hartford was hit with a series of thunderstorms and the patient transport elevators were down temporarily and i could not be taken to my room. I finally got to my room and met the first of many nurses I would meet during my stay. I cannot recall her name but she was sweet and caring and made sure i was comfortable. They hooked me up to an IV pain med machine that gave me metered dosages as well as on demand if the pain got too much.
Much to my suprise I really didn't need it. At shift change, I got up and walked about the unit 3 or 4 times. A less than helpful nurses aide Angie was there for the first 1/2 lap but then decided her social life was more important. Such is life she was a bitter woman that i really didnt click with.
On my last lap I felt a bit nauseous so i found my new nurse and got some meds. That night I was woken up a dozen or more times for vitals etc. it was sort of annoying but i'm sure it was necessary.
The next morning i was taken for the barrium swallow - this was disgusting but again a necessary event. The folks were really cool and let me watch the screens, showed me the band and port.
About 2 hours later my favorite nurse christina came in to get me ready for discharge. But as she gave me my last dose of pain meds i started having massive chest pains. Like someone was standing on my chest. This sent her in to a bit of a tizzy and the whole world came crashing into my room with ekg machines, cardiologists, residents. Lets just say i made a lot of friends really quickly. The thought was that I may have thrown a clot into my lung despite the pressure boots and many heparin shots. I had many different blood tests including a blood gas which if you havent had one is not that pleasant. Essentially they take the blood from an artery rather than a vein. They took it from my radial artery which is located above the radius bone in your wrist. Not an easy target but the resident got it first try. After several hours of tests including a lung ct scan with contrast ( a radioactive material than makes you feel like you are peeing yourself) all was clear but it was too late for discharge. They kept me a second night (very unconventional) but they felt it was necessary.
I was released the next morning now Friday at around 11 after a visit from Dr T. Got home and logged into work for the second half of the day. After some broth and clear protien drink I slept most of the rest of the evening and night to make up for the lack of sleep in the unit. I was able to sleep on my sides straight away so that was great. I got out and walked along the beach with my wife and son on sat and sunday. But felt pretty tired afterwards.
Today I worked from home, relaxed and walked the dog a couple times. I haven't taken the lortab since saturday and don't feel i need it anymore.
I am back on full liquids and dying for something with mouthfeel. Another couple days and I can be on mushies.
I had one incision leak a bit and called the office - they were not to terribly concerned because the amt was minimal and I will be going into the office on thursday. I have lost 10lbs since being banded and am down 37 lbs from my original weight. Things are going great and my experience at the hospital was fantastic. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I owe a debt of gratitude to Dr T and his staff.
(3 more lbs)
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