Monday - I left Halifax early o'clock in the morning and flew to San Diego via Toronto. Flight was uneventful even if it was with Air Canada and strike threats. Arrived in San Diego and was met by driver by the Info Booth. Was driven to the Hospital where I was met by my coordinator Trish and escorted to my pre-op tests. I was early arriving and was given the option of having my surgery that afternoon instead of the next morning as originally scheduled. I decided to wait till the next morning as I was not mentally prepared at that point. Funny later that night as the nerves, second thoughts, what ifs, set in, I kinda wished I had just gotten it done and over with.
Tuesday- I was up and waiting at 0700hrs. Anxious yes but feeling confident with my decision. Dr Kelly came by and talked with me and answered my questions. I gave Dr Kelly my camera for a picture of my stomach that was removed. I did not have a lot of questions, I am typical type A personality and control freak. I researched the hell out of this and knew what was going to happen. Went to the OR at about 0900hrs and was back in my room about 1030hrs. All done. Slept for most of the day. That afternoon tried to get out of bed to go pee and start my recovery process but I was in too much pain and was given pain/nausea meds and rested for a while again. Late that afternoon early evening got out of bed to pee and went back to bed. I was on pain meds thru night but was able to get out of bed to pee on my own. Vomited during the night and cleared blood? from stomach. Felt so much better.
Wednesday- Felt great. Up in morning and started walking the hallways. I was given ice chips but I sipped water in tiny amounts. No real pain at all. Was still on IV fluids with nausea meds and antibiotics. Had a lovely shower. I felt so human again. I put on my PJ's and continued to walk and rest the remainder of the day. Dr Kelly checked on me multiple times during the day and was pleased with my progress. Had a good nights sleep.
Thursday- Woke in the morning feeling even better than the day before. Dr Kelly came by and removed my drain. Wow what a difference. I felt even better. I showered and remained at the hopsital walking and sipping for a couple of hours. Then off to another hospital for my leak test. I had no problems with the barium drink stuff. Leak test was good so off to the hotel. At the Lucerna (very nice indeed) I rested walked about and ordered some chicken broth. My coordinator Trish left me a pack of goodies, gatorade, SF jello, water, and extra dressings for me incisions. Dr Kelly and the coordinator came by again that evening to check on me. I had an ache in shoulder and neck that was due to the gas from surgery, I knew to expect this and brought my heating pad, it helped alot. I had a wonderful sleep that night.
Friday- Feeling really good. Haven't had any pain meds since night of surgery or needed any. I was feeling a bit cooped up. Dr Kelly came by to check on me in morning and again very pleased I was doing so well. Trish came by after lunch and brought me out to see a bit of Tijuana. It felt great to be out and about. Yes I did a little shopping. Back to the hotel for rest and some more yummy soup broth. Went to Starbucks across the street for green tea that evening with Trish.
Saturday- Feeling superb. Dr Kelly came by to check on me again as I was leaving that evening for home. All is good. I left hotel with Trish my coordinator and went back to hospital to visit a lovely lady Stephanie(sorry if I misspelled your name). She had her surgery on the friday and looked great. Wasted loads of time until I was picked up by my driver and brought back to San Diego Airport. Going over the border to the States was a simple process. The van went in a special lane for buses and commercial vehicles. We stopped at the customs agent. I got out of van with my bags and went into special line and was processed and then bags were xrayed. Met the van and driver at the parking lot on just after exciting the customs building. Easy Peasy. At San Diego Airport checked in a waited for my overnight flight to Newark. Slept the whole flight. Met my next flight to Halifax. Slept the whole fligt again.
Sunday- Got into Halifax Airport at about noon and hubby drove me home the 1.5 hrs to Kingston NS.
I am now 2 weeks Post op and doing great. Getting in my protein drinks and liquids. Be vigilant at measuring how much liquid you ingest as I was feeling weak yesterday and realised too late that I hadn't drunk enough the day before. I have talked to Trish multiple times as she calls to check on my progress. I was 284lbs when I was weighed prior to surgery. I was 289lbs when discharged (water weight gain from IV fluids). I am now at 2 weeks post ov 272.6 lbs. So actual lose from preop weight is 12lbs so far.
Lessons Learnt-
I went on my own and that was a good thing for me. I didn`t have to worry about a companion. I didn`t have to keep answering questions like: how are you feeling, how are you doing, are you nervous, can I do anything for you. That would have driven me insane.
My heating pad was a great thing for me to bring along. My Kindle was great, My Ipod was nice to have. My smart phone allowed me to send messages and updates back home with wirelss connection but I did not have any cellular service.
I was happy with having a pair of PJs, they allowed for the checking of incisions without having to pull up a nightie or keep my hospital gown on. I had t shirts and yoga capris for day where in hotel. I wore same clothes home that I wore flying to Mexico.
Gas X helped. If you have acid reflux issues they will give you meds to helpl
I think that is all. I wasn`t scared at all in Mexico. I had faith in Dr Kelly. Trish was fantastic and really took care of me.
