So, I have been on a medically supervised diet since January, had tons of tests including 2 EKG's, had blood work 3 times, an upper GI, an ultrasound, and a whole bunch of other stuff. After I finished everything, my paperwork was sent to insurance for approval. I waited several weeks, but my surgeon's office finally called them and just got my approval that way, and I got my surgery date, July 25th, 2013! For the last week, I have been on the preop diet. It was originally supposed to be the liquid diet, but the protein powder I got from them made me really sick. The dietician thought I may have an allergy to whey, so she decided to take me off of that and do lean meats and non starchy veggies instead. It's been difficult, but I at least haven't been sick! Although I have had the typical dizziness, weakness, headache, and general fatigue that comes alone with low carb! Tomorrow I start my clear liquid diet, which I'm sure will suck lol but it's totally worth it. Then on Thursday, I go for surgery! I'm excited, nervous, and continue to second guess myself. I was approved for the DS about five years ago and chickened out, but I'm really glad I did. After that I found a surgeon that I felt much more comfortable with and a surgery that did not make me near as nervous, and now I think I'm really ready. I'll post again after surgery!
So, today makes six days since my VSG surgery. Let me tell you, it was NOT easy! Though I am thankful that there have been no complications, there was, however, plenty of pain. But let me start at the beginning. When I got to the hospital, the people at registration said I was supposed to be there at 8 AM (even though I had my paperwork IN MY HAND that clearly started to be there at 1 PM and it was about 12:15. Anyway, so they tell me they marked me as a no show, but they'll try to see if they can figure something out. Once they decided to "fit me in" , I sat down to wait in the waiting room with my mom. It didn't take very long, about 30 minutes, then they came and got me. When I got back to surgery prep, that's when the nerves and the enormity of what I was about to do set in. I was a mess. But they hooked me up to an IV, which is a process in itself because I'm a difficult stick. It took only 3 attempts though, which is way better than some other people have accomplished. Anyway, then they gave me some fluids and some medicine to make me feel "more comfortable" lol Idk what it was, but I liked it! Anyway, they put me in this robe with a thermostat controlled vent in the middle of it, covered me up, and turned out the light. I was out pretty fast until it got to be my turn. I remember signing some papers and talking to several different people, then being wheeled to the OR, and that's it! Next thing I know I'm waking up in the recovery room and I was in SO MUCH PAIN! I told them to go get my mom, but they said I had to wait til I was in a room and it would be very soon. Then, I guess I was back out again. The next time I woke up, I was with my mom, dad, and bff in a private room. The pain was still awful. Something had happened and for some reason they had not put a pain pump in my room like they were supposed to. So, they called to get me the pain pump, but in the mean time I was miserable. After about an hour or so of me crying, they finally gave me a dose of Dilaudid (sp?) Then a couple hours later, I got my pain pump. They told me to use it every 5 minutes, but of course I was in between this groggy state and completely out, so I couldn't really keep track of that. lol anyway my mom ended up helping me so I could finally get some real rest. The next morning, they came and got me for my leak test, which was perfect, then I slept a little while more before they made me get up to attempt my clear liquids. I managed a few sips of water and broth and a bite of jello. That was good enough to get me released! I forgot to mention I did have ice chips and got up and walked several times too. I remember on the way home being in a lot of pain every time we hit a bump. When I got home, I went straight back to bed and stayed there until the next afternoon. I'll be honest, it was really rough. I have a husband and a two year son and a three year old daughter who were all really worried, plus my mom and dad came several times. They were sure I was going to have to go back to the hospital, but I made it. The next day, I got up and went to my uncle's house with all my family, then to the drugstore with my dad and bff. I swear just getting up and out made a world of difference. The only thing was I was still having the same pain from the hospital, it was a pain in my upper abdomen and chest. I started my PPI that day and by the next day the pain was way better. I have a feeling I'm going to need it for a while! Anyway, so yesterday I went ahead and went in for my one week post op, even though I was only 5 days, but my surgeon was going out of town and wanted to see me before he left. He said everything looked great, and cleared me for soft foods/purees! Yay! The clear liquid diet was awful, but it didn't really matter too much because during that time I was in too much pain to eat or drink anyway. He only requires clear liquids for 3 days. By the time I started full liquids, I was starting to feel a tiny bit of hunger. I had about half a protein shake and some cheddar and tomato soup all day. It tasted like Heaven to me lol but I only did that for 2 days and was cleared for soft foods! I feel really lucky for that because I know some people have to do liquids for weeks. My surgeon does everything on a one to one basis, so another patient of his might have to do a couple weeks on liquids, that's just how he works. I'm very grateful though! Today's day six and today I had a protein shake, half a jar of baby food, and 1 tablespoon of cream cheese. Yesterday I had a scrambled egg with cheese and a protein shake. Everything has gone down with no issues so far! I hope I continue to do as well as I'm doing now. I am really starting to feel so much better! I'm not hungry and not nearly as cranky! lol Plus I'm already down 12 pounds since surgery and 41 pounds from my high weight in January. So, all in all as of right now, I'm pretty happy!
