Just wanted to blog my recovery experience for those going into this process new and want to have some details.

I went into the hospital as planned at 6:30 am to get ready for my vsg. My only real concern was that something would come up and they would have to postpone my date--I waited and wanted this done so badly that I was relieved to see that everything was on track. They called us to the pre-op area right away and proceeded to take my vital signs and weight me in for the anesthesia (right at 320.8 lbs). I got gowned up and the rest was a blur of everything coming together quickly I.V., heparin shot, blood pressure, etc. Then I talked to the OR nurse and my surgeon about getting a DVD of the laproscopic procedure--they said they could probably do that. Before I knew it, it was time to kiss the wife good by and ship me off to surgery. The anesthesiologist had told me we would go in and they would have me switch beds etc etc.. but I don't remember anything after saying goodbye to the wife. They say the cocktail you get pre anesthesia does make you forget those few minutes...

I woke up in recovery and boom I felt some pain. My head was so cloudy I could not shake this cloudy dizzy feeling and the pain what seemed to be all over. They were watching me to see when I woke up so I let them know right away that I needed something for the pain. I remeber checking down my gown to see if I was one of the few who needed a drain--whew no drain--so I was happy. (Dr. Stewart does drains if needed, and they told me about 1 in 10 get them.) They shot something in my IV and I was able to dose off a bit. I woke up in another room after that--I saw the TV so I knew this was the regular hospital room, so I asked about my wife. Some confusion there, but they use a portable pager to notify any family that you are ready--Dr Stewart did see them right after to let them know all was well, but the next notification post recovery was not done yet. It was around 11 am then and they reached my wife who had been joined by my mom. When they came in I was still foggy but ready to get this healing process going. I needed to go to the restroom and they asked if I wanted to use the portable urinal and I said that I wanted to get up and go. I took the trip to the bathroom slowly but then I insisted on making a lap around the hallway as well so I could shake some of the gas I had been belching up. I did OK on the walk but the anesthesia post effect was just plain annoying making me feel like there were cobwebs in my head. The walk did get me nice and tired though so I went down for a nap and sent my wife and mom out to grab there lunch. This nap seemed to do the trick and my head finally started feeling clearer. Although a true nap was somewhat difficult. They had anti-clot things on my legs inflating and deflating non-stop and every 30 mins the blood pressure cuff on my arm would auto check my pressure during the first few hours. That thing just annoyed me :cursing: They had set my first liquid intake at 6 hours post op and that was due at 3pm. My first pain med was wearing off about 2:30 and I could feel it wearing off because each gas bubble or shift would give a slight more pain. I asked for meds and they gave me the option of oral liquid or IV. Since it was still before my 3pm time I was scared to drink so I asked for the morphine via IV--OK the morphine does work, but let me tell you that crap stings like hell going in the IV and through your body for a sec. I wish I had taken the liquid--anyway, that got me feeling better so it was time to pee and lap the nurses station again. I got into a habit of walking every chance I could to help speed recovery. I took about 2 ounces of liquid at a time, but that crystal lite lemonade was too sweet for me so I switched to ice and plain water. Later on through the evening I tried jello, sugar free pops, chicken broth, etc getting up to 4 ounces per hour or more if you included the ice chips I kept chewing because it helped with the cotton mouth. I kept timing my meds at 4 hours and would walk even late at night right after the meds and then nap again after the walk. All through this time I did have to burp with every drink or bite of ice--probably the gas finding a way out as valves opened. Walking also brought on some burps.

By Thursday morning I was up and around quite a bit and got free from my IV, so I would surf the web, walk around, and then nap as needed until the doc finally came by to release me that afternoon. I was really feeling great. The wife drove us by the Doc's office, we picked up the DVD from the surgery and said hello to the staff there and headed on home.

Anyway, sorry for the long story, but I figured I would detail it here for those who may be going through this process soon.

Overall it was a great recovery! Looking forward to the journey ahead.