came home today and SLEPT! didn't sleep so well in the hospital--some gas pain--which moved around--and now is gone! so, i was up at 2 am, commiserating with another guy who was banded right after me---then, when my iv pole started beeping away, because it was out of battery juice, i had to return to my room so it could be plugged in--but wasn't sleepy--so, read until 4 am--then fell asleep until 5:30 am--when they started coming around to take temperatures, and so on...so--really, not a lot of sleep time.

i'm AMAZED at how "not so bad" it all was. the dr. (fielding at nyu medical center in nyc) has this down to a factory assembly line--and the anesthesiologists and supporting staff were all really on the ball. when i woke up in recovery--i was conscious, not in pain, and able to talk to my visitors. i did just fine.

today--i had several things to drink--and some painkiller---big tip--ask for painkiller before you leave the hospital--that percocet pill for the ride home was VERY helpful.

i basically feel like i've been punched in the stomach a number of times--so, a dull ache--but nothing REALLY SHARP or UNBEARABLE. the incisions are packed with gauze over the steri-strips--and plastic over that. they said i could take a shower--but was afraid to. tomorrow, i can take the plastic off the steri-strips--they stay on.

i've HAD open abdominal surgery--next to that--this was really, REALLY bearable.

please write and ask me any questions. i'm very happy to be home--i'm working on my optifast shake (watered down) and i'm really NOT hungry.

watching tv, sleeping on and off--and taking the rest of the week off.

ahhhh, so glad it's OVER!!

I am so glad everything went well and your are home. I am sending healing vibes your way!!! Take it easy and get plenty of rest.

I am really glad to hear you are doing so well. I am hoping to have my surgery in July. The psych eval said that I needed to wait 90 days. That was really depressing. But I am keeping my chin up. Good luck with your recovery.