Before surgery, I was fully anticipating counting the minutes until I was able to return home and begin my new life. I gave birth to two childen, how difficult could this be? I was right, well almost...

For the most part, surgery was text book. I arrived at the hospital two hours prior to my surgery time and began the intake process. After filling out all the necessary paperwork, I was sent to my pre-op prep room to begin all monitoring, IV line, compression stockings, etc. All went very smooth. I also had a very friendly intake nurse who was able to load up Pandora on the room computer and asked me about my favorite music. I was able to have some calm, relaxing tunes playing while I was waiting for the big show to start.

At this point I have about an hour until surgery time. My husband was calm and patient and kept me laughing the entire time. During this hour, the parade of doctors, nurses, etc. came into the room and asked me the same exact questions. I had to be asked about 25 times what my name was, date of birth, and why I was there. It seemed as though there was a lot of repetition among the doctors and staff who were looking through the same medical chart. It didn't bother me though, it helped the time go by quicker while I was patiently waiting.

The final step I remember was the anethesiologist putting in the "happy medicine" which calms you down before entering into the surgical room. I remember her telling me that we were getting ready to get started and we began wheeling down the hallway. After that, nothing. I have no memories of anything until waking up after surgery.

The nurses in the recovery room were wonderful. Very patient and calm. When I woke up I don't remember talking much, I think was moreso in a twilight state than fully awake from all the drugs during surgery. The first few hours after surgery were the absolute worst. On top of being lightheaded and incoherent from the pain medicine, you MUST get up and walk around the recovery room to avoid blood clotting. I don't remember too much from that walk, except how incredibly difficult it was to get out of bed, stay focused long enough to make it around the room, and then get back into bed. The nurses said I did great, but from what I remember it seemed to take me an hour to make it around the room.

Unfortunately there weren't any private recovery rooms available on the bariatric floor so I had to share with a fellow bariatric patient. At first I was dissapointed about this, wanting privacy while I was trying to join the living again. After I was settled in though, it was nice to have a companion. We were both going through the same things at the same time (only different she was a band patient) but we were able to commeserate with each other about what we were going through. I was sad to see her leave the following day.

I woke up about every two hours, either in a bit of pain or nurses coming in to check your blood pressure, blood sugar, drain, etc.. I would push the friendly drug button and then drift back into a light sleep.

The first morning after surgery I began my campaign to get out of the hospital that day. I knew it was a long shot but I wanted to stay in the hospital as little possible. The surgical residents who came to examine me basically in so many words told me there was no way in hades I was leaving that day. I guess in hindsight I looked pretty rough and out of it, not able to really take care of myself as much as you need to at home. I was very dissapointed. I wanted so badly to go home and see my children. I know now that it was for the best to stay the extra day. It gave me the time I needed to sit and rest, and start to get used to all of the changes that were happening.

After the surgical residents and nurses come in for their morning rounds, the wonderful team from nutrition come in. These people were my least favorite during my hospital stay. They fool you when the knock, come in and say "nutrition!" What they mean to say is "I'm here to bring you your hospital food, not that you're going to eat it". When I first saw my tray of nutrition, I thought to myself, "Really???? You expect me to eat ANY of that??" Not that it was disgusting or unappetizing (most food plates consisted of sugar free jello, broth, water, and crystal light) but that it was almost impossible for me to think of injesting any sort of food at that point. The first day I stuck with the water. Along with the food comes medicine cups, which are meant to be consumed with either the jello or liquid during the hour. The nurses come in and make sure you are consuming your liquids. To be quite frank, I lied. I would tell the nurses I was working on it, but the morning and afternoon after surgery I couldn't consume anything. When I did eat a bit of jello, I had nausea and had a terrible fear they would not let me go the following day (Nausea is a big concern of the nurses and doctors - extreme nausea means you may throw up and they don't want that to happen once you are released). I powered through it and only had to ask for nasuea medication once, which worked really well! Lunch and dinner trays came in during that first day, and it was much of the same. I was able to drink maybe two or three sips and even that was a challenge.

In addition to the nutrition, nurses and doctors want to make sure you are mobile, which means a lot of walks. I made sure I got out of bed, however difficult, and walked around the floor at least every two hours. They tell you it helps in recovery and I am a strong believer in that. At 2:00 a.m. that night I couldn't sleep so I went for a walk. Walking also broke up the monotony of being in the hospital bed.

The following morning at day break I began my plea to be released. The surgical residents told me how great I looked that day and said I would be able to be released if my blood work came back fine and I was doing well with nutrition and walking. I begged to have my IV lines and drain removed, and it felt great when they were all gone. It was still difficult to get in and out of bed, but I was able to shower (with some help from my husband) and put regular clothes on. How great that felt!! Combing my hair and wearing regular clothes helped get me pumped to leave the hospital.

Before I left physical therapy came by to offer me some products to assist me at home while I was recovering. I only picked two of them seeing that most of them would I would not use. I use the grabber frequently at home, helping me pick up things off the floor since bending down was not allowed. I'm very thankful for picking up that little piece of equipment.

It finally came!! I was ready to go home. Parting gifts included a nice water bottle and pedometer which I though was wonderful! I waved goodbye to my wonderful nurses and I was out of there!

Here I come, Home Sweet Home.