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My surgery story- Day-by-day (surgery was 12/5/2012)

ladiJ

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Just wanted to let all you pre-op peeps know how my experience was so hopefully it may quell some anxieties. After all knowledge is power. My surgery was scheduled for 1 pm on 12/5/2012.The day before I had my preop appt with surgeon and also was on a full liquid diet. My surgeon did not require a 2 week liquid diet prior to surgery but did

say no weight gain. I had first seen him in Sept so had packed on 10 lbs since then, i think not so much as a farewell to food but frankly I have dieted for 51 years

after I decided to have the sleeve I gave myself a break. So when my date was set for 12/5 that meant I needed to get 10 lbs off fast. I started two weeks before really cutting back and the last 5 days was mostly liquids and arrived at pre op only 1 lb over. The doc didn't comment and I am sure it’s because only one pound could be due to a drink of water in the hallway. I also went to the hospital to preregister as arranged by my doctor’s office. That evening at 5 pm I had to drink a 10 ounce bottle of Mag citrate; if this is your demon, pour it over ice and get it down as quickly as possible. Although they say it works in 5-6 hours it can take 11 hours. If you have been on a liquid diet the results should be rather gentle. I also had to shower the night before and that am and clean myself with hibiclens (help reduce infection) I could shampoo but no conditioner, no hair products, deodorant, powders etc…(flammable in OR)The night before I also had a farewell to coffee party, I could drink liquids until midnight so I had 4 cups of coffee drinking the last one at 11:45 pm:P

 

I arrived on 12/5 at 11:00 as instructed, they had called while I was en route to explain the doctor was ahead of schedule so hurry and get there so I could get under

the knife;) again I took a babywipe bathe with antiseptics before getting in my gown, they started an IV and I was wheeled to surgery, after speaking to the

anesthesiologist and my surgeon. I made them both very aware that fear of pain was not an issue for me but nausea was so they could have round the clock meds ordered to alleviate that. Thankfully, in my hospital they wait till you are under before inserting catheter. I recall laying on the table saying oh this pretty comfy and that is the last thing I recall till waking up in the recovery room. My surgery took an hour and I was in the recovery room for an hour and half still enjoying my sleepy time when my impatient daughter (who had been told recovery was only an hour and a half then she could see me) demanded to be let in. I heard her say, "How do we wake her up?" and opened my eyes.

 

I was moved to my own room shortly there after and attached to a million pounds of things. Oxygen, I had to use it as every time I fell asleep (which was all the time those first hours) my O2 level dropped. This being the beginning of sleep apnea. Thankfully surgery should correct that. I had a pain pump, heart monitor, I had the intermittent pneumatic compression devices on my legs and IV. This meant an extreme effort was involved anytime I wanted or was forced to get out of bed.

 

I used my pain pump every hour when I awoke that first evening (Wed, 12/5) My surgeon does not let gastric sleeve patients have anything, not even ice chips the first day/eve/night. As I had told them I was terrified of being nauseated I was given meds for that (zofran and reglan and prilosec) around the clock. My room was freezing, it said 68 degrees, which is how I usually like a room, but I must admit since surgery, i don't know if its blood loss or what I have been stoking my furnace and keeping it at 72 or 73. My pain was not bad, but I know you need to stay on top of pain and not let it get out of control, besides I had been heros during all my childbirths and c-sections and had already warned everyone at this stage in life I was gladly taking whatever drugs were available to me. Thus concludes the day of surgery.



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Holy cow. This was today - and you were felling well enough to post to your blog?! Thank you, thank you.

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Hi! Congratulations!

Your doc's instructions sound almost the same as mine. My surgery is 12/21. Wash night before and in am with hibiclens. Wash hair ( I don't think they mentioned conditioner though). I do not have a pre-op diet other than "don't gain". I've been doing the 3 month regular diet thing but nothing special the next 10 days like some people have. I'm thankful for that because I'm hoping to enjoy a few last meals with the hubby. I'm praying I won't gain. Basically I'm going to do my protein shakes during the day and eat a "cheat" meal in the evening without going completely crazy.

I was thinking about doing a blog to document this experience. Reading your first entry really was comforting ....I'll be following you every step of the way :) I think I will do one of my own as well. Mostly just to remember everything and help the newbies with their fears and questions.

Good luck!

~Dana

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Thank you SO much for the detailed report -- I try to find & read as many Surgery Day Stories as I can. You are so right to say that knowledge is power -- I agree. I get a little scared sometimes thinking about going under the knife and being under anesthesia. Reading your story was very reassuring. I wish you the best on this new adventure and much success! Keep us posted!

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ladiJ....wow! Your experience sounds wonderful... thank you for all the detail. Iit seems unreal that you would be blogging so soon after surgery. All the steps you mention sound almost stress free! Thank you for sharing and all the best in your recovery!

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