I went in on Tuesday for my surgery. To say I was scared was an understatement. I felt panic right at the edge of my line of willpower to keep calm...somehow I managed to be calm. I met the kindest most wonderful healthcare worker while I was waiting for surgery. He was the anesthesiologist who would be with me during my surgery. He had the kindest most caring eyes and was so very comforting. When I scooted onto the operating table from the bed I was on I was literally shaking. The anesthesiologist put his hand on my head comfortingly as I repeated the Lords prayer and "My God's got me in his arms" over and over again. The next thing I remember is waking up saying "My God's got me...in his arms" and a woman saying "she must be religious" before drifting off to sleep. The pain..oh my word the pain!!!!!...I had heard that people felt like they had just done a million sit ups after surgery. I was mad at the people for minimizing the pain. I woke up feeling horrible.The nurses and hospital staff were excellent at keeping me as comfortable as they could but that first day the thought of going home and my three kids was overwhelming.I had help for six days and with the pain I was in how would I be able to care for them in six short days! Well each day was so much better. I can't believe the speed at which the pain has gone away! Every day I woke up amazed that I was so much better. I had a "sleepy bladder" from the anesthesia and couldn't pee after surgery so I had to go home with a catheter and it will remain for seven days. I am trying to be positive about it telling myself well at least I don't have to get up every fifteen minutes to pee and now I can pee standing up lol but truth is having a catheter sucks. I am always worried about it getting pulled out (I have three kids who are doing great at being gentle with me though) or getting a kink in it etc and its just generally gross knowing something is sticking out of and draining your bladder but I have three days left to go to get it out so that is good. A part of me is worried I still wont be able to pee but that's prob not going to hapen. They straight cathed me twice while I was still in the hospital and got a liter each time!!!! And I barely felt like I had to go...though I tried and tried and tried. I stayed one night in the hospital btw. I thought if I lose weoght and have extra skin I will get a tummy tuck and breast lift but after this surgery I am not ever getting surgery again lol. Would I do the gastric bypass again? At this point in time I would still say yes! But I think I can deal with any excess skin lol. I also have a weird issue when I drink my shakes I get a gritty feeling at the back of my throat. Maybe I am overdoing it? I am drinking two 14oz shakes a day which is 50 g of protein and two small sippy cups of water. Gas X is a lifesaver as well....I barely had any shoulder pain afterwards. I can sleep flat now but not on my sides yet if I roll onto my side it feels like I have a huge balloon in my stomach. I tell myself well at least I am not sleeping on the recliner (which I did my first night home) Also, I did find that it felt better to be up and walking than sitting or laying. Wondering when I will stop feeling dizzy though. Grateful for every day I open my eyes and hug my awesome kids <3 and my wonderful Love who has helped to take care of me and the house and everything in between.