Ok so Tues Jan 24th I was on Clear liquids only-had Water and chicken broth throughout the day. I was so excited and felt prepared mentally and physically. I’m a Kaiser baby and my doctor didn’t require a 2 week liquid diet- just clears the night before 10oz of magnesium citrate. Around 6pm I took that and it tasted awful but whatevs. Around 11pm I went to go take a shower and scrub with the antibacterial scrub the bariatric team provided and I remember I had a quick urge to release and couldn’t. I went back in the shower and the water felt so good from straining and I couldn’t wait to fall asleep. I raised my head to wash my face and closed my eyes…and woke up on the floor of the tub with my mom shaking me up (my brother heard me fall and woke up my parents), she’s talking and I can’t hear her or the shower. I was like-I fell asleep? I realized I fainted. The water was warm and I just felt so tired. I wanted to sleep there to be honest. I got up and told her I must have dozed off and needed to use the scrub before I get out (I can’t believe I still wanted to scrub lol) so I got up reached for the scrub and fainted again!! Mom caught me and slowly brought me down. I woke up and this time was worried, mom dressed me and my brother called 911.
I was freezing and my dad was holding me keeping me warm. Paramedics said my blood pressure was very low and I was dehydrated, the put an IV in me and drove to Kaiser ER where I had 4 bags of Fluid before I could go home. My dad did not want me to get the surgery after this but I was like if I’m not getting it tomorrow, I’m never going to put myself through this again I won’t get the surgery. Got home at 3a, slept till 7 then headed to Kaiser by 8:30. Greeted with more fluids! I was definitely not dehydrated anymore lol. Mom stayed with me till the ‘end’ of my old self. Surgery was scheduled at 11 but surgeon was concerned and kept me on fluids till almost 1, I was going crazy waiting!! My mom- she is my angel and rock. She kept me calm, patient and relaxed. Kaiser surgeon team- super friendly, polite and to the point. I felt ready and prepared…until 5 mins before surgery…Slowly I started feeling anxious, then worried, then panicky. The nurse dropped a bag of IV fluid and for some reason I thought they would make a mistake on me and I was going to die! I started crying and shaking and I don’t fully understand why I got scared-I just did. I kept wondering-is this a mistake? Am I going to not wake up? My mom was trying so hard to help without her crying too because she wanted to ease my fear. The team came in one by one and introduced themselves and were very kind. Two of the girls walked me into the op room, held my hand and were extremely nice and honest- yes there is 1 in 100 chance of leaks but the surgeon has had none with his patients. The surgeon talked to me and said that there is no pressure, they want me to feel safe and know they will take care of me, they want me to be comfy, most of all they want me not to feel forced. They made me feel like I was not crazy and I appreciated that. I woke up in my hospital room and didn’t feel much pain, just sore like a truck ran over me. Didn’t really talk much at the hospital. Mom and dad were there and let me relax, slept the first day. Kept waking up nauseous and only slept every 2-3 hours or so, waking up to dry heave. At night the nurses had me walk and I did a lap, go back to bed and press the pain med button only after every walk. Other than that I didn’t need it. Went home the next night. Really sore, tender, it was a struggle to walk but gets easier.
Every day gets better. I do not regret this AT ALL super happy and ready for my journey. It’s been a crazy beginning but I learned that if I can do this, I can do anything I set my mind and heart to. I’m journaling my wl through youtube and recording my inches. I hope of your thinking of this, I would recommend the sleeve and if you have any questions I’m happy to help, let’s be friends!