louisd

It is mostly due to the large amount of fluids they give you. My IID bands were very lose when I arrived and were tight when I left. My fingers were like sausages. The purpose is to prevent dehydration for the first few days home. It is a little tough to drink at first. Day 2 after surgery it took me 12 hours to drink the two 16oz bottles of water that they wanted me to finish. Now at 5 days out I can drink a bottle in an hour or two. Dehydration is one of the most common reasons that bariatric patients wind up back in the hospital. All part of the process.

I was sleeved on September 10th. Went into the hospital at 7am and weighed in at 415lbs, started preop diet at 471 lbs. I was wheeled into the OR at 9:15am. I remember transferring to the OR table and seeing a lot of busy people around me. The Anesthesiologist put on oxygen mask on me and said that he was giving pure oxygen and that is the last thing that I remember. Next thing I know its 1:00pm and I am waking up in the recovery room and felt some discomfort but not bad. I mostly remember wanting to get up. Don't know why. Surgery time was 3 hours. They only needed to do 3 incisions. The Surgeon was very happy with the way it all went. I got to my room at 3:30pm and went for my first walk. I did feel a little shakey but went all the way around the hallway which is 1/16th of a mile. I was told that no one had ever done that before. I guess ignorance is bliss. The next day I walked 3/4 of a mile. I guess another record. Who would've thought. The final day they required you walk 14 laps which is a mile, I walked 18 laps. Now I didn't want to disappoint :-). Hardest part was drinking water but it is getting easier. Went home late on the 12th. I have not needed any pain meds since getting home. Drinking is tough but getting easier. When I left the hospital I was up 20lbs at 435lbs but was 417 today. I know that I am lucky but I hope that all of you have as positive experience as I have. Good luck to all.

I go in for my surgery tomorrow morning. So excited to take this next step. I started at my highest weight of 471 lbs. back in March 2013 and am around 415 today. I will keep you all posted.