Jodibee

I thought about having the surgery for about five years. I have never had a surgery before and was so afraid. I went back and forth on the decision so many times. I finally decided last August to go to the seminar( in my head I was thinking that will help me decide that I'm crazy, this is extreme and not for me and I'll finally get this out of my head and move on with my life). The opposite happened. I left there thinking. This surgery will not only change my life but save it too. I thought I can handle this and I will finally be healthy. So I went through the pre-op process. Psych evaluation, tests, six months of nutrition appointments. I know a lot of people don't want the six months of nutrition but I was happy my insurance required it. It gave me time to really educate myself and prepare my body and most importantly my brain for lifelong changes. Then onto my surgery. It was this past Tuesday the 23rd. I thought I would be a nervous wreck but my head was in a good place and I was ready. I had to be at the hospital at 1015 for a 1215 surgery. They prepped me, pee test, iv, checked my vitals. The surgeon was a bit behind schedule so I think it was actually at 130 or so. While I was waiting the surgical team all came in to introduce themselves. That is all I remember beforehand. Can't even remember being wheeled out of te pre-op room. I have vague memories of waking up a couple times in post op for a few seconds and then I was in my room. My sister said my surgery was about 45 minutes and I was in recovery about 2 hours. The surgeon said everything went perfectly as planned. By 6 that night the nurse helped me up to walk my first lap. My sister was shocked how easily I moved around and got up. That first night the worst part was a sore throat from the breathing tube that was in during surgery, and not being able to drink to sooth it. I would sleep a couple hours then walk a few laps, did this all night. Walked a mile my first night, did three miles all together while I was in the hospital. I think that was the best part because I didn't have a lot of gas or pain because I was very mobile. Also became a champ on the spirometer. On my second day my blood work showed low potassium so I had to have 4 bags of potassium in my iv in a 4 hour period. It burned going into my arm. This was by far the worst pain. On day two I got little sips of water, did well with that so had my first protein shake... Took a couple hours to get down but I tolerated it well. The next morning I showered, had another shake and was released. So far doing well at home. I have four incisions that are about an inch long, healing up nicely. I am very scheduled on taking meds, drinking shakes and walking. The schedule helps. I nap a ton too. Sat on the porch swing in the sunshine the other day and it felt so good. So far I have been very happy with everything. By the time I left the hospital I had been taken off 2 of my 3 bp meds. I am really looking forward to all the other improvements on the horizon. I know this is a really long post but it felt really good getting it all out. This is the story from a person who was petrified to even begin this process but today at five days out is off pain meds, feeling great and so excited to for all that life as to offer. Best of luck to everyone on this journey.

Surgery was Tuesday. Have been doing really great. Was taken off iv yesterday and stared sips of water. Had my first protein shake yesterday evening. Took me a while to get down and had a lot of Belly grumbles but tolerated it pretty well. I have waked a mile each day so I am doing great with that. Anxious to go shower then go home. Should be around 10. I hope everyone else is doing well on the mend.

Best of luck to everyone today.

Woo hoo I made it! Doing really well, been walking aNd the meds are doing their job. Wasn't really too nervous beforehand, which surprised me because I had never had surgery before and tend to be a worrier anyways. I think that the past eight months of worrying and researching and educating myself lead me into today with a clear head mowing that I had made the right decision. I'm probably rambling. I wish Kathy, olive reindeer, and chatman who all had surgery today the best. How are you guys doting? ...knowing not mowing...autocorrect.

Tomorrow is my day

Good luck everyone going it tomorrow. I will be one day behind you on Tuesday. Still doesn't seem real, but it was a busy weekend so I don't think it has sank in yet.

Wow second week of April has begun. Time is going by so fast. Tomorrow is the big day for a huge part of our group. Best of luck for smooth surgeries and speedy recoveries for all of you. Can't wait to hear your stories.

New here... Just got my date today. It's April 23rd. Please add me to the list