ChuChuTerrier

My operation was Monday February 17, 5pm. There were moments of fear, "get me outta here, what am I doing?" But I held those thoughts at bay. I walked into the theatre, and laid in the operating table... made a joke about being crucified...they do like the jokers. I remember nothing until I was arriving at my room. The first night was scary, and painful. I was able to administer my meds through the pca. The nurses were in my room disturbing me every hour though it felt like 5mins. The discomfort was extraordinary, but survivable. I just wanted to sleep the pain away. I was nauseous but with sitting up and breathing, I contained it. Getting up to pee was awkward but doable. Tuesday I was not hungry. There was a lot of gurgling happening but this is just the start. Having control of the meds helps maintain the equilibrium. Sitting up out of bed is good for you. Ensure you do it. Several times during the day I felt nauseous, just a bit of spit in the bag a couple of times and all was better. Wednesday they take you for swallow test similar to the preop just not as thick, doesn't taste much better though. But there is less of it. I found it sparked diarrhea, so don't trust a fart. Then comes the shocker.....they take away the meds. That blew me away. The shoulder pain started to kick in after that. They say walking and sitting upright help most with the departmental pain. Overall pain is greater on Wednesday. But manageable. Late afternoon I started the 'keep Water down' test. First hour 30ml, 2nd hr 60ml then 90ml for the 3rd hr. And hour later I was allowed a cup of tea. I experienced deep sound sleep in 2hr blocks, roughly. Until about 4am then the pain got the better of me. After a while they gave me meds intravenously, I fell asleep for another couple of hours. Then up showered and breakfast! Wow who'd have thought that would be the highlight of my day. Apple juice tea and thin Soup. Keeping this down was easy. Then the Iv was removed, a really good shower made me feel normal. The bag will be reduced next - the cord shortened and a colposcopy bag used. No stitches just leave bandages on for a week. When I leave hospital it'll be back on the vlc diet shakes.

I've had the tube shortened today...then they gave me lunch. Another soup and orange juice. I now have had the cannula removed and the tubing taken out of my stomach. I'm waiting for the script for the tablets I'll need to minimize the stomach acids...and painkillers! Drugs are good when they're prescribed. I'll be leaving hospital shortly. An expensive exercise...I'm on the road to making it all worthwhile. One wards man said to me that I'm a better person than him to go through this....my comment back was "my thinking is different. I believe he is a better person as he doesn't need to put himself through this." I read somewhere of coffee lovers suffering...I didn't understand why, it is a minimum of 5days without coffee. Wean yourselves off beforehand if you can. I trust this will help you understand what you are in for and will help you through the tough doubtful times.

Yea..who'd have thought they'd make you take the final steps

I hear you...generally the reason is that with the weight our livers became fatty. Hence alleviating some of that by lowering the fat content. This will help our survival through surgery. It's also to put us into the habit of eating less before the surgery. Helps put us in the right mindset for after...hope this helps.