groovygal

Outpatient VSG Surgery update  3.17.21

Hope this helps with anyone who is looking at having outpatient surgery. My insurance required it due to COVID, and I was nervous- but 8 days post op I'm doing really well.

I was nervous to have outpatient surgery, but honestly it went seamlessly. My surgical team set me up with IV hydration at my house the day after surgery, thank god because that first 24-48 hrs I was really struggling to get fluids in. It was amazing and such a gift to not have to go back to the hospital for that. (they gave me the choice) I ended up scheduling another hydration appointment with that nurse the next day just to be proactive, and I think that was a good decision because the next day when I woke up I felt I had really turned a corner (day 3 post op)

They also were very proactive with nausea meds before and after surgery and I never had any nausea that I can remember. Apparently I vomited in post-op but I don't remember. I took an overnight bag with me just in case they decided to keep me overnight- since my surgery was so late in the day. I didn't end up needing it.

Here's how my outpatient surgery went- 

• Checked into the hospital @3p 
• Pre-op stuff 3-5p
• Surgery at 5:30p
• Post-Op 6:30p ish to 10:30p ish. They kept me several hours with IV fluids, got me up and walking, tried to get me to pee, but I couldn't. Discharged with orders to come back to the hospital if I hadn't peed in 6 hours. which didn't end up being an issue.
• Home and in bed by 11:30p. I didn't think I would be able to sleep in my bed, but I did just fine, propped up on pillows a bit.

Day 1 post op-

Major gas bubbles/pain in chest and shoulders. Walking did help. It was hard to sip anything, did better with room temperature liquids and focused on whatever I could get down instead of worrying about protein intake. My weighted heating pad was amazing- it felt really good on my gassy areas. Still on pain meds, nausea meds.  Just tired, and gassy- no other pain. IV hydration at home that afternoon, was so easy and helpful.

Day 2 post op-

Still major gas pain, did a bit better with fluid intake that day but feeling a bit nauseous from trying to drink- scheduled IV fluids to just help me along before the weekend. Took pain meds still, mostly out of fear that I would be in pain if I didn't.  Showered which wore me out. IV fluids in the afternoon at home with a dose of zofran for nausea and benadryl due to a rash I had developed on my face and chest. Slept and rested SO good after that.

Day 3 post op- 

Woke up feeling really good and able to drink liquids without pain. Got way more fluids in that day, walking inside and outside a bit. Only taking tylenol. Rash was gone from the day before.

I just discovered status updates- haha. So am going to start keeping notes for myself & maybe they'll be helpful to someone else.

Today is Day 12 of my pre-op liquid diet. It has gotten much easier in the last few days- thank god! Last week was harder, I was so hungry when I saw or smelled food or my family was eating.

It's been good to have some choices as I have gotten bored easily with the liquid diet, so all my impulse buying is paying off.  

Favorite things right now-

• "homemade" protein shake with chocolate protein powder, decaf coffee, Almond milk & ice.  Tastes like a frappuccino (kinda)
• Better than bouillon sautéed onion broth
• My nightly popsicle treat(s)

Tomorrow is my Covid test, surgery is Wednesday- I'm full of nerves & excitement. Ready to move on to the next steps.

Started my bariatric Journey/plan June 2020

Finished my insurance requirements, testing, etc. December 2020

Insurance approved January 2020

Surgery scheduled for 3/17/21