debbieperez55

You are so right - It is wrong to lie to the nurses. When I got home there was blood in my urine, I guess the cathader scraped. When I couldn't pee, I thought for sure I was going to end up back in the hospital. Then when I finally went, relief. :wink_smile: Not sure because I was able to go, but I really thought I had messed up big time. I guess I reacted to the anesthia in more than one way. So, NEVER lie, besides it does come back to haunt you. :teeth_smile: Debbie

Had my surgery Sept 23. It was my second rescheduled date so I had begun to become very nervous that I would get there and they would cancel it. Arrived at the hospital at 5am for a 7:30 surgery, half hour early. Once they took me back to the pre-op area I started to have an axiety attack. I worked so hard to calm myself down, didn't want to give them a reason to cancel the surgery. They gave me a gown and booties and told me to change. The gown was "tight" so they brought me a huge gown, but that one felt good. Once naked, with but showing, they told me I had to step on the "dreaded" scale. When I stepped on and saw that I had lost 10 pounds since my Pre Op visit I started to cry and cry. The Nurse was so sweet and told me what a fantastic job I had done. Back in bed, things begun to pick up and more people were walking around. The very young man in a white coat walked by and I jokingly said "How old is he - 12? The nurse told me "don't look now, but he is coming to see you" He Dr walked up to me and I busted up laughing. My emotions were spilling out everywhere. I was having my surgery done as USC University Hospital, so there are Young GOOD looking Drs everywhere. I may be old, but I am not dead :teeth_smile: Found out the Dr was 27, he looked 12. Was asked every question you can image. Funny, they asked about prior surgeries. I told him two major ones, but forgot all the others. He kept asking, what is that scar from, and that scar. I even forgot about the tonsils, whoops. The Surgery Fellow Dr came in, told me I had done fantastic. We spoke for a bit and then the anthesiologist came in. I love her. She told me she was going to give me somthing to help me feel better. She put happy juice in my iv and funny, I barely remember anything else. I was wheeled down a hallway. I remember getting onto a table with lumps under my back. I think I remember something touching my face. That was all. I woke up in recover with a very sore throat, from the breathing tube. I closed my eyes, went back to sleep. Next thing I know they are speaking to me loudly telling me to breath deep and wake up. I would take a couple deep breaths and then go back to sleep. They became persistant. Seems everytime I fell asleep I forgot to breathe and my oxygen leven dropped, it kept getting down to 80-90%. Finally I was told I had to stay awake. I told my nurse to give me my glasses and a wash cloth. That worked. I was taken back to my pre-op area. I have 6 incissions, one right where my bra hits, isn't that wonderful. No bra's for me for a while. Had gas, which they explained was from the CO2 gas and the diaphram spazzing out. Wasn't bad and felt pretty good, just wanted to go home. I was told I had to pee before I could go home. I wanted to go so bad I LIED. This could have been bad because I couldn't pee until the next day, but it worked out. The Dr was suppose to come in a talk to us. After waiting for over an hour, he was scrubbing for his next surgery. Finally we just left, one of the nurses was all pissed off that he hadn't come back. I guess I would talk to him at my post op visit. Seems the Dr was going to come out to speak to my hubby after the surgery but they called him and told him to go see me in Pre Op. Except I wasn't there, it was another Perez. Then when he got backhe found out he has missed the Surgeon. Hubby was pissed. All in all, I am so happy. Yes there is pain, but not bad. Yes there is discomfort, but not bad and it gets better each day. I had a fantastic Surgeon, he did and excellent job, we just had a miscommunication after surgery.

Your Mom just passed away! It is only natural for you to be depressed. You are still in mourning. Surgery is an assault to your body on it's own. It stresses your body and mind. All kinds of things go out of wack, you have been on your post op diet and so a lot of things are screwed up. All of this is normal, but add the ENORMOUS STRESS of loosing a parent and I think it would be weird if you hadn't felt this way. My Shrink asked me if I had, I can't remember his exact words, but he asked if I had anything Major going on in my life. I didn't understand so he explained it in simple terms. Recent Death of a Parent was one of the first examples he gave. I think it is an excellent idea to reach out to your surgeon. Counseling would be a great idea just for the loss of your Mom. Call your insurance. I am sure they can help you find someone. Hang in there, just know that all the research in the world could not have prepared you for this. Loss of a parent is way up there on the "stress" list. My heart goes out to you. I lost my Dad almost three years ago and I understand how hard this is for you. I hope everything works out, one way or another. Take Care Debbie

Melody, Congradulations on doing so fantastic. You were banded the day after me so we are pretty close in Post Op Days. I am on the same full liquid diet. I just can't eat very much and yesterday I resorted to SF Popsicles. It's weird, I can eat all my Breakfast, but hardly any of my dinner. Tamara, I just discovered why one of my incisions hurts, my stupid boob is rubbing on it. Worse, I swear all the weight I lost came off my boobs and they hand even more At least you thought ahead and said something, good for you. And, what a small world, they brought me a straw too! I guess the surgical nurses are not use to this. I had to explain the process to her. Okay I have a weird question for anyone. How long should it take you to have this food go through you? The Nutritionist told me to drink Prune juice if this happened, but the thought almost killed me so I bought some baby prunes, at least they are not liquid. I am close to eating them, but I hope and pray it will come on it's own. I could always drink "normal" milk and have some "lactose intolerance". That would fix me up Take care everyone. Glad you are all doing so fantastic! Debbie

Thank you so much for saying that :cool2:. I was feeling bad :eek: because so many say they have only one or two. My Dr was up front and they told me I could have numerous, but then when you hear ONE you start to feel like you are a freak . Dr. Frankenstien - yeah that is about right. I feel so much better now! Thanks Huggs, big bear hug Debbie

I think I had a hernia repair, he said he would when he got in there. Mine are ugly and bruised. A couple are jagged looking, but I figure they shove those ports into the holes, kind of gross looking. I knew it wouldn't be pretty, I make ugly scare. He did use my Gall Bladder scar for one of my cuts, I assume when he lifted my liver. But, better than the scar down my chest if I hadn't of had it done (bypass surgery on my heart). I'll take ugly anytime over that. Debbie

Disney99 What a day you had! And I thought mine was weird. Where are your pics. I am just courous. My tummy is multi colored due to the heprin they gave me. I look like someone beat me up, :thumbup: Glad you are feeling better, any idea when this stupid gas goes away? I walk and walk, but it stays. Anyway, glad you did so terrific. Debbie

Two incisions, I am jelous. I have 6 and today I am all bruised up from the heprin. I am turing really pretty colors. Keep walking, and everyday gets better Debbie :frown:

You will do fine. Take it slow, and stay hydrated. Remember to sip. Just remember you will have gas pain, everyone gets it. Walking helps. Take your pain meds before you are dying of pain. Once you start passing the gas, gross I know, you will feel soooooooo much better. Don't do too much at home the first days, give your body a chance to heal. You will have a few small incisions on your tummy, I was told not to compare. They use as many as they need to get the job done safely. Other than that, I know how nervous, scared, excited you are. But, I can honestly say, it is worth it! If you take any meds, be sure to ask which ones to take and starting when. I made up my own rules and whoops, got in trouble a little. Good Luck, let me know how you do. I'm here if you need Debbie:thumbup:

I have to share. I went to my Regular Dr this am. He was blown away by how great I am doing. I told him I had stopped a couple meds because they were huge and tasted icky crushed. Well - I am officially off my Diabetis Meds!!!! This is huge. My sugar without meds was 104. This is huge. I went from 200 to 104!!! The blood pressure meds, I am missing a chunk from my tushie from being chewed out. So I still take that one. He told me it was good for my heart to take the blood pressure pill and that I HAD to continue to take that. But my blood pressure is down. My heart, something happened, a while ago, and there is a little damage. My Dr and the Cardiologist talked and they both felt the benefits of the surgery far outweighed any risk to my heart. Losing weight will make my heart stronger. I am walking 30 minutes a day and my goal is 30 minutes twice a day. I just had to share. Debbie:thumbup:

Laura hand in there. I was litterly ready to jump out of my skin the days before. It will be okay. I think we are all "liverphobic". You know I told one of the Drs that, I get talkative when I am nervous so before surgery I was chatty cathy. He didn't understand. I had to explain to him, they have told us, warned us about the size of our livers. EVERYONE freaks out. And in the end, our liver size is okay. Mostly that is why they want you to loose before. Also I think to get use to the protien drinks. I cheated in the months before, then when I found out I gained, I freaked out. I called the Nutritionist - TOLD her that I was going to do Meal Replacements with Boost Glucose Control and Glucerna and eat a healty dinner. And I cried when they weighed me before surgery. I was so overwhelmed with emotion because I had lost so much. My Surgeon was thrilled and I have been doing great. Just do the best you can do it. And fills, they test you out and from what I hear they prefer to give less than too much. They fine tune. You will be fine. Don't worry about the past, just concentrate on the future. Huggs - big bear hug - :thumbup: Debbie

Teri, My Dr said if I had problems to go back to the liquids and protien drink. Just go slow. I bet resting your tummy with liquids for a day or so will help you feel much better. Then you can go back slow. So I have been hearing about elipticals, are they good? Expensive? Also Teri, surgery is an assault on your body. Perhaps it is just pissed of and that is why you are retaining Water. Don't stress. It will be fine. Debbie :thumbup:

Okay, first of all with my surgeon it is Mushy and Crunchy. If it disolves in Water, such a crackers, it is allowed. Cheese is also allowed also. My Dr stresses Low Fat or skim. I guess the big question is how much. I take it you have been told 3/4 cup total also. What guidelines did they give you? Maybe you need to call the Nutritionist. Perhaps you are getting close to a fill. Also My Dr and Nutritionist say they would rather have you eat a snack than pig out. Perhaps a few well planned Snacks will help. But perhaps you need guidelines. I know every Dr is different, but 1/2 ounce of cheese and 4 crackers are okay when I get to that stage. Relax and just regroup. Don't beat yourself up. Just try to plan. Let me know how you are doing Debbie

Brian, congradulation on begining this new journey. You are going to do fantastic. And - you will get more than 20 years, How about - you will be dancing at your daughter's wedding. Or even, being present for the birth of your fist grandchild. These are fantastic goals. Every day you will feel better. I went for a walk today and felt great. Walking will help that gas, move on out. I wish you luck, take care. Debbie

Hey Slim, How are you doing? Gas moving on out? Remember walking helps move it along. Trust me, it only gets better. Last night - no port pain!!!!! :tongue2: I slept on my left side. My third boob is smaller too. And best of all - I got to eat thinned cream of wheat and some milk. food - no more Jello for me. Funny - 1/4 cup thinned cream of wheat, 1/4 cup of milk and I couldn't drink my juice. Never in my life has so little filled me up so fast. I love my band. Debbie

Welcome to the group, I have to admit the September Samurai are something special. They are always there when you need them. I was banded on Tuesday and I feel fantastic, mostly. It is fantastic and I am so eagerly looking forward to the future. Debbie

We will have to do this again some time. You know, they do say laughter is the best medicine. Maybe next time we can compare scars....... :smile2: Take Care Debbie

Okay, laughing hurts, :sad::lol::lol: Too Funny :smile2: Too bad they don't give little samples to take home with you. ha ha ha ha ha You know, someone might read this and get the wrong impression - :tt2: Having way too much fun - Debbie :bored:

sugar free Popsicles. They melt in your mouth and help a lot. Much better than ice. Might help you. Debbie :smile2: I found that I had a nasty taste in my mouth and everything tasted bad. Had to be the anthesia, couldn't have been that "happy" drug. :bored:

I'm not sure if you got the same "happy" drugs as I did, but oh they were nice. I also only remember being wheeled into the room and then getting on the table. That was it. Getting away from Drugs - Congradulations on being banded! :sad: It's a great thing. You will be surprised how fantastic you will feel. Walking is the best, of course maybe it is loosing a few pounds that make it easier, but walking is a breeze. Just take it slow, stay hydrated. Here in CA we are having a heat wave, yuck. Take care, and yes it is fantastic to be a Samurai - Debbie

Out thoughts and prayers are with you. Just remember, you might have gas and that can cause some pain. Each day gets better, I promise. Tomorrow you are going to be amazed at how great you feel. Debbie

Hope you all did fantasic. Remember to stay hydrated and sip. You might feel like crap today, but each day you WILL better and better. Debbie :smile2:

Teri, first of all - LAUGHING HURTS! Thank you for describing your port. I FEEL NORMAL! Yesterday I got up and saw this swollen blob, my boob hang so if I had perky young ones I might have thought of that. Congrat on the JEANS - Wow, that is an accomplishment. FANTASTIC :smile2:. I was happy when I got under 250. Something about the old fashion scales and those 50# marks. So are you bruised too? I have ink marking on my tummy, he drew a line down the middle and I look like someone beat me up. I know, it was the Heprin, but still, good grief. And what, the couldn't make the incissions into little heart shapes or something??? :bored: He was nice, he used an old scar for one of mine. And, I have 6, oh well............... Thanks for the laugh, I needed it. Debbie

Thanks for the tip on the Wedding Rings. I was stressing on that. Everytime I wash my hands I fear it going down the drain. Debbie

Funny you mentioned the pre-made (is there any other kind) SF Jello. One container lasted me all day. I just finished it and my 5th walk. And the weird thing, cold is not good for me. I am doing better on room temp water and jello, yes warm jello MMMmm slides right down. It looses a lot of its bounce. Thanks for telling me about your port. I keep looking at my tummy and thinking Good Grief is that hump always going to be there. Feeling a lot better, a whole lot better and I cannot wait until my port doesn't hurt. I miss sleeping on my side. And I am glad I took the rest of the week off. I was STUPID to think I would just bounce back and be ready to go to work. EGADS I think we need to give ourselves a little time to heal. Thanks so much Debbie