PrincessErin

Well dumb me woke up in the middle of the night and without thinking, guzzled a bunch of water. I won't be doing that again. I'm not really in pain as long as I stay ahead of it with the pain meds. I just can't believe I can't take two sips of something!! That's not going to stay that way, and I am glad. But it is nice to know the bypass really happened. I keep thinking "wow, this was really drastic"... But I know once I get the hang of everything I'll be so happy with all of it.

Man. I took a few sips of my protein shake and I feel so full that I feel sick. Like it won't go down my throat. Insanity. I had to take some pain medicine and it's like even that dose is too much for my tummy right now.

I think I was in a lot of pain from overdoing it. I am at home and feeling much better. The transition from morphine to lortab wasn't a good one but it's better now.

You definitely need to wait. I'm glad you are in a good place with rescheduling. Good for you! I'm glad the anesthesiologist caught that you had an infection.

Well guys, I'm going to keep being honest. I'm in a pretty fair amount of pain without the morphine pump. I have another 3 hours before I can have lortab again and my pain level is pretty high. They brought me a tray of full liquids. I am sipping Gatorade (the G2) and it is making me nauseous.. I have a weak gag reflex and I get nauseous pretty easy though. Overall I feel pretty good but at this moment I'm miserable.

I passed my swallow test. The way they did it here is they gave me a Water soluble liquid to drink and make sure it goes through. Then they gave me the barium. Since everything looked good, they took the Foley catheter out and unhooked the heart monitor and foot messagers. They also took away the morphine pump and now I take liquid Lortab by mouth. I am definitely still nauseous and the Lortab is making me sleepy. The ice chips are like heaven. Unfortunately, I'm so nauseous I can't stand them.

I slept all day. The morphine makes me sleep. It is hard to come out of anesthesia so resting is key. Don't try to entertain company. Just sleep. The next day you'll feel a lot better. I've rinsed my mouth out twice with Water. I was very careful not to swallow it, though.

It felt like muscle soreness. The incisions haven't been painful. It's internal pain, and coming out of anesthesia is confusing. So it wasn't an overwhelming pain, but more like waking up itself was overwhelming. They give you pain medicine immediately.

You are going to be fine!!! I can't wait for you to check in with us. I'll be thinking of you today.

I'm glad I could help!!! I am so comforted by details and experiences of others. It's much easier if you have an idea what to expect.

Before pics. These were taken at 6 this morning and you can see my attempt to pack in the background. Don't judge. . I also didn't put on any makeup for these. These are clothed but for my own personal records I also took some in my bra and panties. I also took some to document my "apron".

I woke up! It's done! It's real. I had my gastric bypass surgery! I think part of me was in denial that it would ever happen. Here I am!! It's real! My boyfriend and I left the house at 7 am on Monday morning to be in Jacksonville by 845. I got admitted and spent about an hour waiting in the waiting room. That wasn't really a big deal, but I sure did want that delicious smelling coffee! Around 10, I was walked back go Preop and had to remove all my clothes and wipe myself down with some wipes that reduce a chance for skin infection. I had to give a urine sample to check for pregnancy. The anesthesiologist came by with his team and asked questions and explained how they would keep me safe during the surgery. The nurses came by and introduced themselves and explained how they would also be keeping me safe. They started an IV (it took 3 tries) and then they let my boyfriend come back and wait with me until I was wheeled into the OR. The OR was cold and looked exactly as you would expect. I had to scoot myself over to the operating table and they confirmed my identity, gave me some meds in my IV and I was out. I had a lapband before and had 5 surgeries due to complications so I knew what to expect. I did inform my anesthesiologist that I wake up very nauseous, so they gave me meds in my IV as well as the patch behind my ear. Waking up in recovery was painful for about 7 minutes and then they told me how to use the morphine pump. It was a very smooth recovery and I was allowed to sleep for hours in there before they attempted to move me to my room. I appreciated this. I've been rushed in the past and it makes it worse. I also have a compression garment. This has made moving so much easier!!! Almost pain free! It's the first time I've had one and it makes one hell of a difference. My boyfriend was in my room waiting when I got there. I slept most of the afternoon. I did get up and walk around my room 3 different times just to get things moving. Around 9 on Tuesday I will get my fleuro test done to check for leaks. Once I'm cleared from that, my pain pump, Foley catheter, leg messagers and heart monitor are removed and I will be able to sip liquid. My mouth has a horrible taste and is very dry. It's very unpleasant but the flavored lip gloss has bed a life saver. I haven't even used my Chapstick because the lipgloss is much more pleasant. I honestly feel great. I wish all my recoveries could have been as great as this one. I really attribute it to the compression garment and being allowed to rest for so long. I can't wait to hear everyone else's story!

I'm getting excited!

I thought the band was the least risky option, too. That's why I chose it. 5 surgeries later, with no band and nearly dying, I would say the band was a very risky choice. I just didn't know. I have several friends that have had wonderful success with the band, sleeve and RNY. I know it just didn't work for me. Tomorrow I am having RNY done and I wish I had picked it from the beginning.

dreamingbig, I hope you feel better!!! Rest rest rest.

I'm bringing comfy sweats but you won't feel like changing out of that gown the first night. You'll have IVs and maybe a Foley catheter so getting changed would be an ordeal. I am also bringing dry shampoo. Washing hair with an IV and a big belly I can't get wet will be impossible. I bought Suave dry shampoo but I know Tresseme and Hard Candy also make them. I just like Suave's version the best.

I'm bringing my phone, charger, Lip gloss, robe, sweat pants, two long sleeve cotton shirts, flip flops (I'm not bending over to tie shoes), and panties. I'm also bringing my toothbrush, deodorant and body spray as well as my make up and brush.

Wow!!! You are gorgeous. Thank you for posting this motivation. I needed it!

You're right!! It's time to do this for us! I love your attitude!

It definitely does.

I do love beer but I can live without it. I drink a lot of rum. I don't know how that's gonna work afterwards.

My class went really well yesterday. I had a pre-admission appointment as well. They did blood work and an EKG. I also received a bottle of soap to wash my abdomen the night before and the morning of surgery. The class I wish I had taken earlier. It was very informative and gastric bypass specific. I finally learned what my DR expected as far as straws, caffeine, alcohol, etc. I am not going to lie. I am a little nervous about not being able to drink alcohol for a year.

I'm having bypass done in 3 days after an emergency removal of my band a year ago. It was a painful, horrendous nightmare and now I'm having yet another surgery. I had 5 surgeries after my lapband nightmare. Just be careful!

I know many people that have had great success with their band. That being said, mine almost killed me. I strongly suggest considering the sleeve or bypass. I had a low BMI and thought the band would be best and it was a horrible mistake.

Me tooooo!! I'm so "not ready" in a way... I'm worried about all of the following: A. My apron tummy B. My boobs C. The skin on my upper thighs D. My love of alcohol E. My love of delicious, rich food F. What if it doesn't work? Will my new body be pretty? Will I be pissed that I can't drink? Will I be pissed that I can't eat? What if I try and screw everything up? Is it worth having the body that I want or should I just let it go? But then again, I really hate that I get winded on stairs and can't tie my own shoes or see parts of my body without hurting myself. It sucks that it has to be this drastic. The other part of me is super excited...