A guy getting used to his new motor

[sleever4life 0]

I started this journey at 6'1" tall and 377lb.

Pre-op: I have good insurance so I didn't have a six month waiting period. So I was able to jump through some hoops and get a date. I started my pre-op diet with the Protein Shakes and gatorade for 10 days before scheduled surgery. I remember meeting with my surgeon and we set a date. I don't think the gravity of that hit me then. It was like I was scheduling a physical or something. It was tough. Your happy go lucky for the first few days. On day 6,7,8 it's gets old fast. I just had to stay focused. And knew I couldn't screw this up. I got my date for September 29th. The day before I had to do Clear liquids. This was apple and white grape juice. Nothing else. It was hard. I didn't work that day because I knew I would be tired and sluggish. Surprisingly it wasn't that bad. I think my body had adjusted to the low volume and low calories. My advice here is to just focus and STAY BUSY. Go to movies, just do something. When your life is always geared towards eating it's hard to do.

Surgery day: I arrived on Thursday morning around 6:00am. My surgery was scheduled at 8:00am. I checked in at the desk and without my wife I went up stairs. They took me to pre-surgery and I met the nurse. I changed into a hospital gown and some seriously sexy socks. They took blood from me and swabbed my nose for a MRSA test. Did blood pressure and signed some forms. Frankly a lot of waiting. They brought up my wife at 7:20am to talk. It calmed me down. My surgeon came out at 7:50am to chat and answer questions. I kept it brief and he assured me. The anastegeolist came out and asked about prior treatments and my reactions. I had been under before so kind of knew what to expect. Then the PA came out and I followed him to the surgery room. I walked into the room and it was cold. Lots of people scurrying around. I laid on the table. Above me there were 5 large flat screen tv's to show the surgery. On another table I saw the surgery tools. Kind of scary. They pulled out these arm extensions and I laid my arms out. They put in my IV at that point. The lights were very bright. Then all I remember is them saying "We are going to.......zzzzzzzzz"

Recovery room: my surgery lasted for 2 hours. I came to sitting in a 45 degree angled bed. Had a lot of pressure in my stomach not really pain. First thing they did was put on a blood pressure cuff. It was high, 185/91. They seemed concerned. I laid there for a while reconciling what the reality was. They injected me with some meds to bring down my blood pressure. I laid there for about 2 hours. I did not have a cafader but the nurses said that two things had to happen before going up. Blood pressure below 160 and I had to pee. No easy feat. They gave me a container to pee. Man I tried. I just would not go pee. Two more shots. The fourth hour the said they were going to cath me. I started to argue. I was starting to really hurt and was very nauseous. I complained about how I was sitting and there was no way I could pee. At the 5th hour I convinced them to put me lower. They complied. About ten minutes later I had a coming to God moment, the best feeling I had felt.....I urinated. My blood pressure immediately went down. They took me up. My wife freaked that i was up there so long. My advice here is we know our bodies. Argue if you need to. Had I not I would of had an unneeded and rather painful process.

My room: I was very uncomfortable. Tired. My incisions were hurting. The gas is painful. Not going to lie here. Expect it. It was gas pain and pressure like one that sends people to the ER. Not trying to scare you. But you need a reality check here. I wasn't ready for it. The nausea was there to. I had an IV drip next to me. I had compression braces on my legs for the first night. Those suck because they expand and contract every 45 seconds. I get the purpose. But trying to sleep with that sucks. They gave me drugs. Lots of them that I can't pronounce. They gave me these little 1oz plastic cups. I used them for drinking. I never thought that sipping those down would be hard. They woke me up all night every hour to take my temp, blood pressure and oxygen levels. First day and night was tough real tough. They made me walk. I was fine to do so with my new buddy the IV cart who i named George. I knew he would be with me every where i went. I would get so light headed using the sparometer. Glad I did to prevent anything worse or Fluid build up in my lungs.

Friday: was better than Thursday. Very tired from lack of sleep. I had a private room and my wife stayed with me. That helped immensely. It became a routine, hours went by quickly waiting for the next time with the meds.. But then I was given something that helped. Torridol. Ask for it. Apparently surgeons love it because it reduces swelling on the sleeve and your stomach too. The liquid pain meds sucked and made me sick. The noises coming out of me sounded like two raccoons fighting in a garbage can...all the growling...gurgling. It became a game with the nurse assistants and nurses that they would put my bed at 45 degrees. They walk out and I lowered it to 35. Made a big difference. I was taken for a test to have barium and a xray. It was cool having the screen right there. The radiologist was right there. They leaked tested the sleeve and all flowed well.

Saturday: I was due to go home at 11:00am. I was sick. Nauseous and weak. I stayed and my surgeon was concerned. They didn't kick me out. Now again I was better than Friday...getting the drift here? Next day is better tan the last. However I didn't pass gas yet. This was an issue. My nurses said it was normal. And then the glorious event...I waged war on the air....oh sh%# ......literally. I was horrified. I told my wife to turn around and not look. I got up and went to the rest room. I won't go into gory details here, but you need to put a towel under you...trust me. You won't be able to control it. But at 37 years old no one was going to wipe my rear...No sir...

Sunday: was feeling better. They actually let me sleep for a 4 hour set. Felt much better. I was released at 11:00am. I really asked the nurses a lot of questions. That helped my mindset. Use them. They see multiple patients and know what happens. The ride home hurt. Lots of bumps and you feel the all. I rested for the day and got in my fluids.

Monday: My first day on my own was tough. You really feel vulnerable. But when woke up I was weak. So I got hydrated with some gatorade. I was set with my taped shows, remote, cell, towel on my seat ;0P and my liquids. I had to sleep on my back which is tough because I am a side sleeper. It's hard to get comfortable and the 8 bullet holes in me hurt. Not just the incision part, but underneath. Remember they have to go through muscle and fat. Today was the first day I was feeling better. I rested....my advice is get setup with what you need for the day. And take your walks. They do help.

Today: I was able to lay on my side for about 30 minutes this morning. Today was better then yesterday..again that theme. I have been making sure my urine is clear. That is your tale sign for dehydration. I Had apple juice, grape juice and some broth. I thought I would starve. You really don't. Your not hungry. It's true what they say. I am looking forward to Friday when I can go back to liquids like Protein powder and some Soups. My 1 week appt. is Friday. I have lots of anxiety about things. I am really nervous about leaking. I asked the surgeon about it and he said they are rare. What are the symptoms? Fever, pain, nausea, and rapid heart rate. So I take my temp a few times a day and take my blood pressure. You really have to listen and pay close attention.

Well it is one day at a time. I decided to weigh today. Pre-surgery I lost 20 pounds in 10 days. Today post op I was down 8 pounds in 4 days. So 28lbs in two weeks!!

I hope this post can help others about a very true account of my experience. I will post more on my recovery and will have some pics tomorrow.

[Papa Jack 86]

Nice story. Good details, but every one is different. My Doctor does the Gastric Sleeve as a out patient. I went in at 7AM & home buy 3:30PM. Was off pain medichine next day, 3rd day I was out side walking & 4th day back to normal & walking my 2.5 miles. Only problem was learning to drink. As for walking into a operating room is a new one. I fell asleep as they pushed my bed towards the operation room. Matter of fact I thought they forgot to operated on me when I first woke up. Glad you are doing ok. The sleeve is a wonderful tool!

[MsC 0]

Very interesting and honest post, thanks! Best of luck to you, you sound like you are doing everything right to take care of yourself.

[sleever4life 0]

Papa jack....your one lucky guy. I wish my recovery was as easy. I couldn't even imagine an outpatient surgurey for this..wow. 6 hours I was still in recovery. When I got up to my room the IV bag was getting a workout with the pain meds, nasusea etc. I was getting blood thinners. If I had to go home then I would have been in bad shape. There was no way I could have taken all the meds orally. Then my surgeon says you have to wait 24 hours to have the barium leak test after the sleeve swelling goes down. I would never have left without that test. In my opinion only if you have the insurance and are doing this in the USA, get the in patient surgurey. I think there are less complications and some risk avoidance. Jack your just lucky man. I live over an hour away from the hospital too. If I had to go back to the ER I would have to go local and see some emergency surgeon without bariatric experience. No thanks. I think the different experiences heard on this open forum is great so you can get the full stories and hopefully end up like Jack...

[sleever4life 0]

Ms C I have no idea sometimes what I am doing. I have the books from pre-op about the should and shouldn'ts. I am concentrating on my liquids for now. Walking to but only a few blocks. With only 6oz of Apple juice in me in the morning I expend that energey quickly. Like Jack said its a good tool. Right now it is kicking my butt. But I get it and where it is going. But it still sucks....right now

[Papa Jack 86]

Papa jack....your one lucky guy. I wish my recovery was as easy. I couldn't even imagine an outpatient surgurey for this..wow. 6 hours I was still in recovery. When I got up to my room the IV bag was getting a workout with the pain meds, nasusea etc. I was getting blood thinners. If I had to go home then I would have been in bad shape. There was no way I could have taken all the meds orally. Then my surgeon says you have to wait 24 hours to have the barium leak test after the sleeve swelling goes down. I would never have left without that test. In my opinion only if you have the insurance and are doing this in the USA, get the in patient surgurey. I think there are less complications and some risk avoidance. Jack your just lucky man. I live over an hour away from the hospital too. If I had to go back to the ER I would have to go local and see some emergency surgeon without bariatric experience. No thanks. I think the different experiences heard on this open forum is great so you can get the full stories and hopefully end up like Jack...

You are right everyone is different. I was released after I had my leak test & took a pee. I do not have any other health issues but was fat. So I was lucky. Dr Clark says he doesn't like to keep people in the hospital because you recover better at home & are less likely to get a infection.