Please Tell Your Gastric Sleeve Surgery Hospital Stories/experiences!

[babigrl111 38]

I love reading about everone's experience while in the hospital, and feelings immediately after waking up from surgery, is there a specific post for this somewhere? If not, i would love it if any of you out there could re-cap your experiences with the surgery part of this journey...it would really help me to know what to expect! Thanks in advance!

Sara

[Lissa 2,631]

Mine was pretty boring. I arrived at 6am for 9am surgery. Had an IV installed, then was wheeled into the prep room where they put inflatable things on my legs and put on the EKG leads and blood pressure cuff. The anesthesiologist came in to talk to me for a minute, then he gave me something to calm me down. The next thing I remember is a woman saying "Breathe deep" and I said "Goodbye".

After a little, dreamless, nap, I woke in the recovery room and said "What?" A nurse came over and started talking to me before I was moved to a regular room. I don't remember this part, but I apparently demanded to walk from the stretcher to the hospital bed, then decided I'd rather sit inthe chair than on that too soft bed. I might have spent 5 minutes in the hospital bed during my day and a half in the hospital.

My hospital apparently has some policy about not letting anyone feel pain because the nurses were pushing the pain meds like crazy!! After 2 or 3 doses, I refused more pain meds. I didn't like the woozy feeling they gave me. The charge nurse came in to talk to me about taking pain meds if I needed them, but I just wasn't hurting badly enough to want them. The next morning my surgeon discussed them with me as well, but I wasn't having it.

I was discharged after noon and drove myself home from my friend's house at 6:30 or so. I did have some pain in the hospital, but it was about a 2 for me on a scale of 1 to 10. My legs hurt worse than my tummy from trying not to use the stomach muscles to get up and down. I did want a dose of the liquid loritab my doc gave me that first night at home, but I couldn't convert mL to tablespoons, so I didn't have any. The bottle is still unopened.

I had two other surgeries to install and then remove a filter before and after the VSG. I had a major blood clot in June and my surgeon didn't want to risk my having a heart attack or stroke from a clot. THOSE surgeries seemed much worse because of the conscious sedation used. UGH.

Good luck with your journey!!

[babigrl111 38]

Thank you so much Lissa! I have 8 days to go till im sleeved, and am so excited. Its nice to hear what to expect in the hospital.

[PdxMan 4,292]

Mine was an outpatient procedure in Las Vegas (baby!) on Friday, July 8th. I arrived at 7:00 am for an 8:00 am procedure. Like the above poster, did the cute little gown, inflatible leg thingys and a visit from the surgeon and anesthesiologist. Breath deep ... g'night ... wake up ... oy! Felt like I did 100 sit-ups. I'm an anxious type and do not like to hang out in recovery rooms. They are too bright and cold! So, I knew I had to walk before I could leave, so I kept asking for someone to take me. After two walks, the surgeon came by and we chatted and he discharged me. He just told me everything went great and that I must have stuck to the pre-op diet because my liver was so easy to work with. I did stick to it pretty tight and even opted not to eat anything the 24 hours before, figuring the whole what goes in, must come out, and after a bunch of pain killers, that can be tough, sometimes. My wife drove us back to our hotel (Golden Nugget) around noonish and we napped until around 4. We then went out and about downtown Vegas walking, doing a little gambling and took her out to dinner. I did the liquid loritab, which we picked up the day before. I suggest getting the loritab flavored as I understand it tastes terrible. Even with the Green Apple flavor, it still was a little tough, but I understood later that Green Apple is not a suggested flavoring for loritab, so, perhaps you can research. The next two days I was out and about Vegas and we flew home Monday, no problem. Could have gone back to work on Tuesday, but I opted to take that day off and returned on Wednesday.

[UXgrrl 29]

Mine was just yesterday so it's fresh in my mind

I was told to report at 10 AM by the automated answer service the night before. I checked in and was shown to a small waiting room with a few chairs and a TV. This is where I changed from my clothes into a gown, bagged up my personal belongings, and had the IV started. We ended up waiting in there for almost 3 hrs before an OR room opened up.

About about 1 PM they came to get me with a hospital bed; I said my goodbyes to my partner and our 2-year old daughter and climbed in. They wheeled me down to a preop room -- kind of an alcove with curtains -- where the anesthesiologist talked to me a bit, had me put a hair net on, looked in my throat, and measured my neck. From there they wheeled me to the OR -- very bright and busy and cold. Lots of people rushing around, all of them trying to do something to me at once. They strapped down my IV arm and put compression pump cuffs on my calfs. Several people introduced themselves to me as being various team members, but I didn't catch their names or what they did. They were all women, I did notice. They asked me to verify my name, birthday, and the procedure I was having done. Finally they put an oxygen mask over my face and injected some relaxing medicine. It burned a little bit when it was going in but it passed quickly. The woman holding the mask asked me to pick a happy memory and I panicked for a minute because I couldn't think of a good one and I wanted it to be the best (I'm a bit of a perfectionist). I did settle on one quickly and felt myself drifting off to sleep...

I woke up in the recovery area, and immediately started complaining because I had two of the WORST charley horses in my calves that I've ever had! The pumping cuffs were hurting because they were squeezing right on them so I kind of kicked my legs a little and dislodged them, rotating them a bit so they weren't right on the sore stops. They asked if I was in pain from the procedure and I nodded -- they gave me a couple rounds of pain medicine and it helped a bit. I spent maybe an hour or two in this area. I drifted in a out, dozing, and I was glad to get out because there was a woman next to me crying and begging people to help her. It was distressing to hear. The caregivers were trying to calm her down but it didn't seem to be working.

They wheeled me to my hospital room from here. I'd asked for and gotten a private room, which are so worth it. I was hooked up to the IV in my left forearm (saline & pain meds) and had a backup IV in my right hand, which annoyed me because I'd specifically asked for it to be installed in my left (I didn't know they like to have two IVs for surgeries). I had a catheter in and the leg cuffs on. They gave me a PCA button (patient-controlled analgesia) which I could hit every 10 minutes. I got to my room about 6 and my partner came to visit about 7:30.

They didn't want me drinking anything yet; they gave me a cup of Water with a little sponge on a stick that I was supposed to swab my mouth out with. My mouth was really dry. I'd brought some lemonade-raspberry flavored chapstick which I used a lot. I drifted in and out of sleep the whole night. They woke me up every hour to take my blood pressure, check lungs, incisions, etc. so I didn't sleep much at any one time. Each time I hit the PCA button I dozed off again. Around midnight I started getting a headache and stiff neck and upper back; I complained to my nurse, and she brought me my neurontin and savella (for my fibromyalgia) in pill form to take. I usually get nauseated when I take the savella on an empty stomach so they also gave me an antiemetic. Once I had my usual meds on board I felt a lot better and watched a movie around 2 AM. Dosed off again and was awoken at 3:30 AM for a blood draw (which annoyed the hell out of me). They couldn't find a vein which made it worse. Dozed again for awhile and by 7 AM they started bringing me cups of various liquids to drink; first cherry koolade and lemonade, then a few hours later a cup of this bitter clear liquid that was supposed to "wake up my intestines". For "lunch" I got a mug of beef broth (which was tasty and salty and made my sore throat feel better) and lemon Jello and some more cherry koolade. They brought a stack of 1 oz measuring cups and I was supposed to drink at least 2 cups worth of liquid every hour.

The first few times I swallowed liquid I was confused because I was getting this weird heartburn feeling, except it was in my back. I figured out it was what I was drinking, so I tried taking smaller sips, which worked better. I've been drinking pretty consistently for about 4 hours now and if I forget and take too big a gulp I still get that feeling, but it's better now. So far I've been able to walk the halls and go to the bathroom on my own, and finished all the liquids they brought me. Iced Water has been bothering me more than room temp or warm water.

They told me I can advance to purees tonight and will be able to shower and go home tomorrow. Woo hoo!

[babigrl111 38]

Wow outpatient Pdxman! The doc told me i could do mine outpatient but the hospital has a one night stay requirement, so looks like i get to stay there. You both make it sound so easy!

[CT Fats 82]

I LOVED my hospital experience. I actually work in the hospital where my sleeve was done and it was fun having all the nosy people I know from there coming up to me asking me "what's wrong, are you ok?" Im not shy about telling people about my sleeve but I had to have fun with them and tell them I was there for a circumcision reversal. :biggrin5: I was nervous going into the OR, there is a lot of people in there and they didn't really have time to get to know you so It was like "hey how ya doing Im so and so and im gonna inject you now" When I woke up I was still groggy and the pain hit me hard when I wasn't sleeping but it was much better after the meds. My pain wasn't like someone hitting you it was more like pressure in the gut, the gas maybe. Anyhow after that I just had to deal with the dry mouth and THIRST. All of my pals from the hospital came by two at a time and I was the center of attention from a lot of pretty nurses. I was up walking as soon as possible. And happy that everything was a success and that after the waiting that one part of the journey was over and I was on to the next one.

The only thing I would have did different was bring some chap stick.

[PdxMan 4,292]

It wasn't THAT easy ... I was there for 5 days and didn't hit one blackjack! Not ONE! And I played quite a bit. Unbelievable.

At least I was lucky in the operating room!

[longer-life 139]

I asked to be the first surgery so I was asked to be there at 5:30am. I was put in a private room with a bathroom and t.v. , which I thought was very nice of them. After having the usual attire change, a few nurses come in for all sorts of reasons, from verification of identity, blood pressure, IV etc. The mental counselor from my surgeons office and a preacher visited too. Then my surgeon and the very handsome anesthesiologist came by and I told him not to be shy and knock me out. HE DID!!! Even though I was warned that a lot of people were going to be doing different things to me at the same time in the OR, like CT Fats described, I slept through it all! I don't even remember being wheeled in the OR or the recovery room. My first memory is of waking up is in my room and feeling pressure in my chest and knowing what that was thanks to this site! How cool is that? I knew it was gas, so I didn't panic and I fell right back to sleep. :biggrin2: When I woke up I didn't feel any pain or like I had done sit-ups as many describe. However when I wen't for my first walk I had spasms and horrible nausea followed by what felt like acids in my stomach. It was hell for 45 minutes. I specifically remember thinking " I am NOT going to have buyers remorse!" LOL I was given an injection and it has been AWESOME ever since. I went to the movies on day 4. No buyers remorse yet. :smile1:

[jasleeve 440]

omg LMPRAO!!! i cant believe you were out gambling after surgery. this surgery must be a breeze! lol.

It wasn't THAT easy ... I was there for 5 days and didn't hit one blackjack! Not ONE! And I played quite a bit. Unbelievable.

At least I was lucky in the operating room!

[his2my2our4 120]

Oh boy...I was SO nervous the day I was sleeved!! I was brought into the room where they do all of their work before the actual surgery, changed into my glam gown and seriously considered leaving. I kept thinking that I must've lost my mind for choosing this. I told the nurse about my fears and she quickly seemed to say all of the right things. My husband was brought back and we waited (tears and all lol).

There was an emergent case that was pushed ahead of us so our wait time was extended a bit. I was offered something to calm me down but I'm such a control freak, I didn't want to be "out of control" before I had to be. Finally the anesthesiologist came in and was just wonderful. It's amazing how some drs and nurses know exactly what to do or say to make you feel at ease. Anyway, I was given something through my IV and I was told that it was the "forget me" drug. I remember being wheeled out of that little room, I remember telling my husband that I'd see him in a bit, I remember a little about the operating room. I remember moving myself from the stretcher to the bed and I remember a few nurses standing around. I have no memory of the gas mask or whatever they used to actually knock me out. It seemed like my eyes went blurry and my hearing sort of left before I actually went to asleep...but even that seems fuzzy to me know so dont hold me to it lol.

I was VERY nervous about the waking up in recovery part. I had never had surgery so I had no idea what to expect. I was scared that I would wake up in a panic or in a lot of pain. Neither happened. I really have very little memory of recovery...maybe a glimpse of a dr working on my chart...but really nothing. My first real memory was me being wheeled to my room and that was only because they would warn me if there were bumps in the hallway or bumps coming off the elevator.

I was brought back to my room around 4p or 5p and I dozed most of the evening. I think my first lap around the hospital floor was around 9p or 10p. I was given the pca pump and I did use it throughout the night as needed but I only used it that night. By the next morning i was surprised how good I felt. Yes I was sore and yes I knew that something had been done to me, but it was so bad that I needed to stay in bed drugged. I walked a lot and I preferred sitting in my chair rather than the bed. I had to stay in the hospital 2 nights but really feel like I could've come home after 1.

I know you'll do just fine and now I almost feel silly for being as scared as I was. Good luck to you!

Kristin

[MikeC 4]

I was at the hospital at 3am....5am surgery. I was up first as my surgeon was doing 12 that day. Little cocktail, a few deep breaths and I woke up in my room, not recovery. At least not that I remember. Not much pain, but just uncomfortable. No drinking and a lot of gas pain in my abdomen. They said walking was the best way to get over that so, I was up a few minutes after waking up. I walked the wing several times and then would go back for pain meds/sleep. It just kept putting me out. I hadn't really slept much the night before surgery because I had to be there so early, so I rested most of the day. I was up most of the night because nurses at night don't seem to be much into getting more meds quickly. LOL Mine had to be administered, as I didn't have a button. Barium swallow in the morning to check for leaks, drank some Water, then some Crystal Light. Just a few ounces of each, and boy were they hard to get down. I didn't take any pain meds the second day and was released that afternoon. I slept in a recliner for a couple of days due to the staples. I was cleaning my house on Thurs after a Mon surgery. It really wasn't bad. Every day got a little easy to get fluids in and by Thurs all gas discomfort subsided. I was walking a lot though. Back to work on Mon. I had taken one week off. Clear Liquids for 1 week, and I'm on the tail end of 2 weeks with cloudy liquids. I can drink pretty well, and I'm anxious to see how eating soft foods goes next week. I'm down @25lbs from surgery weight and down @50lbs from the start of my pre-op liquid diet. Just get your mind right and it's a breeze.

[jasleeve 440]

great story!

Oh boy...I was SO nervous the day I was sleeved!! I was brought into the room where they do all of their work before the actual surgery, changed into my glam gown and seriously considered leaving. I kept thinking that I must've lost my mind for choosing this. I told the nurse about my fears and she quickly seemed to say all of the right things. My husband was brought back and we waited (tears and all lol).

There was an emergent case that was pushed ahead of us so our wait time was extended a bit. I was offered something to calm me down but I'm such a control freak, I didn't want to be "out of control" before I had to be. Finally the anesthesiologist came in and was just wonderful. It's amazing how some drs and nurses know exactly what to do or say to make you feel at ease. Anyway, I was given something through my IV and I was told that it was the "forget me" drug. I remember being wheeled out of that little room, I remember telling my husband that I'd see him in a bit, I remember a little about the operating room. I remember moving myself from the stretcher to the bed and I remember a few nurses standing around. I have no memory of the gas mask or whatever they used to actually knock me out. It seemed like my eyes went blurry and my hearing sort of left before I actually went to asleep...but even that seems fuzzy to me know so dont hold me to it lol.

I was VERY nervous about the waking up in recovery part. I had never had surgery so I had no idea what to expect. I was scared that I would wake up in a panic or in a lot of pain. Neither happened. I really have very little memory of recovery...maybe a glimpse of a dr working on my chart...but really nothing. My first real memory was me being wheeled to my room and that was only because they would warn me if there were bumps in the hallway or bumps coming off the elevator.

I was brought back to my room around 4p or 5p and I dozed most of the evening. I think my first lap around the hospital floor was around 9p or 10p. I was given the pca pump and I did use it throughout the night as needed but I only used it that night. By the next morning i was surprised how good I felt. Yes I was sore and yes I knew that something had been done to me, but it was so bad that I needed to stay in bed drugged. I walked a lot and I preferred sitting in my chair rather than the bed. I had to stay in the hospital 2 nights but really feel like I could've come home after 1.

I know you'll do just fine and now I almost feel silly for being as scared as I was. Good luck to you!

Kristin

[jasleeve 440]

god bless!! these stories put me at ease!

I was at the hospital at 3am....5am surgery. I was up first as my surgeon was doing 12 that day. Little cocktail, a few deep breaths and I woke up in my room, not recovery. At least not that I remember. Not much pain, but just uncomfortable. No drinking and a lot of gas pain in my abdomen. They said walking was the best way to get over that so, I was up a few minutes after waking up. I walked the wing several times and then would go back for pain meds/sleep. It just kept putting me out. I hadn't really slept much the night before surgery because I had to be there so early, so I rested most of the day. I was up most of the night because nurses at night don't seem to be much into getting more meds quickly. LOL Mine had to be administered, as I didn't have a button. Barium swallow in the morning to check for leaks, drank some Water, then some Crystal Light. Just a few ounces of each, and boy were they hard to get down. I didn't take any pain meds the second day and was released that afternoon. I slept in a recliner for a couple of days due to the staples. I was cleaning my house on Thurs after a Mon surgery. It really wasn't bad. Every day got a little easy to get fluids in and by Thurs all gas discomfort subsided. I was walking a lot though. Back to work on Mon. I had taken one week off. Clear liquids for 1 week, and I'm on the tail end of 2 weeks with cloudy liquids. I can drink pretty well, and I'm anxious to see how eating soft foods goes next week. I'm down @25lbs from surgery weight and down @50lbs from the start of my pre-op liquid diet. Just get your mind right and it's a breeze.

[babigrl111 38]

I feel much better hearing all these experiences!