Day 4 Post Gastric Sleeve Surgery (surgery/hospital Details)

[favoredone 590]

Hey Guys!!!

First, let me thanks you all for the kind and loving messages, emails, profile posts, etc... Ya'll know how to make a girl feel loved!!! ... Today, I'm a little tired and achy... I coughed a bunch last night, trying to catch a little cold... but, I'm not in any significant pain and all my drinking yesterday is causing that gas to rise and want out!! LOL... I'm not complaining!! I've had 2 popsicles, 24 oz of Water and I've been upstairs to spend time w/ my niece and nephew..

So, on surgery day, Monday the 19th, I arrived at the hospital and we couldn't find a close spot, so we parked in the middle of this huge lot... I held a conversation w/ my best friend all the way there... not winded at all, no sweating... in fact is was a BEAUTIFUL, sunny day in Chicago!! My best friend told me she was gonna have to get some saran wrap for my pants... I was like what??

Anyway, I'm so used to going to see my wonderful pulmonologist, after we checked in at the front desk, we sashayed to the elevators, up to the 3rd floor... walked down the long, winding hallway, only to realize.... we were supposed to be on the 1st floor at one day surgery check in!!! LOL...

So, I get there and see my gyn, she grabs me into a big hug and says how proud she is that I'm taking this step... I get to my little cubby and immediately get a "way too big gown".. that felt good!! And they started IVs and stuff.. that was 10:35 am... By 1pm I'd talked to all the nurses on the floor, my anesthesiologist, pulmonologist and my gen prac.. but I haven't seen my surgeon!! He's totally backed up in the ER, as Monday was the last day for them to do any surgeries for this year...

After waiting for another 3 hours, I was taken to holding and has some awesome nurses there too.. answering my questions.. Finally my surgeon appears and is very apologetic for keeping me waiting... He told my friend he would start with in the hour and take about 75-80 minutes... I remember being wheeled into the OR (my bed has this little mattress on it that inflated and stuff to help w/ circulation).... the nurses put the warm blankets on the table and had me scoot over... Dr. Gabriel (anesthesiologist) told me he was putting something in my IV to relax me... and I was OUT!!!

I remember waking up in PACU covered in warm blankets w/ the work nausea I've EVER had!!!! Nurses were great... Helped me w/ it... then the pain hit... I didn't have to say a word.. They were right there... at about 9pm or so, I was taken to my room.. (Rm 255) ... I was out of it!! My nurse and patient care prac. were awesome... At 2 am, they came and got me out of bed to sit in a chair for a few hours (she gave me pain meds before I moved)... I remember saying to myself.. Oh God, girl.. why didn't you just get a hair cut!! LOL.. then, I was I like.. I wanted this, I need this, I'm going to do THIS!!!!.

From that moment, I was determined to do everything I was asked, even when I just wanted to cry!!! The pain the first night was OMG!!!!! I was helped out of bed several times, as I had a catheter and drain.. but I sat up and rolled, etc. on command! LOL..

Later that day, my doctors visited, each asking of I was in pain.. I wasn't in really significant pain and the morphine made me so sick, I wanted to jump out of the window!!!... So, i took just one more shot of it..

My nurses spoiled me!! They said I was their best bariatric patient ever!!! YEAH!!!

Had my barium test, (little bumpy ride down stairs, but I didn't complain, because I'm doing this!!)...it went great.. Barium made me nauseous... so in the room, got some zofran... Later that afternoon, the catheter and drain were removed, oh and my 2nd IV was taken out too.. FREEDOM!!!!

I felt like a new woman!!! I immediately started getting up and using the bathroom unassisted w/ that darn IV pole!! UGH!!!... My room was right across from the nurses station, so I couldn't move w/o someone running in to see if I was ok....

I had several severe bouts of nausea throughout the day and night, but I never threw up.. My nurse, Miss Lori, told me.. girl, i want to see the hem of this gown, flying in the wind.... starting in a hour!!! I said yes ma'am...

I got up an hour later and walked two of the LONGEST laps of my life!!!.. But, it got easier each time!! I had some pain after wards, so I had a dose of liquid pain med.. no more since...

I sat in a chair, had a few visitors and calls... my 6 sisters sent me the biggest, most beautiful vase of red roses!! The card said, "We'll see you when you're skinny-er"!!!! I was so happy... (my family lives in the south FL, TX, TN, VA, and MS).. I didn't want them to come up to Chicago right now... I am fine...

Anyway, I slept A LOT!!! I walked, slept, walked slept....Wednesday morning, my doctors came by and told me how proud they were of me and I'm going to be one of their greatest success stories (no pressure doc... huh!?!! LOL) My pulmonologist told me that he was prescribing some HBP meds for the next month... because my BP would not come down after I left recovery... IDKY... so, I have 2 meds to take daily...

Before I was discharged, one of the nurse came into my room and said... You know what darling, you're gonna make it!! You will be very successful... And if you EVER need to hear that, when you're feeling low, call my number on the bottom of your discharge papers!!! You are going to make it!!!!

The ride home was surreal, because my life is totally different ALREADY... My decision to go through w/ WLS has impacted so many people around me...more on that later... But, thanks guys!! SO much... Your encouragement, love, excitement and knowledge helped me make it through 6 months!!! and now..... I'm sleeved and excited!!!!!

[IslandGrrl 11]

Congratulations! Your post made me smile.

[Forensikchic 528]

So, so happy for you and proud of you! I knew you would do amazing! Its gets easier every day. You will see. There are little bumps in the road but you can handle it! Life is going to be so much different for you now... Welcome to the loser's bench!

[indi1 66]

Oh I love it! "why didn't you just get a hair cut!!" LOL. Thank you so much for posting your experience. While you were out, I got my date.. February. Your nurse is right, you are going to do great!

[Less of Leslie 90]

Congrats!! Can't wait to see your transformation!

[happy1957 138]

What a wonderful and insightful story. I too am so excited for my 28th surgery and hope to be a trooper just like you. It sounds like you did very well. Merry Christmas!

[Ms skinniness 3,003]

I am so happy for you! Congrats! You are a courageous woman and welcome to the Loser's bench!

[his2my2our4 120]

I've been thinking about you! I'm so glad to see that you're doing so well! Your attitude towards your upcoming loss is inspiring!! Congrats and keep up the great work!!

[favoredone 590]

Thanks Guys!!! I'm doing my best.. God is awesome and my family is sooooo supportive... I've been drinking liquids like crazy... Walking and stuff... I actually had a dream about some Culver's Fried chicken though!! I haven't been hungry or had my usual "mouth watering, stomach growling, etc" reactions...

I'm so glad I got sleeved!!! SO GLAD!!!!!!!! but, I am ready to chew something besides ice!!

[BetterthanIwasb4 21]

Great read!!! I will write about my day soon. It truly was life changing!!! Glad your experience was a good one too

[peacequeen 434]

I knew you would do marvelous! I really enjoyed reading about your experience. I'm proud of you,,you're gonna rock that sleeve!

[DisappearingDivis 36]

I'm glad to hear you're doing so well! Keep up the great attitude girl!

[NewLife2 6]

Wow what a great post!!! Happy to hear u are doing great!! Cannt wait till I can write my story!! Congratz!

[Tlmiller2971 10]

Awesome you give me inspiration.... Ty

[Nancy Higgs 2]

Im so glad your doing well.Im proud of you too even though I don't know ya !!! I have my surgery on Jan,10 and I hope I do as well as you are doing.Thank you for sharing with all of us.Ive only been on this site 2 weeks and I already love this site.You go girl you are gonna do awesome.God Bless you !!!!