Any April Sleevers That Have Already Had Surgery

[JaniRN 5]

Any April Sleevers who have already had the surgery, can you please give us a update on your status for all of us that have surgery coming up. Just to let us know what to expect for us nervous people!!!! Lol

[kiki19 16]

Any April Sleevers who have already had the surgery, can you please give us a update on your status for all of us that have surgery coming up. Just to let us know what to expect for us nervous people!!!! Lol

I know...I got so nervous. It is an operation. So as with all operations, it is not a day at the beach. However, mine wasn't bad. I was sore. The anesthesia made me feel groggy and tired afterwards. I woke up in recovery saying I was having a heart attack...they said, It is the gas, the CO2 used to pump up your abdomen to allow for visualization and manipulation of instruments. So I quit saying I was having a heart attack. When I got back to my room, I really needed somebody there with me, but I had to wait in recovery room for a room to get ready so my husband had gone to get dinner when I finally got to my room. Plus, we were from out of town and I didn't have a cell phone to tell him where I was....Finally, the nurse was able to get him. I was sore and groggy...I got dilaudid the first night, and slept with my cpap. I walked two or three times by 5:00 that afternoon, and again at 8:00 and then at 2:00 in the morning, and then slept until 7:00 a.m. and got up and walked again. I was then discharged. Headed home about 10:30 or 11:00 in the morning. Stopped about an hour into our trip home, used the bathroom, walked around the little area, got back in the car and headed home. Once home, I did have a slight headache. I took liquid tylenol for that. I ate a lot of ice chips and Water, because popsiciles and Jello tasted too strong. I mostly just drank Water and ice the first 24 hours, trying to get in the 40 ounces. Then, the next day, I drank a little coffee mixed with ice and water with splenda and it was so good. It also got rid of my headache. I did eat a couple of popsicles, wishing I had a banana one for some reason. Crystal lite was too strong too. So I mixed some with extra water, just to give it a little taste. Getting in and out of bed was tough, makes you hold your breath. I walked around the house and outside, just up and down the sidewalk, trying to make sure I got rid of most of the gas. I have tried to not go anywhere, because I do not want to get sick. So I have stayed at home. I did send my husband out for grapes and carrots, and I got out my juicer yesterday, which was the 14th, and my surgery was the 10th, so day 3 or 4, however you want to count that, and I juiced about 5 or 6 grapes, strained them, and that was about 1 ounce. And I also did that with carrots and celery. It is so much better than broth and at least has some nutrition. So I drink one ounce of juiced juice for Breakfast, lunch and dinner, and then drink water, popsicles, Jello, and diluted coffee, some broth, but not much, and that's been it. I have been staying hydrated, as evidenced by the color of my urine (should be straw). My wounds have all healed nicely. Still sore...bazillion sit-ups sore. I was told I could start regular liquids tomorrow...yea!!!! Looking forward to a Protein shake and some yogurt. So long story short -- it is not a breeze, but it is not something that is unmanageable. Four or five days out, I would do it again tomorrow. Of course, I haven't really seen any results -- other than my ankles look thin -- and have been assured the reward is coming. You have to keep your eye on the prize, because you have the pain with no results, but if you look at pictures of people six months out, oh, man, you get that, that's gonna be me feeling....and that makes it all worthwhile. So don't be nervous. YOU KNOW WHAT LED YOU HERE TO THIS POINT....so it's time to let go and take the ride. Roll with the punches. Just keep telling yourself the pain is temporary -- this is a process -- this is my leap of faith!!!! YOU WILL ALL DO FINE!!!!!! Six months from now, the pain will be a distant memory!!!

[kiki19 16]

I did not have drain pain...don't know why, just didn't. Really, the only pain has been the incisions themselves...and a little gas pain. Like I said, I really thought I was having a heart attack when I was in the recovery room even though I knew about the gas pain...I didn't know it would be in my heart, but it comes up the left side of your body. And another thing, you almost need a grabber. That has been the hardest thing for me, trying to bend and pick up things, shave my legs, etc. I have cooked for my family, cleaned the kitchen, made beds,. washed and folded clothes. Everybody has tried to pitch in some, but I still do the majority of everything, and I have been able to. So I am glad of that. Again, my biggest thing was I needed somebody with me in the room when I got in there, so I could disconnect my compressors from my legs, get a towel and things out of my bag without having to wheel the IV pole through an obstacle course, close the curtains, close the door the nurse inevitably left open every time she walked out, answer my cell phone, just basic stuff. I think you really need a woman more than a boyfriend or husband, even though my husband was okay....he just didn't want to stay there the whole time, because I was mostly sleeping...really, it's a job for your momma or sister or best friend...LOL.