On The Other Side

[bogeydog 30]

Got sleeved on Monday morning and this is first time I really felt like posting. The surgery itself is a complete blur. They told me they were giving me something to relax me before rolling me into preop and I have no memory whatsoever until I woke up in my room. It was very unlike any other surgery I have had -- I usually have a memory all the way up to transferring me on to the operating table.

When I woke up, they were giving me pain meds and continued to manage my pain. Most of the pain was related to the gas pains. I had the leak test on Monday night -- I didn't think the stuff they gave me to drink was that bad -- I probably anticipated it would be worse because of what I had read on here, so when it didn't make me gag, I was pleasantly surprised. Everything looked great. Then, I started tring to sip liquids, with them anticipating I could be released on Tuesday. Unfortunately, I couldn't hold anything, down, not even the tiniest sip of Water. After that continuing for 24 hours, I was beginning to think this was a really bad idea. But, bad idea or not, I was stuck with it and needed to work at making it work. My husband was so worried. When the gas pain moved from my stomach to my shoulder, I turned a corner and started being able to hold down fluids. I was released yesterday. Things I have learned so far:

This site is invaluable -- seriously. There was not one thing I went through that I was totally in the dark about because of this site. Made everything a lot less scary

Follow your doctor's instructions, supplemented by the great advice given on here. Sip, sip, sip. Walk, walk, walk. Someone on here suggested an abdominal binder and heating pad after discharge -- used both and that has helped a lot.

Thanks to everybody for the advice and prayers. Will keep you updated.

[ljperez 87]

Glad to see your on the other side and feeling better. I can't wait to be there. SOON

[karenb4729 309]

Glad you made it through!! You are right, this site is a wealth of information so that you can be well prepared for all possibilities.