November Sleevesters?

[TransformerOfYoungMinds 22]

Hello all!

I just scheduled my surgery for November 19th with Dr. Kim of Kaiser West LA.... so excited! Best of luck to everyone on your journies!

[dlinnh 44]

it's so weird. my dr is not putting me on a liquid diet. I've met my pre-op weight. I'm wondering if that's why

....I lost my pre-op weight too, but I still have to do the TWO WEEK liquid diet (shakes - five of them a day! I would rather starve than drink 5 of these a day and nothing else but Water. Seriously? I just had two ounces of chicken, because I simply can't drink these shakes all the time. So be happy that you are not required to do this! BTW - my date is Nov. 12th in Mass.

[OneManWolfpack 180]

Hello November Sleevsters,

I'm a late OctoSleeever less than one week out and I thought that you guys might want to hear some of the details of what "little things" to expect as surgery day approaches. I remember how I was constantly flipping between excitement and nervousness as my day approached. Fortunately with this site and my doc's office I felt I was fully informed as I could be, but still, there was much "unknown." I'm posting this on two different Nov Sleever threads I have seen so sorry in advance for the repeat.

Obviously bear in mind each doc and facility is different, and each person's circumstances are different, but you all already know that!

First: my personal stats: mid-30's male, borderline diabetic, sleep apnea, hypertension, very high BMI (59 at highest weight)

Pre-op: No specific liquid diet other than days pre-op clear liquid only, NPO after midnight night before surgery. But my doc required 5% weight loss pre-op, and NUT recommended min 2 weeks of high protein/lo-carb diet consisting of 2 protien shakes a day, one 4-6 oz lean Protein meat dinner with some veggies, and "healthy" snacking (greek yogurt, cottage cheese/string cheese, tuna, etc)

Day before surgery: Pre-op hospital check in with administration (ID card, insurance, any pre-payment if needed, etc), and Nurse (review medical history, meds, allergies, planned post-op care, weigh-in).

Day of surgery: Check-in pre-op 2 hours before surgery, led back to a curtained bay where I was instructed to "take it all off" and put on hospital gown, compression stockings, and non-skid socks. Instructed to use the bathroom to empty bladder, met briefly with surgeon and anesthesiologist, nurse took vitals, started IV, administered a heparin shot in my belly, and placed a scopolamine patch (for nausea) behind my ear and administered an anti-nausea med Iv as well (either phenergan or reglan I think), and also an oral zantac for acid reduction. I waited in the bay on the gurney watching TV for about an hour as all this was going on, and then they came to wheel me back to the OR. I slid over to the OR table and they put some warm blankets on me. The anesthsiologist gave me some "happy juice" through the IV and I really think I was out in less than 10 seconds.

When I woke up in recovery all I felt was extreme pain all across my abdomen and rising up to my ribcage. I'm pretty sure I heard someone say "Dilaudid." The next thing I really remember I was already in my room. It was about 4 hours after my surgery start time. A nurse was standing over me and I felt I could barely talk because of extreme dry mouth and dry/sore throat, but I was extremely nauseous and in pain. They gave me Dilaudid for the pain, Phenergan and Zofran for the nausea, and some glycerine swabsticks for my lips and mouth. For the next three hours I was in and out of sleep, waking up only by the gas pressure/bloating. That was really the worst part, the extreme sense of fullness/pressure in my abdomen.

The surgeon visited with me that afternoon and told me it went well, that he also removed my gallbladder because it showed a lot of scarring (I already had known gallstones and this was a possibility going in), and told me he did not visualize any hiatal hernia or ulcers. I had four little wounds for the ports, the largest of which was at my belly button and barely visible. No sutures or staples, as all were closed with Dermabond (surgical glue).

Finally around 5 pm (surgery was 9 am) I got up to walk around the nursing unit with a nurse's aide, used the restroom (they measured all urine output - my first was 600 cc which they said was good enough. I did that two more times that night, about 8 laps total. I was told that walking was the best way to relieve the gas pressure. They wouldn;t allow Gas-X strips that first day.

The next morning they gave me a tray of clear liquid to try after the PA came around to visit me. broth, Water, tea, and crystal lite with Juven mixed in. I really couldn't tolerate even two sips due to the ridiculous pressure I felt it placed in my stomach. I felt SOOOOO Full. I did many walks that day and they tried several different anit-nausea meds. I didn;t really ask for any pain meds because it was not that kind of pain, just extreme fullness. Finally after my doc saw me they gave me Decadron by IV, and within a couple of hours I was starting to feel better. But by that time it was late evening and they had decided to keep me an extra night because I couldn;t tolerate the liquids. The next AM I was able to tolerate about 4 oz of fluids and they allowed me to be discharged. FYI no "leak test" performed -- I know docs vary on this nationwide.

Meds at discharge, in addition to the multivit, Calcium, and Iron, was liquid Lortab for pain. I've only used it once. It makes me groggy and really doesn;t help the bloating/gas pain, which is the only pain I really had. I declined any nausea med.

Things I brought to hospital and used: Toothbrush/paste (which also made me dry heave after gargling the first 2-3 times), Gas-X strips, iPhone, deodorant, change of underwear/socks.

Things I brought but didn't use: cell charger, biotene rinse, cepacol throat spray, house slippers, headphones, a book, robe.

Post-op course so far: No complications, just getting fluids in is the hardest thing. Combined with the diarrhea (sorry), risk of dehydration is greater. Doc recommended at least 64 oz Fluid and 60-70 grams protein. First day home (post-op day two), I only got in about 6 oz (plus the leftover IV in the hospital), next day 14 oz, next day 28 oz, and yesterday 36 oz. I have to force myself to keep sipping and keep walking, but every day is getting a little better. I have no hunger whatsoever. I drove post-op day 4 for the first time (since I wasn;t taking pain meds), just to the pharmacy and back to get a liquid calcium since the chewable I had was making me nauseous. Showering was fine as soon as I got home, just told no soaking in a tub and pat the wounds dry. No creams or lotions on the wounds for at least a week.

Fist post-op visit is next week, but had post-op phone call with the nurse already. Full liquids only until post-op check. I'm off work for two weeks.

Hope that helps some. Sorry it was so long. Good luck to all of you!!!!

[dlinnh 44]

Excellent post! thanks so much for sharing your story - it makes me feel better knowing what to expect - my date is November 12th - I just have to "survive" this liquid pre op stuff. Best of luck to you!

[Beebaby813 24]

Got my date officially the 15th of november, so excited!

[Jay N 1]

November 13th, Wisconsin

[cdbloo01 20]

November 12th is my surgery date.

[RunningGranny 16]

I was approved on Tuesday and today we set my date for the 7th! There was a cancellation so I got the early date! I had to do a three month medically supervised diet where I lost 30 pounds. Then the day they submitted to the insurance I began the liquids only diet in hopes of a cancellation!!!! Because I did so well on the 3 month preop diet and started on liquids two weeks ago I didn't have to wait as long!!!!! YA HOO!! SOOOO HAPPY!!!

[Red_Charms09 102]

I'm official getting nervous, I'm not backing down. I have two weeks to get prepared.

2013 is my year....SD 11/19 Methodist Hosp in NY

[LondonCalling 6]

Hi all! I'm November 6 in London. Just making it through the last few days of the pre-op diet. Good thing I like milk!

[adorablentx 19]

Hello November Sleevsters,

I'm a late OctoSleeever less than one week out and I thought that you guys might want to hear some of the details of what "little things" to expect as surgery day approaches. I remember how I was constantly flipping between excitement and nervousness as my day approached. Fortunately with this site and my doc's office I felt I was fully informed as I could be, but still, there was much "unknown." I'm posting this on two different Nov Sleever threads I have seen so sorry in advance for the repeat.

Obviously bear in mind each doc and facility is different, and each person's circumstances are different, but you all already know that!

First: my personal stats: mid-30's male, borderline diabetic, sleep apnea, hypertension, very high BMI (59 at highest weight)

Pre-op: No specific liquid diet other than days pre-op clear liquid only, NPO after midnight night before surgery. But my doc required 5% weight loss pre-op, and NUT recommended min 2 weeks of high protein/lo-carb diet consisting of 2 protien shakes a day, one 4-6 oz lean Protein meat dinner with some veggies, and "healthy" snacking (greek yogurt, cottage cheese/string cheese, tuna, etc)

Day before surgery: Pre-op hospital check in with administration (ID card, insurance, any pre-payment if needed, etc), and Nurse (review medical history, meds, allergies, planned post-op care, weigh-in).

Day of surgery: Check-in pre-op 2 hours before surgery, led back to a curtained bay where I was instructed to "take it all off" and put on hospital gown, compression stockings, and non-skid socks. Instructed to use the bathroom to empty bladder, met briefly with surgeon and anesthesiologist, nurse took vitals, started IV, administered a heparin shot in my belly, and placed a scopolamine patch (for nausea) behind my ear and administered an anti-nausea med Iv as well (either phenergan or reglan I think), and also an oral zantac for acid reduction. I waited in the bay on the gurney watching TV for about an hour as all this was going on, and then they came to wheel me back to the OR. I slid over to the OR table and they put some warm blankets on me. The anesthsiologist gave me some "happy juice" through the IV and I really think I was out in less than 10 seconds.

When I woke up in recovery all I felt was extreme pain all across my abdomen and rising up to my ribcage. I'm pretty sure I heard someone say "Dilaudid." The next thing I really remember I was already in my room. It was about 4 hours after my surgery start time. A nurse was standing over me and I felt I could barely talk because of extreme dry mouth and dry/sore throat, but I was extremely nauseous and in pain. They gave me Dilaudid for the pain, Phenergan and Zofran for the nausea, and some glycerine swabsticks for my lips and mouth. For the next three hours I was in and out of sleep, waking up only by the gas pressure/bloating. That was really the worst part, the extreme sense of fullness/pressure in my abdomen.

The surgeon visited with me that afternoon and told me it went well, that he also removed my gallbladder because it showed a lot of scarring (I already had known gallstones and this was a possibility going in), and told me he did not visualize any hiatal hernia or ulcers. I had four little wounds for the ports, the largest of which was at my belly button and barely visible. No sutures or staples, as all were closed with Dermabond (surgical glue).

Finally around 5 pm (surgery was 9 am) I got up to walk around the nursing unit with a nurse's aide, used the restroom (they measured all urine output - my first was 600 cc which they said was good enough. I did that two more times that night, about 8 laps total. I was told that walking was the best way to relieve the gas pressure. They wouldn;t allow Gas-X strips that first day.

The next morning they gave me a tray of clear liquid to try after the PA came around to visit me. broth, Water, tea, and crystal lite with Juven mixed in. I really couldn't tolerate even two sips due to the ridiculous pressure I felt it placed in my stomach. I felt SOOOOO Full. I did many walks that day and they tried several different anit-nausea meds. I didn;t really ask for any pain meds because it was not that kind of pain, just extreme fullness. Finally after my doc saw me they gave me Decadron by IV, and within a couple of hours I was starting to feel better. But by that time it was late evening and they had decided to keep me an extra night because I couldn;t tolerate the liquids. The next AM I was able to tolerate about 4 oz of fluids and they allowed me to be discharged. FYI no "leak test" performed -- I know docs vary on this nationwide.

Meds at discharge, in addition to the multivit, Calcium, and Iron, was liquid Lortab for pain. I've only used it once. It makes me groggy and really doesn;t help the bloating/gas pain, which is the only pain I really had. I declined any nausea med.

Things I brought to hospital and used: Toothbrush/paste (which also made me dry heave after gargling the first 2-3 times), Gas-X strips, iPhone, deodorant, change of underwear/socks.

Things I brought but didn't use: cell charger, biotene rinse, cepacol throat spray, house slippers, headphones, a book, robe.

Post-op course so far: No complications, just getting fluids in is the hardest thing. Combined with the diarrhea (sorry), risk of dehydration is greater. Doc recommended at least 64 oz Fluid and 60-70 grams protein. First day home (post-op day two), I only got in about 6 oz (plus the leftover IV in the hospital), next day 14 oz, next day 28 oz, and yesterday 36 oz. I have to force myself to keep sipping and keep walking, but every day is getting a little better. I have no hunger whatsoever. I drove post-op day 4 for the first time (since I wasn;t taking pain meds), just to the pharmacy and back to get a liquid calcium since the chewable I had was making me nauseous. Showering was fine as soon as I got home, just told no soaking in a tub and pat the wounds dry. No creams or lotions on the wounds for at least a week.

Fist post-op visit is next week, but had post-op phone call with the nurse already. Full liquids only until post-op check. I'm off work for two weeks.

Hope that helps some. Sorry it was so long. Good luck to all of you!!!!

OneManWolfPack I think we would all be honored to be a part of your wolfpack without the blood of course...lol...However very informative and detailed. I think thats one thing that helps us all in the long run so we can have some idea of what to expect..Wonderful job and I look forward to seeing your success!!

B.

[melinda48 37]

Going today (7:30am) ...can't sleep. YIKES! I'm scared but excited too. Wish me luck. Will be using Dr. Joseph Cribbins at Plano Presbyterian, Plano Tx. I will let everyone know how it turns out.

[dkellly 17]

I am a November sleever. My surgery is scheduled for Nov. 29th and I am super excited.

Your In my prayer's. I go Nov 19th please update me Good Luck:-) :-)

[dkellly 17]

OneManWolfPack I think we would all be honored to be a part of your wolfpack without the blood of course...lol...However very informative and detailed. I think thats one thing that helps us all in the long run so we can have some idea of what to expect..Wonderful job and I look forward to seeing your success!!

B.

You On Your Way!!!!! Good Luck

[SarzC 12]

Going today (7:30am) ...can't sleep. YIKES! I'm scared but excited too. Wish me luck. Will be using Dr. Joseph Cribbins at Plano Presbyterian' date=' Plano Tx. I will let everyone know how it turns out.[/quote']

Good luck Melinda! I'm packing my bag and leaving for the hospital in an hour!!! It's Sleeve Day!!!