At Mi Hospital!

[supportivespouse911 33]

Day 2 is going great for us. My wife is a rock star. She has been drinking her fluids and walking and peeing like a champ! She has not been sleeping but she does lay down and rest at least.... Again- so happy with the nurses. They are not just good at what they are doing but they are really fun too. One thing I have still been noticing- dr garcias patients are treated differently then the other surgeons. His post op meds seem to be very consistent and timed perfectly. The only thing we have had to ask for us sleeping meds and that was our choice. One of our new friends did have to ask for nausea meds as she was much more nauseas then the rest but again- out of the norm. We have seen patients of the other doctor have to continuously ask for pain meds and nausea meds. With that said- my wife has not once complained of pain. She is absolutely sore, especially the drain incision. But she is not lying there in pain at all. She does have gas bubbles she can feel so she knows when she needs to get up and moving. One thing about this surgery.... You really have to be proactive. I think some people (especially those that are NOT getting the surgery who judge about it) think that this is an easy quick fix. It's not. It takes a lot of commitment and effort on the patient's part. They are expected to get up and walk within hours after having 70-80% of their stomachs removed. Then when they feel the least like drinking or eating anything they are expected to start drinking fluids. Then they have to eat a very restricted diet. Even when they can probably eat something that tastes better, they aren't supposed to. The surgery is a tool to help them, but its not easy!

One thing that has been a common theme for us is the comraderie amongst the other patients and support people. I feel more like we are at one of my kids tournaments and we are hanging out with the other parents we have known for years. It was like that with yesterday's group and now like that with our group. Often they all end up in the hallway walking their laps together. And all of us support people are just following them around. But making friends has made this experience all the better. Today I went with 2 of my support buddies to the grocery store around the corner called Ley.. It was like a super super Walmart. Fun to get out for an hour. We went and ate at the little outdoor taco bar in the parking lot area of the store. Being picky and scared to eat it I said no way. But after watching I thought what the hell. Ill try it. Best decision ever. The food was amazing. Fresh homemade tortillas (literally made while you sit there) fresh guacamole. I get to eat authentic Mexican food all the time. My father in law makes the best Beans you will ever eat and while this little places Beans weren't quite as good- they were damn close. If you get the chance to get out- go there. It's amazing. If I get sick tonight ill let you know. also- I know it's weird to be putting food posts and pictures on a weight loss sight but as I originally said in my very first post- I want to write about my experience as a support person so they know what to do, where to go, and what to expect....

Off to hopefully get the wife to take a nap. She just got her meds and walked and drank some juice and did her breathing thing! Time to rest!