Nervous & Full of Questions

[superbariatricbabe 180]

Greetings from sunny & humid Virginia!

First - I cannot express how amazing this BP community is. You all are so supportive and full of information and experience! Thank you!

Second - I have my consult for RNY gastric bypass in June. And I'm fully invested in making these lifestyle changes. I've started seeing a therapist for my food addiction issues, and attending weight loss surgery seminars and groups & eating disorder support groups. My bmi is currently 46, and I'm convinced that RNY is the tool I need to help me overcome this. My husband and I want to have children in the next few years, and I need to be healthy. I think my doctor is excellent, he has a good reputation and has only had 3 leaks his entire career. He's very open and honest about his work and the dangers of surgery which is strangely reassuring.

But still I'm scared of the surgery. The actual part where they cut you open.

I've never had surgery (other than Lasik). Everything from the general anesthesia to the drain to blood clots and catheters is terrifying. I would appreciate it greatly if people who've had this procedure could tell me what it's like when you go into the hospital on that day? What happens? Do you just take a sedative and then wake up a few hours later like it's a nap? is the drain as gross as it sounds? Do they give you pain medication for your recovery or do you just have to tough it out?

thanks so much!:

PS> Also started my blog here: Super Bariatric Babe - I own a comic book shop, thus the goofy title.

[ladykatie_ 117]

Hello from sunny and dry Arizona!

The community here is wonderful and I've literally just joined. I had my surgery exactly a week ago and honestly had no idea what to expect either. I've never had ANY major surgery before this one. Here's my experience:

I went to the hospital with my hubby in the morning and checked in. Thankfully they didn't make me wait long in the waiting room for the "pre-op" room (for lack of a better term). In that room is where they do final checks of everything to make sure you are all ready to go. So you change into your surgery gear (nothing but a paper gown and hospital socks) and they start taking your blood. Anywhere from 2-12 vials depending on what they need. They wanted me to do a quick EKG (I hadn't had one because my doc didn't think I needed it) and of course, my heart was fine. I also had to do a urine test to make sure I wasn't pregnant (rolls eyes). After tests and all that, they get your IV need stuck in your hand. To me, it was painful but I have a pretty low tolerance for pain. Sometimes they'll start your IV right then or wait until right before they take you into the surgery room. Next, you meet with the anesthesiologist, who checks you out and makes sure you are A-OK.

All the while they are doing this, the hospital nurses usually are confirming your info like name, date of birth, address, etc.

So depending on when you got in the room and when your surgery is, you may have a little waiting time. I brought my phone to play some games and talked with the hub. Just keep calm is my policy.

The time comes to take you to the surgery room and the anesthesiologist gives you "something to calm down." Not the actual anesthesia that will put you out, usually. Then they got me into the surgery room and it's just like you'd imagine: a bunch of nurses and staff milling around, big scary machines and a table just for you, all in white. (This is when I got really nervous). They moved me onto the table and the nurse was strapping my arms down with some velcro straps "just in case." Before I knew it I was OUT cold. The anesthesiologist didn't say a word, didn't make me countdown, nothing. I was just talking to the nice nurse then out.

Next thing I know, I'm becoming conscious in a different place on a hospital bed. I was so nauseous I thought I was going to throw up and I kept repeating that. I was in A LOT of pain, I won't lie. I don't really remember being wheeled around into my room or anything, so I think I passed out again either from left-over anesthesia or the pain. My hubby said I was moaning and groaning and he hated that he couldn't do anything to help (poor guy).

Then in the hospital room, I am conscious and the nurse is making sure I have everything I need: full IV, pain meds and my little button I can push for pain. I'm still really out of it but it's still very painful. No one really warned me about the pain in your belly but man it hurts!! Again, my pain tolerance is pretty low.

I don't remember the catheter being put in or even how it felt until many hours later. Felt like I had to pee constantly, but you have other problems to worry about so you kind of just forget it about it.

Then people start visiting and it's all kind of a blur. Everyone said I had a permanent frown on my face and my eyes were slits. I hardly remember it and I think that's a good thing because I was in so much pain. I don't remember the drain at all, or if I even had one to be honest. My hubby doesn't know either, he was mostly concerned about me.

The next day I just wanted the IV out of my hand because it hurt. They discharged me with liquid pain meds, Lovenox injections (to prevent blood clots) and omeprazole to take one week after the surgery. I was in lots of pain but I definitely wanted to go home. Hospital stay was about 36 hours or so. Not a full two days.

I'm sorry it was so long but honestly, I wish I had read more hospital experiences before I got mine done! I am one week post-op, feeling much better except for some belly pain where the "wounds" are. I see my doc tomorrow and start full liquids today.

Let me know how everything goes for you! I hope this helps!

[MaryJane11 10]

I just joined as well. Thank you so much for the info. I go in on Monday and my pre-op is tomorrow. This really helps me know what to expect!

[ladykatie_ 117]

@@MaryJane11 - Best of luck and let us know how it goes!

[Ginger Snaps 1,323]

I've had several surgeries but I can understand how intimidating the entire process can be if you've never had any surgery.

One thing I can offer --- you'll get asked the same questions a hundred times during the preop process -- like what your name is, your birthdate, what procedure you're having done, if you have dentures or removable teeth... stuff like that. Like EVERYONE that comes in the room will ask you those same things over and over again. lol

As far as the anesthesia goes, I've found over the past 25 years that anesthesia has improved SO much! When I first had surgeries, I would often wake up "fighting" -- like you came out of it thinking you were being attacked or something. Now, the meds are so good -- you just go to sleep instantly and then feel like you just wake up again. It seems like you just close your eyes and open them again.

You'll hear it on the boards a lot -- but the best thing you can do for yourself is get up and move around as soon as they start telling you to. You'll feel SO much better (even if it hurts a little) than if you lay in bed. You have to walk and move around to work out the gas they pump in you and you'll feel human MUCH faster than if you lay around moaning.

Best wishes!