Beeen a rough first week. Some obversations on my experience.

[SisterSandy 8]

Had my RNY on Monday August 18th in Danville PA at Geisinger. Had some unexpected complications and some annoyances which may someday actually seem funny to me and my family. First off, The Bypass surgery itself went well, the Doctors were very good and the nursing staff...heck even the cleaning staff, made the experience bearable.

Now for the bad parts. surgery started at 11 AM on the nose, I was looking at the clock as I took a nice long deep breath. Approx 8 hours later I was finally groggily awake, still in the recovery room looking into the teary eyes of my grandaughter and my husband.Seems i didnt want to breath on my own, every time they turned down the respirator I forgot to breath ! I'm here now and still breathing, so I guess it could have been a lot worse.

The surgeon informed me later that he found an old hernia repair which had basically disintegrated, leaving me with mesh for them to clean out and he did a quick temporary fix for the hernia. Says the surgery for that will be a walk in the Park! So onward and upward.

The next and worst thing of all was the monster bed they put me in. according to my Surgeon it is the latest best bariatraic hospital bed. cost $7000. I told him, during rounds, that is was worthless. i couldnt turn over or even sit up in the bed, I was basically a turtle on my back. This was also making it hard for me to cough or breath properly.The nurses said the beds are only useful for tall people or those who need mechanical aids to move them. they found me an old short-procedure wooden recliner to sleep in and I finally was able to breathe.

Was having some Fluid build up in my ankles on wed, they didnt seem too concerned and sent me home. by Friday my foot was twice normal size and red and shiny. Bumex to the rescue. Started it on my own. didnt bother call anyone for advice. Seems to have worked as my swelling is slowly subsiding. Saw my PCP today and he spent the visit asking me why they took me off various meds? How the hell do I know? He wanted me to have the procedure and now seems upset that he cant micromanage it. His problem not mine. he is normally not like that but I guess we learn something new about people every day.

So I came home, took a well deserved nap and am sipping on my wylers light raspberry iced Water and dreaming of pain free days. 2 1/2 hour drive to Danville tomorrow for checkup. Fun.

[Meliagirl 0]

Had my surgery on the 20th and didn't have any of your problems. So glad you are coming out of it ok. I had the same problem with the bed because I am only 5 feet tall. Why can't they make cool stuff to make petite life better. Good luck on your post journey.

[tmartin1023 5]

Sister Sandy...It could have been worse (as you mentioned), a lot worse. I'm surprised they didn't keep you in the hospital for your swelling legs? that's a mystery to me. At least you got to see your PCP after the surgery. I hope it all works out for you, and that you have no more problems,

just happy days and weight loss. Wishing you happy thoughts. Take care.

[SisterSandy 8]

When I was discharged we discussed the swelling . Was told I might need to start back on my diuretic and they left it up to me to decide. It was the right decision. At my first checkup in Danville (November 26) they added Lasix for a few days to speed things up. Fluid is almost gone now and feeling much better. Was so glad to get home and fall in my own bed.

Can now sleep on my side, roll over without pain and can actually see my bellybutton. Swelling from hernia surgery was so bad I thought it was gone. Done with pain meds, just using tylenol now. swallowing pills very carefully though. Just don't quite trust it all yet.

[terry1118 1,274]

When my daughter had her gallbladder out a couple years ago she had trouble breathing following the surgery, too. She ended up being in recovery for about eight hours. Every time she dozed off she'd stop breathing. They brought me in to sit with her. I had to keep her from dozing off by talking to her until she was breathing on her own. We were there two hours after the outpatient surgicenter closed. They thought they might have to admit her but she finally started breathing normally. Even so, I kept checking on her all night the first night home.

It sounds like your doing really well. Keep up the good work! :-)