2 Days Post Op - All the details of surgery day...that I can remember anyways

[FindingCarrie 244]

I haven't had any. Did you drink caffeine prior to surgery? I cut out all caffeine about 6 weeks prior to surgery because I didn't want to be trying to heal and go through caffeine withdrawals at the same time.

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[nursedennise 17]

I am two days post op and I've been getting headaches off and on and lightheaded at times. Trying to walk as much as I can but I am mostly exhausted and just want to sleep. Hospitals are definitely not the place to get rested! Trying to drink 30ml every hour but it's difficult. Belly feels full quickly. And lots of gas. But walking helps with moving the gas as well. It's common to feel like garbage after surgery. Your body has been cut into, a major part of anatomy has been rerouted and not to mention the anesthesia can cause headaches and nausea as well and so can the pain meds.

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[Mikkos 22]

Thanks for such detailed experiences, this really helps me to understand what to expect and how to prepare. I hope everyone's discomfort goes away soon! Stay Strong!

[abaker04 22]

I haven't had any. Did you drink caffeine prior to surgery? I cut out all caffeine about 6 weeks prior to surgery because I didn't want to be trying to heal and go through caffeine withdrawals at the same time.

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No I cut the caffeine out a few weeks before. I did realize shortly after posting that a big side effect from the Zofran was headaches. Haven't had a Zofran all day and haven't had a heapache either so I'm assuming that was the assailant!

~Ashley~

[TashChelle 1]

I had my surgery on Tuesday, and now that I am 2 days post-op I finally feel like my head is clear enough to share the details of my surgery day.

I arrived at the hospital at 9:00am, as I was told to arrive 2 hours before my scheduled surgery time. After I registered, they called me back to be prepped almost immediately. I had to get undresses, and I had to wash my tummy with a Hibicleanse solution for 4 minutes. They started my IV and brought my husband back to see me. I talked with the anesthesiologist , and several other people, including my surgeon. After I talked to everyone I needed to, they gave me a Lovenox shot, antibiotics and Versed, and rolled me back to the OR. The last thing that I remember is them strapping my arms to the operating table. I also remember that I was starving since I was on all Clear liquids to on Monday.

I woke up in recovery feeling very groggy, and my mouth was as dry as the desert. My throat was sore from the intubation tube. I don't know how long I was there, but it seemed like they were rolling me into my room fairly quickly. I was not allowed to drink anything that entire night, but they did bring me some ice chips. These were the best ice chips I have ever had in my life!!! That's what it seemed like anyways. I was pretty in and out of it the rest of that night.

Now let's get to the point of pain when I woke up. I had a lot of gas pain up near both my right and left shoulder, but it was worse on the right side. My biggest incision, on my right side, is the one that did, and still now hurts the most. Even the muscle underneath it is extremely sore. The other incisions are not too bad. I can feel them, and I know that they are there, but they barely hurt at all. I also had a catheter in, which I didn't want, but I'm glad I had it because I was too sore to be getting up and down all night to go to the bathroom. I was up and walking within 2 hours of getting in to my room. I did one lap at first, then rested for a couple of hours and did 2 more laps. I have a history of blood clots, so I had compression socks on and a compression machine pulsing my legs all night when I was not up and walking. People woke me up all night long to take my vitals. Just as I would fall asleep again, they would wake me up again to do something else.

On Wednesday morning, around 5am, I was given another Lovenox injection, along with some pain meds and a dose of Levsin, as it felt like my stomach was spasming quite regularly. I was also allowed to take pills by mouth, as long as they were not to big to choke on. By 6am, they removed my catheter, which I really didn't even feel at all. I then proceeded to walk 5 laps, then came back to my room to rest. 5 laps was all I could really do at that point. A few hours later, i got more pain meds, and was up and walking again. This time I did 7 laps. I still had quite a bit of pain, but it was now being completely controlled by the liquid Hycet, which am able to take at home. I was supposed to drink 40oz of liquids on Wednesday, and I had gotten through 20oz within about 4 hours. I finished the other 20 by 10pm.

I knew from my EGD that my surgeon would be fixing a hiatal hernia, and they told me once they got in there, they saw that it was significantly bigger than they originally thought it was, so I actually ended up being in surgery for 3.5 hours due to that. I do feel some discomfort from that, but again, my worst pain is the big incision where they removed the stomach from. Actually, it is not really the incisions that hurt, it is really the muscle underneath that is giving me the most pain.

Overall, it was a pretty smooth experience. I expected the pain because of all of the research I have been doing prior to the surgery, so even though it hurts, it was right around what I expected, so at least I can say I was expecting it. I have 5 incisions, and I am attaching a picture so that you can see what they look like. One is up near my breast bone, so you won't see that one in the picture.

If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them. I am sure that I am leaving out a lot of details.

Thank you for your this! I don't have my date yet but this is very useful information!

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[ssbthodge 92]

First of all I would like to say congratulations on your surgery! 2nd I want to say thank you for posting all of your details. I am scheduled for surgery Jan 31. The doctors have told me what to expect the day of and day after surgery but it's great being able to hear it from another patient. I want to wish you luck on the rest of your journey!!

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[Jazzzyjay 222]

I had my surgery on Tuesday, and now that I am 2 days post-op I finally feel like my head is clear enough to share the details of my surgery day.

I arrived at the hospital at 9:00am, as I was told to arrive 2 hours before my scheduled surgery time. After I registered, they called me back to be prepped almost immediately. I had to get undresses, and I had to wash my tummy with a Hibicleanse solution for 4 minutes. They started my IV and brought my husband back to see me. I talked with the anesthesiologist , and several other people, including my surgeon. After I talked to everyone I needed to, they gave me a Lovenox shot, antibiotics and Versed, and rolled me back to the OR. The last thing that I remember is them strapping my arms to the operating table. I also remember that I was starving since I was on all Clear liquids to on Monday.

I woke up in recovery feeling very groggy, and my mouth was as dry as the desert. My throat was sore from the intubation tube. I don't know how long I was there, but it seemed like they were rolling me into my room fairly quickly. I was not allowed to drink anything that entire night, but they did bring me some ice chips. These were the best ice chips I have ever had in my life!!! That's what it seemed like anyways. I was pretty in and out of it the rest of that night.

Now let's get to the point of pain when I woke up. I had a lot of gas pain up near both my right and left shoulder, but it was worse on the right side. My biggest incision, on my right side, is the one that did, and still now hurts the most. Even the muscle underneath it is extremely sore. The other incisions are not too bad. I can feel them, and I know that they are there, but they barely hurt at all. I also had a catheter in, which I didn't want, but I'm glad I had it because I was too sore to be getting up and down all night to go to the bathroom. I was up and walking within 2 hours of getting in to my room. I did one lap at first, then rested for a couple of hours and did 2 more laps. I have a history of blood clots, so I had compression socks on and a compression machine pulsing my legs all night when I was not up and walking. People woke me up all night long to take my vitals. Just as I would fall asleep again, they would wake me up again to do something else.

On Wednesday morning, around 5am, I was given another Lovenox injection, along with some pain meds and a dose of Levsin, as it felt like my stomach was spasming quite regularly. I was also allowed to take pills by mouth, as long as they were not to big to choke on. By 6am, they removed my catheter, which I really didn't even feel at all. I then proceeded to walk 5 laps, then came back to my room to rest. 5 laps was all I could really do at that point. A few hours later, i got more pain meds, and was up and walking again. This time I did 7 laps. I still had quite a bit of pain, but it was now being completely controlled by the liquid Hycet, which am able to take at home. I was supposed to drink 40oz of liquids on Wednesday, and I had gotten through 20oz within about 4 hours. I finished the other 20 by 10pm.

I knew from my EGD that my surgeon would be fixing a hiatal hernia, and they told me once they got in there, they saw that it was significantly bigger than they originally thought it was, so I actually ended up being in surgery for 3.5 hours due to that. I do feel some discomfort from that, but again, my worst pain is the big incision where they removed the stomach from. Actually, it is not really the incisions that hurt, it is really the muscle underneath that is giving me the most pain.

Overall, it was a pretty smooth experience. I expected the pain because of all of the research I have been doing prior to the surgery, so even though it hurts, it was right around what I expected, so at least I can say I was expecting it. I have 5 incisions, and I am attaching a picture so that you can see what they look like. One is up near my breast bone, so you won't see that one in the picture.

If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them. I am sure that I am leaving out a lot of details.

Your incisions look great! Mine are a little bigger. Look more "choppy" and very bruised. I'm 5 days post op RNY.

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[FindingCarrie 244]

@"Jazzzyjay", I was just telling my husband last night that I don't think my scarring will be too bad because it looks like they did a good job glueing them together. I am so glad they used the glue instead of stitches. I'm 5 days today, and would love to just move on to soft foods so I could get some more calories in right now. The smallest amount of activity completely wipes me out. The good news is that I haven't had to use any pain meds since day 4, so I am at least thinking clearly.

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[Jazzzyjay 222]

@"Jazzzyjay", I was just telling my husband last night that I don't think my scarring will be too bad because it looks like they did a good job glueing them together. I am so glad they used the glue instead of stitches. I'm 5 days today, and would love to just move on to soft foods so I could get some more calories in right now. The smallest amount of activity completely wipes me out. The good news is that I haven't had to use any pain meds since day 4, so I am at least thinking clearly.

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I got stiches and glue. I think I'm going to use mederma once it's OK. Mine are starting to itch a little which is a good sign. But my narcotics make me itching as well Ive caught myself almost scratching them

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