My surgery experience on 8/28

[Livetothrive 24]

***Sharing a recent surgery experience***

I had my gastric bypass surgery about 1 week ago and so wanted to share some of my experiences with you. I know before I went in, I was nervous, excited, anxious and would have loved to hear about someone one else’s experience – so I am sharing mine. For what it’s worth. <3

I tried to break it down into sections so you can scan and read what you want.

SURGERY/RECOVERY ROOM

My surgery was scheduled for 8:15am on August 28, 2018 at the University of Iowa Hospital; we arrived at 6am to get checked in. They did all the expected procedures, weighed me, asked medical questions, did a pregnancy test, change into hospital gown, and prepped the IV.

At 8:15am, wheeled back to the surgical area. Where it felt like I was the car in a Nascar pit stop.  People checking with me, setting up IV fluids, other monitors, prepping for surgery. The last thing I recall is the oxygen mask and asking me to take deep breaths.

The surgery started at 9:08am and lasted until about 12pm and I was in the recovery room until about 2pm. They checked on my pain levels and nausea. I was fortunate to not have nausea, but there was significant pain.

From there I was wheeled into my room and was able to see my family. Remember, you just had surgery and you are going to be VERY tired. You will be pale and do NOT worry about any of that! <3

I was still linked to the IV for fluids and pain medicine; I could push the button every 8 minutes for a dose, which did help limit the pain. They also gave me anti-nausea medicine through the IV.

DRAIN

I had a gastric bypass so had a drain. I understand this isn’t the case for all surgeries. I had a plastic tube in my stomach that was connected to a small bulb. Every 4 hours, a nurse would empty it and they also sent a sample of the fluids to the lab to ensure what was coming out was ok. In my case, the drain did not hurt. It was just rather weird having a plastic tube sticking out of your tummy.

At one point, my drain started to leak Fluid so they just had to remove the bandages and replace and cover with more tape. (Just another reason to stick with the hospital gowns – got the stuff on their clothes not mine!  )

I will speak to the removal of the drain – since that is a question I had. When I was about to be discharged the next afternoon, they had to pull it out. There were two stitches adhering the drain to my stomach so they snipped those (no pain) and started to pull the drain out. It was minimal pain but mostly it felt really …weird… They are pulling a plastic tube out of your insides so you can imagine. Not terrible – just not something I would like to feel again.

CATHETER

I had a catheter after my surgery; I don’t know if this is standard for all surgeries. Every 4 hours, the nurse would empty and measure the amount of fluid. The main annoyance was trying to walk around with a long-ass tube between your legs.

When they took it out, it just felt like a little pressure and it was done. It was no biggie.

NURSES

I want to take a moment and recognize the work of nurses. They work their asses off to take care of us and it is not a simple job.

I was pretty lucky with my nurses; they were very kind and fun. I did have one that liked to complain a lot, but she was still nice to me.

Please, do NOT act like a jerk to the nurses! I know you may be in pain and scared – but they are there to help you and support you.

It IS ok to ask for help though. Use the call button and ask for assistance as you need. There were a couple of times I had to use mine and that is what is there for.

On a side note, I do know there are a few nurses who really should leave the field. If you do come across such nurse, it is completely appropriate to advocate for yourself and get a reassignment. When my grandmother was in the hospital many years ago, I had to do this because of her negligence and the way she spoke to my grandma.

***Long story short: Be nice, ask for help, and advocate for yourself.

PAIN

I am known for sugar coating anything (just ask my kids, lol) Yes, you will have pain. You will also have medicine to assist you with this. Be honest with your caretakers about your pain level. If the medicine is not helping you – it is ok to discuss other options! It is your body!

I developed an allergy to the pain medicine and became itchy ALL over! Since the allergy wasn’t dangerous, they reconciled this by simply giving me Benadryl.

The second day, they started to wean me off the IV pain pump and gave me the same pain pills I would have at home.

*PRO TIP: Take the pain pills (and any other ones) as prescribed, even if it means waking up from slumber to take them! For example, I was to take mine every 4 hours. I set multiple alarms on my cell phone to alert me to take them – even overnight. That way the pain meds remain in your system and you don’t wake up in immense pain! It is well worth it, I promise!

NAUSEA

I was relatively lucky with this and didn’t suffer with it too badly. I know some folks really have difficulties with this. I did have anti-nausea meds in my IV for a while and they sent me home with anti-nausea pills for home.

The only time I did have a terrible moment of nausea was the evening of the surgery.,,but we had some interesting weather. We actually had a Tornado warning so all patients had to come outside their rooms. I had to go from laying down to sitting up ramrod straight in a chair. I thought for sure I was going to get sick – but I was able to hold it in. I couldn’t bear to get sick in front of all the other patients and upset them or cause more work for the nurses. After the warning was over, I got to go back in my room and lay down and l felt so much

better.

WALKING

When I was in the hospital (and after I got home) I got up to walk about every 2 hours and it *significantly* helped with any gas pain. It was also just good to get out of the room and see other people. Yes, I am talking about overnight. In fact, my most fun walks were at 12am, 2am, and 4am because the overnight nurses were really sweet and funny.

I know you will be tired and sleep is very hard to get at the hospital, but it will make you feel better to walk for a few minutes. <3

HOSPITAL ENVIRONMENT

This is just my experience, but the hospital was not exactly a relaxing place. No surprise to most people. 

There is constant noise: beeping from other rooms, people talking, some people have tv’s, etc. I recommend earplugs or headphones to help with the noise.

You also will have folks coming into your room at all hours interrupting you sleep - to do different things (checking IV’s, vitals, catheter, pump, housekeeping)

COMING HOME

I was very happy to be able to come home. I was able to come home the afternoon after my surgery.

They will get the meds you need and go over your discharge notes and instructions. (Do as they say!)

I HIGHLY recommend bringing a pillow or having the person driving you home bring a pillow. It helps you hold your stomach from all the bouncing from the car ride. My ride home was a little rough. The roads in Iowa are not especially great so it did hurt. Just be prepared for that with a pillow and pain meds and you will be ok. <3

DIET

Be sure to follow whatever diet your doctor/nutritionist. I know that different programs/hospitals have different protocols – so follow what you are given. Do NOT cheat immediately after your surgery! It is not worth it to possibly harm yourself. <3

WHAT TAKE TO HOSPITAL

This is a question I see often and researched much as well. I will just list the items I found useful:

• Comfy Robe (used for walks and as a blanket; it was much softer than the hospital blanket)

• Slippers

• Ponytail holders

• Face wash wipes

• hair Brush

• Toothbrush

• Toothpaste

• Phone and charger

• Headphones

• Comfy clothes to go home in (I wore a cotton dress. I didn’t want pants to touch my incisions)

• Extra undergarments

• Deodorant

• Biotine (My mouth was SO dry! And it was heavenly when I could have ice chips!)

• I did not wear the PJ’s I brought. I wore the hospital gown and was thankful I did due to a couple of drain leaks!

****************************************************************

Well, that was my experience. Hope you found it helpful.

If you have any questions – let me know and I am happy to answer!

Best of luck to you!

Stefanie <3

[Kailianna83 6]

Thank you so much for posting this. I have not gotten my surgery date but it is soon. I was a little worried that I would over think it like I tend to do everything but your post really helps. It is refreshing the you are a recent patient because most of the patients I follow on youtube are years out but the experience is new to you. Thank you again. I can't tell you how much it helps.