Home From the Hospital Yesterday!

Good morning everyone! I came home from the hospital yesterday evening. I spent 3 days in the hospital - that includes the operative day. I had my lower body lift with thighplasty and hernia repair with mesh insertion. Pre-op was great. They gave me a sedative and I didn't remember getting on the operating table and being put to sleep. I woke up in the recovery room in excruiating pain It took about 2 hours to get my pain under control with IV morphine. I did have the On-Q pump. I took the IV morphine whenever it was time, as I didn't want to have to go through that pain again. Unfortunately, my IV infiltrated the day after and it took them over 4 hours to get it restarted (They had to get the IV team to restart my IV since I have small veins). I tried oral medications, but that didn't touch my pain at all. So by the time I got the IV restarted and got my pain medication, I was in such excruiating pain! I didn't get much rest at all. My room was by the nurses station and they kept coming in for me or my roommate. The noise was unbearable. I got a bad headache on the second day and it took all day to get rid of it. As far as the results look, I am pleased so far. My surgeon keeps coming into my room, pleased a*****h with the results. I do have some swelling in my legs. My surgeon won't put me into a compression garment until Tuesday. He said that would be too brutal for me. I'm wrapped in ace bandages for the legs and an abdominal binder for my lower body lift. I can move around pretty good; it amazes me! So I am finally home with mixed emotions... happy, sad, crying, you name it. I'm glad I did it. I am walking hunched over like a granny! By the way, the pants I wore to the hospital are too big and baggy for me now. My crotch is way too big in the pants I wore. Well, I will be here more often since I am off of work. I have a docs appointment for Tuesday to see the entire me in the mirror. I am so tired now and my house is turned upside down since my return home. My hospital bed is working out just fine. I just hate having my living and dining room in such a mess. Bandages, tapes, towels, chux, etc... It's so hard to need someone else to help me with the daily stuff. I'm so independent, this phase will be difficult for me! Thanks to everyone for your well wishes and prayers. They were much appreciated! Hugs, Lucy

So glad you are home but sad you had such a bad experience. I bet the results are going to be fabulous!!!! Congratulation Deloris

Thanks Deloris! I know that this will be a difficult part of my recovery process. I hate the swelling. I'm not going to weigh myself for a couple of weeks. Hugs, Lucy

Lucy! I am so happy to hear from you! I was thinking about you for the last 3 days, and hoping all was well. I am sorry you had the pain problem, but glad you are moving around and doing well now. Keep us informed of your progress and I have said a prayer for your quick recovery and NO infections! Keep moving and keep fluids going and protein to help you heal! Wendy

Thanks Wendy! Yeah, I'm thinking about complications but trying to be positive. I am scared of the swelling. Of course, as I posted to Pam I don't want to graze again. I was eating way too much food and gaining. I think I was dumping every day, as my dumping syndrome is braking out in cold, wet sweat. I have been doing that the past 6 weeks. Now, no more! My pouch opening is tighter and I get full so much faster. Thank goodness! I'm getting this eating into control. I have to. I'll keep in touch. Hugs and Love, Lucy

Whew Lucy... I'm so sorry you had to deal with all the pain like that! That sounds like it was pretty rough. I'll bet you are glad to have that behind you. Hey, there's a bright side: that experience is now behind you ... a memory. You know, I had morephine after my RNY and after my PS and both times I ended up with an exruciating headache afterwards. I wonder if that's just one of the side effects? Either way, I'd still take the morephine in those situations! That's soooooo cool that your pants are already loose! My sister had to go up a size right after her LBL until the swelling went down - so you are doing great! Do you have someone to help you out for the next week or two? I wish we lived closer to each other. I would come check on you and help you out. You'll have to take at least one walk around the house and pretend I'm there with you. Make sure you take it easy and give yourself time to heal - but also get your walking in. AND make sure you keep up your protein and vitamins! And remember, every day that goes by is a day closer to being all healed up and the further the worst is behind you. I think you are going to be thrilled with the results and sooooooo glad you did it! Pam

Hi Pam! I live alone so I have to care for myself. I plan on walking outside tomorrow morning, just a couple of steps. It's so cold here! I can't wait until Tuesday to see the entire me in the mirror. I am scared of the scars but know that I will have to live with them. They will be less noticeable over time. It's so wierd that my pants are so big, I first bought an extra small and it fit very well. So I went up a size to a small, it had a little room in it, but now it's way too big. I thought my clothes would be tight, but in this cir****tance that is not the case. We, as a group should plan a get together for our 2 year anniversary. Something to think about! Thanks for your response. It is always good to hear from you. Hugs and Love, Lucy

Dearest Lucy! I am so glad to hear from you. I have been away fronm the board due to no computer acess but as always have you and everyone in my heart. Keep your spirits up! God Bless....Diane

Hi Diane. I'm trying to keep my spirits up. The swelling is starting to get to me. I know that I will have to deal with it. I'll keep everyone posted on my progress. Thanks for your response. Take care! Lucy

Hi Lucy~ I'm so thrilled to hear that you're back safe and sound. I've been out of town for a few days, but was thinking of you! The swelling will go down, fortunately!! I hope you're not still in pain. Keep us updated on how you're doing. Congratulations!! Hugs, Kerri