Day 4 post -op... Some things I'd like to share
Hi Everyone, so... I made it to the other side. I wanted to share with all of you my experience.
The hospital I went to was terrific. Could not have asked for more caring and dedicated teams of doctors and nurses to take care of me.
This was my first surgery ever, so I had an idea of what to expect, but not really. The surgery went great ( about an hour- I had gastric bypass), and I was up in my room withint the hour after surgery. I didn't have pain until about 2 hours after surgery. I was up, and walking laps around the unit 1 hour after my surgery. I found out 90% of the severe pain most experience from the gas pains, due to the gas used to inflate the stomach area so it can be operated on, must be expelled. The ONLY way to get the gas out, is to walk... yes, just walk. And at times, I walked, cried, walked some more, but kept going. I had nausea from the anestitia, and dry heaved oned night, but nothing came up. I was afarid of throwing up, because I didn't want to irritate my stomach or pop the staples. There was also a drain on my left side, I had buring around the area. I was told this is normal, and the pain medication kept it under control. Once the drain was taken out ( which was so weird, coming out, and I was so relieved, I felt so much better).
The 2nd day, the nurse brought my first breakfast tray, and I started drinking one ounce of water per hour, graduated to 1 ounce of water every 15 minutes, and then started taking the protien drinks. Now, what really helped me, was that I am used to drinking the protein shakes, so they didn't taste bad to me, and they stayed down, Some others post op on my unit, could not stand the taste, or keep the protein shake down. I reccomend while on your 14 day pre-op diet, yo get very familar with the taste and consistency of the protein drinks. They are my source of of nutrition, and I am grateful I can keep my liquids down. I've walked about 2 miles a day ( while in the hospital, and since coming home yesterday, have walked slowly outside about a mile a day. Again, the walking is the key to relieve the gas, and also helps to keep circulation going, and blood clots at bay. During the last 4 days, I have prayed a lot, cried a lot, spent a lot of time reflecting on my life, and I conclude that I am so grateful I went through with this process, and I have a great big life in front of me. As each day passes ( the pain and feeling afraid) has gone away, and been replaced with hope and joy to my future.
I want to say, I didn't read to much about the gas...( I hate to talk about stuff like that! (LOL), but it became a great focus, because until it is released, the pain will build up. If you're on your pre-op diet, drink as much water as possible. Drink water up until midnight before your surgery. Trust me, even though you will have an IV drip, it will aide in helping you stay hydrated, and ease in going to the restroom.
I am full of lots of emotions today, but wanted to drop a note and let you all know how I am doing. Thank you all for the notes and letters of support you sent me. I read them in the hospital and it made me feel so connected to all of you.
COngrats to all of US June babies! :)
The hospital I went to was terrific. Could not have asked for more caring and dedicated teams of doctors and nurses to take care of me.
This was my first surgery ever, so I had an idea of what to expect, but not really. The surgery went great ( about an hour- I had gastric bypass), and I was up in my room withint the hour after surgery. I didn't have pain until about 2 hours after surgery. I was up, and walking laps around the unit 1 hour after my surgery. I found out 90% of the severe pain most experience from the gas pains, due to the gas used to inflate the stomach area so it can be operated on, must be expelled. The ONLY way to get the gas out, is to walk... yes, just walk. And at times, I walked, cried, walked some more, but kept going. I had nausea from the anestitia, and dry heaved oned night, but nothing came up. I was afarid of throwing up, because I didn't want to irritate my stomach or pop the staples. There was also a drain on my left side, I had buring around the area. I was told this is normal, and the pain medication kept it under control. Once the drain was taken out ( which was so weird, coming out, and I was so relieved, I felt so much better).
The 2nd day, the nurse brought my first breakfast tray, and I started drinking one ounce of water per hour, graduated to 1 ounce of water every 15 minutes, and then started taking the protien drinks. Now, what really helped me, was that I am used to drinking the protein shakes, so they didn't taste bad to me, and they stayed down, Some others post op on my unit, could not stand the taste, or keep the protein shake down. I reccomend while on your 14 day pre-op diet, yo get very familar with the taste and consistency of the protein drinks. They are my source of of nutrition, and I am grateful I can keep my liquids down. I've walked about 2 miles a day ( while in the hospital, and since coming home yesterday, have walked slowly outside about a mile a day. Again, the walking is the key to relieve the gas, and also helps to keep circulation going, and blood clots at bay. During the last 4 days, I have prayed a lot, cried a lot, spent a lot of time reflecting on my life, and I conclude that I am so grateful I went through with this process, and I have a great big life in front of me. As each day passes ( the pain and feeling afraid) has gone away, and been replaced with hope and joy to my future.
I want to say, I didn't read to much about the gas...( I hate to talk about stuff like that! (LOL), but it became a great focus, because until it is released, the pain will build up. If you're on your pre-op diet, drink as much water as possible. Drink water up until midnight before your surgery. Trust me, even though you will have an IV drip, it will aide in helping you stay hydrated, and ease in going to the restroom.
I am full of lots of emotions today, but wanted to drop a note and let you all know how I am doing. Thank you all for the notes and letters of support you sent me. I read them in the hospital and it made me feel so connected to all of you.
COngrats to all of US June babies! :)
That is great!! I can only hope that I will do so good!
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