update on my 10/1/04 LAP RNY

10/01/04 - Today is surgery day! Surprisingly, I am relaxed and ready to go. My pre-weight is 368 pounds. My boyfriend Brian and I dropped the kids off to the sitter @ 5am. Off to University Hospital I go. We arrive @ 6am. I check in with registration on the 1st floor, and they gave me directions to the 3rd floor to pick up paperwork. 3rd floor gave me paperwork and gave me directions to the pre-surgical holding area on the 5th floor. ( it was like I was on a treasure hunt & WLS was my prize!) The pre-surgical holding area was actually the recovery room. I was given my I.D. bracelettes, a gown to change into, TED stockings (knee high support hose), and skid proof slipper socks to wear. No sooner did I climb in bed, one by one I met the team of doctors, nurses, and anastesiologists that would be taking care of me. They were all pleasant, and helpful. They had a hard time getting an I.V. started on me (nothing new). I ended up with my I.V. in front of my right shoulder. (If that didn't work they were talking about doing a central line.) Started I.V. antibiotics. I received a shot of Heparin in my belly (prevents blood clots) My vital signs were taken, and I put on the little green surgical cap. 7:30am I was moved to the O.R. I moved over onto the table. I was asked to take deep breathes of oxygen from a mask. They told me that they were getting ready to give me the "sleepy medicine". I stared at the light above me and that is all I remember about the O.R. Once I was asleep, they put a catheter in my bladder. Surgery started at 8:00am. I had the Laporscopic Roux-en Y done. When I woke up in Recovery room it was 1:00pm. I was moved to my room on the 5th floor. Boots were put on my legs that inflate and deflate with air...prevents blood clots. I was wearing Oxygen via nasal canula @ 5 liters/min. I had morphine via PCA pump (Patient Controlled Analgesic). I was NPO all day. I was given I.V. Reglan, and I.V. Zantac to settle down gastric juices since I was unable to eat. I was sleepy the 1st day. Pain was not as bad as I thought it would be. I was up walking the halls by 8pm the 1st night. I was pretty sore, but I was not nauseated or dizzy at all. I talked on the phone briefly to friends to let them know I was ok. 10/2/04- Day 2 I have more pain today. Not pain from incissions, but gas pain. I have 7 small (1/2 cm) incissions on my abdomine from the scopes. Usually there are ony 5, but they neede to make two extra for manuevering inside me. They pump you full of CO2 so the doctor has room to move and see. After surgery you have to move a lot to work it out of your body. Sitting in a chair and rocking was helpful. Changing positions from right side to left side in bed helped to. The nurse had to give me a bed bath. I wasn't able to bend easily just yet I gave up my PCA pump today. I went to Lortab Elixer 15ml every 4hrs prn for pain. I started to drink water at 1:00pm. 30ml from 1-2pm, 60ml from 2-3pm, then 90ml from 3-4pm. Was strange sipping water over an hour. I tolerated it well. I am still getting Heparin shots, and Reglan,and Zantac I.V. My catheter was removed, and I was finally able to pee on my own. ( very hard to wipe though...everyday gets better) I no longer have to wair O2, or the boots on my legs. I was taking my pain med every 4 hours today. Up walking the hall every 2 hours (wish I could get rid of the gas). I got flowers from my boyfriend today. I cried...these emotions are running wild, almost like after child birth! 10/03/04- Day 3 This morning I feel better. I took myself to the bathroom 2x's last night...and a lot of the gas pain is gone. I am still sore though. I was able to have breakfast this am! 2 oz of chicken broth, 2 0z of diet jello, 4 oz of dilluted apple juice! yippeeee! I can go home today! My I.V. is removed, and I took a shower and got dressed all by myself! I was discharged at 10:30am. The bumpy ride home was not fun. I think Brian hit every bump in the road! About 1pm I was exhausted. I climbed in the lazy boy and fell asleep. I woke up shivering and asked for 2 blankets. I woke up again at 3pm and was in a lot of pain. I was worried that maybe I came home too soon. My face was flushed and warm, but my hands were freezing cold. I had to force myself to get up, I was soooooooo sleepy. I was in a lot of pain. I could barely walk to the bathroom. Brian went to the pharmacy to fill my pain med perscription (Lortab Elixer). While he was gone, I was rubbing my back and felt many firm blisters on my lower back all clustered in a row together. My lower back hurt (that was why I was rubbing it) but the blisters itch a little. My daughter told me that the blisters are full of clear yellow liquid and the skin around them is pink. My belly and side itches too, but no blisters. I will call Doctor tomorrow. Once I took my pain medicine I felt a lot better. I found out today that my father collapsed in the bathroom yesterday and split his head open. He needed 5 staples to the back of his head. He is a diabetic, and his blood sugar was 22 at the hospital. He is in I.C.U. and not doing to well. I can't even see him...I probrably have shingles! When it rains it pores! Things have to get better. Today I drank 1/2 strength apple juice. 2- 8 ounce glasses. 10/4/04- I had a good night. I woke up at 4am and needed some pain med. I was ok after. I have to crush my meds up and put in apple sauce (YUCK). I had apple juice 1/2 strength for breakfast, carnation instant bkfst for lunch with skim milk. I have an appoint. with my doctor for wednesday morning to check shingles. My follow up appoint. with my surgeon is October 14th. I must go make my children supper and drink my yogurt smoothie. Bye for now. 10/6/04- I am feeling really good. I only take my pain medicine periodicaly now. I am not tired. Walking more every day. I went to my primary physician today. I do not have shingles. (thank God). I found out that I am allergic to the adhesive on the steri strips and bandaids! I took off the steri strips on the incision above my belly button. The incision looked great...BUT I had a gross amount of clear yellow (resembles apple juice)drainage that poured out of that incision. Like 3 0z!! I called and talked to the nurse at the bariatric clinic. She told me that a fluid pocket is normal after a laporscopic surgery. To put 4x4 on it and let it drain. I have a follow up appointment with them on October 14th. I went through 6-7 4x4's and it was soaking through my clothes! So I put a maxi pad on it!!! I will call them back tomorrow to let them know the extent of this drainage. I find it hard to believe that this is "normal". I do not have a fever or anything. I feel great! Just look like an idiot with apple juice draining from my belly button onto a maxi pad!!! I ate today! I tried 2 teaspoons of tuna with lite mayo for supper! I tolerated it good. I had a carnation instant breakfast shake with 6oz of skim milk for breakfast and lunch. They are good! I weighed myself today...364 (-4 lbs). Slow start, but I am on my way. My father is still in ICU and is not doing well. I will see him tomorrow since I know I don't have shingles. Take Care everyone! Good luck on your journey! Darlene

I had surgery the same day as you, and feel I could have written the post you have. I am feeling much better today. Hang in there, and all thru this I did have a single second that I may have made a mistake, but everyday is getting easier. Good luck, and my prayers are with your father. Shirley