The 24 hr count down begins!!

Well the countdown is started ....24 hours until surgey I am not feeling scared or anxiety....very much any way! I have spent the last couple days trying to finish up christmas shopping. I still have a lot of questions that keep popping up like how long until I feel like me again? and exactly how much pain do you feel after you wake up? I hate to use narcotic pain meds but not opposed to it either as long as it takes away the pain. I just ask for lots of thoughts and prayers to get me through this without complecations so I can be home for Christmas! Talk to you all soon. Dana

I'm right there with ya, Dana. I've got 23:55 before I hit the hospital. You're right. There seems to be a calm coming over me. I'm thinking that this is 1) Faith in God and my surgeon, 2) being adequately educated about the topic. God bless, and Go do some good! Jake

Hi Dana, I am feeling happy for you. I am over 4 weeks out now, and can hardly believe that I'm this side of surgery, after waiting for, working for, and wishing for surgery for so long. I just wanted to say that it's important to stay comfortable by using the pain medication available, so that you can move around, breathe deeply and especially so that you can cough. Remember to hold a pillow tightly over your abdomen when you cough, to support your incision(s). Plus the best way to get through the first day (in my opinion) is to sleep through it. Wake up every hour, do your incentive spirometer, cough, and then go back to sleep. The next day you will need to get up, sit in a chair, walk around, and cough, so you need to stay comfortable for that also. Don't worry about taking it too much, it won't be available "too much". I had my gallbladder removed at the same time, and had that and the RNY laproscopically, and I would say that about the 5th-6th day, I was feeling much better, only needed pain med at night. Best wishes, and I'm praying for you. Linda