home at last

Well I am home at last. I spent 5 days at the Royal Alex after my RNY. I had a big bleed after my surgery so I had to be taken back up the first night and repaired. It has been a roller coaster ride and nothing went as planned, but I cant say I ever regretted having the surgery. Having trouble sleeping, but the food is going down pretty good. I have taken all the advice you great people have given on this sight and was prepared ahead of time for my food choices. I am so glad to be home. The only advice I can give right now is, dont rush into this. My journey started 2 1|2 years ago. If I hadnt researched everything and taken all the modules, I would have never been able to deal with what I just went through. Be patient, we didnt get where we are overnight but our lives will be so rewarded in the end.

Welcome home.  Thanks for the advice.  I am looking to have an RNY and it helps to hear what others have experienced.  I am on week 4 of the one cup diet for the Red Deer Clinic. 

I am sorry to hear you had a big bleed after surgery. Did you know what was going on or did the nurse notice it?  I know it sounds like a weird question but I have been thinking about what happens if there are complications...would I know?  I also don't want to take normal recovery symptoms as there is something wrong.

Thanks Mel. No, I did not notice I was bleeding. The nurse noticed my nightgown was all wet, and quickly realized it was blood. They said they knicked an artery during my surgery and hadn't noticed it. It was very scary for my husband and myself but thanks to all the quick response, I am on the mend now. Right after surgery they are in there constantly checking your vitals, so it would have been noticed right away regardless. What I can't stress enough for everyone is the day before your surgery, when they tell you to drink lots of fluids, DRINK lots of fluid. I did not, and they had a hard time finding my veins for intravenous. My day would have gone alot better if I had of listened. Drink right up to the time they tell you to stop, usually midnight. Good luck Mel.

HI.  Thank you. I am just doing the one cup diet, hoping to have the surgery some time this year.  That is crazy that they knicked an artery but I guess that can happen in any surgery.

Thanks for the advice of lots of fluids.  They always have a hard time finding veins on me.  I had to do blood tests at the beginning of the program. I had to fast for 12 hours.  Then they tried to take 8 vials of blood...they had to take it out of my hand...then I had to drink this orange liquid and two hours later they took more blood out...out of my wrist.  It took a few of the techs to get a vein.  It was awful but this happens to me all the time so I am hoping they will find a vein.  I will still take your advice of drinking lots of water and staying hydrated.  I hope it helps. Thanks.

 Wow that sounds scary. Who was you Dr?  Any other tips before or after surgery?

Pam

Dr.Karmali was my doctor. I chose him because he has the most experience in Edmonton. His waiting list is longer, but I felt it was worth the wait to have him as my surgeon.
There is alot of good advice on this site. I went back in history and checked out all the conversation I thought looked good and was able to learn alot.
It has been one week since my surgery. I drove my truck today and it wasnt too bad being out of the house. I am certainly not someone that can lay around, so I think getting up and at least walking around your home as much as you can tolerate after your surgery will benefit you.

Hi, I thought I should add this to my tips for surgery:
just before I was taken into surgery, I was asked to sign a paper that said If they could not do the bypass, because of scarring or etc., did I want them then to do a sleeve or just stop the surgery.
At the time this really though me for a loop, because I have never considered the sleeve, I have always wanted the bypass done. I did not have time to think about it, but had to make an immediate decision.
So, I agreed they could do the sleeve if they had to.
After I signed it, I was worried that that was what the outcome of my surgery would be. I do think this should be something patients should be warned about, so they are ready to sign that paper without hesitation or worry.

 Hope you are on the mend and feeling great! Good luck on your journey!