My Surgery experience (LONGGG Post)
***WARNING** HORRIBLY LONG POST
Hey folks. I was banded last Tuesday(28th) and I thought I might give the pre-op people a picture of how it might go. Sorry this is so long, but I am trying to get the details in.
First, before the surgery, I was put on a 1000 calorie diet for the 7 days leading. I was told this was to help reduce my liver size. My nutritionist told me that one of the big problems is that people go out and binge and there liver may enlarge and prevent the laproscopic surgery.
I took my cleanout ¡§Soda¡¨ at 3pm the day before. I will spare you the night details.
I was told to be in for 8am and I was not in a hurry so we got there a few minutes late. I packed some sweats and slippers and toiletries. First thing they banded me (my wrist ?º) and got me into my room. I changed into a cool robe and went in and lay down on the bed. They checked my history and found some kind of heart anomaly and said they needed a second ekg and that they were concerned. This kind of got my nerves up as I thought I was clear. The ekg came back fine and they put in my IV. They also gave me some blood thinner in my belly (This continued throughout my stay). I was in this room for about 30 minutes. Then they wheeled me up to a holding area for surgery. Anesthesia came in and talked to me a little bit. Then my Dr came in and said hi(very briefly). I was in there another 30 mins. I was then wheeled into the operating room and I got off the stretcher and climbed onto the table. They injected something into my IV and then had me breathe from a mask. I was OUT within 2 mins of climbing on the table.
My next memory was being wheeled into my room. I have no clue what happened in recovery; accept for one fleeting memory of them removing the line they used to draw blood in the operating room. I remember having some chest pressure and I was uncomfortable. They come in and gave me some morphine and I went to sleep for a while. When I woke up they were giving me a non-narcotic non-steroid pain reliever. My wife was there and taking good care of me. I was sore¡Kbut not in agony. I got up later and walked around. I had heard a lot in a support group from the nurses about getting up and walking and how it would speed your recovery. I had the BEST nurse, Amy, who was very sweet. I had to have oxygen which surprised me but was not a big deal.
My wife left after dinner time to go home and take care of the kids. I was due for a morphine shot around 7 but the new nurse thought I should hold off for a while. I also request a sleeping aid be brought in around 9:30. 9:30 came and went. The rest of the night I got my hourly check by a nurse technician with a blood draw around 3:30am. Whenever I saw the nurse and asked for the meds he said I would be ok, or he would come back in a while. I was not in great pain but I wanted to sleep and was uncomfortable. I never DEMANDED the meds, but asked for morphine at least 4 times. Never got anything and only slept for an hour all night.
The next morning Amy came back and instantly got my morphine. I got up and walked around the floor a few times. My wife came in around 8 and I was scheduled for my barium swallow at 9:40. That went pretty quick. Tastes bad but not horrible, and only 1 oz. No leaks or blockages. I went back to my room and started my water (stage 1) at 10:30. I was told to take 1 oz an hour for 3 hours and to make the 1 oz last the hour. At 12:50 my Stage 2 showed up and the nurse came in to check on me. I told her I did good so far on the water but I was not due to start Stage 2 until 1:30. She told me to go ahead and start now. After she left I waited until 1:30 like I thought I should. I was hesitant to start it and throw up, which would mean another night in the hospital. On my Stage 2 tray was Jello (3 oz) chicken broth, & hot tea. I took the jello and ate it slowly over an hour. After that went ok I pushed for my release that day. The Physician Assistants (I did not see my DR ONCE after surgery) said I should stay an extra night if I wanted to, but after the night before I just wanted to be home.
I got discharged around 3:30 Wednesday and headed home. Unfortunately my wife had left the sweats at home and had brought back my jeans. I little uncomfortable but not bad. We went home and I sat in recliner. Mind you sitting, and standing or anything to do with our belly muscles will be sore or painful. I took one dose of Tylenol w/Codine that night to help me sleep. I slept for a short time in bed (on my non-port side) and then in the recliner and then in the spare bed. Got at least 5 hours which isn¡¦t bad.
Thursday I started Stage 3 diet and had Jello for breakfast. I had and really still have no real desire to eat. I had the day home alone mostly and just vegged out. Again getting in and out of the recliner or the bathroom was an issue, not horrible but not something to look forward to. I had Carnation IB for lunch and dinner. I did not drink much other than that.
Friday got better and we had a nice day home with the family. Saturday progressed even more and we went up to my in-laws and I went out walking while my son rode his bike. Not a lot of exercise and I felt like my lung capacity was not all there. Saturday night I tried sleeping a bit on my Port-side. Not bad but I swear I can feel the port on my belly. I doubt that is really true, just my mind.
Sunday was good and by Monday I was feeling really good. Sitting and standing was not as much a soreness as a gentle reminder that I had surgery. I have had several light headed feelings since Sunday. I assume my body is just getting used to the change, but I will check with the DR when I see him.
Tuesday I got back to work and while I was tired in the morning I really kicked in later and felt almost ¡§normal¡¨. Today is also a good day.
Well if this helped anyone understand what it is like I am happy and if not print it off and put it by the bed ini case you can¡¦t sleep at night.
Sher' 
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