Scared & my surgery date is 12/31/08

I'm having Gastric Bypass surgery on 12/31/08 and am scared now that I know I'm only a few weeks away.  I've heard and read plenty on what to expect before and after the surgery but not much about the actual time in the hospital, from day 1 thru day 3 or 4.  I feel that the unknown is what is frightening me.  If anyone can share their experiences with me good and bad so at least I'll have an idea of what to expect and look out for I'll at least feel more prepared and that may reduce my anxiety and fear.  Will I sleep most of day 1?  How much pain on a scale of 1-10 will I have?  How often do they have you get up & walk around each day?  Are you sick at all any of those days and if so how severe?  I would be grateful for any information anyone can provide and greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,
Lisa_CT

Congrats on your date! What  a wonderful way to start the new year. You are at the beginning of an exciting chapter of your life. Please know that each person reacts differently so who ever shares their experience may be totally different from mine or yours. My routine was - obviously sore/sleepy for a couple hours after surgery.... pain meds minimized the discomfort...... was walking (a very slooooooow pace) after six - seven hours after surgery.... slept OK.. still pushing button for pain meds but not so often... got up early on day 2 and starting walking (making laps around the floor - goal was 16 laps that day.... 1 mile) ended up doing 28 laps.... each one getting quicker..... by the end of day two I did not need pain meds...... was uncomfortable but not in pain.... woke up in the middle of the night and started walking laps.... (for Dr. A, walking was a major sign of getting better) walked 39 laps.... Note did not feel sick at all during my stay in the hospital.... went home with a prescription for pain meds and took one the first night because I thought I would need it for discomfort.... didn't really need it and never took another pain pill .... was driving in a week and took a short Motorcycle ride after 10 days. I stayed out of work (pretty much... just a couple short visits..... have a desk job and a great staff) for three weeks. By that time I was bored to tears and ready to get back. I got to the point where I didn't ever want to see taste, touch, hear about protien shakes again and...... BAM....... I was allowed to move onto "mush" foods.
Reminder.... everyone is different... but that's my story and if I never lose another pound I ABSOLUTELY would have no regrets. (would be terribly disappointed because I have a long way to go.... but you get the picture.....) Good luck and please keep us posted.... or if you have any questions, please ask.             Dan

Dan,

Thanks for filling me in on what to expect right after surgery.  The not knowing was really weighing on me.  I'll remember that everyone is different but at least I won't be walking into this blind.  Sounds like you were one of the lucky ones.  I do give you credit for getting out on your motorcycle though so soon after the surgery that takes alot of guts cuz those things can be really heavy.   
I start my liquid protein shakes the middle of this week for two weeks and hope it's not too bad.  I realize now after watching a video of a real gastric bypass surgery the importance of shrinking the liver now that I see how close they have to work next too it. 

Congratulations by the way and God Bless!

Lisa

I slept most of day one since I don't do anesthesia that well. I did have to get up and walk a little. We had to walk 16 laps a day (like Dan said) but day one we could cheat and not do that many. Good thing cause I was out of it until about 4 (had the first surgery of the day) and not steady on my feet for a while. I was still mostly out of it on day two but in pain cause I couldn't hit the morphine enough. I couldn't keep track of five minutes to save me. I was in too much pain to walk a lot. I got on pills and that helped me tremendously. Did get my 16 laps in that day and the next and felt better on day 3. Day 4 about killed me. I had a milk intolerance before surgery, now I can't have much dairy at all. I eat some cheese and Activia (every day) but if I eat too much well, lets say you don't want to be in a small room with me.  I had a shake with Lactaid in it and my tummy gurgled and gave me fits. I got about half the shake down then switched to soy. Been a soy girl ever since. Barely got the 16 laps in on that day since I had to get 2 shakes down before they would let me go home. Went home at 10PM. Was NOT gonna have another shot of heparin. It wasn't as bad as it sounds. My pain was about a 5 once I got the pills and a 7 without them. I have allergies to the suture material (found out when the gall bladder came out 61/2 months later) so that might have been part of the problem. Good luck! I had some plastics done on my foot recently and the surgeon said "If your not nervous about surgery, somethings wrong."

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with me.  At least now I won't be wondering all kinds of crazy things I will have actual experiences to base it on.  I will remember that everyone is different but Thanks again! 
Question though, you stated you were not gonna have another shot of heparin?  Why is that?  How often does one get this shot?  I know the doc mentioned this but I thought it was only for the surgery, does this shot happen more often and if so how often and where is the shot administered? 
Also,  I can handle milk now with no issues, but are you saying theres a possibility I may not handle it as well after the surgery?  If so, I'll plan to have soy or Lactaid on hand just in case.  I've never tried the Lactaid, does it taste like milk and have the same texture?

Sorry for all the questions but I do appreciate the advice tremendously.

Lisa

loved milk prior to surgery.... alas, now I am Lactose intolerant. I drink non-fat Lactaid and don't find it significantly different than 1 or 2 % milk... similar texture... give it a try... Most people I have talked to said it may go away with time I will be able to handle milk again.
I actually gave myself shots of Heparin a couple of days before surgery. Wasn't really to excited about that though but just chalked it up to a new experience. (I just shot - 2 times a day - them into stomach fat.) I don't recall shots of Heparin in the hospital .... got a couple of shots for Diabetes though.... I found the stockings more offensive than the shots but wore those attractive socks for two weeks... all in the game for the the greatest ride of my life.

I HATE needles and after the trama of stabbing me multiple times for an IV I hated seeing the nurse come in with my shot. (I had 6 people try before I was promised to get knocked out before a central line went in. Dr. A. found a good vein after I was out so he was number 7) I got one shot a shift everyday I was in the hospital. I did get one before surgery in the arm and I was intears it burned so bad. There was a little sting each time I got one but it wasn't like that first one. I got the heck out of there before thirs shift came one and had yet another needle stick.

I have heard that some people become lactose intolerant after surgery but it usually goes away. For me that hasn't happened and I think it's because of my previous allergy to it. I know I just picked up some yummy pumpkin spice Silk. Not what I was expecting. No pumpkin flavor, just spicey. The nut I saw before surgery said to have Lactaid on hand. Glad I didn't listen to her cause that would have been a waste of $$$ for me.

Hi Lisa,
 I had my surgery on Nov 5 2005. I also had Dr. Barba. I love him!! I was in the hospital for 3 day. I slept most of day one. Got up to walk on day 2. Don't get anything to eat until after the blue test. Just bits of ice to chew on. You need to let your pouch start healing right away. I found the more I got up to walk, the less pain I had. I didn't have bad pain. It was more annoying pain. I never used the morphine button. But you can't judge my experience or anyone elses to what you might have. My thinking is, if you expect pain, you will have it. I wanted this surgery so bad, I was determined it wasn't going to be bad. And for me it wasn't.  Just follow your instructions and you will be fine.
I lost 135 pounds and on Nov 25 2008 I had a Tummy Tuck, by Dr. Barba. It went very well. And again, I went in there thinking I was going to have little pain. And I never had any pain or took any pain meds. I am doing fine and am very pleased with the results.
You are in very good hands. Dr. Barba is my Knight in shinning armor.
Good Luck, be excited, not scared!!
Hugs,
Sarah

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU LISA...what a great date to have....

I had no pain issues what-so-ever from the get go...understanding that the hospital stuff sorta kinda maintains things while you are in the hospital...I never took any of the liquid percocet...did use a little children's liguid tylenol..had some back pain....because I stayed at my sisters for a few days...on her couch...(teenagers at home...needed to NOT have to take care of them..LOL)

I have had no complaints...I know when I eat too fast...or eat something I shouldn't I am going to pay for it....even now...17 months out...

and I know that I HAVE to give up at least 10 hours a week to the gym...which I LOVE...

I would do this again in a heart beat...as 3 years ago...my heart was in such bad shape I had one foot in the grave...

nothing to worry about....see you on the losers bench!