My Hospital Experience

So this is what I remember. Post op the nurse asked me if I get motion sickness and I said yes, she said she would order a patch - they never gave it to me. The surgery went pretty much right on time. In post-op I was next to Jessica - I vaguely remember telling her that my mouth was so dry it was like cotton mouth when I was a teenager and used to smoke pot. (Did I really announce that to the entire post op room? ). When they were wheeling me to the room I started getting really, really nauseous - I bet that motion patch would have helped, it's too bad they have a solution, offered it to me and then didn't give it to me - I told them I felt sick and they plopped a bucket in front of me - I got a little upset and said I don't want a bucket - give me the medicine for nausea - I then got into my room and nurse said to me - I bet you would like a real pillow because I just had this little tiny foam thing - and I said 'Oh yes, that would be just wonderful' then she walked away and didn't give me the pillow - what a tease.......then I asked for my glasses and they said they couldn't get them to me right now. I told them I was getting a headache because I couldn't see - I was begging for my glasses - Finally I had a complete and total emotional breakdown - I started bawling my head off - the nurses aid came into the room and I grabbed her arm and said "Please, please, please do four things for me and I promise to be the best patient in the hospital - Please get me something for this nausea, please get me a pillow, please get me a sponge on stick so I can wet my mouth and please, please, please get me my glasses" I felt so helpless - my tongue was just sticking to the roof of my mouth and I just felt so very crappy. It took about an hour or so to get my four requests granted. The nurses were really nice at St. Francis, I just think they have too many patients or not enough help - I would call for pain med and they wouldn't come - every single time. I would wait for 45 minutes to an hour just to see if they could come on their own without me having to call a second time - and that NEVER happened - I always had to call a second time. When they brought me my tray of food - there was a soda on it, I told the nurse that bariatric patients aren't allowed to have soda - in the morning they brought me a tray with caffeinated tea on it - I guess they only have diabetic option for food choices and not a specific bariatric (no soda, no caffeine, sugar free) - they need to improve that........... These are pretty minor issues, but non-the-less - there really is no place like home to get better. I had a lovely room mate who had the rny from doctor Barba - I told her she should post here - hopefully she will one day. It was nice to be able to take a walk and see Jessica - she looked so cute hugging her little teddy. I have been sipping, walking, sleeping and taking my pain med - so far today I had a protein shake, a cup of tea and 24 ounces of water - so I think I'm on track - 40 ounces of liquid and 20 grams of protein - I'll have another shake before the day is over and that will get 40 grams of protein - it's about 10 grams shy but I think it will suffice for now. My husband and son just baked a cake and it smells really, really good - but I honestly am so thrilled to say that I have no desire to eat it! (My husband asked me if I would mind before they did it and I said it was okay). I actually gained 2 pounds so I'm not going to step on the scale for a while because I think I'm just full of liquids - I also haven't had a bowel movement yet - I'm just a little concerned about that - but I'm thankful I've been able to pass a little gas here and there - sorry if it's TMI......... Home is really the BEST place to be - there's no place like home , there's no place like home , there's no place like home Can you tell I'm happy to be home If you've made it this far from - thanks for reading! Best Regards, Tammy

Hi Tammy, glad to see your sense of Humor survived the Surgery! The hospital stay was the worst part of my surgery , eventho the Hospital staff at St.Rays are the Very Best. Just need to sleep in my own bed. I am a light sleeper and will all the noises that come with a hospital floor I just gave up trying and kept my headphones on listening to my portable radio. As far as gaining weight , thats just the fluids they pumped into you, they will be gone in no time ! As far as a "B.M." Your system will need to carchup and your menu at present is rather sparse, so don't worry, it will get back on track eventually!Good idea not to have any cake, or soda! Big time No'- No's at this stage. Actually, Big Time No'-No's for a while. You just rest up and get your fluids in and you will get used to your new "Menu" in no time. As the weight flys off, you will learn to love it! Welcome home and also to the "Losing Side! Take Care! Julio

Thank you Julio! It is so much nicer to sleep at home! The nurse gave me some ear plugs to help me try to sleep - I only slept a total of 3 hours! I had the most awesome nap today - I took those earplugs home with me and they worked very nice......... I can't wait to see the results of this! Thanks again! Best Regards, Tammy

I read it all, Tammy. Glad you're home, too. At least you know you'll get what you need sooner and with sooooooo much more love. You rest and get better and I look forward to seeing your postings as a loser. {{{{HUGS}}}} Sandy

Thank you Sandy! Best Regards, Tammy

Welcome home Tammy! Wow..sounds like a miserable hospital stay..thank God you are home now to rest and recover more comfortably! Do you have much port pain or is it just sore all over? Does it feel better to walk around or stay stationary? Are you able to sleep lying down or do you have to sleep half sitting up because of port pain, if any? Sorry for asking so many questions..just curious since I'll be getting the band on the 29th. I bet you're glad the surgery is over with. Welcome home and look forward to meeting you on the losing side! Take care, Angie

Hi Angie - Congratulations on getting your date for the 29th! I have very mild pain all over where the incisions are - mostly where the port is, it's just sensitive, the tylenol with codene takes the edge off very nicely. It feels good to do a combo of everything - rest, walk, rest, walk - getting up and down are probably the only time I feel the pain to be honest - I don't feel anything while I'm walking. I slept on the couch last night laying on my back and took a nap in my bed today - but like I said the getting up and down is the hardest maneuver pain wise - once I'm up or down it's pretty good. You are right, I am so glad to have the surgery over with!! Thanks for the welcome home - pretty soon it will be your turn! Hang in there! Best Regards, Tammy

Hi Tammy, I had the patch behind my ear the night BEFORE surgery and still got violently ill...they gave me 3 different nausea meds and finally got some relief! SO, not so sure the patch would have helped that quickly. I'm so sorry to hear of the poor (or lack of) nursing staff. I didn't have that problem at all at Middlesex Hospital...There's a huge shortage of nurses these days. Rest up and follow orders. You'll be a big loser soon! Paula

Oh man Paula - how horrible for you! I only felt sick - I'm so thankful that I didn't actually lose it - that must have been so painful for you! I feel bad that I sounded like I was bashing the hospital staff - they were all very, very nice, I just think they were a little under staffed. The woman next to me needed a lot of help and they were with her constantly - they were checking up on her and really giving her excellent care - I think that I might not have gotten the same level because I was basically in pretty good shape. I was able to get up and go to the bathroom several hours after surgery and then I asked to take a walk. I was actually self serving myself to ice and water in the employee room because it was easier to take care of it myself. I do think that they are understaffed though, but they were very nice. I guess they just have to prioritize and those patients that are very high need will always get atteneded to - I guess that is something to be thankful for - that I wasn't a high need patient! I am resting and trying to do everything right - it would be a shame to go through all this and then mess it up! Thanks for the good wishes! Best Regards, Tammy

Hey Tammy, Welcome home sweetie, I went through a horrific stay too. It was New Years Eve Weekend and the staff was scarce at night. It was like a ghost town. I actually had to get myself up unplug my pain machine myself to go to the bathroom. It was so scary for me. During the day the nurses were fantastic and so compasionate and caring. But once the night hit it was awful. I love St Raph's but man I will never go in again during a holiday. Luckily I only had to stay for two days. And every time I needed something no one would answer the pages. Alot of people's pages and alarms from machines were going off too. Don't get me wrong I would do it all over again. I am very grateful and everything went well except for that. Well I am so glad your home and your doing well. Congrats to you on your successful surgery and welcome to the losing side. Hugs KimC