Home from surgery

For everyone waiting for their surgery, I went to Christiana on Monday 3/31/08 and Dr. Peters is my surgeon.  Everyone was terrific, had great care.  They found a hernia and repaired it while they were there!  They keep you comfortable but make you get up that day and except for a little nausea from it was ok.  So I'm home now, the 1st new day on my own.  I feel not terrible, just sore and now the gas is escaping !!  That's uncomfortable but again not unbearable.  I walked to the driveway today and back.  Now trying to get the vitamins and liquids on a schedule.  I'm sure this was the right decision, and as they say, no pain, no gain.  I've lost 7 lbs just in the few days of prep for the surgery so 30 lbs so far and hope to take off another 100.   Also have to say that the paperwork process was lengthy however not one problem with BCBS.  I'm now going to enjoy my mini vacation and get my meals plan before I have to head back to work.   wj1955

that is great!!! I hope I have a good experience also.. Did you have the banding or bypass???  good luck with everything...

Thansk, I had the banding and it's now day 4.  I'm feeling fine just tired and a lot of gas from the anesthesia.  They say it's normal.  It feels like pressure in your chest until you can burp  or ..... anyway, the liquid diet is ok , I'm now at least having some V8 and Tomato soup tasted like lobster after clear liquids for a week

Lots of good days ahead and feel free to ask any questions you might have.  There are lots of Post surgery people reading this board...even though they might not always post on it.

Ellen

Thanks Ellen I'm sure I will have lots of questions going forward but I'm excited. I lost 7 lbs just between seeing Dr Peters on the 26th till 3/31 !  I know it was the clear liquids but excited still that since Oct at 303 lbs.  I was down to 273! long way to go but I'm looking forward to it.

Thank you for sharing your experience with us.  Did you have lapband or bypass?  I also have Dr. Peters & have my lapband surgery scheduled for 04/07/2008.  How many days did you spend in the hospital.  What type of schedule are you planning?  The reason I'm asking is that mine will have to include carbohydrate count, liquids & protein since I am a Type I diabetic.  I also have BCBS & they were fantastic!!  Absolutely no problems in getting my surgery approved!! 

I had the lapband and good luck to you on Monday.  I went in on last Monday, they check you in and show the loved ones the waiting room where your wristband number is listed on a rotating screen.  The screen allow them to monitor where you are at all times, I thought that was great.  Then they take you into a small room to change, they weigh you, do the usual temp and blood pressure.  I then walked with a hospital employee and my husband to the elevator and we went to the 2nd floor to pre-op.  Several beds there and you join the waiting, nurses are nice, anestheoligts visit and then the wheel you down the hall.  I remember going into the OR and then nothing...I woke up in the recovery room.  Surgery takes about 1 hr but they found a hernia (said it was common) so I was in a little longer.  I was up walking 8 hrs later.  I lucked out and was given a private room so I was able to sleep no problem except they come in frequently to take temp, BP, etc.  On Tuesday I went home at 2 pm.  Now on day 4, just a little sore and I've been on clear liquids and today got to V8 and Tomato soup tasted like lobster!  I have anemia so I have to concentrate on enough iron as well as vitamins.  I've gotten the liquid everything and will need to get the protein powder to add to all I can.  Seems the protein will be the hardest to count daily.  I'm trying to eat (drink) every 2 hr right now and know I need to actually write up a schedule and post it on the fridge.  Good luck to you - It really wasn't bad

Thank you again for your details!  I am feeling pretty relaxed about this.  Today was my 1st of 2 days on the liquid diet.  So far, my blood sugars have even gone up even though I haven't eaten.  The doctor told me to fool around with my insulin pump settings for these next 2 days & that's what I'm doing.  If I find myself dropping low, I have the option of either suspending my pump for a bit or setting it back on -50% dosage.  It's not as hard as I thought it would be...so far. 

I'm happy to hear you're doing well...just wait to see how great things are in a few weeks!  I hve Dr Peters as well and think he's the best thing since flat toasted bread!  Keep us updated!  sunny1

Thanks, how are you progressing?  Any food issues? I'm wondering about how that will be when I get there.  I understand the comments before the surgery about the feeling in your chest. Right now because they fill you stomach with gas and it takes days to release, I am of course burping and that creates a pressure in the chest.  So I'm assuming that's how the overeating might feel as well. Dr Peters is so calm and nice, so I know I'm in good hands.