I'm new here and my surgery is tommorow!
Hi everyone, my name is Latisha, actually met Nikki Zimmerman at one of the support meetings and she told me about this site. It is really cool to see how you all support each other. 
Well tommorow is my big day. It was originally scheduled for May 3rd but my protein levels were too low. So tommorow at 10 I officially join the "loser" club.
Please Please Please share with me any words of wisdom.. how long does the pain last? How long will it take before I can drive? Can I avoid my hair falling out? How soon before I can workout? Any advise or thoughts you can share will be appreciated 
Well tommorow is my big day. It was originally scheduled for May 3rd but my protein levels were too low. So tommorow at 10 I officially join the "loser" club.
Please Please Please share with me any words of wisdom.. how long does the pain last? How long will it take before I can drive? Can I avoid my hair falling out? How soon before I can workout? Any advise or thoughts you can share will be appreciated 
Hi Tisha,
First off...take a breath!
I can give you answers from my perspective ( your milage may vary 
)
First off the pain issue, I can honestly say I had no pain after surgery. I felt slightly stiff and as if maybe I had done a few too many sit ups. I only really had one or two moments of real discomfort and that was from the drain site. Just click your little button on your pain pump and you will be fine. I had 2 c-sections and this was nothing compared to those on the pain scale.
You will usually be given clearance to drive at your 2 week check-up. Please don't drive before they tell you to because your reaction time can be alot slower from anesthesia and from having abdominal surgery.
The hair issue is a tricky one, we are all different. Some lose a little, some lose alot, some lose none. My advice there would be to try and get all your protein and vitamins in and make sure you get your blood work done as scheduled to make sure everything is where it should be.
As for exercise, we are encouraged to walk as much as we can while in the hospital and once home. Don't lay around if you can avoid it. It will speed your healing time up and help you avoid what could be major complications. As far as anything other than walking you will be given clearance when it's time. I was cleared for whatever I wanted to do at four weeks. It will depend on how you are healing as to when you get yours.
In general my advice would be to follow directions as closely as you can. Work on your incentive spirometer as directed in the hospital and when you come home. It will help you keep your lungs clear. Don't be surprised if you develop a mild cough after, I think most of us did but it passed pretty quickly.
Make sure you sip sip sip enough fluids when you get home to keep you from getting dehydrated. Just do it slowly and if you find that cold things irritate your pouch try some warm decaf tea, it made my tummy feel wonderful!
Take a pillow or two from home to the hospital you will be glad you did. However I would recommend using a printed pillow case as the hospitals things are all white and it eliminates confusion. Remember to take some chapstick too, it will be very handy.
Most of all when you get home and you begin to recover take it slow...don't panic if something doesn't seem to go right at first. it will all fall into place given enough time. Have faith in your docs and remember, this too shall pass. If you have questions ( and you will lol ) make sure you ask opinions. More than likely someone has been through it.
I'm wishing you a uneventful downright BORING surgery and hospital stay lol. Good luck!
Linda
I can give you answers from my perspective ( your milage may vary )
First off the pain issue, I can honestly say I had no pain after surgery. I felt slightly stiff and as if maybe I had done a few too many sit ups. I only really had one or two moments of real discomfort and that was from the drain site. Just click your little button on your pain pump and you will be fine. I had 2 c-sections and this was nothing compared to those on the pain scale.
You will usually be given clearance to drive at your 2 week check-up. Please don't drive before they tell you to because your reaction time can be alot slower from anesthesia and from having abdominal surgery.
The hair issue is a tricky one, we are all different. Some lose a little, some lose alot, some lose none. My advice there would be to try and get all your protein and vitamins in and make sure you get your blood work done as scheduled to make sure everything is where it should be.
As for exercise, we are encouraged to walk as much as we can while in the hospital and once home. Don't lay around if you can avoid it. It will speed your healing time up and help you avoid what could be major complications. As far as anything other than walking you will be given clearance when it's time. I was cleared for whatever I wanted to do at four weeks. It will depend on how you are healing as to when you get yours.
In general my advice would be to follow directions as closely as you can. Work on your incentive spirometer as directed in the hospital and when you come home. It will help you keep your lungs clear. Don't be surprised if you develop a mild cough after, I think most of us did but it passed pretty quickly.
Make sure you sip sip sip enough fluids when you get home to keep you from getting dehydrated. Just do it slowly and if you find that cold things irritate your pouch try some warm decaf tea, it made my tummy feel wonderful!
Take a pillow or two from home to the hospital you will be glad you did. However I would recommend using a printed pillow case as the hospitals things are all white and it eliminates confusion. Remember to take some chapstick too, it will be very handy.
Most of all when you get home and you begin to recover take it slow...don't panic if something doesn't seem to go right at first. it will all fall into place given enough time. Have faith in your docs and remember, this too shall pass. If you have questions ( and you will lol ) make sure you ask opinions. More than likely someone has been through it.
I'm wishing you a uneventful downright BORING surgery and hospital stay lol. Good luck!
Linda 
I am so glad to hear from you!!! Just think it is May 19,04 at 9:57 am , and you are getting ready for surgery! I am praying for you and can't wait to hear your results. I left you a message last week on your cell. Please call me when you are out and feeling up to it. All my Hugs and Love. You are in great hands and God is on your side.
Luv-
Nicki
Tisha,
LB did an awesome job. Also make sure you DO NOT lift anything until you are all healed...and more pushing the liquids. I did not get enough liquids in the first week and ended up in the hospital from dehydration so make sure you get those liquids in! I was the same with pain. When you first come out of surgery...of course you are groggy and in pain but its not so bad. I can barely remember it even. I did rather well in the hospital. The pulling out of the tube is funny feeling more than it hurt. When I got home my pain was soooo minimal. I had to take Lovenox shots in the belly for 30 days...to prevent blood clots...that wasnt so bad. Just icky though. But pain in general from the surgery was very minimal for me. My hair has just started falling out but my hair always falls out after anesthesia a couple months later so it may just be from that. Yeah everyone is different like LB said. Up the protein and make sure you get in all your vitamins. Try not to sleep all the time but also at the same time listen to what your body is telling you. if you walk and get exhausted take that nap LB you got it covered 
Best Wishes to you!!!!
Elizabeth M 
-49lbs 
I was the same with pain. When you first come out of surgery...of course you are groggy and in pain but its not so bad. I can barely remember it even. I did rather well in the hospital. The pulling out of the tube is funny feeling more than it hurt. When I got home my pain was soooo minimal. I had to take Lovenox shots in the belly for 30 days...to prevent blood clots...that wasnt so bad. Just icky though. But pain in general from the surgery was very minimal for me. My hair has just started falling out but my hair always falls out after anesthesia a couple months later so it may just be from that. Yeah everyone is different like LB said. Up the protein and make sure you get in all your vitamins. Try not to sleep all the time but also at the same time listen to what your body is telling you. if you walk and get exhausted take that nap LB you got it covered Best Wishes to you!!!!
Elizabeth M
-49lbs Most Active
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