It felt like a dream......

First of all I absolutely LOVE Dr. Sloan, he is so kind and his program is very organized and informative,  His staff is awesome so easy to work with.  So when it went to Luthern Hospital it was like shock....  First when I came out of recovery someone had left a totally pumped up blood pressure cup on my right arm  How long???? who knows, but my arm was so red it looked like it was going to explode.  The nurse ran my family out of the room and the head of nursing was in checking me and taking pictures of my arm.  I could not move it or bend my fingers.  It is still red like I have Rosella or something.  Then the nurses would not let me walk, finally they let my husband walk with me at 8:00.  I had been getting up and going to the bathroom and was fine.  All night I asked to walk but the nurse told that she was too busy so finally at 4am I just got up and went.  They didn't say anything so I walked every hour.  I thought you know it is a holiday maybe they are short staff of something...my best friend is a nurse and I know how hard they work.  So when the day nurse came on I had had enough.  She walks in with a cup full of meds for me to take.  My one bp pill is almost 3/4 of an inch long.  I said I can not take these like this do you have a pill spliter.  She got so mad and said your doctor ordered these.  He knows so just take them.  I said I want to go home before I end up needing more surgery.  She left and came back with a spliter and said I asked someone I guess your right.  And split all of my pills for me.  I never saw her after that.
I am not a ***** I was so shocked that these nurses didn't have a clue.  When the nurses switched at 3p I finally had a great nurse.  She brought me some pain meds (which I had asked for 6 times) and had me eat before I went home.  She was wonderful. 
My husband never complains but he said I hope we never have to go back there again if you do I won't leave you alone for a second.
After arriving home I have been great....I do have a few questions for you experienced losers.
How long do it take you to have a bm?
Did you eat more than an ounce at first?? I feel so full.
I hope I am ok but I don't feel like I even had surgery?
I know I say this alot...but thank you!!!  for being here and for sharing your knowledge...

Paula,  wow!  My Dad has had over 30 surgeries at Luthern and the entire staff was pretty much awesome except one odd one a time or two.  However, that being said, he was a cardiac patient and was in for knee replacement.  Obviously, they are not a bariatric hospital.  That's good for others to know.  I hope your arm is ok.  Geez, how crazy of an experience.  You should read Leah's profile about her hospital experience sometime.  It makes me appreciate St. V's so much.  The long drive was well  worth every bit of it.

They started us off with two ounces but I could only get in one at a time and had to work on the second ounce slowly.  After about a week I could do two ounces at a time.  No bid deal really since you are on a liquid diet anyway.  Just make sure you continue to sip fluids all day long.  The NUT told us in class that the important part is training your body to eat "meals" three times a day.  So that is the reason you are doing 2 oz. meals at this point. 

As for the BM, mine didn't happen for 4 to 5 days after I got home.  That's after I was able to start having protein for a day.  They told us to hold off on protein until you can pass gas.  Protein will make you produce gas.  You don't want it trapped inside.... OUCH. 

You sound like you are doing great.  I too thought it was  a pretty easy recovery aside from my darn drain tube.

Huge hugs,
Tracy

I know Dale Sloan.. he would want to know about your care.. please tell him how the nurses were.  In fact print off what you've written here and let him read it. He likes the idea of a great support system.

I didnt even try to eat for a few weeks.. I was most interested in getting my protien in..and even that was hard. SIP SIP SIP!! Do not let yourself get dehydrated.

Linda kay

Paula
Glad you are home and doing well.  Being home is always so much easier to recuperate for me. I am glad you feel so well!!  That is wonderful to hear. I didn't have much pain either. 
I was in the hospital overnight only and had a bm before I went home.  Or I guess what you would call a bm... since I was on a liquid diet before surgery.  I just remember trying to get in the liquids.  Getting dehydrated is not fun... just ask Melissa or Tracy.  Both have struggled with that. Melissa just out of surgery and Tracy out several months.  That is where my focus was at when I first got home. 
Again... glad you are home and doing well. Looking forward to getting to know you better!!

Thanks Linda Kay,  I am trying but between falling asleep and feeling very full it is hard.  I have always been a water drinker but I guess it never filled me up before!!I really appreciate the advise.

Leah,  Oh my gosh Tracy suggested that I read your story...Oh my it is so hard when you totally trust people and things happen.  I am so sorry--I hope things get better with your foot.  May the lord surround you with his angels to keep you safe....Happy New Year!!!

Wow, what a crappy experience! I was at Clarian North, and it was great. They really took good care of me. I'm sorry you didn't have a good experience...but it sounds like you're doing well now. What you're feeling is normal, you'll be able to go soon. I couldn't hold much at first either, but that's good. You need to let your pouch heal...don't try to force it.

Best of luck to you!

Jenny