I'm home, and well.....

I'm home, and well, I was wondering if anyone else had these mixed emotions and feelings that I am going through. I was so so sure this is what I needed. And one minute I am fine, then the next, I am hurting and bawling and feeling like I made a mistake. I had open RNY, so I know my recovery is different than lap. But I'm real down today and I only got home last night. Did anyone else go through this? I'm one week out, spent 6 days in the hospital and feel like I've been run over by a Mac truck! Any advice, opinions, or suggestions will be helpful....thanks all, Kendra

Welcome Home! I'm sorry your still so sore. I can honestly say by six days I was feeling like I really hadnt even had surgery. But also, mine was lap. Just continue to move around, it may hurt, but that does help with the soreness!!! I promise!! Hope you feel better soon!!!

{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}} The risk of infection and outside healing is less with lap, but the internal cutting and pain is the same. The MAC truck feeling is soooooo real and it's hard on the body and mind. Kendra, I had a lap band and I sat brawling that first week at home. I felt horrible and couldn't get up and down without help. I kept a journal and every other day I was saying "WHY DID I EVER DO THIS????" Suggestions: I didn't deny my feelings. Yes, this will be great in the long run, but it is NOT at this moment. Don't let anyone else tell you that you don't hurt. Get all the help and support you can get. Don't try to be wonderwoman. If things cross the line -- pain, fever, drainage, vomitting -- call your doctor. They gave you a list of things to look for and watch your body like a hawk. Don't pu**** socally -- Visitors are fun when you are a "little sick," but when you are in unbeliveable pain, it just might be too much. REST, now that's something that can't be used in excess. Sleep and relaxing will help you deal with the changes your body is going through. Prayer and meditation -- Seek not only God's blessing, but the peade that passes all understanding. It will comfort your mind and ease your pains. Through your prayers, even the space between you and your dear husband will seem less harsh. Through quiet meditation, you can blast in your fond memories together. All my best, Frances

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, Fraces! I'm in love with you! That's exactly what I'm feeling..........why did I do this? It feels so good to know that someone else did too. I'm not pushing it and I'm resting tons. My family is so supportive and even my 16 month old is having fun playing peek-a-boo with mom's stitches. She now runs around, checks my belly stitches then proceeds to check the belly of anyone else in the room. It's a bit funny. I've been praying.........for comfort, relief, and even forgiveness if I've messed up big time by altering the anatomy God gave me. I apprecaite your kind words and thank you for taking the time to write them. Sincerely, Kendra

((Kendra)) Working in this field for the past four years, I can say that 90% of our patients have gone through exactly the same. Knowing this, I swore that I would not be one of them. I knew what to expect, knew that it would have definite effects on my emotions, but low and behold.....I went through the post-op blues. Mine started a little later, at 2 weeks postop. It lasted exactly two weeks and even though I knew that something wasn't right, I didn't realize that I was going through post-op depression. The fact that you recognize it and are attributing it to surgery is a major step in getting through it. You have to just remember that it is only temporary and will work itself out in due time. All of Frances' suggestions are great. I just tried to focus on the positive and remembered that things were about to get much, much better. Trust me - they do. Hang in there. It's all worth it.

Hi Marcie, I've heard a lot about you and before the hurricanes I thought I was going to be able to meet you. Well, it's been crazy since then. I did know you were planning to "cross over," so to speak, so I wanted to welcome you to the boards as both a professional and postop. Being able to relate will be an added bonus you will give your patients. Now and forever ...FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS! Onward! Frances

Hi Frances. Yes, I had hoped that we would meet after SueElla's surgery when I went to see her in the hospital. Funny, though - I still debate on whether or not she even needed that postop time in the hospital!! She did great. Made me look like a weenie, that's for sure! Thanks for the welcome and yes!...this has added a dimension that I honestly could not explain to those who had not gone through it. Different life. Take care! M

Thank you Marcie...............it's like my head knows one thing and my body is totally freaking out. I just want to get through this and start feeling better and moving on. I tried to "know" so much about this surgery before I had it and now I feel like I don't know anything at all. Whew, I'm just pooped! Thank you for answering............I'm going to take it one day at a time. Kendra

Kendra, I went thru the same thing, I just cried and wondered what I had done to my self . But just hang in there and It will get better.

Kendra: Glad you finally made it home. I hadn't seen a post from you, so I wondered if you were still in the hospital. Bummer to be in there 6 days in that little room with only the nurses station for a view. Did they give you Roxicet for pain? That's what they gave me and I must say it works great. I usually don't take a lot of pain meds if I can help it, but this time I did take it when I needed it and it really helped. Getting up and down the first week was hard, as was getting out of bed. I couldn't sleep on my side for about 6-8 weeks which drove me crazy. I think the emotional roller coaster is normal, but it does get better. How come they kept you in so long? Did you have complications? Was your leak test okay or was it the machine that was messed up? I go to see Dr. Shapiro in the morning for my one-year check-up. Cathy