My experience

So, G had to go to work the morning of my surgery and I told him not to come home late and have me rushing to get there...He didnt, but I was still rushing because I forgot to take my before pictures the night before.

He got in and I handed him the camera and had him start to take pics..Then, I took my clothes off and had him take pics with my bra and underware..He said you better not send these to anyone..OMG..yeah right...like I really would want to send someone pics of cellulite...wooo....sexy....

The drive to St Agnes was uneventful. I got there around 11:05a.  There was road work being done at the entrance to the hospital, but other then that no problem. We pulled up to the front, had the valet take our car and then I went in to register.

The admissions person said that Dr. Averbach was running a little behind, but I would be called back to be prepped shortly. One of the pre-op nurses came out about 30 minutes later and asked a few questions..said that his first surgery of the day had put him behind and I should be called shortly...

About an hour and a half later, I was called back. I took off my clothes, got into the hospital gown...The nurse took my vitals, asked me a few more questions, I was given my IV and then a shot of herprin (spelled wrong?). G came back and stayed with me for awhile to keep my company...Here i am in my hospital gown and he is thinking about sex..He said seeing me in my weakened state did it...lmao..puhleeeze...

They took me into surgery around 2:30-2:45...I remember meeting an intern with tight pants, because I turned around to G and mouthed....did you see his butt?...lol...The last thing I remember was the anesthesiologist say, ok Im going to give you something to make u sleep..

I woke up in recovery..The nurses there were ok...I couldnt keep my eyes open, but was listening them talk about how bad it was storming outside...I was then rolled up to my room and G got there about 2 minutes later..

The first thing I saw was the beautiful flowers. Kitty (an OH member) had come up to see me and brought me flowers!!! Awwwww!!! We had never met before, and was hoping to have met her that day, BUT, my surgery was delayed and she had probably got there when I was going back....Thank you though!! They meant a lot...G was curious as to had sent the flowers because he said , Here let me read the card while you get settled...Im glad it wasnt from one of my male entourage...lmao

In the room, I had my pain pump and pumped it every 5 minutes on the dot....I slept on and off for awhile, the nurses came in and gave me a few more shots of heparin..(to prevent blood clots)...I told G to go home because I was tired...I know he was tired too....

So, after sleeping on and off the nurse asked if I was ready to start walking....YES!!! I was surprised how quickly I got out of bed without any help from the nurse and the pace that I was walking...I made it 2 times around the ward, but then I had to sit down, I became nauseated....I got back to my room and went to sleep...this wasnt until after they gave me some meds for nausea and pain.

My nurses, Dolores and Shabazz were wonderful!!! They were soo attentive and genuinely nice...I was able to have a few pieces of ice chips...and Im talking a few...like 3...lol...That helped with my dry mouth...I also bought this lip moisturizer called lipisyl or something..and that helped out a great deal.

The next morning, I got up to go to the bathroom and felt sore...More then the day before...It wasnt a good day. Between, me not being able to walk without bending like a caveman and my nausea, I was questioning why I had gotten this done....I HURT!!! UGH!!!

The doctor came in with all of the residence and said that everything went smooth and I should be going home today...I was put on my liquid diet, and had my first meal-broth, green jello, hot tea and apple juice.wooooo

I was released around 630p the evening preceeding my surgery and got home around 8:00p...The road work outside of the hospital was terrible and it fely like G hit every damn bump imaginable.

The doctor gave me 3 prescriptions..2 for pain (loritab and delaudid) and 1 for nausea...I took 2 pain pills and was able to get up from my chair and cough..That was a major accomplishment for me..I was very sore coming home and again thought what the hell was I thinking having this surgery done!!  I tried to sleep in my bed but had to opt for the easy chair in the living room...I  just couldnt lay down..My stomach felt like it was being ripped open...As long as I am taking the meds, all is good in the world...

It looks like I have 5 small incisions...None of them hurt worse then the next. I have 4 of them in a line above my belly button and then one above that

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Sooo that was my experience....Im sipping and walking. both water and protein drinks....but I wanted to write down my experience before I passed out again!!

Heather,  So glad to hear that you are home safe and sound!   Get lots of rest and take care of yourself!  Tina

Hey Heather!  Hope your feeling better.  Glad to hear every went well.... Teri

heather, take it easy and feel better.  i hurt so badly after my gall bladder surgery, but it really did get better each day and i was surprised how much better i felt in only three or four days.  hopefully, you will feel the same way.  and i have to say that i appreciate your post sooo much.  now that i have a date and it's only about two weeks away, i'm more and more interested in hearing what it's "really" like.  i've been worried about keeping my husband at the hospital all day like that also.  he's very squeamish and is also one that can't sit still for long.  he really wants to do whatever i need him to do, but i don't want to make him miserable either.  it's so nice to hear that the nurses are so great and will walk with you, etc.  i feel a lot better about sending him home when i feel he needs to go home.  thank you so much.  rest!  take care!

Heather  I am so glad it is over with for you.  It sounds like you are already doing the right things.  I think it great that you took the time 2 days after surgery to write such a detailed post even though I can imagine how difficult it must be at this time with the discomfort and all. Take it one day, one sip, one walk at a time.    Keep us posted.  Terri

SOOOOOOOOOOO glad that everything has gone well.  I just wish I were home to be with you right now....  You know I would have been at the hospital with candy....opps..flowers....oh, screw it...with some porn magazines!!!  As soon as I get back to MD, I will  be in touch... xoxoxoxo

Glad everything went well. And Congrats are definitely in order.. Wohoo!!

Dr. Averbach might have been a little late because he was doing my husband's vertical sleeve gastrectomy the same morning.  He was also about a 1/2 late for my husband's surgery.  I had my surgery with Averbach 3 mths. ago.  Isn't he awesome?  Averbach also took out my gallbladder at the same time he was doing my VSG and found a small hiatal hernia (unexpected) in my husband and fixed that at the same time he did his VSG. Should u need anything...have any questions...his staff... nurse, nutrionist, and psychologist are wonderful and there for u as well as Averbach himself.  All will get back to u as soon as possiblle to talk with u.  I used them freely when i was healing and needed information or just a  professional ear to make sure all was going okay. Congrats and hope u have a speedy recovery.

Oooppsss...mistake!  My husband's surgery was on 6/232/08.  So, the hold-up on urs has nothing to do with him...lol.

LMAO...You know it Dan..Thanks....