I posted this in repsonse to Theresa's post but I wasn't sure if you could see it was there...

Hi Theresa, I e-mailed you back, maybe you didn't get it? I could tell you what happened step by step if you wanted me to but it may be different for you. Here it goes: I got up at 4, left at 4:30 to be at the hospital by 5 (the time they said to be there). I signed a couple forms, gave my insurance card so they could copy it. A nurse brought me out to the changing area to get in jammies/a johnny. I was weighed. The same nurse brought us all (me, my husband and our son) into a room where she went over all the same info everyone should know if they're at this point. Gave me to acid reducers to take so I would have less of a chance for nausea. We finished up there, my family went home to get back to sleep. I waited for the anesthesiologist (sp?). In the meantime a nurse took a vial of blood. Another health professional did an EKG on me. (Very simple, just little tabs in certain places which give a reading on a machine in no time) Then I was taken to pre-anesthesia where my IV and epidural was started. I must have fallen asleep but I remember getting on the operating table (skinny, arms go off to the sides etc). Then I was out like a light. Surgery at 7:30-8:30am. I woke in the recovery room (looks like you read about that already so I won't get into it). I was in my room on Merrit 3 around 11. I don't remember too much of that time since I was still very sleepy and everything. My husband and son came to see me around 1. I don't remember much after that. There's constant checking being done by the nurses so time seems to sort of run together. My throat was sore from the tube that gives you anesthesia and helps you to breath during surgery so I glady welcomed the ice chips and water (starting off at 1 ounce per hour only). I was in pain throughout the night and was given morphine through my IV. The epidural didn't seem to work very well for me. I have never had one so this was a trial run of sorts. Thursday I recieved a morphine pump so I could give it to myslef PRN (as needed). The days in the hospital go by fast. Getting up and walking is your best bet at having a healthy recovery, as well as doing all you should be before surgery (vitamins, exercise, plenty of fluids etc).I did have some bad experiences with nurses but I also had some good/great ones. You just have to stick up for yourself and remember that you know what you feel/need. The slow progression in what you have to drink/eat is an important part of the recovery plan so stick with what they tell you to do. Don't go by stuff you have read online, don't go by stuff people have told you online. Just do what THIS gastric bypass program tells you to do. I know there are some programs that have people on liquid diets/soups etc after going home but none of that is what they do here in Bangor. Soft protein foods at home for 2 weeks then at your 2 week check up with Dayna she will let you know what foods to start trying. And by trying I mean that some foods my not agree with you so start out slow. And something you have trouble with one month may end up being fine the next. I think the best advice I could give is to really do what they recommend and stick with it to see yourself succeed.