Home for the Hospital

Hello to all! I am home from surgery safe and sound! First of all I want to thank every one for their support and prayers. Especially Pam C., Pam L. & Cindy W. I went into surgery at 9:00 am and was back in a room at 1:00pm. I got up and walked the hall at 5:00pm. I said some pretty crazy things right after the surgery so I am told!!! I had both my parents, my step-mother and hubby all there the day of surgery........Great Support System! The first thing that my family heard me say was "Daddy it's your turn now" He is really over weight and has a bad leg from a motor cycle wreck years ago and if he don't loose some weight he will loose his leg. He is very sensitive about his WEIGHT...............and I blast off at him before I really even know what I am saying! Then to make matters worse, my husband said that I told my daddy to please be quiet because he was really getting on my nerves~~~ My poor daddy! I have told him that I am sorry time after time! He still loves me and calls me every day to check on me! Anyway, Sorry for going on and on about my daddy! Surgery took a little longer than normal the Doc said because, NOW GET THIS, I have a small abdomin!!! How can you have a small abdomin and a butt as big as mine!!!!! The only really bad experience that I had was pain in my shoulder and neck! It was terrible! I ask the Doc about it and he said that it was from my drain tube that because I had such a small abdomin he had to lay it across my cavaity. All the nurses said that they beleived that it was from gas and if I waould continue to walk it would go away but it never did until the drain tube came out and then it was instant relief!!! I am sorda glad now that it happened because now I KNOW for sure that Dr, Avara knows his stuff! Well, I came home yesterday (Friday) and so far today (Sat) I have taken a shower, washed my hair, went to my little boy's first soccer game, Went to a Birthday Party that my son just could not miss at Laser Tag, Went to Chili's and watched my hubby and son eat lunch (was fine with this, didn't even want food), and to Big Buck Sports to get my son's Boy Scout uniform. I am home now and just put a load of clothes on to wash! I am a little tired now! But before I close, I was just wondering from the two Pam's, did yall find that the list of food that the dietitian gave you was a good bit different from the one that Dr. Avara's office gave us? Which one are yall using? Also, They gave me Cream of Wheat, Pudding & Cream of Mushroom Soup to eat in the Hospital......That was not on my list from Dr. Avara's Office.............Did yall get those things to eat in the hospital? Sorry my post is so long....................I've been away for a while and wanted to catch up!~ LOL Lorrie

Hey Lorrie, Glad you are feeling well. It's I was doing pretty well by Saturday also. Went shopping that day. Nothing like a shower to improve your outlook on life. As for what the dietician gave you, I was told at my consent appt to ingnore that and go with what they gave us at Dr. Avara's office. That's what I have been doing. I questioned the nurses about the food the cafeteria was serving us. I knew that based on the list of foods we had, we weren't supposed to be eating most of it until the 10day to 2 week mark. Anway, according to the nurse, they give us that stuff in small quantities to see how we tolerate it while we are still in the hospital and to go with the liquid diet as prescribed once I am home. I did find that the more I moved the better I felt. So keep moving, but nap if you are tired. I have started on the pureed/mushie foods. I had a scrambled egg, some cream of wheat and tuna fish today. YUM YUM Thanks for checking in!!! Hope to see at Dr. Avara's Sept support group meeting!!! -Pam

Hello! I just wanted to let you know that you are all welcome to come to our support group meeting also. I know that Dr. Avara has his own, but you are also invited to ours. Lorrie has joined us once before and I hope that she will come back. Our meeting is this Wednesday, the 30th, at 6 p.m. at the Pepsi Rec Center located on Dedeaux Road in Gulfport. If you are interested and need directions, please shoot me an email. This month's speaker is one of the Bariatric docs from Keesler, Dr. Dolan. He will be glad to answer any questions anyone has, pre op or post op. Hope to meet you soon, Rhonda

The 30th?? Dang, why did I have in my head it was the 28th? I'm glad you said something, or else I'd have shown up in Gulfport on Monday. I'll try to be there.

It was originally scheduled for the 28th. We had to change the date. We also had to change the time due to a scheduling problem for Dr. Dolan, so it will be at 6. I hope you can come. The more the merrier! Rhonda

I am so glad that you are home and doing well. Wow, you have had a really busy day! Be sure not to over do it! Will you be able to make our support group meeting on Wednesday? You are more than welcome to join us. Keep us updated on your progress. Rhonda

I am going to try and go to the support group meeting on Wed. I am going to call Cindy W. and see if she wants to ride with me. LOL Lorrie

Lorrie, I'm glad your home and everything went well. Dang girl, you did a ton one in day!!! I'm hope and pray I'm as lucky. I've had surgery before, so I know how draining and tired one can feel after any kind of anethesia. Keep us posted! Brandi :~)

Lorrie, you be careful and don't over do it. I sure do wish I was closer so I could attend support meetings with y'all, but I'll just have to keep up with you through OH. I'm using the instructions that Dr. Avara's office gave me and not what the hospital gave me. I've started introducing soft foods one a day, so far cream of wheat, mashed banana, and tuna with a little mayo. My head wanted more tuna (and bread!) but my tummy said no. Did you guys get the email from Lisa that Linda Bang has resigned? I was sorry to hear that because she seemed to really know her stuff. Glad you're home and doing well, Lorrie!!! Pam

Hi Lorrie! Well now you are on the losing side and you are in for the ride of your life! At first it is a little slow but like a car on a steep hill, you will pick up speed and then watch out! As for food, stick to your list from the Doc and little by little you can add back the approved foods, but do not give in to temptation and go back to your old foods, soon you will find that you will have a taste for veggies and fruit, and will feel better and better, with more energy..... Good luck to you and we are always out here for you, just ask us any questions you might need answers to! Cheryl