thanks

Thanks to everyone for the warm replies. I would have liked to have replied to each one individually, but I just can't sit at the computer that long. It meant so much to me to have so many people thinking warm thoughts and lifting me up in prayer during my surgery. The surgery went very smoothly. There was absolutely nothing out of the ordinary about it. I was done in just about 2 hours. I have had pain, but nothing that wasn't tolerable with the morphine pump and then the lortab. I will say this, don't be shy about using the morphine pump, it's there for a reason. My nurses were excellent, all of them were familiar with WLS recovery. Pitt County Memorial has a specific floor that all GBP patients go to, so they knew what to expect, and they knew how to instruct me. PCMH also has all single rooms, so I didn't have to deal with a roommate, which was nice. I have had very little bruising from my incision cites and am already up to nearly a mile walking per day. I still have pain, which is not a surprise, but I am surprised how quickly my strength has returned. The only problems I seem to be having are some swelling from my two IVs, both of which infiltrated, which is very common. I also just seem to be having some pain when I drink anything. I feel full all the time. I find myself not wanting to drink at all, although I know that I have to. I assume that that too shall pass. Anyway, that's all I can think of to post about my particular experience. Overall, it went really really well. I cannot wait to see what I become when I shed this "overcoat". Take care. ~Ellen

Ellen dear, We had our surgeries the same day on Wednesday 3/28/07, if I read that correctly. My experience has been a little different though similiar in most aspects. I was done within a couple hours, but spent 10 hours in recovery. I looked at the clock and it was 10 p.m. and I asked why am I still here and it was because my blood pressure was low, 81/55. So an Irish nurse from the floor came down to check on me and said I just need to get up and dance a jig! With that we swung my legs over the side of the bed and she said put your arms around my neck and we danced! I sang a tune and my bp quickly went up to 119/71. So I continued to walk every chance I had to keep it from falling again. That morphine pump gave me the "headache from hell." Every time I pushed that button my whole head would pound! Got rid of it and switched me over to oxycotin, which was ok, no headache. My pain has been more of a soreness that actual pain. I really have been blessed in my recovery. I was allowed pureed foods as soon as I got home. I have been making my protein shakes from sugar free (Lite & Fit) yogurt and K2O Kelloggs protein drinks and the tasteless powder. I love cottage cheese and eat it with fresh frozen fruit or a banana slice in the blender (not the cottage cheese in the blender, though.) I bruised a lot on my tummy but I was also getting shots of blood thinner (heperin) in my belly. I am so glad to hear you are doing ok. Will write more later. Don't you feel fantastic? I do! Blessings, Diane

I get so much out of your posts. Please post as often as you feel up to it so I will know what to expect. I didn't know you would be able to walk that much so soon. I hope your recovery continues to go really good. Judy