checking in

I am up and at my pc. I slpet very good last night despite I did not have my sleep apnea machine my doctor wants me to hold off on using it for a week. My doctor dosent like his surgery patients to use thier machines because of the airflow possibly blowing the pouch out. Where do I go on OH to give my input on my care while in the hospital? I plan an contacting patient relations in a few days to report some of the things that happend to me. As far as my surgeon and his team I cant say enough about how great they all were. A warning to anyone having RNY and if you are 5'4"" the bariatric beds are very uncomfortable. Basically I did not fit in the bed I was to short and too small. My friend from OH Tasha who was in the room next to me was taller and she did well in her bed and she was also released yesterday too. I also strongly urge people who are having surgery to have family or a friend with them during thier stay in the hospital. Not only did I have a nurse try to give me insulin twice with in one hour after my first injection at 7am a nurse tried to give me a second injection within an hour to give me another injection it scarred me to death and my anxiety went into full swing. Both my husband and I tried to alert everyone I tend to have anxiety from time to time. I do not take meds for tis on a regular bases and have learned to control it alot on my own. Fortunatly I was alert enough to notice the insulin problem an refuse the second injection. My last night at the hospital the med nurse came in and said "Mrs. Howard here is your evening meds"I told her I was not Mrs. Howard my name was Mrs Adams. Despite some of the problems I had I am still very pleased I have had my surgery and am looking forward to loosing. When I went into surgery I was 342 when I left yesterday I was 348 and I understand most of this could be liquids and holding fluids.                                                                            Annie I will tell you I am not hungery and fill up on my 2-3 ounces of jello and broth I did dream last night I ate a hamberger.

Oh Sweetie, it is so good to hear from you!  I am still completely without energy and just want to sleep all the time. So I haven't quite found what it takes yet to sit down at the puter and fill all you guys in on what has happened and when etc.  I feel ok and am still NPO and on the TPN and antibiotics through the PICT line.  Not much fun but MUCH better than being in the hospital!  Yes I had similar experiences to your own.  You have to stay on top of these people all the time.  They even tried to discharge me a day earlier than my surgeon authorized! More to follow...  time for a nap!  LOL

Suzanne time to wake up and walk LOL. I have been walking around the inside of my house holding onto walls, chairs, Lee and anything else I can find. My energy is pretty low but I am feeling much better. Working on my fluid in take but trying to stay with t. baby food on Wednesday boy am I excited. Take it easy and know I am thinking about you Suzanne.                                               Annie

Oh Honey, I am a walking FOOL!  I walked a half hour at a time in the hospital.  I did my first lap of the hospital floor  about 3 hours after my surgery!  I think that is why my recovery has been so painless.  But they just dont let you sleep in the hospital and I am now catching up on that.  Keep in mind I am still doing barn chores making sure there is no HEAVY lifting involved.  But I am totally on my own here with 2 dogs, a cat, 2 sheep and 8 baby goats to take care of so I can assure you I am not sitting on my A__ all day eating bonbons!  LOL So glad to hear your recovery is progressing so well.  Keep up the GREAT work!

I'm glad you are doing great and keep up the good work.
What hospital were you in?

I was at UNC hospital in Chapel Hill.                                 Annie

Hey Annie - Glad your back home!

Hi Annie,

When I was at UNC Chapel Hill there was a Phillipino nurse who came in my room when I began having an asthma attack.  I asked her to help me and she ignored me and walked out and wouldn't answer the bell.  I had to call Dr. Farrell on my cell phone!!!!  Finally respiratory arrived and rescued me.  Some of the nurses there are horrible but all in all, I did ok. I'm only 5 ft. and I didn't have a problem with the bariatric bed.  Thank God we are home and made itt through ok.  I reported the nurse and she was nasty to me from then on.  A lot of those nurses are either students or those traveling nurses that fill in hospitals that are short staffed.  I am so happy to hear you are doing well.  I've been praying for you.  Are you going to the meeting in Raleigh next Saturday?  Will you be up to it?  I hope so.  Talk at you soon.

Gigi