Surgery Experience, Immediate pre-op and immediately post-op

Hey you guys. I'm really interested in people's experiences the last few days pre-op and the post op. All the details. Especially for people who had their surgeries done in Greenville, at PCMH. Thanks a bunch you guys!!

Great question Jessie, I'd love to see the responses since I'm nearing the big day myself!  Alice

Hey Jessie,  I had my WLS 08/22/2002 so I'm 5 years PO.  I had my WLS at PCMH back then.  What kind of info are you looking for?  How I was treated by PCMH staff?  How I felt Pre-op and PO?  How I felt Dr. McDonald did?  I hope you're having a good evening!

How you were treated, what was expected of you. How did you feel. What drugs did they use to calm you, ease pain, were those effective. Any tips that you wish you had known then,....

Jessie -

I posted a great deal of that information on my profile. You are welcome to take a look. I had my surgery June 5th ... so, if you look at May, June and July postings you'll get a pretty good feel for what I was thinking and feeling. I hope it helps you ... and anyone else.

Barb

Hi Jessie.  I had mine done 6 months ago at PCMH.  Dr Chapman was my surgeon and he was excellent.  I don't know what to tell you except that, relative to the fact that it was surgery, it was a very positive experience.  I was treated very well, didn't have to wait at all past my appointment time, knocked out appropriately, etc.  They didn't sedate me prior to surgery, which was a mistake on their part.  However, it was in my best interest because I am allergic to Diprovan, which is the main anesthesia that is used.  I needed to be fully awake to communicate that early and often to the anesthesiologist and the nurse anesthetist that handled my case. My after care was for the most part excellent, the step down nurses were great.  I did have to spend quite a few hours waiting in recovery for a bed, but that wasn't a big deal for me, just for my family.  The recovery nurses were great too.  I had a male nurse, I believe his name was Chad that was excellent. Thats all I can remember, it was a relatively good experience, as these things go.  Take care and let us know how things are going for you. Ellen

Thanks for the reply! :D

You can read about my experience on my profile :-)

If you have any questions let me know!

I am about 18 months post op and my experience was good over all. I was nervous right up until they put me under.  I had no problems from anesthisa and when I went to my room I was shocked that I had just had surgery and felt so good.  I took the recommended pain medicine which was morphine and I took it on their schedule.  I didn't have much pain at all.  I was up and walking that night and it was move move move afterwards.  I remember those booties for the blood clots they made my legs hot and I had to wear them the whole time.  It was very different from the other abdominal surgeries I had beause in the past I always had pain and had to put a pillow on my belly to walk and get up.  I had my appendix and gallbladder out before I had Lap RNY so I didn't have to worry  about them. The bad parts after surgery - I was thirsty but couldn't take anything by mouth for 24 hours.  They gave me those wet sponges but it just didn't work.  I remember getting that 1 ounce of water and it was delicious.  I had a very uneventful recovery.  I went back to work at 3 weeks. MY incision were a pain when the staples were in.  I fit in my regular clothes, my belly was swollen like frankenbelly from the surgery and incision.  Just wear comfy clothes and lots of cotton tee's nothing thats going to hurt the incisions. My other recommendation is to get some crocs.  I didn't have them when I had my inital surgery, but they are very helpful.  I had them at surgeries afterwards, but not at my RNY. The one negative is that hte hospital redid the baratric ward and now it's awsome, it's like birthing suites, there's room for the family, nice big large, comfy beds and plent of room at hte hospital I used. The other thing was that sometimes after surger yyou weight more then when you went in because of the IV's and fluids.  This will decrease.  I bought those little tupperware containers to measure out my protein drinks and just sipped and moved alot. I did have some complication afterwards but you can email me if you want to know about ithat. This is unique to what I had done so I dont 'want to scare you.  The last thing you need to be focusing on is the what if's. I was sick with a migraine before the surgery and i went car shopping, this is how I passed the time.  I couldn't stop thinking about teh surgery 24/7.  It was all I could think about. Good luck and remember to start exercising early on this is really a life change!

I had my RNY done at PCMH on 9/18/07 and it all went well except I got sick as a dog off the Morphine drip they had me on. The night nurses were WAY better then the day nurses. Im glad I had my hubby with me to help me and my advice is to get up and walk when you can and take it SLOW and remember to ask for your special pillow.. they will give you one to use at the hospital and to take home and its a small special pillow to hold against your left side (thats where all the pain will be) and it really helped a lot!! I hope you get Nelly, Ashley and Amanda for your night staff.. they ROCK.

Best of luck to you!!

Darcie