Getting Anixous

Three more days until my consult visit. I am super excitied. I am getting a little nervous though. If anyone would like to share there surgery experience I would love to hear it. For example, how long is surgery, are you ver sore afterwards, what do you eat your first week, etc.... Thank you in advance for your replies!! I love getting on the forum every night and reading how everyone is doing! I can not wait to get on the bench with ya'll. I hope my appts go fast. I am so ready to once feel good about myself!!!

Thank you again for listerning to me whine!

Hello Angie, I had surgery March 14th 2006, my lap RNY took less than an hour . The surgeron kept me in the hospital 2 nights and really it was not bad at all for me, I had a drain that came out on the second day when they removed the drain it felt strange, not really painful just different. I went home and rested for a few days , and could only have liquids for a couple weeks then started jello and cottage cheese, but I really was not hungry at all you just drink the protein drinks on schedule , listen to the nutritionst he/she will give you a sheet of what you can and can not have, just take it slow and learn to sip. I had surgery on a Tuesday and returned to my desk job the next Monday with no problem, no stiches just butterful closures and I was able to shower the day after my surgery. After about a month I started to really miss EATING , but like everything in this journey --- it passed and now I LOVE MY RNY .  Do as the doctor tells you WALK as mouch as you can , remember the surgery is a tool not a quick fix. I have gone from 327 to 162 and I am now waiting for plastic surgery to remove some skin.  I would like to suggest a book - Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies, it is a wonderufl book to have on hand. Good luck and welcome to the loser bench

Pugs Momma

aka Allison

Thanks so much for the reply! I will have to get that book!

Angie,   You will do fine darlin. I know its very exciting. They will go pretty fast. Before you know it, you will be in that designer fashion hospital gown, going to sleep. You know that I am here for you every step of the way. I am only a couple of floors below, ha ha!! Love ya girlie!!!!! Danielle

You are too sweet! Thanks for the support! Hope your visit goes well tomorrow!

Hey there! I had my RNY this past Friday with a Dr. from your same group (Southern Surgical), in fact Dr. Naziri actually discharged me due to the fact that he was on call that weekend.  You're in great hands.  One thing that I have learned is that things will NOT go as planned.  This is really not any one particular person's fault.  My surgery was scheduled at 11AM and did not start until 2:30PM!  I then had a looooonng stay in recovery due to the shortage of beds.  All in all, I would say it wasn't so bad, especially if I see results like the vast majority on the board has.   I used to hear women say that the pain of childbirth fades as more time passes and you see the results of your labor.  I would equate that statement to WLS also.  While I was in the hospital, I couldn't imagine why on earth I had gone through with this.  But now, only 4 days out, I can see that it has and will be very much worth all the discomfort.  I say discomfort because I never really had "pain" to speak of, I was just VERY uncomfortable (short beds in the hospital and I'm 6'2") and very sore, probably from the surgical gas which I was warned about.  The toughest part, however, for me was thirst.  You will wake up with the biggest thirst of your life and you will NOT be given anything until the next morning at the earliest.  Anyway, I don't want to scare you because everyone's experience is different and most folks (including myself) have an overall positive stay.  Best of luck to you! 

Thanks for the reply. I hope you are doing well. I can not wait to hear your success stories!!

I think the people before me have stated some very good points, but I figured I'd add my two cents also. :)  I had surgery with Dr. MacDonald (Same practice as Dr. N) and was able to schedule my surgery the day I met with him-- so you should know soon when your RE-Birthday will be. I was the first one scheduled for surgery that day (THANKFULLY) and it started about 15 minutes after the scheduled time of 7:30am... I remember being awake in the "prep" room and seeing all the doctors/nurses/interns coming in for the day. it looked like the set of Grey's Anatomy! *HEHE* I layed in there for at least an hour and then the anesthesiologist came in and gave me some SLEEPY meds... By the time Dr. M got there, I was pretty out of it. I do remember being rolled to the OR and asked to switch beds-- they will help you with that so don't worry.  Then I was OUT until I woke up in the recovery room. I remember looking at the clock and it was about 12:10pm or so... I don't think surgery lasted but maybe an hour or two and then I had to wake up... it took about 45 minutes or so (i was in an out of sleep) and they moved me to a room. My family came in within about 10-15 minutes of my being there. Jamie is right in that you are SORE. Just prepare for that-- it is not AWFUL, but you are sore and it is hard to move around. That left quadrant (just like they say) is going to be the worse... Take a pillow from home that is COMFORTABLE and maybe an extra to lay your arms on...I found it easier to have them level with my stomach vs. down on the bed... Like Jamie said, you will not have ANYTHING to drink **** cubes, NOTHING****il after the leak test (the next day)... You will be severly dry lips and tongue... I tell you, I used the little sponge they give you and would soak it in cold ice water and then rub it on my lips and tongue-- it helped me make it through.  going to the leak test was NOT fun-- I was in tears b/c I was so sore, but I made it through and FINALLY smiled when I got my first MEAL (Boost)... It was really good. Anyway, overall move as much as you can b/c I think getting stiff just makes it worse and follow doctor's ordres and you will be fine.  You should be released on the 3rd day (day of surgery, one full day in hosp and then home next day)... Be sure to take pillows with you for the ride home (especially if its far).... Just think, in a few weeks you will be on the loser's bench with all of us!!!  I got a little long winded, but I hope this gives you an idea of what to expect. Feel free to ask any questions you think of and let us know how you are doing!!!  Good luck with your surgeon appointment!!!

Thanks for the reply! This information is very helpfully. I just hope they can schedule my appointments quickly! I think you might have misunderstood me (I am going to my first visit ever to SS on Thursday) I am in the very beginning stages! But your information has answered alot of questions that I had! If you don't mine me asking, what is the leak test? What do they do? Thanks again for your reply!!

Hi Angie -

I don't know that I have a lot to add to the previous posts. You are welcome to read my profile which has a pretty detailed account of my own experience. I will say that I'm glad I did it and would do it again. I did have a complication during surgery, so my surgery lasted about 4 hours, instead of the more common 1 hour procedure.

By the way ... you are not whining. It's okay to have lots of questions ... it's more than okay, it's a good thing.

Barb