I'm on the other side!!!!

Thanks everyone!  So far, so good.  Surgery was monday @ 8:30 am.  We arrived at the hospital at 6:45 am.   I was a wreck the day before, between worrying that something would happen to cause it to be cancelled again, and being hungry from being on 24 hrs of liquids.  I went to bed early and at around 11:30 pm I snapped out of bed like I had been electricuted because I suddenly remembered that I never went in for my bloodwork that needed to be done w/i 48 hrs before surgery. How could I forget????  I immediately called the hospital and told them what I had done, and they told me that they would do it in the morning when I got there.  I ask if theyb would mind if ii came right in and had it done because I would feel a lot better.  They said yes, so I jumped in my car and drove to Portmouth, ( l live in Rochester)  was home by 1:15am.  Back to bed!  I had weird dreams the rest of the night, that I had gone to Bangor, Maine for the bloodwork and couldn't find my way back.  I kept going into businesses and asking them how to get on I95 south!  I woke up sweating!

Once I was at the hospital, things went right along.  Everyone was great!!  The next thing I knew I was coming out of surgery!  Those were the worst few minutes, because I felt confused and in pain.  All I remember is a blond nurse telling me it was going to be okay and I kept saying OH MAN, OH MAN OH MAN!!!  I kept hitting the pain button and saying OH MAN!

That didn't last long and pain was controlled and I was in my own room.  I never felt any nausea after that and everyone at the hospital was wonderful.  Nancy stopped by and saw me before I went into surgery, and 2ce after.  Dr. Looser was great.  He came in to see me after surgery and said everything went well., then saw me everyday.  Dr. Gens assisted with my surgery and he also came in to see me everyday. 

The nurses checked my vitals and drainage and catheter all the time and I got up once that night for a short walk.  The next day I would walk several more times and was feeling better and better.
They told me that that if all went well on weds when they put me on CIB, I could go home that afternoon. 

Once I was home, I was a little scared, but things went fine. I started taking 5mg pain killers every 4 hrs for the day and a half, and now I take 5mgs every 6-8 hrs.

Fluids are a challenge, but I am doing it.  I am really sensitive to smells since I got home.  I go see Dr Looser on thurs. and we'll see what he has to say. 

Well, that's pretty much a wrap up of everything I've been through so far.  I started the year weighing 291, I weighed 286 my first visit with Nancy, My weight the day of surgery was 259.  My weight today is 254.

As soon as i can, I want to form good exercise habits.  Today is my first walk outside.  I KNOW I can do this!!

Thanks to everyone who has done it before me and given me the inspiration!

Great news!!  Keep up the good work.  I doubled the walking that the doc had ordered and I truly feel it accelerated my recovery and quickened the weight loss.  I also dropped the pain meds as soon as possible which gave me more energy to walk.  Do what you feel is right and listen to your body.

I also picked up a pill crusher at CVS which helped me with pills.  Sprinkle them over applesauce or sugar free instant pudding.

good luck!

Tom