I'm on the Other Side!!!

I got home on Nov 10 and was ever so glad to take a shower. I know that hospitals keep the patient as clean as possible but when you are doing for yourself, with limited reach, it's not so easy. My lapRNY went extremely well. I must thank Dr. Garber, Dr. Holover, surgical nurses Diane and Linda, anesthesiologist Dr. Finklestein, the recovery room team, and my nursing staff (who worked especially hard) at Mercy Medical in Rockville Center, NY for all of their expertise, professionalism, compassion, humor, and everything else that they do and did for their patients!!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I also want to thank eveyone who posted words of encouragement. I really appreciate the support and concern. Drains come out on Monday. Yay! One question - has anyone had a negative reaction to the gastrographin dye they use for the upper GI to check for leakages? I did...what a mess! But I got through it with really good assistance form the nurses. Linda

congratulations Linda you are now a loser Sorry for your mess witht the leak test.....drains out on Monday yay and a shower there is nothing like taking a shower......after getting home from the hospital......as for not be able to reach some spots get a pair of kitchen tongs for the time being and then throw them away when you are able to reach all those difficult spots..... Wishing you the best.....hold on cause you will be amazed at how everything starts to change.... Christine

Hi Christine, I didn't even think of kitchen tongs. I can get a bunch from the dollar store (well, someone can pick them up for me). I have grabbers for picking up stuff and duct-taped the scooper to a broom handle to clean the cat boxes. We do have to be creative. Thank you for the encouragement. I can't wait for all of the good changes. Linda

Hey Linda! Congrats on joining the losing side! I am so happy everything with smoothly for you! I know the feeling about wanting to take a shower really bad. I had to wait a month and a half before I was initally discharged before I could shower, yuck. I was sponge bathed but its totally not the same! Anyway, the only reactions I have had to upper GIs(and I have had 5 of them) is they make me not being able to go to the bathroom for days and make my poopie white. That stuff is really thick and nasty. Again, congrats on joining us and please keep us posted! Take care!! Tavia

HOLY MOLEY Tavia, why so long in the hospital. My stay was nothing compared to yours. What did you do to pass the time??? I only hope that you are more than well now and continue to be in good health for a really long time! RE the 5 upper GI's, I've had the barium white stuff at a previous test, It was as you say. But this time, the stuff was a bitter tasting liquid that was the consistency of apple juice (looked like it to!). I got a really bad case of "e.d." (I apologize and do not intend to make anyone sick, but it was explosive diarrhea) during the night and into the next day. I was able after the "big one" to make it to the bathroom each time afterwards. Not pleasant but it seemed to also get rid of the surgical gas and cleaned me out very well. Thank God for good nurses, that's all I have to say. I will keep posting to update on progress. Thanks again.

Hi again Linda, Ah yes I know the test you are talking about, sorry it did not 'agree' with you. Explosive diarrhea is not fun at all. At least you knew you didnt have a bowel obstruction, ha. Sorry bad joke... I was initially in the hospital from the RNY due to major complications. I was really sick most of the time so I was just lying around. I am still working on the 'getting better' thing, but thank you so much for your nice words, really. Take care! Tavia

Hey Linda Just wanted to take this time to Congratulate yet another fellow loser... Congratulations on a successful surgery, and best wishes for a very speedy recovery....... Hugs, Blanquie

Linda, yeah!!!!!!!! I'm very happy for you although you sound pretty happy yourself! LoL Thats just great!!! Now your on your way to becomming a even happier healthier new you!!! Darlene Briseno

Welcome home Linda, I love your inventive way of scooping the cat box. I will have to use that trick. I wish you the best and happy loosing!!! Also, for when you are showering, get yourself a long handled back scrubber bru**** sure comes in handy to scrub my feet and legs for when my back goes out. Its the only time I use it. Hope you drain removal is as painless as possible. Shannon Arnold Campbell,Ny 257/???/130????