Heading Home Today!

I'm getting ready to head home! I'm looking forward to getting to sleep an entire night. ; ) The nurses and care has been A+++. My only complaint would be that the shower didn't have very ho****er when I was in it.... I guess I got a shower after somebody else used all the ho****er.; ) I haven't taken any pain medicine since 5 PM yesterday afternoon, but I'm going to take some now so the ride home will be easier. I start full liquids once I get home ... and I'm looking forward to that. The clear liquids have been good, but full just sounds better. I hope everyone is doing well. My next post will be from home sweet home! : )

Update: Dr. Nelson just came by ... and guess what??? I'm getting to go home drainless! They are going to pull my JP drain before I head out! I'm thrilled! Also, I have another tip to any that are coming up on having their surgery....Dr. Nelson always puts a big, elastic abdominal binder on her surgery patients. It feels SO GOOD to have that tummy support after surgery. So, ask your Dr. for a soft and supportive abdominal binder (closes with velcro) to greatly reduce any abdominal discomfort and it really makes it much easier to be up and around! :  ) And, thanks to everyone for the thoughts and prayers....I've had no nausea  (well just that once and it was my fault) and I really feel great. Liquids are going down fine...I just need to continue working on not swallowing any air when I'm drinking. That's seems to be much more difficult than I anticipated and it causes lots of burping ... but not painful. I'm praying for each of you and will continue to do so. Have a great day everyone. My next post really will be from home. ; )

You got that right about the binder...and the ho****er depends on what room you are in. I am so glad you are going home today! I am excited for ya and I know what sleeping in your own bed means....

So glad you're headed to your own bed and pillow!  Your very own comfy spot! Yippeee that you're doing so well!  Hadn't thought about the binder around the ol bod but that makes a lot of sense.  Kinda holds everything still.  I don't know if WeightWise does that but I'll be asking! Let us know when you're back in your nest!  And no bike riding this afternoon! Kim

Kim, No we don't use the binders. We don't use JP drains or foleys either. Unless there is a complication or a need for them.

Hi Shelly, I am so happy for you!! All of our prayers are working! Keep up the good work., and remember not to over do it once you are at home! Thank you for all the tips they are great. I remember watching you countdown thinking boy thats a ways a way but it came fast. I am counting them down now and they are going fast too. some days to fast and others to slow know what I mean? I am starting to get nervous. So listening to you is really helping!! My cardioligist sent a letter today saying I was as stable to have the surgery but saying with my problems it could change but as of May1st He will ok the surgery!!  I was so thankful he wrote it just praying my health will stay stable until the surgery. And the defibulator doesnt go off. Then it will be all on hold again. He still thinks the surgery will help my heart. It will help take the pressure off of it. I am hoping it will help all of the stuff not just my heart.. I am only 41 with 4 heartattacks, a stroke and reumatoid arthritis and diabities and disc problems already having 2 back surgeries. I just worry will the health hold. I want to be able to start to walk without my walker again its been over 2 yrs so I am ready!! So It  will help with some of theses things and others, I didnt even mention all of them.. But without the surgery my cardioligist says maybe just a few more years so it is about the quality not the time now. The main heart probs wont ever go away without Jesus. But the congestive heart failure may be helped greatly! I am so thankful Dr Nelson is willing to take a risk and help me! I weigh 280 now and even 50 lbs wouud help greatly ! Any other advice you have will be greatly welcomed! I know you have many health probs to so you are my inspriation!! I am looking at it now like ok Lord I am in your hands whatever your will be I accept it! So If I am supposed to do it all will fall into place like it has been my pcp said there would never be anyone that would touch me! Will the good Lord opened the door and as you said she is a wonderful doc. And is making me take all kinds of test to be sure so here it goes off to our new life it will be awesom for both of us! God bless and thanks for listening! I am sorry to go on and on. Others that are reading this please feel free to offer any advice. I love this forum It feels like you just got a great gift of many new friends lol. Shelly get lots of rest you will need it for those bike rides!! Karla

Welcome Home Shelly! It will be good to sleep in your own bed tonight.   Take good care of yourself and keep us posted as to how you are doing! Huggs, Pam

You go, girl..........Welcome Home

Shelly I am so glad that everything is going so well for you.  Get your rest and I cant wait to join you on the losers bench.

Thanks so much to everyone!!! I consider you each to be my friends! I want to explain some of the stuff like drains and binders. The JP drain for me was dual purpose. Since I have long standing lupus and have been on so many harsh drugs used to try to prevent antibody production and general cell reproduction, I was at higher risk than most for leak development ... not due to surgical technique, but my tissue integrity. Dr. Nelson and Dr. Keith are also very conservative and cautious for their patients. The Gastrografin swallow was to double check for any leaks that may have developed after surgery. Testing for leaks was also done in the OR and I passed that with flying  colors. The Gastrografin swallow I also passed. Then I moved on to the Blue Ice test. With that test I was given small amounts of ice with blue food coloring on it. You eat about an ounce every 30 minutes of the blue ice and the nurses check your drain and dressings every 30 minutes for any shades of blue to show....which would again show a newly developed leak. Thankfully, I passed that test, too! Then I got to begin clear liquids .... ahhh, water and broth and decaf tea and SF Jello! I commented to Dr. Nelson how much I appreciated my abdominal binder. She said that she learned of much less pain in those with binders while during her bariatric surgery fellowship. I tell you, I'd fight someone for this binder! ; ) I take the binder off to shower, and there is a big difference in pain when I remove the binder (so I'm keeping it on  for now). I think it also helped with quicker CO2 gas dissipation, too. Surgeons each have their chosen protocols for these surgeries, but I do think they were extra cautious with me because of my medical history....and I was glad of that. I think we're all so blessed in OK to have so many great surgeons and WLS programs! : )