Hi Honey, I'm Home.... LOL

Hello everyone. Surgery went well and I am feeling pretty darn good. I came home at lunchtime yestersay and I am so glad to be home. It was so nice to sleep in my own bed. Only problem is getting up every hour on the hour to pee....guess I am getting rid of some of the extra fluids in the hospitala. I had anticipated far more pain than I am actually having, so I am pleasantly surprised. So far, I've not had any difficulty getting in the liquids or the protein but I have gained about 10 pounds while in the hosptal. I am sure thata is just fluid weight from the IV fluids. I am anxiously awaiting my postop visit on 12/7 to see what my official weight loss is and cannot wait for that. It is time to try and find some protein. I will post more later. Thank you to everyone who called or stopped by while I was in the hospital; that was so very kind of you. Kim

Congradulations!!! I am so happy for you!!! I know that I will be feeling the same way on Wednesday and wanting my own bed. So how was the whole thing, would you mind sharing? Any tips? I am nervous and anixous at the same time to get it done and get on to the healthier me. Angelique

Hi Angelique, Yes, you will definitely be wanting your own bed but it may be the recliner for a few nights so don't be surprised if you have difficulty sleeping. My first night home, I did not sleep for beans....I was up peeing every hour on the hour (getting rid of the 10 pounds of IV fluids no doubt). Last night, I slept much better. I was up only once to pee and I believe I slept pretty close to 10 hours uninterrupted, straight thru. That was such a relief because there are so many interruptions in the hospital. As for tips, I would definitely be sure to bring Chapstick because your lips WILL be dry. Definitely get up and walk as often as possible. This will help get things moving inside again .... you will start passing gas and release more of the CO2 from the surgery when they inflated your abdomen up. I was a little bumbed out when I got home from the hospital on Friday and saw that I had gained all 10 pounds that I had lost prior to surgery. But, on a happier note, I lost 7 of them this morning, so it is coming off now. Make sure you bring a robe for strolling the halls. It is much easier to slip a robe on than to worry about if you are flashing a bit of butt. LOL. Oh, and the nurses are very hot ... the men outnumber the women on that floor. The whole time I was there, I only had 2 or 3 female nurses ... the rest were all men.

Thank you, you put a smile on my face about the men nurses out numbering the women nurses. LOL The tips are great I wondered about the dry mouth and lips thing. I am waiting for wednesday. 2 more days!!!! Feels like I need to have everything in order before I leave. Anyway hope things are going well. Have a great day. Angelique ps thanks for the tips

Angelique, Two more days till surgery--Time will go fast and you will be home on the losers bench before you know it. I will be praying for your quick recovery and success. Merry Christmas Julia

Kim, Im really glad to hear you are home and that things went well. I am starting to get nervous now that it seems to be a reality so its nice to hear from someone I know that you are doing well. I was wondering if you dont mind me asking why you stayed until Friday. Dr. Umbach and Karen told me that most patients go home on Thursday.. Did you have any issues or is this normal. I go for my pre op on Thursday and plan on asking. I dont think it really matters but with my son I kind of need an idea. any way... Glad to hear you are doing well! Take care, Tara

Hi Tara, Yes, I am doing very well. I was expecting more pain than I actually am having. Are you having the RNY or Lap Band? The reason I ask is because of the hospital stay question, I was told everyone stayed until Friday. Sometimes, Lap Band patients can go home after 1 day but it is pretty unlikely for RNY patients to go home after just one day. I really did not have any issues. My BP was better. My blood sugars were better after the initial shock of surgery was over. I had to have 2 or 3 shots of insulin after surgery to bring the blood sugars down but now I am on on meds. One thing I would recommend is regarding the heparin shots .... get them in your tummy. If the short stay nurse wants to give it in the leg, ask for it in the tummy. I got a huge bruise from the one in my leg and that one burned quite bad but not the tummy shots. All subseqent shots I got in the stomach and it was much better. I hope this answers some of your questions. Feel freel to ask away. I am on here usually every day. Did you get your surgery date yet? For some reason I was thinking you were next week but I may be wrong. Good luck to you, Tara. Let me know if you need anything. Kim

Thanks... I am having RNY on Dec 6th. I am very excited and nervous at the same time. Its so good to hear you are already loosing. I am having a difficult time realizing that I will be to in a matter of days now... just doesnt seem possible! Im glad you are doing well and I appreciate your answers and time. Im sure I will have more questions and Im sure you will be the one I ask... Thanks again and take care! Tara

Tara, I had a RNY and I was in the hospital for two days only and that was it. I had the surgery the first day, the second day you have an xray to make sure that the pouch is intact and then they feed you....jello, juice etc and make sure that you eat small amounts at a time and mix your juice with water. The next day they send you home and I would also suggest sleeping in a recliner the first couple of nights cause it is uncomfortable to sleep in your bed the first few nights.

Hi Kim! Just wondering how you're doing today. Are you in any pain? How is the thirst? What sort of things are you able to eat? I know you are mostly on liquids, soft diet. Anything you've found that bothers you? I'm hoping you're still feeling good and getting better and better every day. Linda