Surgery was miraculous!

Hi All, Miraculously my surgery went very well.  Dr. Wolfe did an exploratory first and discovered my previous  stapling  had gone  very, very bad.  The staples were everywhere, and I had  a serious leak into my abdomenal cavity from that surgery.  I was in so much agony, it was awful.  He  managed to clean me all  up,  got rid of all the bad stuff and the scar tissue, and was able to do the gastric bypass.  It  was a big surgery.  It wasn't what all of you will be going through.  I will be okay.  It was an experience I won't ever forget.  If I didn't have the revisional surgery, I would have died....that's how serious it was.  I am so grateful to Dr. Wolfe and everyone who worked with me at OHSU.  That is a wonderful place.  Even if it  was noisy and very hard on me, it was worth the trouble, and I am so very thankful.  I am also very tired.  Staying with my brother and sister in law  and nieces in Sherwood (near Portland) for about a week.  I'm not worried about leaks from the new surgery.  I was assured  by all of the doctors that Dr. Wolfe did an outstanding job.  Worried about my incision, but even that looks good.  I have a 12" incision and am also recuperating from an epidural that was in my back.  My left leg is still numb from  that.  Believe me, any one of you having surgery at OHSU has nothing to worry about.  They are the best.  Thank you for your concern, and I know I had a lot of prayers, because I feel the results. Love, Donna

Yeah Donna!  I'm so glad to hear you came through it all okay.  I knew it was going to be a big surgery for you so I was a little worried.  You're right though, OHSU is just super and I'm thrilled to have a wonderful surgeon.  I'm sitting here waiting for my Apple software to update so I can put some music and relaxation sounds on my Ipod.  I figure that will be a lot better to listen to than hospital noise.  I had a hysterectomy several years ago and dread being in the hospital -- not a good place to get your rest!! I am so pleased that you were able to get to OHSU and have Dr. Wolfe take care of you.  It sounds like you will do well now.  I just finished shopping at the store for soups and broths.  I treated myself to a bunch of very healthy organic low fat things.  I'm so excited, I hardly know what to do with myself! God bless you and heal you quickly! Linda

Donna, thank you so much for the update! What a relief that everything went well. That really was a huge surgery, and how scary to find out that your life was truly in danger. Thank goodness Dr. O'Rourke was able to take care of everything. I hope your pain is less and less each day and that you will have smooth sailing from here on out. Best of luck and make sure to keep us posted. Take care, Lisa

Hello everyone- I am doing great.  Now just dealing with my healing process, which is going nicely, and my eating process which is a learning experience, but not too bad.  I don't think I've lost weight yet since I'm still so bloated from the surgery.  But, since it's only been one week, I'm not concerned.  Just trying to keep my protein up and my liquids in.  So far I've had no problems.  I like all the items on the full liquid menur.  Can't wait for the rest of it - soft food sounds so good right now.  Amazing how little you want once you start "munching"..  Looking forward to that new me. Donna

Donna, so glad to hear you are doing o.k.   Sounds like your revision was so necessary for you life.  I remember what it was like waiting for the o.k. to eat soft foods and was so happy to eat mashed potatoes.  Was so good then but rarely eat them now.  Sticking with the protein mostly with some fruits and veggies.  Are you home yet or still in the Portland area?  Maybe cooler in Portland than in Cave Junction!   Julia

Julia - I'm still in Portland.  I love the weather here and always have.  Would love to move up here, but my husband likes his little pharmacy in Cave Junction (he's the pharmacist and pharmacy manager there).  He also works at Walmart part-time, so can get a job anywhere.  I just wish he'd make a move so we can be closer to good doctors.  We're getting older and good medical care is so important.  It will take him a while, but I think eventually we'll end up either in Eugene, where my daughter lives, or Portland. I haven't really been that hungry, but forcing myself to eat the protein and the liquids.  Today I actually got dressed and put on makeup.  I'm going back to Cave Junction tomorrow.  My husband will bring me home and I'll stay with my mom during the day and go back home in the evening.  Since I had such a big surgery, my recovery is really coming along nicely, but is a lot slower than everyone else having the gastric bypass.  But, feeling better daily, and so thankful the worse is over. Donna