This may sting a bit but here is my experience from my surgery on Jan.5th.

Hello all, I am finally feeling well enough to write since my surgery on January 5th with the wonderful and talented Dr.Byrnes. He was absolutely great and is quite gentle once you really become his patient (I mean after the surgery is over). Now that I've sung his praises, I advise anyone who does not want to hear the truth to click off of this post because I feel it is my duty to tell the truth about what could happen to you. Ok I got the hospital at 5:48am (was due there at 6am, that means I'm first on the books). I checked in and was given my "information code" this is for family members to use when they call to check on your progress. I waited in the waiting room about 20 minutes with my family then was called back with 3 other people who were having different kinds of surgery that morning as well. My family was not allowed to go back with me at that point. They were told to wait in the waiting room and someone would come get them before I am taken back for surgery. Well, I got changed into my pretty hospital gown and was given a blue paper hat to wear as well. The nurse anesthesist came in as well as another nurse. They checked some paperwork and said they were going to start an IV. That's when the nightmare of the day began. I was poked 7 times (she could not find a vein at all) before I finally told her that she needed to call someone else (it hurt like crazy when she tried the wrist, and side of the hand) The actual anesthesiologist came in at that point and start looking for a spot in my FOOT (can you imagine my horror?). Right at that point Dr.Byrne came into the room (it is now about 7:43a) and ask why am I not in the OR yet? Everyone explained they could not start an IV line, being the cool Doc he is, he said, well roll her in and we will find one when she goes to sleep. Then the anesthesiologist said he will not put me to sleep until a IV line is established and kept looking at my FEET! Dr. B and the sleep Dr actually began to argue right there in front of me. Dr. B told him not to put an IV in my foot because I needed the compression bands as was high risk for blood clots. Then another anesthesiologist dude came in and said that he still wont allow me to be put to sleep until the MEDTRONIC rep comes and turns my pacemaker down to 50 beats a minute because he did not want to use the magnet to set my pacemaker to just pacing. Dr.Byrne walked out the room at that point. So the nurse called the MEDTRONIC rep Tammy Barnes but she did not come into the office until 8am!! Needless to say I had to wait until she came (it was 8:23a when she showed up). She turned my pacemaker down to 50 beats a minute (which hurts and makes me feel really terrible like I'm dying to be honest). So I say good-bye to my family (who was escorted back to see me while we waited for the MEDTRONIC rep) and thought I was on my way. Just then the first anesthesiologist tells me "I'm sorry but you will have to wait another 2 1/2 to 3 hours for surgery, Dr.Byrne's took the next case in the OR already". Yes, I was p@#$ed off at this point but feeling too bad to curse them out, well good ole Mom did it for me. She pitched a holy fit in that place and told them to make the MEDTRONIC rep get her @#$ back here and turn the pacemaker back on until it was my turn. So they did and I sent my family home since my son (7yrs old) began to cry because he was scared. I sat from 8:45a until 12:15p in the bed alone waiting to have surgery. I prayed so many times during that time for strength because I started many, many times to just leave and forget my dream of good health. Finally Dr.B came back and asked me if they had everything together and if I was ready for surgery. I told him to ask his staff and that I was ready when I walked in at 6am. I was finally rolled back about 12:30pm. I'm going to write about my hospital stay on my profile a little later explaining the pain, and one terrible nurse I had (SHE WAS THE CA NAMED ANDI, WATCH OUT FOR HER SHE IS A NASTY ONE, SHE WORKS THE NIGHT SHIFT AND HAS NO EMPATHY OR COMPASSION AS A NURSE). Thanks for listening you all, I'll write soon. I'm so tired all the time and really hate how I feel at this point. I know it will get better but this part stinks, I wasn't prepared to feel this way.

Oh Robin, that's terrible. They had a hard time with my IV too but not to that extent! I was actually bothered with how long it took them to find a vein..I am not a hard stick! Things can only get better from here right? I am thinking of you.

Poor thing. I understand. Although I havent had my wls yet I have been in and out of hospitals all my life. My grand total for finding a vein was 63 pokes when I was 12. That is the worst feeling i nthe world being poked all day. after the 63rd poke the DR came in and was like lets give her som gas before we try again. just keep i nthere and congrats on the start of your new life. (hope to join you soon)

I am so sorry you had a bad experience, but things will all be better from here on out. You have gotten through the hard part. In the next few weeks, you will probably still not feel 100%, but as you get better nutrition and your vitamins in, you will get better. Then comes all the wows! The shopping for cute clothes, the flirting with boys (but not me, I'm married ) the doing things you never even noticed that you couldn't do before, the walking past your own reflection in the mirror and not knowing who that is... It will make all this stuff seem like a distant memory. You have done it girl! It will all be worth it. I promise. Kathy

So sorry you had such a rough time! Glad you are home and feeling better...and WELCOME to the losing side!! Praying you have a great journey from here on out!! Hugs, Elizabeth

HEY ROBIN, CONGRATULATIONS ON BECOMING A LOSER. I'M SO SORRY YOU HAD SUCH A ROTTEN EXPERIENCE AT MUSC. WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPENS IT REALLY SOURS YOU FOR A LONG TIME TO COME. GIRL, DON'T YOU KNOW YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BRING YOUR VEINS TO THE HOSP W/ YOU? SORRY, ONLY JOKING. AS A NURSE AND A FORMER PT. I KNOW HOW HARD IT IS SOMETIMES TO START AN IV. WE AS NURSES (MOST OF US AT ANY RATE) FEEL TERRIBLE THAT WE'RE UNABLE TO OBTAIN ACCESS. BUT TO STICK YOU SEVEN TIMES IS UNACEPTABLE. I APPOLOGIZE FOR THE TERRIBLE TREATMENT YOU RECEIVED FROM MY SISTER NURSES. LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, THAT TERRIBLE TIME IS BEHIND YOU AND ONLY GOOD THINGS AND TIMES ARE AHEAD. KEEP YOUR FAITH IN OUR LORD IN HEAVEN AND HE WILL SEE YOU THROUGH THIS AND LEAD YOU INTO BETTER TIMES. MAY OUR HEAVENLY FATHER LAY HIS HEALING HANDS ON YOU AND GUIDE YOU THROUGH THIS WONDERFUL NEW JOURNEY AND LIFE. DONNA, sfy (SOUTHERN FRIED YANKEE)

Are you trying to get me to chicken out? lol I am so sorry that your experience was so bad. I will be on the lookout for ms Andi. I have looked at myself in the mirror with no clothes on not much else can scare me worse than that!!! lol I am glad that you are home and everything can only get better from here. Deb G

WELL, IF IT COULD GO WRONG, IT SURE DID WITH YOU & WE ARE SO SORRY FOR YOUR BAD EXPERIENCE AT MUSC ... YOUR EXPERIENCE IS A RARITY, BUT THAT DOESN'T MAKE IT ANY LESS HORRIBLE FOR YOU. READ MY PROFILE AGAIN, MS ROBIN; I HAD EXHAUSTION FOR 10 MONTHS (not normal but it happens) ... MOST PEOPLE AREN'T READY FOR FEELING SO TIRED BECAUSE WE HAVE IT DONE LAP & FROM THE OUTSIDE, IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THEY DID MUCH, BUT YOUR POOR BODY HAS GONE THROUGH MAJOR TRAUMA WITH THIS SURGERY. NOT ONLY HAS YOUR STOMACH BEEN SEVERED, BUT YOUR INTESTINES HAVE BEEN REROUTED & YOU'RE LIVING ON 200 - 300 CALORIES A DAY AT THIS POINT, SO EXHAUSTION IS VERY NORMAL. TAKE IT EASY; TAKE NAPS & BE SURE TO TAKE YOUR SUPPLEMENTS & SUBLINGUAL B-12 RELIGIOUSLY. GET AS MUCH PROTEIN IN AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN ... THE PROTEIN PUDDINGS & DRINKS LIKE PROTICA OR THE ONE AT THE VITAMIN SHOPPE ARE EASIEST TO GET DOWN THIS SOON AFTER SURGERY. ALSO, FLUSH YOUR SYSTEM WITH AS MUCH CLEAR FLUIDS AS YOU CAN (water, crystal lite, tea & herbal tea, clear broth, etc). IT DOES GET BETTER; I PROMISE YOU. BUT, THERE ARE NO SHORTCUTS TO HEALING. IT TAKES 3 MONTHS FOR YOUR INSIDES TO HEAL FROM THIS SURGERY, SO TAKE IT EASY! BE GOOD TO YOURSELF! GOD BLESS YOU ... DAWN & NICk

Hi Robin I just wanted to thank all those nice people *****plyed with such kind words and to tell you how proud I am of you for taking control of your life back, I know that you and Jesus can handle this together and he will make you feel better soon. Love you, mom

It was quite a challenge for you, my friend, but I know each day will be a little easier and you'll get a little stronger. The pureed & baby food won't be forever & the pain will lessen. When you have to get rid of some of those clothes - you'll know it's all been worth it. I love you very much & am proud of you! Stay strong 'cuz I'm gonna need ya' soon (God willing & CIGNA approves!)... Hellen