Surgery is 8-13-04

I am looking for anyone that has had Open VBG that can share the post op hospital stay you had.. The good and the bad! I was suppose to have surgery 8-2-04 but had a panic attack and left... I want to know what my Dr does that maybe your Dr did different as far as when you had to walk after surgery, Tests you had to do while in the hospital, Pain that you had, things like that.. please add anything you might find helpful to me.. I am just looking for someone to share your story with me in detail of what happend with your hospital stay. Annette Open VBG 8-13-04

Hi Annette, On my profile I have "my hospital stay" journaled. I did have Open VBG ~~ to be honest I did not find it very painful ~~ uncomfortable yes, overtly painful, no. They get you up walking as soon as possible. I was in a "burke" bed which helps you to stand up. The bed raises you into a standing position and then you just "walk" off the bed. It was a good thing. The IV infiltrated and that hurt more than my actual surgery. If you have faith in your surgeon that is the major decision. I had total faith in my surgeon and was 100% ready for surgery. You need to decide for yourself if you are ready or not. If you are not ready get yourself into therapy and reschedule surgery when you are ready. To be honest I thought that surgery would be incredibly painful and was shocked when it was not. I had "onQ" pain reliever in my incision area until the 2nd to last day of getting out of the hospital. If you are ready... you can do this. Good luck! Sharon ~~ Open VBG 10.28.03 -112#

Thank you so much for your reply! I have read your profile I will have to admit I have lurked on this board. I think the thing I am worried about is the pain! I have had several surgeries in the past that were very painful. My last surgery was a hysteroctomy and bladder suspension and it was very painful what made it even worse was I got an infection and had to have it reopened and they allowed it to heal open. I had to have it cleaned and packed everyday.. It was a really bad Annette Open VBG 8-13-04

Hi Annette , I can understand how you must feel . I had my open VBG on 6-30-04 I also had a intestal bypass take down and they had to do a lot of work with that . I have loss 30 lb . the frist night I was told to take the sleeping pill but I did not have to but they said it would be better if I did because of the noise but I was up at 4am walking the halls surgey was at 7:30 they took me down at 6 or 6:30 I saw the dr's in the hall way before surgey they all dubble checked who I was and what I was to have done and a few other things them I was in the the op room they were seting up it seem and thats all I rember untill I woke up in the the recovery room I had my own nurse there . I had IV's and pain thing hooked up to me but that all the frist nurse was not to good the 2st one was wonderful she got me up and after sometime I do not rember how long I was realy out of it but able to do what ever they ask of me but I did not want to set up but I knew I need to it is very imporant because of the I did not want to have a blood clot I knew that so I set up but I had to set up for what seem a long time and I was not sure I could after a bet of time I asked to get back into bed but the nurse was very kind and told me it was to soon andI need to set up 20 more min's so I did I set back and I think I was half a sleep and in some pain and realy wanted to sleep but I did it and them the nurse help me back in bed I like to have something under my knees so my lower back will not be in pain so I think I had her do that for me (the rest of the time when I was in bed I did this to I think it help other I have hear had back pain ) I was in and out but I do rember her giving me a bath and I did not care it was very nice as I rember them they move me to my room then I slept after a wile I got up with help and walked with my IV and med I just pushed it down the hall way I was suprised how far I could go I was weak that for sure ahd in pain but I did it and I had the pain med and I uaed the m a lot that frist day but I found that I wanted to sleep so I would go for a walk frist and them push the bottom for pain meds . the gas was bad in my case becase fo the other work I had done on my Bowel so they told me to walk and it would get better so I did and after a day or two I stared to go but I needed a little help I need a endama sorry I am not a speller I hope you can read this anyway I took a pair of BBQ tougs with me and so baby wips so I could reach my bottom to clean up it realy helped because after surgey it is hard to reach I have seed on the web other use a wood spoon too funny but it works ! the next day day 3 I had the leak test and it was not that bad then they gave me some jello , broth , protine drink and juice and I had some of that I was to go home the day after but had a temp. so I had to stay the told me to walk and it might come down and they gave me anitbi. in the IV I had some troble with the IV on day 3 I have no good vains left the tried two time for one them got a ICU nures to get on they could have sue my foot but I did not what that . the IV flush was not fun . I hope this help you will the hardest part was the wait so you go girl I will pray for you on the 13 best wishes for you! hugs to you! allyson harris