I am home - just one night in the hospital
(deactivated member)
on 1/11/09 6:41 am - PA
on 1/11/09 6:41 am - PA
Hi All:
Thanks again for all the positive encouragement right before my surgery. Your comments were very comforting.
Dr. Alfred Trang was my surgeon (Einstein Bariatrics) at Einstein at Elkins Park. I went into lac. RNY surgery right at 7:30 am on Friday, was in recovery by 10:30 am (that's what wife says) and was upstairs in my room by 11:30 am. I was a bit scared in the 20 minutes before the surgery, but after chatting with the anesthesiologist about politics for a couple minutes -- I was fully distracted. I was surprised how good I felt after waking up from the surgery and was on my feet and walking around in the afternoon on Friday.
I did as my doctor (and ya'll instructed) and sipped, sipped, sipped and walked, walked, walked. I walked as much as I could without pushing it -- I probably got up and walked at least 5 or 6 times on Friday afternoon -- each time I tried to walk more until I was counting six laps around the floor. I didn't sleep much of Friday night -- in three hour spurts -- and was up walking the halls at 6 am on Saturday. The walking helped tremendously. Also, my first meal of crystal light and broth very quickly informed me about the size of my pouch. I had about 2/3 cup of broth and maybe 1/4 of crystal light -- that is much as I could tolerate. So, I was released on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 pm -- which was the greatest feeling.
Perhaps, the most discomfort I experienced during the last two days was last night (Saturday) -- the ride home was a bit uncomfortable (almost painful). Its easy to forget how much strain a moving car puts on your body. And Saturday evening the gas pains (I couldn't figure out what the pain was at first) were unpleasant. But those mostly passed (no pun intended) by Sunday morning. I am tired, but I am getting around. My back is really sore for lying down, so that is the worst of the pain right now.
Mostly, I am trying to walk around a bit, drinking lots of fluids, and hoping for the best. I am glad the surgery is over. The anticipation of surgery was not fun and these first two days have been pretty uncomfortable -- I just want to be very honest with everyone out their considering this surgery. I would say my pain never exceed above a "3" on a 1 to 10 scale -- but my pain tolerance is pretty decent. This is not a cosmetic surgery -- it is a serious medical intervention intended to resolve serious health problems and to avoid future complications. Knowing that I pursued this to improve my long-term health prognosis and quality of life, I know that this was best tool for me given my past weight loss failures and my constantly increasing weight. Anyway. Enough preaching from me. I am happy to be home and looking forward to feeling better with each day that passes. -Roger
Thanks again for all the positive encouragement right before my surgery. Your comments were very comforting.
Dr. Alfred Trang was my surgeon (Einstein Bariatrics) at Einstein at Elkins Park. I went into lac. RNY surgery right at 7:30 am on Friday, was in recovery by 10:30 am (that's what wife says) and was upstairs in my room by 11:30 am. I was a bit scared in the 20 minutes before the surgery, but after chatting with the anesthesiologist about politics for a couple minutes -- I was fully distracted. I was surprised how good I felt after waking up from the surgery and was on my feet and walking around in the afternoon on Friday.
I did as my doctor (and ya'll instructed) and sipped, sipped, sipped and walked, walked, walked. I walked as much as I could without pushing it -- I probably got up and walked at least 5 or 6 times on Friday afternoon -- each time I tried to walk more until I was counting six laps around the floor. I didn't sleep much of Friday night -- in three hour spurts -- and was up walking the halls at 6 am on Saturday. The walking helped tremendously. Also, my first meal of crystal light and broth very quickly informed me about the size of my pouch. I had about 2/3 cup of broth and maybe 1/4 of crystal light -- that is much as I could tolerate. So, I was released on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 pm -- which was the greatest feeling.
Perhaps, the most discomfort I experienced during the last two days was last night (Saturday) -- the ride home was a bit uncomfortable (almost painful). Its easy to forget how much strain a moving car puts on your body. And Saturday evening the gas pains (I couldn't figure out what the pain was at first) were unpleasant. But those mostly passed (no pun intended) by Sunday morning. I am tired, but I am getting around. My back is really sore for lying down, so that is the worst of the pain right now.
Mostly, I am trying to walk around a bit, drinking lots of fluids, and hoping for the best. I am glad the surgery is over. The anticipation of surgery was not fun and these first two days have been pretty uncomfortable -- I just want to be very honest with everyone out their considering this surgery. I would say my pain never exceed above a "3" on a 1 to 10 scale -- but my pain tolerance is pretty decent. This is not a cosmetic surgery -- it is a serious medical intervention intended to resolve serious health problems and to avoid future complications. Knowing that I pursued this to improve my long-term health prognosis and quality of life, I know that this was best tool for me given my past weight loss failures and my constantly increasing weight. Anyway. Enough preaching from me. I am happy to be home and looking forward to feeling better with each day that passes. -Roger
Congratulations, and glad you're doing so well...keep us posted!
Band_Groupie My Blog "The Sweet Spot" HERE
Proud member of the Century Club...100+ pounds gone forever!
I'm now in the middle of a Normal BMI.
*My new adventure; At the suggestion and support of many LBers, I'm now writing a LB book.
Roger,
Welcome to the Loser's Bench and sounds like you are doing what needs doing and as someone else said the first weeks out are the hardest, just follow those instructions you were given by your surgeon and you should do well.
Best wishes for your recovery process to be uneventful and bring the results your desire.
Laureen
Welcome to the Loser's Bench and sounds like you are doing what needs doing and as someone else said the first weeks out are the hardest, just follow those instructions you were given by your surgeon and you should do well.
Best wishes for your recovery process to be uneventful and bring the results your desire.
Laureen
My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . . It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . . Laureen
"Success is a journey, not a destination." Ben Sweetland