Last minute tips, surgery 08/28/14
Oh boy! I remember being that nervous!
I was in the hospital only one night, but that is unusual I think. 2-3 days is more normal. They want you up and walking right away, I could do stairs, just slowly. you can try crystal light but see if you can tolerate water. it is easier and probably better for you and once you get used to drinking it you might like it more. Try it with ice and lemon. Popsicles are okay if sugar free (but not the ice cream kind, just the straight up popsicles). the pre-op diet was THE HARDEST PART OF THE WHOLE DEAL. I say this so that if it is really hard for you you will remember and this and be assured that after this it gets much easier. hang in there. And yes, if you are really anxious you can get something for anxiety. But if you really deal with anxiety, do yourself a favor and work with a therapist. I was scared nervous and excited too. Freaking out actually. And fyi, it is 23 months later and I am 100 lbs lighter and a million times happier. Best decision ever. It was and still is a hell of a lot of work but worth it. No doubt.
Hi! I had my surgery 8/5 and this is all very clear in my head. First - always listen to your doctor and medical team as they know what's best for you. That being said, I only started to get nervous just before they rolled me into the OR. Some "happy juice" in my IV and it was lights out. I have no memories other than saying hello to some of the people in there. I remember being brought back to my room and they had me out of bed within 15 minutes of being wheeled in. Walk, walk, walk - even if it hurts (and it will) to get up. If you get up to use the restroom, walk, even if it's just up and down the hallway once. This will help get you ready to leave the hospital. I went in on Tuesday and was released before noon on Thursday. I slept most of my time in the hospital (thanks to the medicine), but when I was up I was using the breathing thing they gave me and I walked. I ran a bit of a fever, so they pushed me to use it a lot and walk a lot to bring it down. (Also come to find out, I had a cold that became very apparent when I left the hospital - it would explain the fever and sore throat I had, although we all thought it was from the incubation. Part of it was, some of it wasn't).
The biggest thing I had a problem with was urinating. I couldn't get over how much I felt like I needed to go and got in there and just…couldn't. It was weird. And they monitored my output, so I knew I had to figure out a way to make it happen. They kept the IV in the first day, but by Wednesday they took it out and I was told to drink, drink, drink. I was allowed all the water and ice chips I wanted. I got a 6oz shake for lunch, dinner and breakfast, 6oz of Crystal Light, jello and pudding and soup. Sounds like a lot, but they didn't make me fini**** all and they let me take as long as I wanted to drink as much as I wanted.
The pain was not unbearable - it was uncomfortable and hurt of course, but the meds helped. And I used them when I needed them. By the weekend, I was okay using regular Tylenol. Drink, drink, drink so you don't get dehydrated, but don't worry too much if you can't hit their "totals" as it's almost impossible. However, just do your best. And if you have questions - call your doctor. The nurses at the bariatric unit were wonderful and helped me so much - I hope you have the same experience.
Life wasn't so wonderful until this past week - not gonna lie, I had buyer's remorse almost from the moment I got home until this weekend. I really wondered what I had done and why. I was tired, cranky, alone (my mom could only stay for a few days), and in pain. I was feeling really sorry for myself. Plus it took a while for my stomach to realize what I had done to it so keeping shakes or anything "in" was impossible. I lived on sugar free popsicles until I could keep anything in. I had my two week post-op appointment today and it went really well. Plus to hear them tell me how much weight I've lost in just two weeks really helped me realize that I'm turning the corner. I'm finally back on "regular" foods (well, almost, but more than shakes and yogurt) and I'm feeling better.
I wish you the best of luck with your surgery - if you have any questions, feel free to ask!
Rapid fire round!
1) Pain is individual and varies. They ought to take very good care of you in the hospital and send you home with narcotics. I took Vicodin exactly twice after I was discharged.
2) You can walk stairs. My surgeon tells all his patients they are limited only by comfort and common sense.
3) Crystal Light is a very good choice.
4) Sugar-free popsicles are probably fine but you shouldn't consider them a serious source of hydration. Every little bit helps but you'll want to sip on tha****er and crystal light.
5) You'll have to talk to your doctor about your anxiety but I'll be honest, I'm skeptical they will give you anything.
Everything you're feeling is quite normal. Good luck!
All the things you are feeling are totally normal. This is a life changing event with unknowns in the future. When I say life changing I mean it! I did not realize how much my weight had hindered me and how much of my favorite activities I was no longer doing. No more camping or boating or trips to the county fair because it was just too hard. Now two years later I do anything I want to and drag my family along. The woman who couldn't walk around the fair now does 5ks just for fun! How long you stay in the hospital is a question for your doctor or his nurse. I stayed only one night but some people stay several. I had discomfort after surgery but not debilitating pain. I never took more than Tylenol after I got home but had meds if I had needed them. I too was up walking 15 minutes after I was in my room. Walk as much as you can as it helps to move out ythe gas that causes most of the plain after surgery. If your stomach is sore press a pillow against it to get up out of bed or back down. Sugar free plain popsicles are fine and so is Crystal Light. I also drink herbal and decaf tea too to get away from artificial sweeteners because I'm not a big fan of plain water. Hang in there and do as your doctor says and get ready for an amazing journey!
As you can see you are feeling completely normal. It is an exciting ,anxious time. Listen to your doctor most importantly. And give yourself time to adjust to the new you. (a lot of things are changing inside as well as your new lifestyle) I had RNY almost 4 years ago and have done great. I wish you much success. I have started a site of my own to offer information and inspiration to others considering WLS or those who have had it and just need a little encouragement. I need others to share their story and photos Hope you will someday. Best Wishes http://www.gastric-bypass-journey.com/before-and-after-gastr ic-bypass.html
My dr also checks for leaks before I woke up, so I was only in the hospital for one night. I also got the clearance to start sipping water within an hour of going back to my room. I started walking very quickly... maybe 30 minutes after I got back to my room. Walk lots!! It really helps with the pain and getting your guts working again.
I didn't have any trouble urinating later the same day, but I know some people do. I passed some gas but I don't think they had me wait until I "went" before leaving. Bending over to pull up my panties was the absolute worst at the beginning! Wear loose ones!
Water and fluids are urgent! You have dozens of sugar free water flavorings now to try out - you aren't limited to the crystal light flavors. I'm sure you'll find some that you like. Also broth is something that works great to give you some flavor along with fluids - just don't go overboard because of the salt.
As others have said... pretty much everyone goes through a freak out stage. :) Hang in there!
Regarding pain - sure it hurts, but for me it was manageable. After the first day home, I only took pain killers at night, and I stopped those before a week was out because they make me have weird dreams. The most awkward part, for me, was rolling from my back to my side in bed - or standing up! I felt like all my innards were moving around. That feeling slowly gets better. You may have some incision points right along your waistline - wear sweats low around your hip bones if so - you won't want pressure on them.
You will definitely have more answers after pre-op!
Pam (RNY: 11/20/2013)
Thanks Everyone! Had last consult today before surgery and met my new surgeon, Dr Jeffrey Henke. I liked him very much and am very relieved. I am still surprised that I might go back to work in two weeks, I was hoping I could rest a bit more but he said it was all negotiable depending on how I felt. I told him I was 62 and probably did not heal as fast as the younger patients and he laughed and said I would be surprised. So we are going to take it one day at a time after surgery and my two week post visit.
I picked up some flavored lip balm and a variety of flavors for my water.
Although official liver pre op diet does not start until Thursday, I have already lost 12 lbs because I started early. My liver has already gotten to the perfect size but is still fatty. He said that will change dramatically after a few months after surgery.
Tonight I sleep!
