First of all, to anyone contemplating weight loss surgery, if you think you are mentally prepared, YOU ARE NOT!
Second, my sister Angie is a fucking rock star! She nourtured me my entire life and spent the entire day with me. Fortunately, she knew what I was going through as she does has the same procedure in January. Plus, she knows how to handle all my moods. Which, as I recall from that day, I had many!!!
We reported to Penn bright and early for check in. 630am. And waited. The theme of the morning. Waiting. My sister is super talkative in the morning. I am yet to be considered a morning person. I appreciated her chatter as it kept me from getting too inside my head. From admin, to finally checking in with the surgical floor. Get in surgical dressing and pee test (pregnancy). Transferred then to the pre op room where are the delightfulness awaits. It was here where I spent the most time pre surgery.
Surgery was scheduled for 830 but didn't start until about 10am. Due to the fact that it took the anesthesiologist 40 minutes WITHOUT success to find a vein to start an IV! 6 pokes and prods by one man who really was not on top of his game. Makes us really comfortable prior to surgery knowing this man is responsible for keeping me under! I was so frustrated I even put my phone away, which of you know me, huge!
In came nurse Regina, surgical lead nurse in my room. Right away, my confidence was renewed simply by her name. Regina is a family name. My late aunt and my late cousin on my fathers side. It is also the name of a dear friends mom who just passed a couple weeks ago. So immediately, I knew I had 3 Angels looking out for me. Sure enough, Regina got me on the first try! Sigh!
Checking back on my FB timeline, looks like I got the "happy juice" near 10am. I wish I had the video cause it's flipping funny. However, it's on my FB page if you want to see it. That shit is good! You feel it go through your whole body and you just relax. It wasn't long after that I was taken into surgery. I was put under immediately! Like, move on the table. Here's everyone in the room. Now, take a deep breath. OUT!
Things start to get fuzzy from here on out in regards to timing. Again, I pull from FB for the chronology as my sister archived for me. Seems surgery was only 40 minutes. I'm pretty sure they called my sister as surgery started and then when it was over. Not sure how long I was in recovery before they woke me up, but this I remember well. It was awful!!!!!!! First of all, I hate being woken up with people saying my name. I like a leisurely touch and light run until I am stirring and a little coherent. The next 24 hours was "Anne Marie!" I digress! As they woke me up, I just remember saying "Ow" over and over again and immediately realizing their was a rub down my throat. I also felt them take it out and that was not fun either. For the next few moments or however long it was was me just "Ow"ing loudly.
Next thing I know I was in my room and wondering where my sister was. She arrived shortly thereafter. From there, the afternoon was a blur of discomfort, pain, and excessive gagging. I just tried to sleep it off and my sister kept time of my medication to ensure I was given morphine and nausea meds on the regular. Did I mention she's a rock star?
Here's a little pic of what I looked like during the afternoon post surgery. I'm sure it puts it in perspective for you.
Just after 7, I was ready to get out of bed and pee! Extra motivation was wanting my sister to go home and get some sleep but knowing she wouldn't if I wasn't walking. Walking, really helped with the pain I was having. Most of the discomfort was from gas they inflated in my belly. In order to relieve the pressure, moving around helps. I had no issues walking around or anything. Honestly, I shocked myself that someone could undergo major surgery and get up so fast.
After all the "exercise" my sister headed home, I headed back in bed. Kelly was my night nurse and she was pretty awesome! She knew how to talk to me like a person. Great bedside manner. Very patient and understanding. Every hour, on the hour, "Anne Marie!" Kelly came and woke me up for med checks and another nurse came in for vitals. Every hour! Blood pressure, temperature. Some intervals I was injected with heparin. Kelly had another adventure retrieving blood. She hit me three times before she struck gold. However, Kelly was confident. She talked me through the whole time. Something about rolling veins.
During one of the visits from Kelly, she asked if I was ever diagnosed with Restless Leg Syndrome. As soon as she said it, I was like...lightbulb! I had no idea what I had all my life was a condition. I told her that I hadn't because no one has ever monitored me like this before. So, gonna chat up my doc on my next primary visit!
By 7am I had a new nurse who really tried my patience. Other than my gagging, I was feeling ok. I had to start drinking out of little ounce cups. I may have gotten 4 ounces in all day. But I didn't throw any up which was good. There were severa rotations of surgeons and nutritionist who all came in to check up on me. All great! By 1:30 I saw my surgeon and he gave me the all clear to go home. I wasn't sure going home was super smart for me cause I was nervous to be on my own, but....with little to no real sleep all night, I just wanted uninterrupted slumber.
Phil to the rescue! Greatest friend I've ever known came to pick me up and get me settled at home. How good a friend? He battled the traffic on 76 for me! If that ain't love, I don't know what is. He kept Rocky one more night for me and I just slept off the meds. It felt great.
I know I've missed some parts, but I was overdue with a recap of my stay. I haven't taken any pain meds today. I really don't hurt at all. I think I am lucky. I will say, being home alone on your birthday blows! Today has been rough. However, great chick flicks on Lifetime today and a shitload of birthday shoutout on Facebook. I'm a lucky lucky girl.
Things I have learned since being home...
*chewable vitamins are terrible
*Gatorade gives me heartburn
*constipation is no joke
*crushed ice cubes are a nice supplement for wanting to crunch something in your mouth
*two ounces of jello makes me full!
*i love getting personal mail from friends and family. It really brightens me up. Thank you to all of you who have taken a moment to send me a note or two.
Biggest takeaway is that nothing can ever prepare you for this. It's a life choice and one that isn't going to be an easy ride. If you are considering this as an option, make sure you have a great support system and that you attack this journey with confidence.
Oh...my current weight is 253. Down 36 since prepping diet. Down 10 since surgery. Down 43 since start of journey.
I was away so I did not see your blog until today, Really great!! Hope today finds you feeling better than you did yesterday and that every day gets better!!!
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