My Surgery Day story 9/15/10

Written 9/16:

I had my surgery yesterday. Got to the hospital at 5:30 am. Got admitted, weighed in (254) then headed to a private room where I changed into my gown.

The nurse came in and tried to start the iv. Apparently my veins were not cooperating, so 5 tries later another nurse got it started. There was so much going on in that last 30 mins before surgery- nurse working on the iv, anestheologist talking to me while another nurse was strapping the foot pumps to my feet. Apparently my Dr does the surgery with me in a mostly vertical position- that was all new to me.

They came and got me and wheeled me back to the or.

They slid me over to the table, then lined my feet up on a platform and then the next thing I know I hear the recovery nurse calling my name.

I stayed there for about an hour. I did start feeling some pain and all I did was say so and they gave me some pain meds. After that hour they moved me up to a regular room where I started to drink my 1oz of water and protein drink every fifteen mins.

After I was able to pee, they started the paperwork to discharge me. I got dressed and then headed home.

As soon as I got home I took a gas-x strip and took a lortab pill. Also am having to do the breathing exercise every hour.

Stayed on the lortab every four hours until I went to bed. I stayed steady sore all day with some shoulder pain when the pain pill started wearing off.

I layed flat on my back in bed most of the afternoon but sat up on the couch to watch survivor and big brother.

After that I got in bed and decided to see if I could lay on my side. After I was able to get over onto my side, it seemed like everything shifted and once it settled I could breathe deep breaths and went right to sleep.

I slept better than I thought I would, I woke up about every 4 hours but I didn't take any more lortab after 945pm.

Woke up this morning and am feeling much better. Still moving slow but I just took liquid tylenol only today. Lots of phleghm this morning and temp has been running in the mid 99's. They said only worry if it is over 101.

I plan on getting out to walmart today to get some walking in. Also I live upstairs and was able to climb them when I got home yesterday, no problem.

Definitely better than I expected.

I still can't figure out where my port is yet, I don't have a bigger incision up top, but I'm not going to poke around on them yet either. No bruising and the infusions are glued.

That's my story!