My Sleeve and Me

My surgery was 3/3/2010. It was done by Dr. Facundus of Alabama Surgical Associates, a Center of Excellence. Dr. Foreman also was in attendance as they do all their surgeries together. Per the bariatric coordinator they are close to receiving their 2nd Center of Excellence award.

I'm 48 hours out at this time and I feel good. I still have some pain in my left shoulder and sometimes across the shoulders from the gas. And of course my stomach is sore but I can lay down, get up and walk around with little problem. A 36 bougie was used and they clip off the sleeve and test with 60 lbs of pressure prior to closing to have no leaks. They have never had a sleeve leak and only 7 leaks in 2500 gastric bypass surgeries.

I have no drain and as the Dr. used 2 prior incisions from lap surgeries, I have less scarring than expected.

I have had no nausea. I have glue over my incisions and was able to shower when I got home.

I was in a bariatric wing for a 23 hour stay and received wonderful care. I did have some pain med issues but they had been expected as most pain medicines make me restless and itchy. When those symptoms appeared benadryl was added to my IV however as the symptoms has started already the restlessness and itchiness never completely disappeared. I did spend 12:00 to 12:15 the night of surgery walking due to the restlessness and it was not time for additional benadryl but the walking did greatly reduce my shoulder pain from the gas.

I was very glad to get home and take the pain meds and liquid childrens benedryl at the same time and sleep in my own bed. I was able to lay on my side in my regular sleep position and catch up on my rest. I did run a slight temperature the afternoon I came home and did take liquid SF Tylenol for that.

Working on getting my liquids down and cannot finish 2 oz of SF jello as I'm stuff at 1 oz. I do have some discomfort as it seems the liquid 'catch' at the breastbone and then go down. Some of that may be because I had a hiatal hernia repair done at the same time.

I had planned to take off work until Monday 3/15 but I probably will work from home some hours at the end of next week.