Back~To~Amy

I worry about a doctor who will only let you use 1 or 2 kinds of shakes. Is he getting a cut? I'm 2 days post op. I did my preop with the shake of my choice twice a day and one low carb meal of real food. Dr. Nick told my mom he could really tell I stuck to the diet as my liver looked great. The key to liver shrinking is low carbs. I don't think a specific shake Dr. Kim recommends makes your liver better. I'd call his office.

Hi Robin. I just sent you a friend request. This won't show up on my FB, correct? I'm not out about my surgery to most of them.

I too was planning in the lapband and switched to the sleeve. I'm now 2 days postop. For those who mentioned they hope this pain is like the gallbladder pain, I wished that too. My gallbladder was removed in 2007 so maybe one forgotten that pain, but this pain seems worse. And I am having more nausea with this procedure than I did when my gallbladder was removed. If I can give a word of advice, it is to take your pain and nausea meds regularly and don't let the pain or nausea get out of control.

Thanks. I'm due to leave the hospital today and can't wait!

Thanks y'all. @ Eric, there is pain but the nurses are very good in helping you manage it. Even while on the pain pump, I asked for bolus pain meds that they put in my IV. I'm now off the pump and on liquid pain killer. I even "got in trouble" from my nurse for trying to be a super hero, as she called me, by not asking for meds I need. Now. I'm asking for them as soon as I feel like need them.

Good luck to all June 6th sleevers! I had surgery yesterday and posted a new thread to update y'all. Here it is:

Thanks Cookie. I know this can be a roller coaster gift and It's nice to have reassurance. By the way, I said I didn't have a drain, but I do. It wasn't until the nurse pulled out this little bulb of stuff from the pocket on my hospital gown that I realized I do have one.

So here is my description of the events for today that I posted on my blog. I know a couple of people who are using Dr, Nick so I put his name and which of the two hospitals I had surgery at so people using him can get more details. It is also for others as well but as we all know, surgeons vary. Well, there's no turning back now. I had surgery at 6:00 am today so I'm officialy on the losers bench. Well, actually I'm on the losers bed. For anyone who is a patient of Dr. Nick Nicholson at Forest Park Medical Center, this may be most helpful to you: I got to the hospital at 4:00 this morning. At first it was a lot of hurry up and weight. I got my ID band between the 4:00 and 5:00 hour. Around 5:00 am I went back to the holding area where I got changed on ONLY a hospital gown and where I got my IV. The first attempt was a failure. She got it in but it just did'nt do. Oh, and they used Lidocaine to numb the area. Lidocaine stings a bit, but it makes the IV going in a lot smoother from my perspective. I barely felt anything. I would call what I felt, pressure not pain. Now, all I had to do was meet with the Anesthesiologist and my doctor. Oh, and his surgery nurse. She popped in and identified herself before Dr. Nick and the anesthesiologist. Shortly thereafter I saw Dr. Nick and the anesthesiologist. Things went quickly after that. Within minutes of the anesthesiologist leaving my room she came back with Verced....the drug that relaxes you and there and then I was off. I remember going into the operating room and getting on the OR table. Next thing I know, I woke up in recovery. I have no idea how long I was in surgery or recovery. I told my Mom who was with me to ask Dr. Nick about my liver. He told her it looked awesome and he could tell I did a good job on the preop diet. Hallelujah!! Okay, this is where I describe everything so far after surgey. If you only want the "pretty roses" story, I'd suggest you stop reding now. So I woke up in Recovery. I have no idea how long the surgery lasted or how long I'd been in Recovery. I didn't wake up with a catheter or a drain. Yay! I woke up with cotton mouth, and a pain ball inserted at the site of the large opening. Mostly though I woke up with INTENSE pain. At that point, I wondered what in the heck I had done to myself I truly wished, at that point, that I could rewind time knowing the pain so that I wouldn't put myself through that I know I sound like a whinny baby but I really am not. I've been told by other doctors that I have a high tolerance for pain. But not today! I think it was more physical pain then I've ever felt in my entire life. They just couldnt give me enough pain meds this morning but, after what felt like an eternity, I was able to get enough to calm the pain down enough for me to tolerate it. Thank goodness for the Morphine pain pump. It doesnt completly kill the pain but, it makes it manageable. So that pretty much sums up surgery day for me. I think that is all for now. Pleas excuse any spelling, grammar errors or any part of this that may not make sense. I am on Morphine ya know. ~Amy

Met with my doctor......check. Yikes! It's time.

Met the anesthesiologist......check! Getting closer.

2nd IV attempt........success! Now waiting for the good drugs for my nap. :-)

First IV attempt......failed. At least I had a lidocaine shot first so it didn't hurt. Waiting for someone else to try again.

Thanks!

Thanks y'all. I'm finally back and dressed in the hospital garb. I'm waiting for my iv and whatever else they do. I imagine I will go back close to 6 am since I'm first on the list today.

Just arrived at the hospital for my 6:00 am surgery. Waiting to check in.

Oops! Double post.

Good luck to everyone tomorrow!

I think we all dream of the future for several different reasons. I know I'm looking to all the physical and health benefits of losing weight and that makes me "look ahead". Also, looking ahead has helped me get through this preop diet....well 12 of 14 days of it. Best of luck to you in your journey!

I'm having surgery on June 5th. Once postop for the time you need me to be, I'd be happy to fill one out too.

It takes several days. I weaned using unsweet tea. Whenever I'd feel a headache coming on, I drink some. It was never equal to the amount of soda though. Within a few days, I was weaned.

The preop diet is the roughest the first few days. I finished my first week yesterday and today am starting my second week. Day two was the worst! I thought there was no way I could do it. I was just sure I was going to have to cancel my surgery. I just couldn't stand the artificial sweetner taste and it was giving me awful diarrhea. In just a few short days things have changed tremendously. After day 2, things just kept getting better. I began to tolerate the tast of the artificial sweetner and the diarrhea went away. And, even on Saturday (preop day 5) I thought "these shakes are actually tasting kinda good". I wish you luck in your journey.