vwilson

Well I am 5 days post op and tho it's true everyday gets a little better than the day before, I am so scared. I fear that I have made a mistake, I fear that something really bad is going to happen and I am selfish for subjecting my babies to this. Let me give y'all a little background....surgery was Monday 1/14, starting weight when I began pre-op diet was 278 at surgery 260....however I had a revision surgery from a lap band which had been already removed 11/2011 d/t slippage during pregnancy, but with it my weight dropped to 175. So Monday I check in for surgery and I am nervous, mainly because I was scared of the impending post surgical gas pain :-/ the docs came in and reassured me, slipped me something to relax me and I'm off to the operating room. Next thing I know I'm waking up, pain in my belly and shoulders pretty bad but mostly because they had me flat. Next thing I see is my surgeon telling me that I have had complications d/t old scar tissue and I bled out during surgery which required me to have several blood transfusions, I had a central line and was being whisked to ICU...oh and I would need to have another surgery on Wednesday to repair my hiatal hernia that was "wide open". It hurt to cry but I did, my husband was home with my babies so I was alone. Too weak to pick up my phone and call or text anyone. I've never been that weak before. The ICU nurses wouldn't let me get out of bed which I heard helps profoundly with the trapped gas pain...& I swear my pca pump wasn't working ( idk really lol) and I kept having to pee!! Every movement to lift up on the Bedpan was agonizing & tbh I didn't even care that some dribbled up my back. Then the respiratory therapist kept coming and giving me breathing treatments that force my lungs open...and I know the reasoning behind this but to do this while hurting and with an already dry mouth is nothing to right home about. The next the day they got me out of bed...and told me my blood pressure drops really low when I stand, understandable with blood loss...and they put me in a wheelchair for my swallow test. Let me tell u...omg horrible. The gastrograffin they make u drink is simply horrendous...and they had me standing in pain, dizzy trying to drink this stuff and in my mind I'm saying..."this is going to hurt to chug this". Don't worry it didnt it just taste retched and the dry heaves aren't the funnest. So yay I passed my swallow test! Back to ICU to start drinking...I took one tiny sip when I got back just to moisten my mouth and I was done. After several more blood draws I was told I would be moved to a regular room. Soo off to my room I went, the nurses and cnas there were very pleasant...they kept trying to push me to drink but it was hard cause I had no desire to do so, all I wanted to do was sleep. I promise I have never been so weak before in my life. I drank maybe 1/10 of a 20oz water bottle and started to feel my heart race, began breathing hard like I had come from the gym and passes back out. Around 4am the nurse came in and asked me...did u know you were having surgery today..I started to cry again, I had hoped they forgot :-(. I guess I was so scared of hurting more than I already did. Later on they came and got me for surgery...I was crying and the nurses kept asking what was wrong. Finally the surgeon came told me don't worry "anything bad would have already happened", then back to surgery I went. This time when I woke tho I didn't feel quite so miserable. :-). After another swallow study I was cleared to drink and began clear liquids. For the first time in a very long time I don't automatically reflux what I drink. Amen!! They kept me another night in the hospital to watch me, gave me several iron transfusions and calcium transfusions thru my central line....so many more lab tests. I got up and walked when I could because I was still so weak. They also came and did a venous ultrasound to make sure I didn't have any blood clots. The next day I was able to eat a Popsicle and my broth....baby steps:-) I'm not physically hungry at all but the mental hunger makes my belly growl whenever I see Joe's Crab Shack commercials:-). So I was finally released Thursday night, I have my jp drain in place which is causing ALOT of anxiety to me over it's removal. I will cross that bridge when I get there. Friday I rested, tried to play with my baby as much as I could before I got tired. I tried a protein shake and only got about 20grams in...but I did take my vitamins and tried to sip water all day. However....I have been running low grade fevers still, this was present in the hospital also but they told me as long as it doesn't go over 101 or I have other symptoms of infection that it is ok...I constantly feel my heart beating in my chest...my normal hr is about 45 and now it's in the 90's could be pain related. I'm still weak, and weirdest of all is whenever I fall asleep I keep having crazy vivid dreams....and in some of them I am like stealing French fries or other madness lol...I know how silly it must sound but it is what it is. I have been sleeping in my recliner because it hurts to lay flat, I tried this evening but no go. I'm hopeful for the future, but scared of being that small percent that all the bad stuff happens to. I sit here now praying for a better tommorow, for energy & health. Sent from my iPhone using VST

Tysm! The Protein shakes are horrible and to be honest I crave some meat and they are all super sweet! I guess sweets was never really my down fall. You are strong tho, we are all gonna get thru this and meet our goal!! Sent from my iPhone using VST

Well I've bee up trying to clean up some today....just trying to take it slow cause I get tired and out of breath quickly. It's just so surreal....and I'm not hungry at all but just keep thinking about food. What a horrible addiction:-( Sent from my iPhone using VST

Gosh who would have thought the band would have caused so much damage and u hear so often how it's the safest and reversible blah blah lol. I'm just glad it's done & over. Best of luck to u! Sent from my iPhone using VST

Definitely going to try this!! Sent from my iPhone using VST

What about ur lortab...I'm in the same boat 5 days out and up Sent from my iPhone using VST

I had my surgery yesterday ...... I am so miserable Sent from my iPhone using VST

Mine too!!!! Monday morning 1030!!! Sent from my iPhone using VST

Good luck girl...I pray for ur speedy recovery back to feeling normal:-). My turn on Monday! Sent from my iPhone using VST

Idk but I pray it is! I truly believe that anything is possible:-). I'm getting sleeved on Monday, so anxious:-) Sent from my iPhone using VST

I'm having my revision on Monday...so scared too. My band was removed last November tho when I was preggo after a slip so I had to regain everything to be approved. :-( I pray the recovery is not much worse I hate the trapped gas feeling...best of luck to u my friend. Sent from my iPhone using VST

Hey everyone!! I recently got my insurance approval on Friday and will have my surgery scheduled for january sometime....I'm so incredibly scared. I've had the lap band before and had to have it removed last November so to go thru surgery again is nerve racking but I know soooooo worth it. Just looking for a friend to help me get thru this process and maybe answer the zillion questions I'll ask over and over. Thanks!!! Vicki <3

Almost time....Monday is surgery day!! How was your recovery from sleeve versus band? Sent from my iPhone using VST

:-) great! Ill just take it super easy! Sent from my iPhone using VST

U look awesome btw!!! Sent from my iPhone using VST

:-) my surgery is set for next Monday...I have one week off so let's see how it goes! I wish I could take more off but as the sole bread winner it's a lil difficult. Sent from my iPhone using VST

Oh man me too!! But I HAVE to do this Sent from my iPhone using VST

Mine too!! Anxious & nervous Sent from my iPhone using VST

So happy I finally have my sx date for jan 14th :-). Now the hard work begins!! Sent from my iPhone using VST

Just got my surgery date January 14th yay!!!!! Sent from my iPhone using VST

Me too....anxious, excited, nervous, scared, hopeful Sent from my iPhone using VST

Lol that's what I've been trying to do...BUT Christmas has away of dwindling that reserve :-) Sent from my iPhone using VST

Thanks me too!! Sent from my iPhone using VST

I'm crossing my fingers ill be ok with less cuz I can't afford it :-( Sent from my iPhone using VST