Hello to all the October Sleevers. Here is my experience from Oct. 4. (I know that before my procedure I wanted to read everything I could about what to expect, so I hope this helps)
I was scheduled to be at Good Samaritan Hosp. in San Jose at 4:00 pm for a 6:30 pm procedure time. I personally didn't want to be the last surgery of the day, but you take what you get. It was a 3 hour drive to the hospital, so my parents picked me up and drove me. We checked my parents into their hotel and then headed for the hospital. The admitting nurse was ready and waiting for me to arrive. That was nice. I got setup in the admitting area and had about 50 pages to sign while they did all the pre-op stuff. I was pleased that I had lost 10 lbs. The nurse got my IV in on 2nd try and then I sat and waited. They finally were ready for me at 7:30 pm. My doctor makes you walk to surgery, so I headed down the hall to the OR room. Got myself on the table and the next thing I remember was waking up in recovery. I groggily looked around and the next thing after that was in my room with my parents standing there. I was informed that Dr. Cirangle had also found a hiatal hernia that he repaired and then I drifted off again. I was so groggy and it was about midnight. The nurse made me get up 1/2 hour later and walk. Dr's order. I asked for ice chips. These are a godsend during recovery. My Dr. gives you a morphine pump to self medicate, but I realized by Wed. that the morphine was making me so groggy I couldn't stand it. They kept giving me my button, but since my stomach didn't hurt that bad, (only the biggest incision by my belly button hurt) I wouldn't use it. They brought me chicken or beef broth, 2 cups of Jello, and a bottle of power Protein Drink for EVERY meal. It was a little annoying that I would usually have to ask for Water to put in my Protein Drink. I would sip the broth, take 2 bites of jello, and then try to sip the gross protein drink. Wow, this was my first sign that I would never be able to eat the same again. Remember the warning that your tastes change.
My Dr. came to see me about 4:00 pm and because I got into my room so late and because my blood pressure was elevated, they decided to have me stay another day. (My Dr. usually only keeps you for 1 day) They told me before the Dr. came that they were moving me from the morphine pump to oral pain meds to get ready to go home, but when they decided to keep me, they tried to give me the morphine back. I asked if I could take the oral pain meds (Lortab liquid) and it definitely helped me sleep without being groggy. I am a side sleeper and the bed was miserable. If you need to try to turn on your side, the Lortab will help with this. I continued to walk every few hours and eating the same. On Thursday, they took labs to check my blood pressure again, and it just wouldn't come down. They finally gave me a blood pressure pill and released me about 1:00 pm. (I have never had high blood pressure nor take blood pressure medicine, but I realized that there was a medical reason for losing weight now too) This helped to validate why I did this. They weighed me before I left and I had gained 10 lbs from the IV fluids. Drove the 3 hours home, stopping every hour for blood cot concerns. Be warned, the 10lbs of Fluid in you has to come out. (Unless I'm just strange) So I was up every 1/2 hour - hour all night peeing. But, the next day (Fri) the 10 lbs were gone and I was back to the weigh in weight at the hospital. Spent the next 2 days just around the house and sleeping. This just makes you sooo tired. Went to church on Sunday, made it through a church potluck (drank ice tea and helped serve) and now I have another week to enjoy my 2nd week of vacation from work. I am just trying to adjust to the liquid, all the protein, what my new stomach can handle.
Here's some observations for you.
During the 2 day pre-op liquid diet, I couldn't stand to watch food commercials or food shows. A Burger King hamburger never looked so good. Now, the commercials don't bother me because I'm just not that hungry.
My sense of smell is off. I asked everyone in my household (husband and 2 boys) if someone got new cologne because the smell was making me gag. Nope. Hopefully this will pass.
Tried beef broth Protein powder and almost threw up. If the mix clumps, it will not help you eat.
I realize that a week of my life with pain and discomfort is worth the REST of my life as the new me.
