Hi ladies! So happy to see this thread for gals of our distinction. I'm 53 and had bypass surgery Tuesday, April 21st at 8:00 a.m. at mayo Hospital where I live in Jacksonville, FL. I was on the 2 week Optifast liquid pre-op diet, which I had fun with and loved. Let me know if you want any tips in making it easier and most importantly tastier!
My surgeon was quite pleased with my 15 lb. weight loss. I was so excited about my surgery that I was cracking jokes and having fun with everyone as they prepped me for surgery. I didn't have a worry in the world. My surgeon told me that because I'd done so well on the pre-op diet, my surgery only took 2 hours instead of 2 1/2 hours as he'd previously planned. Once I arrived in my large plush room, my husband, son and parents were there to greet me. I was trying my hardest to converse with them but all I wanted to do was sleep thanks to the anesthesia. The three guys went and visited on the couch/bed and my mom sat in the recliner and we talked a bit. I finally convinced them all to go home and I'd call them later.
Once I woke from my drug induced nap, I woke and honestly I barely had any pain. I was walking by late afternoon and that was great. I never had much gas in the way of burping or tooting as many have. I was told by my surgeon that the CO2 they pump our abdomens with is dissipated through our blood. That's why it's so important to walk, walk, walk because it gets our blood flowing. I also had the pressure cuffs on my legs the whole time I was there. When asked by my nurse what my pain level was on a scale of 1-10, mine was never higher than a 2. She'd inject a lil something in my IV and all was good.
That story changed that first night when the nurse's aid came in to "strip" my drain. My drain had been emptied throughout the day and it was no problem. When he stripped it I thought I was going to come off the bed. It felt like someone was literally pulling my artery out of my left collar bone and I thought I was going to die. I have a very high tolerance for pain and I was crying like a baby. It even left me sore. The next morning when the nurse did it, it hurt again, but at least not for as long. When my surgeon came to visit I asked him why it hurt so darned bad and he said because the drain loops up underneath the diaphram. Anyways, I was glad when he pulled it out!
I passed my swallow test and then my blenderized meal that afternoon so I was discharged the day after surgery around 6 p.m. They sent me home with a prescription for percocet and some nausea med. We filled them and I was glad to be home. I took a pain pill at bedtime, two the next day and then I was finished with them.
I've been totally pain free since Saturday and my incisions look amazing. They were sewn shut from the inside and then glued on the outside and most of the glue has already faded away. I've been able to get my 60 grams of Protein in every day with no problem at all. I drink 2 Premier Protein shakes (30g each) per day and 2 - 4 oz. servings of Campbells cream of chicken Soup (1 can + enough Water to make 16 oz. in my Nutribullet). I have a chronic nerve condition so I'm mixing meds 3 times per day with applesauce, so that adds about a 1/4 cup to my daily caloric intake. My typical day so far is: 474 calories, 62g Protein, 17 fat, 26 carbs, 7 sugar, 10 Fiber.
I'm on this pourable liquid diet for 1 week, week 2 thick pourable shakes, yogurt, etc. and then week 3 is mechanically altered foods: small distinct pieces of tender and easily chewed food low in fat and sugar. meat must be ground or flaked. Then there are stages 4 & 5. Mayo is very thorough with their protocol. I know to always lead with protein and my goal is to get my 60g's every day!
I went to lunch with my girlfriends yesterday and took a little cooler with my Protein shake in it. When the waitress asked what I'd be having for lunch I said "A pretty glass with a couple of cubes of ice please". She brought me just that and I enjoyed time with my friends. We also went to Starbucks later and I enjoyed another 4 oz. of my Protein Shake.
I'm full of energy and already feel this lifelong decision I've made is the BEST one I've ever made!!! I wish the best of luck to all my fellow April buddies and for those who've yet to have surgery, you are going to be so happy
drmeow. I hear what your saying. I too have concerns about regaining.
Just moving forward and hoping for the best. My RNY surgery day of May 5 is arriving fast.
Hello All
I'm new to this site, just been hanging in the background checking out what others are saying. I'm 54 and scheduled for RNY on May 5 2015. Will start liquid diet this coming Tuesday. Anxious. Not because of surgery , more anxious and afraid of failure after surgery.
(And of the surgery a little bit too) ????
I live just outside of Philadelphia PA
Looking forward to connecting with fellow "losers" , that can offer support and share what they have learned that has made their weight loss a success. Look forward to victims often
nancynew got a reaction from Salonboi in ????Any May Gastric Bypass peeps????
nancynew got a reaction from lau4lau in Ladies over 50 - bypass