Barbara278

The anesthesiologist explained why they do this. You are basically put under and don't even notice them doing it. The reason they do it is because the spinal takes effect (morphine) about two hours after the surgery. The IV Morphine works just while going through the surgery. I was very fearful of it but once he explained it, it made sense. They don't get anywhere near your spinal cord. They inject it in your tail bone where there is no spinal cord between those membranes. I'm sure if you requested not to have it they would not give it to you. But honestly, it wasn't bad at all, I don't even remember it. There are stitches on all but one incision. They disolve in about 7 to 10 days. There is one larger incision that is left open and it heals from the inside out. That one takes about 15 days to heal. You may have some ozzing from that one and that is the only one you change the dressing on after showering. Dr. Aceves did two leak tests. The first is the day after surgery. You swallow 4 small medicine cups of apple juice that is died blue. Then you are xrayed to see if there is any leaking, and then the next day you do another test with some type of nasty tasting liquid and they follow it going down by xray as well. It wasn't bad at all. I never needed to be catherized. I went with no problem at all. Hope this information helped. Oh and the stitches they put in do disolve on their own. You will not need to remove them.

Garyb, congratulations. You will be so impressed with Dr. Aceves. My whole experience there last week was good. Of course, surgery is surgery as you said, and it takes some time to heal. I'm feeling better and better as each day goes by. Good Luck and keep us posted on your journey.

Youknowit, Thanks so much. Brenda mentioned these to me and I sent hubby to WalMart yesterday and they don't have it. I'm guessing some stores carry it and others don't. I'm going to try to go to another WalMart today to see if I can find them.:thumbup1:

I did buy some Gold Standard 100% whey that Tiffy sugguested from a body building site, but Dr. Aceves said I can't have it yet. I have to wait till a later phase.

I did check out that link, but my paperwork that was given to me the day before surgery is a little different. Here is what my paperwork says for phase one (which is the first 10 days) 1. For the first 10 days following surgery, nothing other than Clear liquids and a Protein supplement should be consumed. ABSOLUTELY no solid food!!!! Clear liquids consist of Jell-O, surgar-free Crystal light, Water, and broth. A high quality protein supplement such as IsoPure or Whey protein should be used in order to obtain approximately 70 grams of protein per day. 2. No sugar, caffeine, or carbonated beverages should be consumed during phase 1 of the diet. These will cause unpleasant side effects and may also cause complications. 3. A total of 1 1/2 - 2 quarts of liquid should be consumed to prevent dehydration. NEVER have more than 60cc or 2oz. in a 15 minute period. Always sip - never gulp or drink quickly. 4. Keep track of your daily intake to make sure be certain you get enough liquids and protein. If it is hot or humid outside and you are perspiring, you will need to increase the amount by 10 - 20%. 5 If your urine is dark or you mouth is dry, you are not drinking enough liquid. Use these as guides to determine if you are drinking enough. They gave us paper work for each phase. Hope that helps some.

Yes..they did tell me Unjury is ok. The unflavored and the chicken broth. I have both of those. I've been adding a bit of the unflavored to my broths and drinks. Let me know if the Profect is ok. I'll try to get some of that if it is.

I'm not familiar with that one, but I do know they allow the Isopure for the first 10 days. You could always email to ask just to make sure.

Congratulations!!!!

Thanks Cajun. I did get a response back from the doc's office and the whey cannot be added as it's to dense for our stomach at this point. I'll just do the best I can until I get to the next stage which will be much easier. Thanks again.

Thanks Cajun, That's my main focus right now is to try to make sure I get the fluids in. It is indeed hard. I'm just sipping stuff constantly. Do you know if whey protein mix can be added to Clear Liquids during the first 10 days of clear liquids? I emailed my doctors office but haven't heard back. If I can, that will make it alot easier to get my Proteins and liquids in at the same time.

Hi everyone! Well, I'm a little more coherant today. We made the trip home last night. It felt so good to sleep in my own bed. I feel a little better as each day goes by. I'm drinking fluids just fine but having difficulty trying to figure out how to get the Protein in with it. My stomach is still very swollen but is getting better. I imagine it will take me awhile to get it all figured out. Just wanted to say thanks for all your posts (they cheered me up) and for all your prayers and thoughts. More later!

Thanks everyone! Sorry I haven't been posting much but it's been a rough few days. It's day three and still not feeling so well. I am getting better than I was before, but still very out of it and some pain. Everyone here has been wonderful. They did remove the drain today and that definetly helped. I'll be heading home tomorrow and will update more from there.

Sorry I haven't been updating much. It's the sedond day and has been a rough one. We've been walking the hall quite a bit but still have pains. We were allowed to drink Water for the first time a few hours ago. They also had us drink 4 small medicine cups of blue apple juice so they can test for leaks. That took a while to get down and it's funny cause everyone is walking around with blue teeth and lips. About 1/2 hour later they brought us hot tea, apple juice and some crystal lite. We just drink it as we can. I'm pretty groggy cause I had pain meds earlier to I'll keep this short. Report more later.

Thanks for all your wells wishes. I think I was the last one sleeved because I didn't get back to my room until after 6pm. I walked once last night before going to bed. Surgery went very well and no hernia which I expected might be the case. Brenda had hers before me and I think she's doing great. I'm not in a lot of pain, mostly just estremely sore. They did do the spinal shot, but by the time they do that to you, you are just about totally out of it and don't feel a thing. So don't fret about it ladies. They do this because it kicks in about 2 hours after surgery after everything wears off from the surgery and keeps you comfortable. I'll write more later. Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers.

I'm still waiting in line for surgery. I wasn't the first taken in and it looks like we have a full house here. Two other ladies had surgery yesterday and we meet them in the hall when we arrived. Just found out I'm going to be the 4th in line today. Brenda just got her happy pill which means she is next in line. I'll post again after surgery. I probably won't be out till late this evening.

Thanks everyone! Packing up now and getting ready to head to the hospital for surgery. I'll try to post more along the way and after surgery.

Well, we made the trip to San Diego and then on to Mexicali. My flight was an hour late so I was so worried that the van would leave without me. Of course they waited for me. We did all our preop tests today. They actually weren't bad at all. They drew blood, did x rays and a ekg. We met with the anesthesiologist first and then Dr. Aceves. I loved them both. They were very detailed about what to expect and what is expected of us. Had lots of paperwork to fill out. We were allowed to go out to dinner tonight after a full day of fasting. Needless to say, I ate to much. I was starved by the time we had dinner around 6pm. The hotel is very nice and the restaurant here is fantastic. I met Brenda and her mother. Great people. We actually had dinner together tonight. Tomorrow morning Ernesto will pick us up at 7am to head to the hospital for surgery. Surprisingly I'm not nervous at all. They did give us an antibiotic we are to take tonight and a pill to help us sleep. I'll post more tomorrow after surgery. Wish me Luck and all prayers appreciated.

Heading to the airport, see you all in Mexico.

Thanks for all the well wishes. I'll post along the journey.

I'm getting so nervous and excited! We fly out tomorrow morning and tests same day, then surgery Tuesday. Are you ladies ready? Can wait to meet you all.

Youknowit...awesome! When will you know? Keep us posted!

Beth, This is what I read on another thread: 1) For the first 10 days following surgery, nothing other than Clear liquids and a Protein supplement should be consumed. ABSOLUTELY no solid food!!! Clear liquids consist of Jell-O, sugar-free Crystal light, Water, and broth. A high quality protein supplement such as Isopure or whey protein should be used in order to obtain approximately 70 grams of protein per day." But seems I read something different elsewhere, I'm gonna look. I remember reading something about day 1 through 5 being something, and then you could ad stuff after that.

Thanks Youknowit & Vegas!

Does anyone going to See Dr. Aceves know if there are any stores within walking distance from the hospital?

Stacey, Congrats!!! It will be exciting. Keep us posted along the way.