I had my surgery last friday the 13th (yup) with Dr. Liza Maria Pompa. I was picked up from the border parking lot as I live in California and drove down to border. My mother went with me I love the hubby but my mom is a nurse and she is a great care taker. Plus she is momma duh! We made it swiftly across border and around Tijuana the driving there always cracks me up a lot of cutting people off and honking horns but noone really seems upset about it...it is odd...anywho, we made it to the Twin Towers and were greeted by one of the Dr's and a concierge from the hotel who loaded our bags on a cart and followed us up into the tower that has all of the different business and medical facilities. There is an ICU there and different types of surgeries have surgical units on different floors. I was heartened by the fact that on the way to elevator the Dr spoke to a group of four women (2 of which had the surgery I believe) to inform them the van was there to take them to airport. THey had popscicles in their hands and looked very spry. My mom was impressed at their 4th day post op mobility. We went up to the office and inside was a huge fountain and a very modern surgical facility. It was so flipping spotless it was insane. I sat for 5 minutes filling out a couple forms, then went and paid the remainder of my balance. They then took us back to the room I would be occupying. I can't tell you how clean everything from the hallway, walls, floors etc was. It also smelled delicious.

I got changed into my gown, they came and drew blood. Everyone came in to talk to me in length. The cardiologist did a thorough interview we discussed my incident from my previous VSG attempt and the medication mix up and she was extremely agreeable and apologetic. I met the doctor who is a striking woman with a voice like warm honey. She explained everything we had some dialogue. She was very confident but approachable. Next the anesthesiologist came in and he had full knowledge of what I had reported to him about the anesthesia error. He said he had read that doctors report but he felt like she could say whatever she wanted to cover her own backside he wanted to know what I experienced first hand. After I conveyed it he was very very very convinced I had been eroneously given succynocholine and he too apologize and assured me he would go very slowly. That he did not draw his meds until he was ready to go in the OR that he would be checking and double checking them and that he would not be leaving my side once I entered OR until I woke up full after recovery. He also agreed I could go without the relaxing coctail they usually give and just be given the medicine to make me sleep once on the OR table. This was something I wanted.

Soon after the girls came and escorted me to the OR,I walked in and got onto the little tiny table and they started hooking up the monitors. They were talking in spanish a bit and I heard something about Victoria's Secrets lol. About 2 minutes later the anesthesiologist handed the assisting doctor a syringe and I asked...whats that! She told me it was time to relax and to let them go to work, for me not to fight the sleep and before I know it I would be awake. They inserted it. I prayed outloud not caring if they could understand or cared. I thanked god for my children and my life and made peace before I felt the last bit of consciousness slip away.

I awoke with them rolling me back into my room after recovery. My mom said once I was in recovery the anesthesiologist sent someone to get her and she came in to see me. I guess I was thrashing my arms around and she tried to calm me but the anesthesiologist shusshed her telling her he liked his patients to not be pushed to come out of anesthesia and as long as I didnt rip out the IV he wasn't concerned.

I spoke to my mom briefly and rested some. I wasn't in pain really its just that uncomfortable soreness/gasiness. I personally think the pain meds they give there are a little lame. Whats wrong with giving someone a little vicodin or something for pain and relaxation? I had a restless night and couldn't wait to get my butt out of the bed not because I had so much energy but because I felt confined and claustrophobic. I got catheter out early next morning. I got to take a shower in a huge walk in shower that has wall to wall view of a gold course it looks out over. The windows tinted so it was all good. It made me feel better once I had my shower but I was still having serious buyers remorse. I knew the mental part would be the hardest for me anyways.

That day i walked and did breathing excersizes and tried to sleep by that evening though I could feel I was in full blow panic attack zone so the doctor let me take my personal prescription of ativan and about 30 minutes later things came down to manageable and I rested on and off all night.

The next morning I was feeling much better plus with the though of getting to be released to the hotel I was ecstatic! I did leak test (nasty) and got a popscicle and got to get the heck out of dodge. After settling into hotel my mom and I took a walk out across the hotel to starbucks for her to get a sandwhich and coffee the walk and air did great things for my mental being. I still was leery about this drinking bull though. We spent the night in hotel which was very nice and got up and went for me to get my post op instructions and diet guidelines. We then caught the van to head to border.

They usually have you stay one more night in hotel but I was just done with it plus I really did feel great. I wasn't going to be doing anything in hotel I couldnt do at home and I would be close to my regular doctor in 5 hours. So the doctor agreed she did not see why not.

Border back across was at high security for buses and auto buses. We had to wait for over 2 hours to get across and get checked. Once in car the drive home was normal and here I am 3 days after that. Tryin to get a grip on this sleeve. I am struggling with getting a good amount of liquid and I think I may have a touch of fluid in my left lung. My mom listened to it today. I am running low grade fever but would rather be safe so I am calling doc in a few to get in tomorrow. I don't think it is big issues but I need to nip it in bud.

So overall everyone except one P.A spoke great english. They were always there if I needed anything but honestly my mom did any of my personal things. She was awesome. I would wake 4 or so times a night and want to walk just to get out of bed and to use bathroom. She would just hop up put on her slippers grab my iv pole, I would carry my drainage container and she would shuffle me around. She really is awesome. I had an extra fan in the room because I was getting warm and I know she was freezing but she just got another blanket and didnt say a word. It is no wonder she is a great nurse and mom. She is one of those people who actually were made to do what they do! Hoo rah.

Now I am just chugging along, scared of complications and if I will ever be able to eat with any similance of normalcy. Any words of encouragement or timelines of milestones?

Thanks!

No advice here, but I am SO GLAD to hear things went well for you! And yay for the anaesthesiologist being so thoughtful. Hope your fever subsides and things sail smoothly along! :-)

I'm so happy for you that this experience was soooooo much better than last time. It's great to hear that the second crew was compassionate enough to understand the pure trauma you had been through before and respected and cared enough for you both as a patient and fellow human to make sure you were comfortable both physically and emotionally as one who had been put through what you had could possibly be. So rest on and before we know it your signature willl change, the scary story will be gone and you will be at goal.

I'm glad to hear your surgery was uneventful this time. The first month is the hardest, but its only 30 days then you will be able to start eatting more mormally only in smaller portions. Drinking the required ammount of fluid was the hardest for me (still is) and I didn't worry about the protein requirements the first 10 days. Sip ,walk, rest, repeat. Soon you will get back to feeling mormal again.

Brenda

So glad your surgery went smoothly for you this time. You'll be back to normal in no time. Take your time, walk and try to drink. Warm liquids were easier for me to drink, and I still have a hard time with plain Water.....it's a journey....but it is amazing after a while knowing you are "normal", I get to eat with my husband and I eat everything, just much less than I used to. I don't feel deprived at all.

Congratulations........

Glad to see you hopped back on the wagon and tried again. Especially after your ordeal with the first go round.

Lily

Thank you all for your responses. I went to my doctor today because I woke up and the one incision of mine had been red and warm was oozing and weeping. I walked into the doctors office in a panic.

Doctor took a culture of it to make sure its not staph and prescribed a stronger antibiotic that will actually work its way out to the skin better then cipro.

I am now scared of a crazy infection, I was just getting comfy with this thing now I am worried about the incision.

ROLLER COASTER RIDE= VSG

Thank you all for your responses. I went to my doctor today because I woke up and the one incision of mine had been red and warm was oozing and weeping. I walked into the doctors office in a panic.

Doctor took a culture of it to make sure its not staph and prescribed a stronger antibiotic that will actually work its way out to the skin better then cipro.

I am now scared of a crazy infection, I was just getting comfy with this thing now I am worried about the incision.

ROLLER COASTER RIDE= VSG

I'm glad to hear that you had a positive surgery experience this time around. There's not too much else scarier than letting someone put you under and putting your life in their hands. You were brave to take the plunge again.

I think you're doing the right thing to be proactive about your incision. It seems like some people waste time explaining things like this away instead of taking action. Stay on top of it if it gets worse. Although, I'm sure your mom won't let you do otherwise.:thumbup1: