Hey everyone,

I apologize that it's taken me so long to give you guys a status update. I had surgery on October 11th, and was told I'd be out by October 12th. I didn't get out until October 15th. Soo...here's what happened, I woke up from surgery and know how I was asking about extubation? Unfortunately, I felt it, and I remember it, but it wasn't so bad. Although, I just remember crying because they had me walk from the operating table to the gerny to be wheeled into recovery. That was seriously too much for me. After 4 hours in recovery and a very long surgery, I was taken to my room. So why did my surgery take so long? I was informed that I had a hernia, had the weight loss surgery, and had multiple large adhesions on my gallbladder that had to be taken care of. My surgeon basically told me that due to all of this-my recovery would take a lot longer than he had instructed me before. I didn't eat a thing in the hospital, I was there for 5 days and I just didn't have the strength to eat anything, and probably drank a total of two cups the whole time-and they didn't seem conserned. So I've been home for two days now, and I'm doing a bit better. It seems that I'm instructed that my recovery will probably be 2-3 weeks at the very least. Yesterday I had 14oz of Water, and two pudding cups. I was sooooo full. Today I did better. I had 18g of Protein shake, a yogurt, a pudding cup, 18 oz of water, my multi-Vitamin, and my Calcium liquid..stuff. I'm really trying to get as much liquids as I can in-I just get so full. Here's my problem. Due to my other "surgeries" during my time at the hospital, I'm having VERY limited mobility. I cannot get off or onto the couch by myself, I cannot get into or out of the bed by myself, I cannot use the facilities, in any way shape or form, by myself. I can handle the pain (not without some tears, I admit) but my problem is blood clots. I'm so worried. I tried walking around my house today (outside) and literally just became so crippled and out of breath that I thought I wouldn't make it home.When I was in the hospital, I walked maybe once a day, down the hall, and was crying by the time I got back, they didn't seem to concerned about my limited walking either. I'm trying to get walking as much as I can, but I'm in so much pain. Does anyone have any advice about my pain/walking/diet thus far? My mom bought my some yogurt....strawberry, cherry, and orange, which I used to LOVE. Now? HOLY COW-I feel like I'm eating a spoonful of sugar-literally-they taste awful. Weird.

Anyways, I don't regret this surgery-not for one stinkin' second. I'm so blessed and lucky. I can't thank technology enough. I don't like pain, don't get me wrong, but I'd add a "fourth surgery" in there if it meant that I could still get this surgery done.

I can't wait to get around and everything soon-I'lll try to respond to some of the pre-op questions asked by others tonight, since now I am officially a sleeved woman!! Hope you all have a great Monday tomorrow! :

)

Well first off thank you for updating us! I am glad that you are out of the hospital and working on recovery. I am sorry that you had to have extra surgeries done but that is also what is wonderful about a good surgeon, they got it all taken care of in one shot. That is amazing. Just keep pushing yourself to get moving even if it is just down the hall and back every half hour. Just don't give up but keep it short and frequent. The same thing with the liquids, get down all that you can as often as you can and keep your eyes open for dehydration. I think as long as you keep trying to move and get those liquids you will do just fine. Take it one day at a time, one sip at a time and one little walk around the living room at a time. BIG HUGS. Glad to see you on the losers bench.

I think I'm emotional right now lol because your reply actually made me teary eyed. It makes a person feel so good to know that people actually care!! I've lost 16 pounds so far, my mom says you can't tell yet...but that's probably just because I'm so swollen. Thanks for the advice!! *HUGGS*

My advice would be to just be hopeful and the hard stuff will pass. When I was in the hospital I wasn't sure how I was going to ever going to be able to drink let alone eat. It is amazing how the hard stuff passes and you can hardly remember it that way. So keep on sipping and taking baby steps and before you know it you will be in a different place in your recovery.

Thanks Rosiebell! Actually one more question guys...When they say "sip" have u guys ever actually measured what a sip is? 1/4 of an oz? an oz?

I got these little 1 oz cups in the hospital and the first day or two poured my drinks into those. Sipped one of those an hour. Just sip, and if it feels weird in there, you sipped too big.

I wanted to say... as far as moving and blood clots. When you are sitting down or lying down, you can do point/flex with your feet and just move your feet around in general to keep the blood flowing. So even if you can't get up and walk, keep those feet moving.. point (like ballet) and flex (pull your toes back pointing towards the ceiling, as far as you can.)

Good luck!!! So sorry about what you went through, but you sound positive and like you're doing okay, despite the pain and tough recovery!!

I feel for your situation. While I didnt have extensive surgeries like you I ended up getting bhroncitus the week after surgery and the coughing was enough to bring me to tears I could feel pain in every incision. I did lots of damage to my muscles in my stomach and ended up having to take and extra week off. All I could say to get through it was "This to shall pass" Im about a month out now and feeling good. Glad to hear you have the desire to get around and be successful instead of just getting a why me additude. Keep you head up!!!!

Amber,

HUGE HUGS to you. You've been through a tough ordeal.

But, the good news is that you are on the recovery side. When do you see your surgeon again? What were his recommendations for being at home and the pain? If you aren't going to see him for a while, I would call & tell him exactly what you told us. Maybe he can offer some advice or at least allay your fears for blood clots and movement.

Keep us posted on your recovery!

Mini

Thanks for the kind words all. I am sleeping about 4 hours through out the day, I'm hoping this is normal-I'm tired and can't think of anything else to do so...a nap it is. I see my surgeon on Friday, I'm hoping that I can hold out until then to call him. I'm getting these weird pain sores in my legs, my hubby thinks they are from keeping my legs propped up in the same place all of the time, cuz that's where the pain is. He keeps saying, ur gonna get dehydrated, and get cramps in ur legs (he's right, I do get cramps when in my legs when not dehydrated) however, i feel like telling him to SHUT UP! ( but will not because he's been nothing but amazing,) it's hard for non-sleevers to understand how hard it is to get that liquid in, i'm trying though, 1/8oz at a time lol.

Hope all is well,

Amber

It concerns me that 1 you just had a big surgery(ies) and that you have limited mobility and that you are having pain in your legs. Call your Doctor and try not to walk around a whole lot till you have talked to him. You could have a blood clot in your leg. I had one in 2003 and mine hurt right behind the knees.