1 week away from surgery

[ChristyC23 10]

Hello all! I'm getting my gastric bypass 8/20/13, I was wondering what to expect going in, waking up and the first couple weeks after, any information will be helpful, thanks!

[liane 30]

I wish I had info for you but I have the same questions. My surgery is this Thursday the 15th.. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!

[blueeyezz85 23]

I'm also having surgery the 20th and I'm wondering the same as you

[SoccerMomma73 1,867]

For me, the 2-3 days before surgery were the worst. I've known forever that I want this but the 'what it's' really kicked in...what if i die and leave my son parent less? What if I fail? The what it's ate my brain!!! It was nerve wracking and exhausting. I also nested ridiculously. The urge to clean and prep everything was pretty darn funny. I was set! food, shakes, broth, Jello, juice, Water flavorings. Clean sheets, clean towels, extra dog and cat food, extra kitty litter so I don't have to carry the bag...I was a planning MACHINE!!!! Check check check, it was done! The morning of surgery I was just ready, I snuck a kiss to my sleeping son and had the overwhelming urge to cry but otherwise was just ready to do it. The what's ifs stayed at bay. I was the first surgery of the day o really, not a lot of waiting. Got there, checked in, had 800 people ask if I might be pregnant, still had to have a pregnancy test, blood, EKG, anesthesiology, hooked up to a zillion machines. It all rolled pretty smooth. I woke up tired, not really hurting (yay drugs!!) and relieved...because obviously I was alive! This is the first surgery I've EVER had that I didn't wake up throwing up so hallelujah! It was awesome.

I dozed off and on that afternoon then early evening took my first stroll, weak and shaky, SLOW, and hanging on to my IV pole for support. Getting up out of bed was a bit challenging but actually standing felt good on my backside and standing almost up straight felt good on my stomach (standing straight up was a bit painful though). Next morning the surgery meds had worn off, the pain meds made me some drowsy, but I was already bored. I was walking the hall unassisted (what a difference a day makes) and standing in the halls staring out the windows just to make time pass. I'm not a TV watcher so my iPad and I spent way too much time on here and on Facebook . Facebook posting while on pain meds....not always a good thing just FYI!! I'm a family practice physician assistant for the hospital system I had my surgery done at (weirdly, on of my nurses is one of my patients) so I spent time guessing the ailment of all the poor folks on my floor and trying to eavesdrop...I was bored and I'm snoopy! I'd doze, walk, play on the iPad, doze, walk, etc.... I was held hostage an extra day so in at 5:30 Monday, left at 7:30 Thursday. I was ready to go home Wednesday but I have a picky surgeon who would not accept my reassurance that if he let me leave Wednesday I would promise to be farting by Thursday. I ended up with more suppositories and enemas than anyone deserves ever...

I spent 3 nights at my parents where mom kept attempting to do everything for me (she's a mom, she can't help herself!) I was okay to take care of me but it was nice to have them packing my sons lunch and getting him to school, etc, doing his laundry. I really only took pain meds at bedtime except once or twice. I found a great sleeping position but was slightly on my belly and the pain meds made that tolerable. My son and I went home on Sunday. The first week he had a lot of hot dogs, froze pizzas, Mac n cheese (and grandmas leftovers). My restrictions were no lifting >10 pounds for 6 weeks so we had a routine we'd separate the laundry, he'd load it, I'd get the washer going, he'd move it to the dryer, I'd get the dryer going, he'd carry the basket to my room. Would have been a challenge without my 9 year old partner I crime. I was back at work part time 9 days post-op and full time 2 weeks post-op. I found the first 6 weeks to be exhausting....physically and emotionally. I was Maoist emotional crying mess right up to week 6 and that is so unlike me. I never had major issues with pain. I did have significant nausea (thank God for zofran).

By the end of the first week I was bored out of my mind. I'd have gone nuts if I'd taken off longer! Be prepared for naps and frustrations that first week. Nothing works like it did pre-op, Water tastes weird, it's hard to get comfortable....it's just constant daily small struggles . Really, ya just gotta do it, everything else falls not place.

HW 312, pre-op (RNY) 255, current weight 202.4

[ChristyC23 10]

Wow thanks for all the information! I'm so nervous for the surgery but I know its for the best, and I have definitely had fears of leaving my 1 year old daughter without a mom, but tgis has made me feel a lot better, I know its going to be hard but u feel I'm ready

[ChristyC23 10]

I wish I had info for you but I have the same questions. My surgery is this Thursday the 15th.. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!

Thank you! And good luck to you too!