I've never had surgery before...Don't know what to expect?!

[Short N Sweet 7]

I've never been in any type of surgery and I'm kind of nervous as to what I might go through. I'm sorry if this was posted anywhere else but this is another issue that's been pressing on my mind.

[KhadijahRose 66]

I've had 3 c-sections and the vsg, honestly the only thing I didn't like was waking up 5 hours later drugged and groggy. I've never slept through a section so that was a bit disturbing. The pain wasn't too bad. I stopped using the meds by the end of the first day. It felt like I'd been brutally beaten only in my tummy. But I was up and walking by the next day. The hardest part for me was how thirsty I was but had to wait until the next day after the leak test to drink. It's really not to bad but surgery is scary so I totally understand your fear. You'll likely do great and realize it's at easier than it sounds.

[Fluffnomore 1,235]

I've had 3 surgeries in the last 5 years, so I'm happy to jump in here.

Here's what is likely to happen: you will report to the hospital at the time they give you, and they will take you into pre-op holding, ask you to change into a gown and pack up your belongings. Don't wear any jewelry or make-up, not a wedding ring…not anything. Then they will probably give you a urine test to make sure you're not pregnant, unless you are documented as having a hysterectomy or something.

The nurse will sit you down and go over your entire medical history with you. She will also start your IV, most likely. Take your vitals, etc. Eventually someone will come for you to be transported to talk with the anesthesiologist. This usually is in the sterile part of the pre-op holding, so you will get to put on your festive OR bonnet. You will be asked for your entire medical history again, possibly. Oh, and you will be asked to confirm your name and birthdate multiple times. This is the time that they will ask about your experience, etc, and try to get a feel for anything that might be unusual (do you have any broken or loose teeth, do you have experience with anesthesia, etc.)

Depending on your anesthesiologist's and doctor's preference, they may start a medication in your IV here, or they might wheel you into the OR before doing so. I remember in my last surgeries scooting onto the operating table. Then you get an oxygen mask, and sometimes they ask you to count backwards from 100. I have never gotten past 97.

Then you will wake up in recovery. I'm charming; I moan a great deal until they take the oxygen mask off of me. You might feel a bit of pain here, but not much…and they'll start your post op pain meds as soon as they see you're awake. Don't be embarrassed; everyone wakes up differently. Some people talk nonsense, some are combative. They've seen everything and they are prepared.

When you are able to talk they will wheel you up to your room. Then it will be a few minutes while they get you settled, get the IVs and monitors all set. You might get another jolt of pain meds here. They'll put your leg compression things on, give you or your companion your stuff back, and then the fun begins.

I will be honest, I had no trouble and really reasonable pain with my surgery. One of my best friends also had the surgery in June and had a reaction to the morphine and so had a really rough time in the hospital. I was up and walking around within an hour or so; it took her about 6 hours. You just don't know. But if you feel pain, if you feel nausea, be on it. Ask for pain and nausea meds. Be proactive. I'm kind of soft spoken, and I learned the hard way during my first surgery that if I wasn't crying or screaming, they didn't take me as seriously. In fact, I made sure that during this stay I got pain meds just as soon as I could every time, so that I could sleep and not worry about it. I was off painkillers by midnight after I got home, so I think that nipping it in the bud helped.

Don't expect to get a lot of sleep in the hospital. Nurses and doctors come in at least every 4 hours to check your vitals, give you meds, etc.

Oh, and finally, the worst part of this surgery is not drinking any Water until the leak test is complete.

Hope this helps. I know you'll be fine.

[Andrew0929 1,102]

I've never been in any type of surgery and I'm kind of nervous as to what I might go through. I'm sorry if this was posted anywhere else but this is another issue that's been pressing on my mind.

I'm with you. Never had surgery or been in the hospital overnight.

I was just approved and getting my surgery date tomorrow (hopefully). Very nervous about the surgery, but given my level of obesity and co-morbidities my risks are probably higher NOT doing the surgery.

Best of luck ...

Andrew

[Mel1071 149]

Add me to the group who has never had surgery before. I love when these threads come up because they help tremendously. One thing to keep in mind is not all docs make you wait for the leak test - some do it before you leave the OR. My surgeon told me he felt it was a bit barbaric to make patients wait to drink after all they had been through. Mind you, I'm not sure how the test is done before you leave so I can't answer that.

[Short N Sweet 7]

Leak test?

[Fluffnomore 1,235]

Typically you will go down to radiology where you will have to stand in front of a machine and drink a small amount of contrast dye, while the radiologist is looking at your esophagus/stomach/etc. This is so they can see if there are any leaks among the staple line. Typically there are not, and you are released back to your room and get your first 2 oz of water! You will woo hoo over that Water.< /p>

Edited November 4, 2013 by Fluffnomore

[Astaze75 16]

Yes, a radio graphic image of your stomach where you drink some NASTY liquid, that made me vomit btw! and make sure it goes down your esophagus and into your stomach correctly with none coming out of the sutures from your stomach.

[TxCalico 69]

Fluffnomore gave a good basic description!! Your stomach will be sore (like a thousand sit-ups or like someone slugged ya!) but not really painful. Anesthesia can make you nauseous for a day or two, and that's a truly yucky feeling, but remember it will pass soon! As soon as possible, start moving & keep moving -- walking often will help everything!

Every day during that first week gets better and easier, and by the second week you're feeling almost-normal again. Plus you are now seeing the numbers on your scale go down, and that's a great feeling!