cmk2009
Loving life again!
Jul 06, 2009
Down 60 pounds since my RNY surgery in March and really grateful. Life is so good and I am so much more open to getting out and enjoying it rather than watching from the sidelines.
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First week post-op
Mar 29, 2009
I went into my surgery without any apprehension or reservation. There was never a second thought or moment of doubt. I knew it would be the very best thing I have ever done for myself. My Mother came in from Portland to help me through this process the Saturday prior to my surgery. She was apprehensive enough for both of us. My Mother lost both of her parents on St. Patrick's Day - a year apart, and my surgery was scheduled for that day as well. That Saturday evening would be my last day to have any type of solid food for a long while and I took her to dinner to celebrate her upcoming birthday on the 23rd.
My Sister flew in from San Diego the day before my surgery as well. She hopped on a plane hours after a chemo treatment, feeling nauseous and drained .. but determined to be here. My family is very close and the Monday evening prior to my surgery was a special 'girls night' that I will always treasure.
My surgery was scheduled at 10:30 am so we needed to be at the hospital by 8:30 that morning. My poor Sister was still incredibly nauseous from her chemo treatment the day before but refused to stay home. Sitting talking with the surgeon and his bariatric nurse pre-op did wonders to calm my Mother's fears. Dr. Waldrep and Kim were beyond incredible. They took the time to explain everything to my Mother and Sister and answered all of their questions.
The procedure was textbook perfect! I remember experiencing some pain in the Recovery Room after surgery and receiving morphine and I received it one more time that afternoon after being taken to my room. That was the last time I needed any additional pain medication. I was up several times that day and walking around. I even washed my hair in the sink that night!
When the PA came to see me around 7:30 the next morning he said there was a very good chance I could home that day. I needed to drink the blue dye/apple juice combo to test for drain leakage. I drank that concoction in about 30 minutes and then started walking again. After they determined that there was no leakage they ordered a clear liquid tray. I was tolerating water but able to drink juice with no problem. I was all over that hospital - up and down the stairs, inside, outside - everywhere I could be. I wanted to show them how great I felt and how ready I was to go home!
Lunchtime came and so did another clear liquid tray. On this tray was a sugar free form of jello and some warm beef broth. Since I felt like I had already conquered the world that morning I tried both. I can know tell you exactly what it must feel like to have a flaming steel rod pushed through your chest! I do not think I will ever be able to stomach beef broth again! The smell alone reminds me of that pain after trying to drink some of it. Needless to say, I was there another night after losing the fight to jello and beef broth.
My biggest fear was throwing up and I was very lucky. I only had one bout of nausea and that was after I received pain medication but they gave me something to control that right away. That nausea was another excellent reason for me to discontinue those meds. :-)
I was one of the people that was not really able to tolerate plain water after my surgery. Ice chips were great - but when it came to drinking a bottle of water I had a lot of discomfort. I found that sugar free juices and sugar free Popsicles alleviated that. I also tolerated homemade chicken broth very well. The drain was uncomfortable and made it difficult to sleep except for sitting up. It was also hard to find clothes that didn't seem to irritate that area but I found work arounds. On Sunday my Mother and I went to Sam's Club because I needed more sugar free juices. I had that little drain hidden away but it managed to pop out. When I saw people staring at it I could only laugh at that point and tuck it back away.
I returned to work on Monday morning .. but I have a serious advantage there. I work from my home and my day is mostly spent on the phone or online. Still .. I was tired halfway through the day.
Tuesday I was in the surgeon's office to have the drain pulled. It was like a reunion in there. The women I went to the pre-op class were there - we had all had our surgeries the prior Monday and Tuesday - and we had a good opportunity to talk about how our first week had been. They are all such positive and engaging women. I feel like I made several new friends .. an added bonus!
Okay .. when they pulled the drain I thought I would fly off that table. Someone said it was like the worst menstrual cramps ever .. I say it felt like all of your insides were trying to get out through one tiny opening. Honestly, this was the most painful part for me but everyone has a different reaction / response. Once the drain was gone (and they peeled me from the ceiling) more normalcy returned to my life. I was able to sleep lying down rather than having to sit up and clothes were no longer an irritant.
The best part .. I was already down 16 pounds when they weighed me in the surgeons office. As of this morning, Sunday, I am down another 7 or so and I feel great!! Water is no longer a problem and I have been experimenting with soft things like egg whites, cottage cheese, applesauce and I am tolerating things pretty well. You just have to remember to take very small bites and chew everything .. including the cottage cheese no matter how weird it feels.
I have been walking my dogs every day and have resumed light exercises (Elliptical, etc). I will be back at the gym tomorrow
and I feel like I can resume all of my normal activities. I am so looking forward to being the best ME that I can be!!
2 comments
My Sister flew in from San Diego the day before my surgery as well. She hopped on a plane hours after a chemo treatment, feeling nauseous and drained .. but determined to be here. My family is very close and the Monday evening prior to my surgery was a special 'girls night' that I will always treasure.
My surgery was scheduled at 10:30 am so we needed to be at the hospital by 8:30 that morning. My poor Sister was still incredibly nauseous from her chemo treatment the day before but refused to stay home. Sitting talking with the surgeon and his bariatric nurse pre-op did wonders to calm my Mother's fears. Dr. Waldrep and Kim were beyond incredible. They took the time to explain everything to my Mother and Sister and answered all of their questions.
The procedure was textbook perfect! I remember experiencing some pain in the Recovery Room after surgery and receiving morphine and I received it one more time that afternoon after being taken to my room. That was the last time I needed any additional pain medication. I was up several times that day and walking around. I even washed my hair in the sink that night!
When the PA came to see me around 7:30 the next morning he said there was a very good chance I could home that day. I needed to drink the blue dye/apple juice combo to test for drain leakage. I drank that concoction in about 30 minutes and then started walking again. After they determined that there was no leakage they ordered a clear liquid tray. I was tolerating water but able to drink juice with no problem. I was all over that hospital - up and down the stairs, inside, outside - everywhere I could be. I wanted to show them how great I felt and how ready I was to go home!
Lunchtime came and so did another clear liquid tray. On this tray was a sugar free form of jello and some warm beef broth. Since I felt like I had already conquered the world that morning I tried both. I can know tell you exactly what it must feel like to have a flaming steel rod pushed through your chest! I do not think I will ever be able to stomach beef broth again! The smell alone reminds me of that pain after trying to drink some of it. Needless to say, I was there another night after losing the fight to jello and beef broth.
My biggest fear was throwing up and I was very lucky. I only had one bout of nausea and that was after I received pain medication but they gave me something to control that right away. That nausea was another excellent reason for me to discontinue those meds. :-)
I was one of the people that was not really able to tolerate plain water after my surgery. Ice chips were great - but when it came to drinking a bottle of water I had a lot of discomfort. I found that sugar free juices and sugar free Popsicles alleviated that. I also tolerated homemade chicken broth very well. The drain was uncomfortable and made it difficult to sleep except for sitting up. It was also hard to find clothes that didn't seem to irritate that area but I found work arounds. On Sunday my Mother and I went to Sam's Club because I needed more sugar free juices. I had that little drain hidden away but it managed to pop out. When I saw people staring at it I could only laugh at that point and tuck it back away.
I returned to work on Monday morning .. but I have a serious advantage there. I work from my home and my day is mostly spent on the phone or online. Still .. I was tired halfway through the day.
Tuesday I was in the surgeon's office to have the drain pulled. It was like a reunion in there. The women I went to the pre-op class were there - we had all had our surgeries the prior Monday and Tuesday - and we had a good opportunity to talk about how our first week had been. They are all such positive and engaging women. I feel like I made several new friends .. an added bonus!
Okay .. when they pulled the drain I thought I would fly off that table. Someone said it was like the worst menstrual cramps ever .. I say it felt like all of your insides were trying to get out through one tiny opening. Honestly, this was the most painful part for me but everyone has a different reaction / response. Once the drain was gone (and they peeled me from the ceiling) more normalcy returned to my life. I was able to sleep lying down rather than having to sit up and clothes were no longer an irritant.
The best part .. I was already down 16 pounds when they weighed me in the surgeons office. As of this morning, Sunday, I am down another 7 or so and I feel great!! Water is no longer a problem and I have been experimenting with soft things like egg whites, cottage cheese, applesauce and I am tolerating things pretty well. You just have to remember to take very small bites and chew everything .. including the cottage cheese no matter how weird it feels.
I have been walking my dogs every day and have resumed light exercises (Elliptical, etc). I will be back at the gym tomorrow
and I feel like I can resume all of my normal activities. I am so looking forward to being the best ME that I can be!!
About Me
San Leandro, CA
Location
23.4
BMI
Surgery
03/17/2009
Surgery Date
Dec 10, 2008
Member Since
