Crazy_Sally
So... I am finally a LOSER! I had laproscopic Roux-En-Y gastric bypass on 8.30.2007. I wish that I could say that the process was butterflies and rainbows... but I try not to lie... shouldn't start now. Not that I would have chosen differently knowing the outcome...
I was scheduled with one surgeon, but after me lipping off about the lack of accountability from his staff when paperwork is SNAFU'ed (kinda hard to believe, huh?) and him lipping off right back, he felt it was better that we cancel my surgery and talk about rescheduling it for a later date. Unfortunately he waited until AFTER I had started my bowel prep (which is basically diarheaa for 10+ hours.) Needless to say, I was FURIOUS.
I decided at that point that I was not limited in my options. I started doing research on Obesity Help and found another surgeon that takes Tricare and was willing to see me as a patient. I saw him 3 days later. At that time, we scheduled my surgery date for the 30th.
Dr. Searles used to be in practice with Dr. Todd, until sometime early last year (from what I can gather.) Dr. Searles isn't the kind of man that would disclose details. I also met with the assisting surgeon, Dr. Bogo(the name continues but I don't want to butcher it...) I immediately liked him a LOT.
There were some issues the following week getting all the necessary autorizations switched thru my insurance company, but it was all resolved in a very timely manner. I got my pre-op work up from Dr. Searles (no bowel prep required ~ YEAH!) and went to pre-register at Providence.
Everything went smooth as butter once the insurance company authorized Dr. Searles. My H&P was ready to go when I went to pick up my pre-admittance paperwork from the doc. I went to go pre-admit.. didn't wait long at all. They took their lab work and told me where to report on the 30th.
I checked into Day Surgery on the 30th at 0600. Within 10 minutes I was called back. We started the IV, and talked to sooooo many AWESOME nurses... gentle.... kind.... even some humerous ones. Dr. Searles came in to ask my mom and sister (who flew in last minute from Las Vegas) if they had any questions. He did not rush and answered everything very completely. Then they wheeled me away from them....
I was completely calm until I left my sister and mom. Once I was alone, I started to feel frightenend. I was walked from the outside of the Operating Room into the room and placed on the bed. There I started getting REALLY nervous. I looked to my right, and there was Dr. Bogo smiling... telling me good morning. I looked to my left, and there was my anesthesiologist who asked me how I was doing. I told her that I was starting to get very nervous. She touched my forehead and told me not to worry... that she had already given me something. Her face and touch were the last thing that I remember.
I remember seeing the ceiling for a second or two in recovery, but then nothing. At some point, I felt myself moving, but my eyes weren't open. I woke up at 2 pm in my room.
The next two days were of nothing but me pressing my Jeopardy button for more morphene. Unfortunately, the effects didn't last long at all. I was sleeping for 8 minutes or so, and then watching the meter so that I pressed my clicker again as soon as my 15 minutes were up. Then back to sleep. Finally on day 3 I was given Roxicet (liquid Percocet) and that gave me relief. I could sleep for about 3 hours at a time. And they took me off the morphene pump.
During laproscopic surgery, they use gas to inflate your abdomen. This gas was trapped right on my chest bone. I have NOT ONCE felt any pain from any of my incisions.... only the gas pressure. Eventually on day 3, the gas so graciously moved into the spot where my gallbladder WAS.... UNDER my liver. Here it is, day 6, and the gas is still stuck. To those who have had children, the pain is much like when pregnant and the baby has it's foot lodged under your rib and WONT MOVE. It makes it difficult to take a deep breath, laugh, caugh, sneeze, cry, bend, etc.
Normally with laproscopic surgery, you are home in about 2 days. Because the gas was still stuck, and I couldn't walk without a walker, I was kept 4 days. I was told that they wanted to keep me longer because I am having the darndest time drinking anything. And walking alone was still impossible, but I wanted to go home. I never thought that I wouldn't be able to walk out of the hospital... especially after 4 days. But I couldn't. I had to be wheeled out. But boy was Larry happy to see me!
Sunday and Monday I struggled with my fluid intake. I was only getting in 9-12 oz per day. Tuesday, Sherri was awesome and came over and told me to go get some darn Sugar-Free popsicles. We did yesterday. Last night alone I got in about 8 oz thru the popsicles.
My sister left to go back to Vegas today, so I am now hoofing it alone. I still can't drive. And I had to stop taking the Roxicet for pain Monday night because it made me vomit twice. So I am just making it...
(Insert whine here) I MISS MY HUSBAND! I WANT HIM TO COME HOME!
