[Lilly]

I have been wondering what I should be expecting about my hospital stay… I had an exploratory surgery about 8 years ago that left me with an 8 inch incision on my belly, For some reason aside from the mass amounts of vomiting I did and the two ladies in the beds across from me who kept talking about me to every family member of theirs that came in the room (they were concerned about me because I was so quite, … they nicknamed me the "mouse". When their visitors would come in they started asking “so how is the mouse doing today?”) My parents thought it was quite funny. Anywho… I don’t remember my stay as being really bad – could have been the morphine but who knows. The hospital that I am having the surgery at is 3.5 hours from my home and only my mom will be coming down with me. I know that she will be lonely and really worried (she does not support the surgery but will support me in any decision that I make, she is just really worried about messing with “god’s plumbing” as she puts it) So with that said what should I look forward to, my surgeon has talked a little bit about what I should expect but he has a very Very dry bedside manner, I am having a hard time putting a human feel to what I should be looking for…
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[fr1endly2]

HI LILLY and a very interesting question...
I am sure everyone will share there own personal experience.
EVERY surgeon has different protocals and routines. SO here
is my situation...

I had my surgery 9am on a WED morning......had my surgery got out of surgery after 11 am....i when i woke they were teaching me right off the bat how to use my pain pump (for me morphine). I remember nothing of the surgery.....and just recall the nurses all ready on me to breath.
I was shortly brought to my room which my surgeon keeps his patients on the triage floor right in front of the nurses station.

DO to all the care that a bariatric patient gets i was in a private room, and the room next to me was another bariatric surgery patient done the same day. I had a pretty good experience at the hospitol, enjoyed the private room. I didnt get any sleep however, as my pulmonary specialist
completely missed my severe sleep apnea even though i told him i was a big time snorer....so i wasnt able to sleep cause when ever i did i would set off alarms. THEY tried to have me fitted for a CPAP but at this time it was difficult. MY surgery was lap...and all i had was little tape strips on each incision which amazed me!!!! I learned to use my pain pump anytime i tried to get up and out of bed. THEY kept me walking from the first night...and i was doing laps on the floor before long!!!!
I was not allowed anything to eat or drink till my leak test, which was scheduled for friday am, so chapstick was my friend for dry lips.
I had the leak test, dreaded it drinking some pretty nasty stuff felling
like garbage but got thru and passed. SO immediately i was allowed
my first sips of diluted juice and sugar free jello which amazed me how
fast i go full! I was amazed.
MY stay was good i felt the nurses were on top of my care, my surgeon
came in many time to visit me being his pracitce is in the hosptiol. ONLY my oldest child was allowed to visit me so i did miss my kids dearly.
I was discharged to go home saturday by noon and was glad to get home
and first thing i did was take a shower! I will add that my surgeon and the wonderful
hospitol staff made me feel like i was their only patient and i know i wasnt. SO i had a
very good experience!!!!

SO that was my experience in the hospitol.
I am sure others will share there storey....
I found it got harder the first 2 days home when
alot of the emotional things came out but its very
normal!!!
hugs
hope that helps just my hospitol experience!!!!
whos next???

[mike]

Welcome to the boards. It seems like everyone has the same comment to having the surgery. No family member is ever for it. I imagine it is because they all care so deeply for the person having it done. My family was not for me having it done either. Especially my wife. As the surgery came and went, my wife came to terms with everything, and now, has been my BIGGEST support through my journey to the weight I am currently at. I owe her alot these days. Also, it is scary anytime when someone you love goes under the knife. Normal, I guess. Hang in there, kiddo. All the gitters, and concerns about everything, just kinda get shadowed by all the great things that happen, and have yet to happen after surgery. A big hug from me, and all here.
mike

[grandiose16]

I too am having my WLS in about a month. Trying to get my A1C down first. I don't think we would be normal if we did not feel a little anxiety. As the time gets closer I tend to try to imagine details of of my hospital stay. I live about 2 hrs. from the hospital and will stay at a friends house in San Antonio for a few days after my release just to be close to my Dr. THe good thing about that is that my friend had the WLS Nov. 2005 and has done great. She will take good care of me I know.

THere is a list of things to take to the hospital posted here somewhere. I think Lisa (friendly2) posted it. I have copied into my Word documents. If you can't find it I can email it to you. Also meds that we can't take post op. I have been coming to this site for about 6 weeks and have found a lot of info I was wondering about. I am hoping to get a lot of support here too afterwards. I know you can too. I am sure there is someone here that has had the same concerns and thoughts as we do now have and will experience in future. It is nice to know we can turn to a "professional Layperson" (LOL) for help. Lets keep track of each other and Good luck. Mattie in Texas

[fr1endly2]

this must be the list: but remember to follow your surgeons stages this was mine:

FOR HOSPITOL:
chapstick
phone calling card or cell if allowed
picture of loved ones
robe
slippers
makeup
ipod


STAGE 1

lo sodium broth
sugar free iced tea
sugar free crystal light and kool aide
propel
sugar free popsicles
sugar free jello


stage 2
carb countrdown chocolate milk
skim milk
sugar free carnation instant breakfast
protein shakes
yogurt lo fat and lo carb
fat free /sugar free puddings
sugar free hot cocoa


stage 3 diet:

applesauce no sugar added
cream of wheat or farina
lo fat cottage cheese
canned fruit natural juice
canned veggies (no salt added)
SOUP
mashed potatoes (instant)

stage 4

tuna fish
chicken no skin
flaky fish
lean ground beef
cheerios rice krispies (no sugar cereal

SUPPLEMENTS:

chewable centrum
tums for calcuim
powdered protein supplement (soy)
__________________

[colosn0w]

Lisa, thanks for the list and your story. One of the girls in my WLS classes just went thru surgery on Feb 6th. she said everyone was so nice. Lilly, I imagine you will have a wonderful experience and I am planning on having one as well. My surgery is March 27th. I am more concerned about the coming home part. I am not a homebody and prefer to be at work as I am less likely to graze. I have all my small dishes, cups, spoons, sippy cups, etc but what am I going to do with all that time I spent cooking for one and eating for twelve???? I wish you lots of luck and want to hear about your experiences also. Lisa, thanks for your input, you have great info to share and I truly appreciate it.

[jbarfield]

What to do with all of the time you used to spend cooking can be a problem, but it was suggested to me that I find a new hobby. I have really been into reading now and have a large selection to choose from, plus I may try crocheting or knitting. It would occupy my hands therefore nothing could go into the mouth. Just a thought. I still have many months to go.

[fr1endly2]

NO need to thank me donna! I love to help and thats why i put so much time into the board as i do. IT helps keep me on track........

I was not the cook in my family my husband cooks. BUT what we did go thru some when i was early out that he lost his eating partner and he felt that alot. HE hated cooking meals that we had so much left over and we had to throw so much out. I have a no tolerance for leftoevers post op
so he would get furstrated. WHEN it came to eating out or ordering in chinese it dont matter to me no more...few bites im full and done anyway. SO i will say it was very hard for him to adjust. I am also a very cheap date to take out...usually at taco bell side of pinto and cheese was a 99 cent meal, at wendy's a side chile (never finished either) 99 cents so you might go out some more to eat.


I think your going to be fine those first days home recovering. MOST dont have the desire to eat. ....i had hunger but yet no desire to eat..and did fine and the grazing need wasnt there early out as i deal with now almost
2o months out.
YOUR gonna do fine.
WHEN you have an urge to eat come to this site read and post!!!
GO for a walk,
or like jbarfiled suggested get a hobby!!!
FILL in empty time, take your bottle of water do arm curls!
SO much you can do to fill in time!
GOOD LUCK!
and all the best!

[Lilly]

thanks mike for the welcome... I am so happy that i found this site... i think i am addicted now, everyone makes it so comfortable to post, it is such a friendly environment. I can't believe how much information is right at my fingertips, i have so many questions that I am finding answers for now...
knitting is a great suggestion, i used to knit all the time but haven't done it in several years... it's funny but i have a huge bag of yarn that i bought to make a baby blanket for my friends new born, her son is 8 now
Lisa that list is great, a big help. I actually looked up the hospital that i will have the surgery at to see what it is like (as i am 3 hrs away) and i have found that i can't use my cell there... the calling card is a great suggestion and one i would not have thought of.
Mattie... that will be great that you will be able to stay with someone who has already been through the procedure, i look forward to hearing about your progress...

[Lilly]

Donna – I never thought to buy small dishes for when I come home, that is a good idea too. I have never been a “cooker’ I was more of an “order-er” I lived on take-out. Where I work, there is literally not a shift that goes by where someone doesn’t order take-out from somewhere. It’s brutal. I gained the “freshman” 25lbs when I started there. I am worried about coming home too, I know what it is like to come home from other small surgeries, where within a few weeks I was back to my old habits but this will be a totally life changing surgery and I won’t be able to fall back in to old routines in a few weeks. I live alone too and I am also worried that something will happen and no one will be here to help me. I am teaching my cat Zoey how to use the phone.
I can’t wait to hear about your experiences too, it’s not long now for you, you must be excited. I am still a ways away yet and my doc has only given me a surgery “month” which is June no specific date to make it real yet….
Good luck!!!