LyndasRoom

Jenn,
I'm so excited for you as you embark on this journey. I've loved reading your story so far, I sooooooooo relate! Good luck tomorrow, I'll be praying for your surgeons steady hands, and for an easy recovery for you. Don't worry about work...It will most likely be there when you're ready to return!

__________________
Lynda
July 11,2006
Dr. Callery
309/197/150
Century 6/1/2007
Onederland 8/26/2007

jenn75

Thanks all for your well wishes! I'm am now beginning day 6 post-op and starting to feel more upbeat about it all. I am a whimp when it comes to pain, and I was really out of it for the first several days. Plus, not having my anti-depressant was detrimental to my mood. I also had bad migraines up until yesterday.

I hated being in the hospital. This was my first surgery ever, and I would like to hope for a long-time coming! During pre-op the nurse told me she thought I was one of the most calmest patients they've ever seen for the bypass surgery. My one friend came to visit me in the hospital the day after surgery, and it was a waste of her time. I think I was able to stay awake to say 3 words to her. I did get up when they asked me to, etc. They would not take my catheter out until the morning that I left, as for about a day I was not producing enough as they would've liked.

The migraines were probably a result of lots of things, but most of all from lying still in positions for long periods of time, which is something that has caused me to get migraines before this ever happened. Now they seem to be gone.

I have been having the most f*-up dreams ever. I wish my brain would just take a break!!!! Last night was the first one really related to what I'd look liked when I lost weight, but the dream itself was bizarre. I have these dreams of gorging on lots of food, too, which just makes me hate food more, rather than being hungry.

Today I feel like I will get my liquids in without my mom hounding my ass all day. Last night slept through most of the night. It's been tough figuring out ways to get the most comfortable position. Today feels like it will be easier.

First post-op appt is for Monday 2-9-09. I did not even get to see my actual surgeon this whole time, he had a family emergency and was not in to see me once while I was at the hospital! I didn't even get to see him for my pre-op appt a week beforehand, he was stuck in surgery. So really, I have not seen him since October! I didn't even catch a glimpse of his face as they wheeled me into the OR.

Cabbie

Jenn, you were the first person I ever "spoke" with on these forums. Thanks for being so kind to me.

That said, congratulations!! I'm glad to hear that you are starting to feel better. I hope I am as strong as you were. Please keep writing about your experiences. My surgery is on Feb. 9 so I am only about ten days behind you in terms of experiencing all of this. God bless.

Vikkator

Jenn, make sure you move around. It really helped me feel better quicker. You're probably having weird dreams from the anesthetic or the pain meds. You should be feeling great in a few days. I'm surprised they didn't get you up in the hospital. I never even got a catheter in me and the first thing I did when I woke up was visit the bathroom--it got me moving.

Even now I feel crappy when I first wake up in the morning, but as soon as I move around a bit, I feel a whole lot better. With me I think it's just old age.

__________________
Vicki

RNY 11/04/2008

248/139/138
Pre-op/Current/Goal

One more freakin' pound...

jenn75

They did ask me to get up twice each day (after the day of surgery). I had the catheter in while I walked. My goal was the day I left they wanted my urinary output increased so I could go off of the catheter. I was glad I had a catheter for at least the first two days - I was so out of it and I had such migraines getting up that much would've been so hard. I was getting the pain meds plus a shot of Imitrex.

Now I'm up walking hourly, and I'm sitting up more than laying down. It's hard to lay down now anyway. I prefer to sit. I even wanted to go to the drugstore today to pick up a greeting card for someone (her sister died). We shall see. I usually feel good after I take my shower.

jenn75

And thanks Cabbie. Trust me, this is no picnic, but it's also temporary. I just keep reassuring myself of that, and the fact that I feel better every day is also a step in the right directions.

Baja Big Dog

The discomfort will last for a few days,and now girl, (I can now say this with a smile, as it wont be accurate in a few short months!!) get your fat ass up and move!!!, it is amazing how pre surgery we always found ways to sit and not move, but now you will feel so good, you will look forward to actually moving around.

Now that said, get on the scale once a week, and make sure you announce to yoru father (yes Im on the war path with this jack ass!!) the progress you are making, it will be a high light in your week..(dont weigh anymore than once a week).

Now for the image (physical) thing...it is a concern for all that have had surgery, it is always on your mind, but I have found that after you loose weight, the quality and quantity of the opposite sex you come in contact with goes up exponentially with the amount of weight you loose, and this is when your personality comes into play, (unless your the type to "put out" on your first date!!) you will find that after you get to know someone, that the skin issues will be something you can lead up to, and the time prior to the "unveiling" of the new you will used to somewhat prepare the "other" person what they are about to see, I think you will not have to deal with so many issues as you were not that big before surgery, start exercising now, and tighten up the skin as much as possible, and you have youth on your side also, and that will help getting back into shape.

This will be fun, you will start to see the results soon, the trips to the store will get fun, watching people checking you out, because they like what they see, not because your FAT!!!

Have fun with the new you, and dont loose that personality, you cant put a price on that!!

PS..Im not the catch of a lifetime, but if I saw you in the store, Id find a way to contact you...(I use the "I cant read the label excuse!!) . This is a patented process, so dont attempt to steal it you guys!!

jenn75

LOL - wow, never have I been hit on...pretty much anywhere. what a great grocery store tip. haha!

the only way i will "lose" my personality is that it will get so much better that it has been that people who know me won't know what hit them because i've been in such a slump in the past couple of years.

and you're right, someone will accept me for what's underneath when i'm ready to reveal myself to them. hell, if i could get naked when i was fat i guess i can get naked with a little flab/loose skin, especially if the guy is/are better than i've been meeting thus far in life! and no, there will be plenty of time for them to get to know me in other ways, first, i can assure you.

jenn75

just wanted to log a hospital memory that i can't get out of my mind: hiccups!!!!!! hiccups and abdominal surgery do NOT mix! i had them twice and the one time the nurse didn't come very quickly. it sucked major ass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

macarths

Jenn, I am pretty new to this site and am embarking on this incredible journey as well. My surgery is scheduled for 2/20/09 and I am quickly becomming consumed with all these thoughts about surgery, recovery and getting to experience life as I have never known it before. I am currently on an all skim milk diet to shrink my liver and drop a few pounds before my big day - that has already been harder than I had anticipated. Hard not to get too discouraged, but I am finding some new friends on this site and can see that there are many people who are very encouraging here who will be there to offer advise and encouragement along the way. I enjoyed reading your journal chronicaling your journey thus far. I can really relate to many of the scenarios that you detailed. I have been blessed with a saint of a husband who married me heavy and has vowed to love me no matter what. He is a little worried that I will "get really hot and skinny and leave him for some one else." anyway, thank you for sharing your story - i will continue to read your story and be praying for your recovery and your imminent success.

And to all the rest of you who offered Jenn such love and encouragement, you guys rock - thanks for giving of yourselves, so that us newbies can be successful and benefit from your wisdom and experiences.

Stacey