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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005 |
Location: Huntsville, AL |
Surgeon: Dr. Edward Facundus |
Posts: 454 |
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Vertigo's Story
As if going into surgery wasn’t bad enough, I had to get up at 4:00am. Sure, lots of people do this every day — earlier, even — but not me. But it wasn’t like I could sleep anyway. So my wife and I got up and began to ready ourselves for the trip to the hospital. Something very foreign to me. But I stayed calm and got everything together, even rushing my wife to get out the door. I didn’t want to be late…well, I just wanted to get it over with.
Once we got to the hospital, we were the first ones to arrive. Not even the desk staff had gotten there. So we waited, and one by one, our family and friends began to show up. Before very long, I got signed in and waited for the pre-op nurse to call me back for prep. I was sitting in the waiting area, discussing Jon Heder’s SNL appearance with my friend Rod and was interuppted by the nurse. They were ready for me.
I went back, she started my IV, gave me my nice hospital gown, had me sign a few papers, and shaved my abdomen — not in that order. I explained to her that I was quite nervous, but she assured me that they would take care of me. Wow, was she right! The anesthesiologist was a very funny man who made me feel very at ease. Especially when he put something into my IV right before they wheeled me into the OR. Once I was in there, I was being strapped to the table and he slid a mask over my face. Nighty night for me…until they woke me up from the wonderful nap I was taking. This was mass confusion. They kept telling me to breathe, that I didn’t have to go to the bathroom — despite my body telling me I did, and the fact that I had no clue where I was. I don’t even remember waking up in my room, but what can you say? It’s surgery…
A few hours later, I was asking for something to drink or at least ice chips — I could have nothing until 5:00am the next day. Joy! Well, they did give me lemon flavored swabs for my mouth. Not that they helped. So I was in and out of consciousness for most of the day. Later on into the evening, things got better, and before long I was asked to take a short walk. That was not fun, as the morphine was doing a number on me. Eventually, I made it down the hall and into the waiting room and back. It was just a very long night.
The next morning, the nurse brought me some juice and a popsicle! Oh, a popsicle never tasted so good! I simply double-checked that it had no sugar added and after I was reassured, chowed down! A few hours later, I was taken off of my IV, took another walk or two, and was discharged. By 10:00am Tuesday I was at home. Then came the hard part. No lifting. No eating (liquids only) anything. Trying to find a comfortable position to sleep in. Were it not for my wife, I’d been hopeless. She has been my lifesaver through this all.
When Sunday came around, I was ready to go to church. I had such a good time seeing everyone. A lot of people commented on how pale I looked, and others were just shocked to see me. It was so refreshing to be around other people and to be back in a place of worship! However, it took its toll on my body, the trip, so I ended up staying home from work instead of returning the next day, as I had planned. This turned into 2 days, and is now officially another week at home.
The pain from surgery was minimal. I was quite sore for a few days, but that is all but gone now. I just can’t pick anything up that’s more than 10-15lbs. or so. I can’t do very much extended activity, so I try to save most of my strength for walking. Foods for the first week weren’t so tempting to me — save a couple of “bad days” but I made it. Not a lot of variety with clear liquids only. Tuesday brought on my vitamins, protein, milk, yogurt, pudding, and low-fat cream soups. Talk about excited! My wife says my color has returned now. If only my strength will follow...
My wounds have healed well, I’ve had no complications, and I’m visibly losing weight — and I thank God for it all! I’ve been so blessed, and I know this is probably going to be one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. But oh, so worth it.
Thank you all for your prayers and concerns. It made all the difference in the world. I look forward to my new life and the blessings that no longer being morbidly obese brings.
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"Sunshine"~The Peruvian Princess
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