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Post-op Gastric Bypass Gastric bypass post-op concerns, milestones achieved, establishing new eating/exercise habits, dealing with emotions without food to turn to, etc.

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Old 12-19-2007, 07:03 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Thumbs up 3 days & 2 nights post Op

Yup, Monday was surgery date and below is the story of my experience, hoping that it helps someone someday.

Monday morning at about 5:30 AM PT I checked into Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego to have my Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass surgery. I went to the admissions area and gave them my name. I did not have to bring an ID with me because I had pre-registered with Sharp when I went for the pre-surgery class the Wednesday prior to surgery where they scanned my drivers license into the system!! very neat indeed.

After that I was taken into a waiting room where I waited with another individual who was checking in for a different surgery. This time the wait was about one minute. From there we were taken to the 5th floor where we each were assigned a room and given a gown and instructed to wear the gown the hospital supplied socks after taking off everything we had on (yes, everything) some of you might think well duh but honestly this was my first surgery and I have always imagined having it with my shorts on!! don’t know why but this was the first Modesty shocker.

There in the room laying on the bed and waiting when here comes Mrs. Let me scare the kids away nurse... she was mean and did not want to listen to me when I explained that I am a hard stick and that the best place to place the IV was on my left arm. After pocking and torturing me for a few minutes another nurse took mercy on me and asked for the IV Team to come over and place the IV... guess what, they listened and that IV when in without me even feeling it because apparently they place local anesthesia on the area before pocking you unlike Mrs. Let me scare the kids away nurse.

Nurse Susan (The one that took mercy on me) chatted with me for a while and answered every question that comes to my mind. She then left me to watch TV for about 30 minutes before taking me on a bed to the Anesthesia room. By this time it was 7:30 AM. The anesthesia Dr. came and asked me the same questions that everyone has asked me all day then took me to get weighed 400 lbs was the reading. I was then taken into the Surgery room where I was placed on a surgery table and lights just went out!!! Next thing I know I am awake in the recovery room with terrible pain....yes, that infamous MAC truck that everyone was talking about is real. Nurses had mercy on me and kept me sedated. Basically I would wake up, scream pain and fall back a sleep again from some very nice drugs

One time I woke up to a nurse holding my wohoo and pulling the catheter out Let me tell yeah, that was not fun. It basically felt as if I was peeing all over the bed! Luckily that was not the case. Only a feeling from her pulling the catheter out.

Well, afterwards I spend two nights in the hospital and I was kicked out on Wednesday at about 11-12 noon. the first night was painful and they kept giving me Morphine. the only problem with morphine is that the more I was given the more my body kept rejecting it in the form of Nauseous feeling. The nurses were nice enough to call my Surgeon who put me on Loritab instead which was much better and lasted a heck of a lot longer.

Every half day was different, although I did not sleep through out a single night, I would say that by the third night (now as I am typing this post) the pain is all but gone.

The hospital stay was very accommodating. Sharp pretty much provided everything I needed. They even had deodorant, lip palm, tooth brush and Paste, body gel and socks for me to take showers while at the hospital!! I did not even have to open my bag for anything other than to get my cell phone out and call a few friends.

Getting used to drinking via small sips was a challenge but I am getting the hang of it all.
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Highest I've ever been
: 445 lbs
Weight at Start of Program: 440 lbs
Surgery Weight: 400 lbs
Current: 296 lbs
My Goal: 185 lbs

Weight Lost since Surgery: 104 lbs
Weight Lost since start of program: 144 lbs

Surgery Date: 12/17/2007
Status: Lap RNY Post Op (10th week)

Century Club Reached (YES BABY!!) on Feb 21st 2008
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Old 12-19-2007, 07:08 PM   #2 (permalink)
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Hey, good for you Joe! Just keep sipping, sipping, sipping...and remember that the clear broth you pour off of soups is WAY better than just the containers of broth! Also, peppermint tea with a couple of packs of equal went down very well right after the surgery for me.

I'm glad you're out of the hospital and virtually pain free. Let us know how things are going as you progress!

Happy Holidays and congratulations on your new journey!

-Mike
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Old 12-19-2007, 07:13 PM   #3 (permalink)
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Thanks Mike, I appreciate the tips and Happy Holidays to you and your family.
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TT Gym Rat #88
HawaiianBear

Highest I've ever been
: 445 lbs
Weight at Start of Program: 440 lbs
Surgery Weight: 400 lbs
Current: 296 lbs
My Goal: 185 lbs

Weight Lost since Surgery: 104 lbs
Weight Lost since start of program: 144 lbs

Surgery Date: 12/17/2007
Status: Lap RNY Post Op (10th week)

Century Club Reached (YES BABY!!) on Feb 21st 2008
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Old 12-19-2007, 07:54 PM   #4 (permalink)
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Joes on the loser's bench! Yeah! Sounds as if you had a pretty good surgeon and hospital team, except for the infamous Mrs. L.... But I've come to realize that you ALWAYS have to have one Nurse Rachet on call somewhere. LOL I can't imagine being on drugs and waking up to someone pulling something out of my wohoo...EGADS! LOL

Mike: Thanks for the tip regarding the soup broth. I'll keep that in mind.

Keep us updated on your recovery! I'm nosey and want to have an idea of what to expect after surgery, though I know that EVERYONES recovery is different.
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Old 12-20-2007, 05:56 AM   #5 (permalink)
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congrats!!!

Why cant nurses just put away their ego's and listen to patients... sigh...

(from another bad iv sticker)

The peppermint tea, just a little story, I was on Atkins 4 years ago and noticed that when i had a cup of peppermint tea in the am and pm i lost more weight quicker than when i wasnt on peppermint tea. Dont know why, but drinkin it now, wonderful treat like drinking a bit of christmas all year round!
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Old 12-20-2007, 06:08 AM   #6 (permalink)
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Congrats! While I read your post my hears was racing, still is. Thank you for the post. The more I read the more I know what to expect and it makes my heart race. I am glad that everything went well for you. I think every place has a nurse like you had. Keep us posted!
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Old 12-20-2007, 07:18 AM   #7 (permalink)
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Congrats Joe! It's sooooo good to hear your account of things... Glad to hear the pain has subsided... and that you're doing so well! You look good as a loser!!!

katie
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Old 12-20-2007, 07:44 AM   #8 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheJOE View Post
Yup, Monday was surgery date and below is the story of my experience, hoping that it helps someone someday.

Monday morning at about 5:30 AM PT I checked into Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego to have my Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass surgery. I went to the admissions area and gave them my name. I did not have to bring an ID with me because I had pre-registered with Sharp when I went for the pre-surgery class the Wednesday prior to surgery where they scanned my drivers license into the system!! very neat indeed.

After that I was taken into a waiting room where I waited with another individual who was checking in for a different surgery. This time the wait was about one minute. From there we were taken to the 5th floor where we each were assigned a room and given a gown and instructed to wear the gown the hospital supplied socks after taking off everything we had on (yes, everything) some of you might think well duh but honestly this was my first surgery and I have always imagined having it with my shorts on!! don’t know why but this was the first Modesty shocker.

There in the room laying on the bed and waiting when here comes Mrs. Let me scare the kids away nurse... she was mean and did not want to listen to me when I explained that I am a hard stick and that the best place to place the IV was on my left arm. After pocking and torturing me for a few minutes another nurse took mercy on me and asked for the IV Team to come over and place the IV... guess what, they listened and that IV when in without me even feeling it because apparently they place local anesthesia on the area before pocking you unlike Mrs. Let me scare the kids away nurse.

Nurse Susan (The one that took mercy on me) chatted with me for a while and answered every question that comes to my mind. She then left me to watch TV for about 30 minutes before taking me on a bed to the Anesthesia room. By this time it was 7:30 AM. The anesthesia Dr. came and asked me the same questions that everyone has asked me all day then took me to get weighed 400 lbs was the reading. I was then taken into the Surgery room where I was placed on a surgery table and lights just went out!!! Next thing I know I am awake in the recovery room with terrible pain....yes, that infamous MAC truck that everyone was talking about is real. Nurses had mercy on me and kept me sedated. Basically I would wake up, scream pain and fall back a sleep again from some very nice drugs

One time I woke up to a nurse holding my wohoo and pulling the catheter out Let me tell yeah, that was not fun. It basically felt as if I was peeing all over the bed! Luckily that was not the case. Only a feeling from her pulling the catheter out.

Well, afterwards I spend two nights in the hospital and I was kicked out on Wednesday at about 11-12 noon. the first night was painful and they kept giving me Morphine. the only problem with morphine is that the more I was given the more my body kept rejecting it in the form of Nauseous feeling. The nurses were nice enough to call my Surgeon who put me on Loritab instead which was much better and lasted a heck of a lot longer.

Every half day was different, although I did not sleep through out a single night, I would say that by the third night (now as I am typing this post) the pain is all but gone.

The hospital stay was very accommodating. Sharp pretty much provided everything I needed. They even had deodorant, lip palm, tooth brush and Paste, body gel and socks for me to take showers while at the hospital!! I did not even have to open my bag for anything other than to get my cell phone out and call a few friends.

Getting used to drinking via small sips was a challenge but I am getting the hang of it all.
Joe:
I am glad that you had a seemingly good experience. Good luck with being on the losers bench!

Do you continue to have soreness? Any issues since you have been home?

I am having a hard time getting small sips... I can always tell when I have too big of a sip cause I can feel my water going all the way down.

Take Care
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Old 12-20-2007, 11:32 AM   #9 (permalink)
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Joe, On the iv stick I had the same problem for years, well good news, when you reach goal the veins stick out great and no problem to hit, when they did my blood work it only took one shot. I've always had so much lard over the veins that it was like they had to go thru a mattress in the dark.
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Old 12-20-2007, 03:56 PM   #10 (permalink)
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Hey Joe
Thanks so much for posting This is helping ease my fears, well there is the one about the wohoo, that one can never get used to lol.

The vain in my left arm sticks out is so obious the one to use, and trust me, I won't let Miss Nurse L poke me anywhere else, I am bringing my frying pan with me lololol.

Glad you mentioned morphin, the stuff don't work on me, 2 C-Sections to prove it too lol,, will remember to tell them that when I check in and to every single person I see and talk to once I am in.

The 8th for me is coming too fast, but not fast enough. agh..

Please keep us posted.
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