I am home finally... - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

rebelg66 · 09-14-2005, 09:54 AM

Well, I went for my surgery on July 28th as planned and had the surgery and apparently about 3 days later developed an infection that required the Drs to put me in an induced coma and I was in the hosp for 45 days. They haven't come out and said I could have died but the way they are talking I could have. My family keeps telling me how worried they were. I am glad I don't remember any of it cause this way I can detatch myself from it some.
Sorry my story isn't as smooth as it could be or as happy, but I guess it is better for everyone to understand how much could go wrong and what kind of complications can happen. In other words sorry to be a bummer and am kind of bringing down the mood on here...
At least it is done and over with now and I have lost about 25 pounds. Yea!!!! Hopefully this will be really successful so I can at least feel like I accomplished something with all I have been through.
Well I am getting tired out pretty easily right now so I am going to go. I wll try to write more later.

Dara · 09-14-2005, 10:01 AM

Rebel:

I'm really glad you made it through and are recovering. I'm also glad that you posted your experience. Your story only emphasizes what we repeatedly remind people on the forum and, that is, this surgery is not something that can be taken lightly. It is MAJOR surgery and can be life-threatening--just like any other MAJOR surgery. Complications can happen and patients can die. This is why it's sooooooo important to thoroughly research the surgery and make certain it's right for you. Personally, I feel it should be the last resort for weight loss and regaining health.

Thank God you're safe and on the road to success. Best of wishes for your continued recovery and good health.

SaturdazeChyld · 09-14-2005, 10:10 AM

Wow .. Well Welcome Home Rebel. That must have been awfully scary for everyone. And they all must be extremely happy to see you getting better and losing weight too.

I think your post was an important one Rebel. It's the right thing to do, so people know the reality of how serious this, or any surgery can be. This is a huge decision to make, and the readers here should be well informed.

Hugs to you.

~Faith

Gladitsme · 09-14-2005, 10:37 AM

Rebel,

Glad you're ok now. Sorry to hear about the complications. Welcome to the other side.

Mavisavis · 09-14-2005, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaturdazeChyld

Wow .. Well Welcome Home Rebel. That must have been awfully scary for everyone. And they all must be extremely happy to see you getting better and losing weight too.

I think your post was an important one Rebel. It's the right thing to do, so people know the reality of how serious this, or any surgery can be. This is a huge decision to make, and the readers here should be well informed.

Hugs to you.

~Faith

Absolutely.......we are not here to hide the dark facts and complications. Others need to know when they are deciding. I knew I could die. I made a medical power of attorney, a living will, and told a few family members things I'd like them to have. This is a serious and last resort decision. You are right to post it here. Now, I am sooooooo very glad you came through it finally. How scary for your family......and for you now after the fact. I truly hope that you are through it all and the rest is just getting healthy and strong!! Please keep us updated when you feel up to it enough......even if it's a short little sentence.....we'll understand. Hang in there Rebel!

ScootRider · 09-14-2005, 11:06 AM

that was quite a story and a scary at that. i am 5 days post op and keep waiting for something to go wrong...glad you are doing okay now...

rebelg66 · 09-18-2005, 10:33 PM

Thanks everyone for the wonderful support. I feel like I am doing a little better everyday. I am still on an IV at home finishing the course of antibiotics I was on in the hosp. I have a central line and a visiting home nurse taught my oldest daughter how to run the IV. I think I am done with the IV tomorrow so that will be nice. I am not sure when they will remove the central line if it will be by the visiting nurse or if I have to wait til my first post-op appt. with the surgeon. I know it was a pretty big deal putting it in but taking it out I am not sure about. They did a central line cause the antibiotics are so strong they blow my viens with a regular IV.
I still feel so weak I can't get over it. I move around like I am 90 and the swelling will not go down in my feet, so all I can wear are these horribly ugly shoes I have for puttering around in the garden. I am not going anywhere tho so I guess that really doesn't matter much.
They have me crushing my pills so nothing gets caught in my stomach.
My surgeon was right and I can eat sugar. All they brought me in the hosp was ice cream, pudding, jello, broth etc. None of it sugar free. I had a small dish of ice cream (about 1/8 cup) this afternoon and didn't dump so I am figuring that it won't be a problem (which I wish it was). The one thing I miss is being able to gulp a glas of iced tea or juice or water. I don't mind sipping but when you wake up feeling dehydrated it was nice to be able to gulp down some fluids. Well this is what I need tho to keep me from stretching out my stomach and gaining weight back.
Well, just wanted to update everyone. I am going to get going. I will post more if there is anything new to tell.

gramamarc · 09-18-2005, 11:00 PM

So glad you are starting to feel better. Everyone needs to know the consequences of this surgery so don't feel bad about posting. Like Dara said this is major surgery. It is not only life changing, it is also life threatening!
M

HeatherT · 09-18-2005, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebelg66

Well, I went for my surgery on July 28th as planned and had the surgery and apparently about 3 days later developed an infection that required the Drs to put me in an induced coma and I was in the hosp for 45 days. They haven't come out and said I could have died but the way they are talking I could have. My family keeps telling me how worried they were. I am glad I don't remember any of it cause this way I can detatch myself from it some.
Sorry my story isn't as smooth as it could be or as happy, but I guess it is better for everyone to understand how much could go wrong and what kind of complications can happen. In other words sorry to be a bummer and am kind of bringing down the mood on here...
At least it is done and over with now and I have lost about 25 pounds. Yea!!!! Hopefully this will be really successful so I can at least feel like I accomplished something with all I have been through.
Well I am getting tired out pretty easily right now so I am going to go. I wll try to write more later.

oh my goodness - i am glad you are alright - keep your head up - i noticed you are from the bay area...i am having my surgery done in Burlingame, CA near S.F. so i am wondering where did you have surgery? who was your surgeon?? what went wrong do you even know???

Bypassingme619 · 09-19-2005, 01:20 AM

Wow Rebel 45 days. Has it really been that long. Sweety I wish I had known of your condition. There are so many members here now it is kind of hard to keep track of all the members. I hadn't seen your name latley but had never thought you were going through what you were going through(((Hug))). Always remember we all go through what we go through because God has a story for us to share with people out there who are going through the same. Yeah it is good to hear the good but it is more important for everyone walking into this to understand the bad that could occur as well. Educating others on complications is priceless. Scary or not we all need to know so there for we can walk into this eyes wide open. I am glad you had your family there with you to support you. Rebel as you gain your strength I think it would be great for you to keep a journal of your Journey. Each day will get better. Here is another ((HUG)) sweety. Take care.