Bariatric Surgery

June of last year, I went to AGMC for my bariatric surgery.  It was not as tough physically as I thought it would be.  My family and I showed up at the hospital at 7:00am for a 9:00am surgery.  My husband wanted to write messages to the surgeon on my belly with a Sharpe, but I would not let him.  They did all the pre-op and gave me a blood thinner shot that made my arm feel like it was on fire.  When I went into the operating room I was very nervous, but within a few minutes my surgeon was there and he surprised me by being energetic and asking if I was ready for my procedure.  Believe it or not he made me feel very comfortable.  Before I knew it I was asleep.  When I awoke in the recovery room I was hurting.  I woke up saying ouch, ouch.  I remember the nurse telling me that I needed to wake up more before she could give me any more pain meds.  You better believe I woke up fast.  It is something going into a surgery not hurting and coming out hurting.  The wait was several hours before I saw my family.  I didn't get into a room until 3:00pm and that is when I saw my husband and mom.  When I looked at my belly I had five small holes and a drain tube.  The surgery was done laproscopicly.  Within a few hours I was up walking and going to the restroom.  I have to tell you the pain medicine was knocking me for a loop.  After this surgery I was on an all clear liquid diet for a day.  Then moved to a liquid diet.  Overall it went fast, but was a very hard concept to handle at the time.  Only drinking 2oz of something at a time is difficult, but doable!! I did it.  I also had to drink constantly to get enough fluids into my system.  by day two-three I was aloud to have broth.  Chicken broth is good, but I will never ever try beef broth again.  GROSS!!!!  My surgeon was great.  He visited every day and so did his nurse and the dietitian.  I was discharged on day three to home.  Only to be readmitted two days later for dehydration.  I only stayed in the hospital for a day, being pumped up with fluids.  I felt like a million bucks after that.   Don't get me wrong I did ask myself why the hell I put myself through it, but within two weeks I was back holding my kids and getting watered down mashed potato's.  That was the best thing I have ever eaten in my life!!!  The hardest part for me through this experience was more mental than physical.  My youngest was only 5months old and was having breathing problems.  The day I came home we had to 911 him to the hospital.  He has been diagnosed with asthma since then, but to be having problems with him and me just home from the hospital was a bit more than my nerves could handle.  Thank goodness for our extended family support system and our great neighbors!!!  By the way by me two week follow up visit I had already lost 18 lbs.  The weight just began to fall off. OK, guys give me some feedback what more do you want to know.  Give me some ideas.
Lea

Taken a month and a day after my surgery
Clothes were already fitting better!!