Re: Jen's experiences

[Guest guest]

Dear Jen

From one who is just one week pre op, it was very reassuring to read of

your experiences. I wish you well and hope that the band is everything you

want it to be.

Love

Janet

At 21:29 26/04/99 -0700, you wrote:

>

>

>Hello all;

>

>Well I am back from Monterrey and am feeling fine.

>

>Thank you so much Denny for sending that e-mail to Dr. It meant so

>much to me to know you were thinking about me. You are so thoughtful!

>

>We left for Monterrrey Sunday night and got there Monday at noon. The

>drivers in Monterrey drive like crazy people. Or at least I thought

>but they never had any accidents. Just very different!

>

>My husband went with me and I was glad to have him along. I think I

>could have done it without him but the money you save is probably not

>worth it.

>

>We stayed at Hampton Inn and I was very pleased with the service. I

>was VERY comfortable and you will save about 15% if you have AAA. I

>didn't, but when I made the reservation I told them I did and made sure

>to get it before we went. When we got down there they didn't want our

>card, it was already in the computer. Something you may want to try.

>

>Dr. Rumbut was gone so I did not meet him the day before the surgery, I

>met with his associate, Dr. Trevino. I had heard there was no special

>diet so I had spicy shrimp at lunch the day before the surgery. Dr.

>Trevino had me take a laxative when I met with him at about 6 pm the

>evening before the surgery. That was the worst part I think of the

>entire time. The don't mess around with laxatives in Mexico. ;o) I

>am sure by 6:30 am the next day there was NOTHING in me at all. (I

>would say don't eat spicy things before the surgery.)

>

>We went to the hospital on Wednesday morning at 6:30 am (Dr. Trevino

>pre admitted me the evening before, I would recommend that if at all

>possible.) I was on the operating table waiting to meet Dr. Rumbut,

>saw him and went to sleep. Before that I asked Dr. Trevino and the

>anesthesiologist if I would have a cathetor and they both said no.

>Whether I did or not I will never know but I don't think so.

>

>I was so tired it was hard for me to wake up and I wanted them to just

>leave me alone but I went in to surgery at 8:30 and was in my own room

>at noon straight up.

>

>I had to wee bad and I don't like bedpans. (I think I would end up

>weeing all over the bed). At 12:30 I got up and walked to the bathroom

>with the nurse.

>

>At about 2 on my second trip to the bathroom I felt nausea and told the

>nurse but ended up having dry heaves in the garbage can. That to was

>pretty aweful but they immediately came in and gave me a shot in the

>bum and I haven't since.

>

>I slept and weed till about 6 when they brought in jello, juice and

>coffee. I had a little jello, and a little juice.

>

>At 10 o'clock the doctor came in and I asked how long I would have to

>have the IV in. He asked if I was up and walking and I said " yes " .

>Asked if I had drank any water or anything on the tray, " I had " . Not a

>lot but a sip here and there. They completed the antibotics and pain

>medicine and disconnected me from the IV. (I still had the IV in my

>hand but I wasn't connected so it was much easier to go the bathroom.)

>I had a terrible sleep that night but it was because I wanted to be

>back in the hotel so bad. He got there at 9:30 and released me to the

>hotel with 9 pain pills and Malox. (I did not want the Malox, but he

>insisted, he said " I think you will want it. " ) (In the morning they

>brought a kind of watered down oatmeal and juice.)

>

>Went to the hotel, took a shower, wrote in my journal, finished

>postcards, worked on some chochet and took 3 pain pills that day. When

>I went to sleep I was able to sleep on my right side and back. My back

>was the most comfortable but the right side was okay also.

>

>Friday got up and went down to breakfast with Amer, my husband, I had

>some orange juice and yogurt. Even put my bra on for about 3 hours.

>Dr. came by the room and saw me, said everything looked fine and would

>call tomorrow. Went for a walk around the pool and parking lot. I did

>not go shopping after the surgery, the car ride from the hospital was

>very uncomfortable and I was worried about getting bumped or tripping

>or something. I knew I had to catch the plane and didn't want anything

>to hurt my healing. ( I was a chicken, I know. ) Took one pain pill

>before bed.

>

>Saturday. Did not go to breakfast just had orange juice, some water.

>I watched a lot of tv in Mexico. They have a Hallmark channel and that

>is what I watched alot. And started packing. Saturday it rained so I

>walked the halls and lobby. Saturday night I could lay on my right

>side. But it was still uncomfortable to sleep on. Took one pain pill

>before bed.

>

>Sunday. Left for the airport at 11 a.m. left Monterrey at 12:30 p.m.

>and finally arrived at SeaTac at 9:15 p.m. Took one pain pill in

>Monterrey airport.

>

>Monday. Woke at 5:15 a.m. for work. Returned from work at 3 p.m.

>

>(Three pain pills left)

>

>I was really surprised about how easily it went. I have NEVER had any

>surgery, never a broken bone, never any IV, never high blood pressure.

>(My weight has not made me ill yet, which is such a blessing.) I am

>suprised at how little it takes still to make me full. I had about 1/2

>cup of broth for lunch to day. And about a 1/2 cup of broth today. I

>am having much more trouble getting the fluids in me that I need.

>

>And the Malox. I could not have survived without it. I have terrible

>gas in my stomache that I can't seem to burp out. Malox helps my

>stomache move the gas either up or down. Without the Malox I feel

>terrible! And it hurts to take deep breaths. I have learned to avoid

>coughing and sneezing at all costs! But that gets better with each

>day, and today it doing very well. I am hoping by this wednesday to be

>breathing normally.

>

>Dr. also said anything the consistency of yogurt or the oatmeal gruel

>would be fine to eat this month. He did not give me any ensure or

>protein drink. I have not got any thing yet, since the thought of 8

>oz. is overwhelming.

>

>I was afraid he would have to do it open since my weight was 303 lbs.

>I asked the associate and he said he did not think so but would not be

>able to tell until I was already under. But I had it down

>lapriscopically and they both said it was no problem.

>

>Next time I would bring some ensure, bouillion cubes, and get juices

>before the surgery. Bring stuff to do so you don't get bored. And

>bring something besides an underwire bra. I wore mine the entire trip

>home but I wish I had a looser one but the time I made it home.

>

>I was really, really, REALLY afraid and I can't tell you how unfounded

>my fear was.

>

>

>Jen

>

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