post op yipee

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

I am officially a post-Op. Boy those words sound good. I had my

surgery on Wednesday, April 26,2000. I was the first of three. My

surgery took a little bit longer, after Dr. Rutledge got " inside " he

found my liver enlarged. He said it was caused by obesity. I had

never known anything was wrong with my liver. This is just another

incidence of where this is a needed surgery for our health not just

for cosmetic reasons. All of us that are approved by our insurance

companies should thank them, no matter how much grief they may have

given you. And we should write the insurance commissioners of our

local states in support of this surgery being covered.

Now I will get off of my Soapbox and get back to my experience. One

of my port openings bled for about two days. I think it was the port

near my enlarged liver. The nurses just kept replacing my bandages. I

thought I might have to stay longer because if it but Dr. Rutledge

assured me I would be OK.

I had a LOT of gas pains across my shoulders and back. They lasted

for about 24 hours. I walked the evening and night after surgery and

the walking helps.

My other two littermates did even better than I did.

I was discharged the next morning. I did not have a clear head the

second day after surgery. I think it just took time to get the

anesthesia out of my system. I do not recommend anyone driving

themselves home from the hospital because of the anesthesia " jet lag " .

And I don't know about those girls that could shop and dig in the

garden the day after surgery. I couldn't. Maybe it is my age. I have

walked several times each day and I am not hungry. It has been hard

getting the meds in. The chart that Sharon made is wonderful.

I will be glad to be a contact or answer any questions. E-mail me

directly at my home learp@....

Thank every one of you for your prayers, reassurance and the answers

to so many of my questions. I only hope I can do the same for others.

God Speed,

Lynda Earp

MGB 4/26/00

learp@...