Re: Get well

June 12, 2005

Actually, I just think Pammagail is adorable...like "nightingale" or something. Yes, I had my surgery on Wednesday a.m. i suppose I should use this opportunity to recount the whole thing for those of you who are still waiting.

OK...so I was referred by my PCP in November, I think. I was approved in early December. Because I was going through Richmond, and they don't count your weightloss until AFTER they weight you in at the orientation, I anxiously awaited the orientation date. I called a couple of times to inquire about it, even though I probably shouldn't have (given the instructions on the tape). i was just so darned eager!!

So, my orientation was in January. I weighed in at 261, and I am 5'6". I'm now 41 years old, I turned 41 in April.

In February, I had my nutrition class, and I had to meet with the new staff psychologist, even though I already met with a wonderful woman named Villareal at the Oakland facility. She gave me some very good behavioural things to think about in my upcoming surgery. If you look at a past post by me, baci in January, it may have 's name in the post...I listed some of the advice she gave.

In March, I think I had some other class or something (the memory is fuzzy). but, I was incredibly busy at work, and while I had lost 19 lbs., the remaining 7 lbs. were stubborn. My friend from France came, and we walked around a lot, and I couldn't eat much around him...so I lost a few more lbs. But, my birthday came and went (I was aiming to have the surgery by my birthday, or by the end of April), and I still had those last three lbs. or so. They kept going up and down. Up and down. Very frustrating.

Finally, in May, I thought 'enough is enough." So, I started doing protein shakes twice a day, and salad with tuna in it at night. i upped my workouts to a couple of hours every day (between walking, the elliptical trainer, Pilates and weightlifting)...and finally...at the end of May I reached goal.

I called the office, and they were able to get me in two days later! I went in, and weighed in on their scale and I was a half a lb. below goal. I nearly starved myself in the two days before that meeting, because I wasn't positive how my scale and their scales correlated. That was on a Thursday. I met goal, and they gave me a surgery date for June 8th, which was less than two weeks out! I was shocked, thinking I would have to wait four to six weeks, at least!

So the next few days were a flurry of activity, doing all of my tests, trying to get stuff done at work...getting an airline ticket for my mom to be here with me...etc..

I had to go in the following Tuesday for some tests and the pre-op class. They weighed me in, which I hadn't really expected. I was wearing a rather heavy outfit, and I had gained FIVE lbs. I hadn't done anything to merit that weight gain...just my body going nuts. I was totally stressed, and I was told that unless I was at goal on thursday (when I had to be there for my final round of tests) they may cancel the surgery.

I freaked...and did everything I could to lose the weight. I went in, and thank God, I was at goal (actually a half of a lb. above.)

On the day of surgery, they weighed me again, and I was at 235, the goal weight. (I had lost the final half lb.) So, I didn't have any "final meal", although on Friday p.m., Steve and I went to my favorite Indonesian restaurant, and we had what we would ordinarily have...only I had no alcohol, and we shared a dessert (I only had two bites). That gave me Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday to be hyper diligent before weigh in. I worked out, and mainly, I just didn't stress about it. I figured it would happen, I would get there.

So, the day before the surgery, I had been told to call the same day surgery line, and they would tell me when to arrive at the hospital. I called during the requisite time period 1-3, and the message said they would call me before 5. I did my final errands...like had a pedicure and manicure (to remove all polish, because you can't wear any in the hospital), and I had them buff out my nails. Picked up some flowers for my mom. Tried to find that yoghurt everyone is talking about that is "Atkins" approved. Bought Cream of wheat, and other stuff I'd need for stage 2. Ordered my Bariatric advantage vitamins, and paid extra to have them delivered overnight. You know...

No phone call. I called back right before 5. Called the bariatric clinic, and they were already gone. Called the surgery department. Finally, I reached somebody who said they had left a message on my machine (nope. no message on MY machine), and they told me to be there at 7 a.m. I was first on the board.

I was glad about that, because the doctors are more fresh when they are on their first one. So, I wasn't worried about getting up on time. but then, my garage door wouldn't open, and we had a bit of a drama...but I figured out how to manual override it (damn landlord...but that's a different story), and we were on our way...that rainy, rainy morning.

When I got there, I checked in. The wonderful Ricky , RN, came out to the lobby and explained to my mother and my husband what to expect, when they would hear from him about my progress, etc.. He was great. Really great and calming and reassuring. He took me back to the back, and they settled me into a very comfy recliner. He asked me questions, inserted an IV (no big thang...he was good), had me do some oxygen inhalations (I have asthma, so he wanted to open my air passages), and he chatted with me. I wasn't nervous at all, and he had a lot to do with that. Just a steller human being. Really.

The CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist) came and sat down and talked to me. (I had met with an anesthesiologist a few days before, but he came and spoke with me anyway.) He asked about my history, figured out I was allergic to Latex...and learned that my sister had had a very bad reaction to anesthesia in the past. And it is something that can be genetic. (Find out if anyone in your family has had malignant hypothermia). It may be hyperthermia, not sure. Anyway, he called over the chief of anesthesia to participate, and he asked questions, too. They satisfied themselves, and determined a protocol together. They were very professional.

They walked me into the surgery room, and Dr. Fisher appeared. I asked him whether he had slept well, if he was still hung over from a bender the night before...if he had consumed a reasonable amount of coffee (I asked the anesthesiologist if he was bringing a book into the operating room, if he was on any cold medication, and if he had enough sleep the night before, too. He said he was still drunk, but other than that, he'd be perfectly attentive. smart ass. It was funny.) Dr. Fisher was in fine form. I layed down on a table, and they tied my arms...a little like Jesus on the cross, you know, with your arms stretched out. No disrespect intended.

The last thing I remember saying is, "Dr. Fisher...when you are making those little holes in me, go gentle will you? Remember, the whole point of this surgery is that I want to look damned good naked!" Everybody laughed and that's the last thing I remember. I think I went in at around 8 a.m., maybe 8:30.

The procedure took 2 and a half hours, and Dr. Fisher went out and spoke to my mom, hubby and brother to let them know I was fine, and in recovery.

I think I got back into my room at around 2 or so. I took a while coming out of anesthesia. I always have been a cheap date...it doesn't take much to put me under.

I had a private room (as did Pam and back when I visited them). I was very out of it initially...it was like people were speaking Swahili to me. The two funny stories coming out of it is that at one point I said to my mother, "That doesn't even make sense in English!" And also, I spoke very intelligently about building hospitals for about five minutes, and I guess I was talking about Henry J. Kaiser. ANd then I said, "And of course his tricks, too." My brother said, "Tricks? you mean in archetecture?" I got really mad and said, "No, his airplane tricks. He's a stunt flyer." I have no idea what the hell I was talking about.

So, I got up and walked a few times. Had the Foley catheter in (most uncomfortable) just for the first walk, and then begged them to take it out. They told me that if they took it out, and I didn't pee, they'd have to reinsert it. I said, 'Fine, I'll take the chance." They took it out, and I filled up four or five hats (this little plastic baseball hat shaped thing they insert in the toilet to see how much you are peeing) before I ever left the hospital.

It hurt like heck to get up out of bed. I felt like I had performed 1000 stomach crunches, and I was afraid of hurting myself. But once I got up, I was relatively ok. I walked a lot. The first time, I took 5 long laps around the hospital floor (I declined the short cut), and I worked up to 15 laps...trying to go further each time. I wanted to get the drugs out of me as soon as possible.

The first day, my shoulder was incredibly sore. I felt like it had been severely injured during the surgery. I found out that it is normal, because the gas they fill you with can migrate, and it settled in my shoulder and hurt a lot. By the next a.m. it was all gone. My mom and Steve massaged it a couple of times, and that really helped to work out the gas.

And speaking of gas, I burped involuntarily A LOT. And I'm pretty polite about such things, so I was like, "Burp. Sorry". "Burp, Excuse me." "burp, I'm terribly sorry."

The nursing staff was very nice. I had a very nice male nurse whose name escapes me, although I remember his son's nae was Manual, and his daughter's name is Faith. i learned all of this as we took our long walks together.

I asked for something to drink, and they brought me a tray almost right away after I was in my hospital room. I never did the ice chip thing. I don' t know if it's because I was in recovery for such a long time, or what. But, they gave me jello, juice, broth and tea almost immediately. And I didn't have any problems with it...although I could kind of feel it going down. It felt a little hard going down, if that makes any sense.

I could only eat a couple of bites, of course.

When I was released (Dr. Fisher came to see me twice the day I was released...but I never saw my case manager, she was out sick...and she hasn't called me yet. I imagine she'll call me at home on Monday?) the ride home was miserable. Every little jerk or jar, my stomach muscles would engage and it hurt. Even though I live in SF, and it's only a 25 minute drive, maybe 35 minute...I made Steve stop twice so I could get out and rest a bit.

Oddly enough, the 40 plus stairs to my apartment didn't hurt at all. Go figure.

So, I was kept on Stages I liquids until Saturday a.m.,and now I'm on Stage 2. I had only gained 5 lbs. from the IV fluid at the hospital (I was lucky, Pam gained 25 lbs, and I think was about 20.) I have lost the five and an additional 3 or so, so now I weigh 231.5.

My tummy is still very puffy, and sore. I look like I'm pregnant. The bandages are still on, although I've taken two showers. I feel gassy a lot...but it was a big thrill yesterday morning when I passed gas through the other end (as opposed to burping) because it gave me more gas relief. I read that this could last for a couple of months. God, I hope not!!!

I've been outside walking each day, up and down the steps, and out to the marina to get in some fresh air. I feel like I could go further, but my caregivers are holding me back a bit. I am surrounded by flowers, 12 bouquets and four plants already!! And the damn phone rings every five minutes, I swear.

I sleep a lot, and I feel pretty good. Sore, but not horrible. It's not as bad as I expected, not at all.

So, that's the deal. No regrets. No real hunger at all, although I noticed that the smell of pizza in the hallway kinda stirred my tummy juices, but I hadn't eaten for many many hours at that point. On the other hand, I was able to sit down to dinner, with everybody eating turkey, salad and sour dough bread...and I was perfectly fine with my broth and my jello.

I don't feel hungry. My mother is making enchilada casserole today (bitch) for my brother and aunt who are coming to see me. I imagine the smell of hamburger, onion and garlic frying might have an impact on me. But, oh well. Maybe I'll take a walk during that crucial time. She's been pretty good so far, and is trying to use th eopportunity to shed a few lbs. while she's at it...so mostly she's eating salads with protein in it...and the smells aren't so extreme, you know?

It's my brother's fault. He asked for the enchilada casserole. And he's fat. So, there you have it. (Bitter, no not at all.) Actually...it may not be an issue at all. I just worry it will be, and I kinda don't want to have any issues for a while, yet. I prefer the honeymoon period, thanks very much!

Anyway, back to drinking my water. Took my B-12 today. gotta be careful about those vitamins. I want to stay healthy.

That's all the news that is fit to print....

Robynn

pammagail52 wrote:

Robyn,I've read that you just got out of the hospital. I hope you are doing well. I was telling my husband that it was really good to read the messages of people who are in different stages. I am fine with the name Pammagail so I won't confuse you in your state of confusion. Pammagail

June 12, 2005