Re: Fears (long)

[Guest guest]

> Could anyone please help me by

> telling me about their surgery. What was

> the surgery like? How long were you in pain? How bad was it? How

> good was it? What were your fears and how were they alleviated (if

> they were)? Would you do it again? Were the tests before the

> surgery painful

- I was not in any bad pain after the surgery - nothing more

than discomfort. I had an epidural, and other pain meds when I wanted

them, which was only once or twice. I was however exhausted and slept

a lot. Walking was very tiring, but the more I walked the better I

started to feel. They switched me to oral tylenol w/ codeine before I

left the hosp. I took one does right before leaving and vomited it up

2 seconds later. I went home on a 1 1/2 hr ride home in a bumpy

truck. I was, however, not in any pain, and never took any pain meds

at home at all.

I've had surgeries before, but nothing that was as complicated as

this, so I was a little scared. I knew I had to do this, to save my

life, though. I felt a lot more calm after talking to the

anesthesiologist (sp?)

None of the pre-op tests were painful, except for the bloodwork, when

they took 9 vials! The lung function, and upper GI were a peice of

cake. The treadmill stress test was not too pleasant, but only

becasue I am so out of shape - it was really tiring!

I had a day or two in the hospital where I asked the usual - what did

I do to my self questions, but I think everyone goes through that.

I won't kid you - it is hard to have major surgery. And after I went

home there's a whole other set of challenges: how to sleep

comfortably, most food tastes awful, it's a challenge to get the

fluids down, nausea, (but I've only vomited 3 times total). But

really, each day got better and better.

I would definitely do it again if needed. I feel and look so much

better, have so much more energy, and just basically feel terrific. I

can't even imagine how good I'll feel as I close on on my goal weight.

Good luck

Ellen

DS 2/14/01 310

Dr. Anthone

6/27/01 244

-66 lbs

[Guest guest]

Hi Ellen- Thank you so much for the positive info concerning your

experience. I am so glad it went well for you. I know I must sound

like such a whimp, but truthfully having never had surgery before, I

just don't know what my pain tolerance is, so its great to get this

kind of info from you. You mentioned pre-op testing. I have read

that the tests are done, but I don't know exactly what type of

tests. Could you let me know what tests are done prior to surgery.

I am trying to prepare myself as much as possible, and my mother (who

is a worrier) would like the info as well, so I can pass it on.

Thanks again,